Returns to public service Nelson Rockefeller

vice president nelson rockefeller (right) secretary of state henry kissinger, january 3, 1975.

in 1956, created special studies project, major seven-panel planning group directed henry kissinger , funded rockefeller brothers fund, of president. ambitious study created define central problems , opportunities facing u.s. in future, , clarify national purposes , objectives. reports published individually released , republished in 1961 prospect america: rockefeller panel reports.

the special studies project came national prominence release of military subpanel s report, principal recommendation massive military buildup counter then-perceived military superiority threat posed ussr. report released 2 months after october 1957 launch of sputnik, , recommendations endorsed eisenhower in january 1958 state of union address.

this initial contact kissinger develop lifelong relationship; kissinger later described closest intellectual associate. period rockefeller employed kissinger funded part-time consultant, principally on foreign policy issues, until appointment staff became full-time in late 1968. in 1969, when kissinger entered richard nixon s administration, rockefeller paid him $50,000 severance payment.