THE STATE OF THE UNION : Pledge Made to Work Well With Speaker

President Reagan made a special bid Tuesday night for a good working relationship with new House Speaker Jim Wright (D-Tex.).

Early in his State of the Union address to Congress, Reagan noted, “There’s a new face at this place of honor.” He invited the assembled lawmakers to join in “warm congratulations” to Wright, who was seated in the Speaker’s chair behind the President.

Wright became Speaker of the House with the start of the 100th Congress this month, succeeding Thomas P. (Tip) O’Neill Jr. (D-Mass.), who retired after 10 years in the post.

In his address last year, Reagan made note of the fact that O’Neill, with whom he often battled over Administration policies, was presiding over the event for the last time. Reagan then offered congratulations and good wishes to O’Neill.

Borrows Eisenhower Quote

In his reference to Wright’s ascendancy, Reagan noted that during Wright’s first term in the House another Texan--Rep. Sam Rayburn--became Speaker and was welcomed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Reagan borrowed a quote from Eisenhower: “We shall have much to do together; I am sure that we shall get it done--and, that we shall do it in harmony and good will.”

Reagan added, “Tonight, I renew that pledge.”