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The House Select Committee on Assassinations

The House Select Committee on Assassinations was created on February 2, 1977, with the mandate to conduct a "full and complete investigation and study of the circumstances surrounding the assassination and death of President John F. Kennedy and the assassination and death of Martin Luther King, Jr. The House Resolution 1540, by the 94th Congress, second session, authorized the 12-member select committee.

Despite the passage of many years since final conclusions were reached regarding the death of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr., the American people did not believe that the truth concerning these assassinations had been disclosed, and they continued to question the adequacy and integrity of the original investigations. The Select Committee on Assassinations, in its report to the 94th Congress stated that the passage of time had not healed the national trauma caused by these assassinations. In the ensuing years, old doubts had remained and new disturbing questions had been raised as additional evidence had been discovered. As a result, there was a growing sense of national concern about the adequacy and integrity of the original investigation. The history of these assassinations has demonstrated that the passage of more time would only increase that concern.

Under the mandate contained in the enabling Resolution, the committee commenced its activities under the leadership of Chairman Thomas N. Downing (who would later resign). The committee divided itself into two subcommittees dealing with each of the investigations. Congressman Walter E. Fauntroy was designated Chairman of the King subcommittee and Congressman Richard Preyer was designated Chairman of the Kennedy Unit. Thereafter, the committee immediately addressed itself to the task of assembling staff, planning the course of the investigations, and assigning administrative functions.

It was decided that to conduct the type of full and thorough inv...

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The House Select Committee on Assassinations. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 18:55, March 28, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1681624.html