JFK Assassination Hearings - Day One Introduction & John & Nellie Connally
JFK Assassination Hearings - Day One Introduction & John & Nellie Connally
(01:37:40) Fuzzy image of PBS funding credit to the Ford Foundation (01:38:14) Shot opens from back of gallery of hearing room where people are congregating, hearings host SANFORD UNGAR voices over an introduction to the first day of the hearings which will be the testimony of former Texas Governor John Connally and his wife Nellie, the shot changes to him during this introduction, he then introduces his panel JEREMIAH O'LEARY of the Washington Star and PAUL HOCH of the Assassination Information Bureau, they discuss the conspiracy aspect of the investigation and if it will be laid to rest by these hearings (01:45:00) Shot returns to the hearings room where Ungar identifies the Chairman of the Committee Representative LOUIS STOKES and fellow member Representative RICHARDSON PREYER and panel discusses fact that certain government documents regarding the assassination were not made available for the committee to review (01:46:26) Shot returns to the panel which discusses the possibilty that the hearings could be cut off abruptly because of lack of funds which is to be later voted on (01:47:50) Shot retuns to hearing room and committee where Stokes kicks things off with an introduction of the committee's objectives in holding the investigation: to identify JFK's assassin, to determine the performance of Federal agencies in their investigation and protection of the president, to determine if there was a conspiracy to assassinate JFK - Stokes then talks about how the committee will approach the hearings with an objective stance suspending judgement until examining all the evidence and not coming to a decision until December of '78 when they will convene to write a report as to their conclusions (01:50:58) Stokes gives the differences between these hearings and criminal procedings: there is no defendent, there is no prosecuter, there is no specific burden of proof, there is no pending indictment - Stokes goes on to say that the committee is there to evaluate evidence and leaves its ultimate decision to the public hearings in December (01:53:50) Stokes says the hearings are held to form a historic record (01:54:30) Stokes sets up this week of the hearings: to examine the facts and circumstances surrounding JFK's trip to Dallas and scientific analysis of the facts of JFK's death (01:55:00) Stokes recognizes Preyer who explains the hearing will revolve around three themes: the involvement in the death of JFK of LEE HARVY OSWALD, an evaluation of federal agencies who were involved in events surrounding the assassination and the investigation that followed, and a review of conspiracy theories (01:57:50) Preyer explains what has gone on in the House investigation up to this date, namely in their securing and evaluation of evidence, he goes on to give statistics on the number of locations around the world visited in pursuit of information, the number of people interviewed, the number of agency files perused, the number of consultants consulted, all of the numbers are extremely large (02:01:04) Stokes recognizes Minority Leader of the Committee Representative Samuel L. Devine who says that even after the hearings are over the work will continue for the committee (02:02:35) Stokes explains that he and other members of the committee will have to leave at 10 am today to consult with the House about continuing the funding of the committee, Stokes then recognizes Professor G. ROBERT BLAKEY, Chief Counsel, who gives a flattering, lengthy history of JFK's presidency and the major issues he contended with: the Soviet Union, Cuba and the Cold War, Civil Rights, the mob and JIMMY HOFFA (02:23:00) Blakey gets into JFK's political traveling logisitics, as far as security - Blakey goes on to discuss why JFK would go to Dallas and why have a motorcade there (02:25:40) Blakey introduces former Texas Governor JOHN CONNALLY and his wife NELLIE (02:26:40) Chairman Stokes calls the Connallys and swears them in (02:27:15) Stokes gives the historical context of the Connallys' relationship to the JFK assassination - why they were called to testify (02:29:00) Stokes turns chair position over to Representative CHRISTOPHER DODD as he and other committee members have to leave (02:29:38) Dodd turns the floor over to Deputy Chief Counsel GARY T. CORNWELL to question the witnesses, he asks John about his role in JFK's trip to Dallas - John gives a lengthy explanation of the beginning of his contact with JFK and Vice President LYNDON JOHNSON and how they had originally wanted to come to Texas in '62 when he was in the midst of running for governor (02:33:20) Cornwell asks why, if John was not initially Govenor, JFK would contact him about visiting Texas - John gives a long account of their long friendly relationship up to this time (02:35:00) Cornwell asks why JFK wanted to go to Texas - John answers to raise money and to increase his political fortunes in Texas, he then goes on to discount the press speculations as to why he came and further explains why JFK would come to increase his popularity in Texas, he also adds that he himself did not want JFK to come at that time and explains why (02:38:31) Cornwell asks why JFK didn't just come on his own, without the support of John, if John had been so persistent in delaying the trip - John answers that it was his constituency that JFK was interested in reaching, the rest of his response is cut off by the end of the tape