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Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. I - Page 125« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of Mrs. Lee Harvey Oswald Resumed)

The Chairman.
Thank you very much.
Representative Ford.
Mr. Chairman--I would just like to suggest that if Mrs. Oswald does wish to revise any of her testimony, that this be called to the attention of the Commission through her attorney, Mr. Thorne.
The Chairman.
Yes, of course. That is the proper procedure. Now, Mr. Thorne, you have been very cooperative with the Commission. We appreciate that cooperation. We hope that if anything new should come to your attention that would be helpful to the Commission, you would feel free to communicate with us.
Mr. Thorne.
Certainly, Mr. Chairman.
The Chairman.
Do you care to say anything at this time?
Mr. Thorne.
Mr. Chairman, if I may, I would like to make a closing statement.
The Chairman.
Yes. And may I say, also, if you have any questions you would like to ask Mrs. Oswald before you make your statement, you may do that.
Mr. Thorne.
There are none.
Representative Boggs.
Mr. Chairman, I would just like to say Mr. Thorne has been very helpful.
Mr. Thorne.
During the noon recess, Mrs. Oswald made four requests of me to make before this Commission.
You have anticipated several of them, but I think there are one or two that need to be covered.
To begin with, she wanted me to express to you, Mr. Chairman, and members of your Commission, her extreme gratitude to you for the consideration and kindness that has been shown to her in these proceedings. She feels you have certainly gone out of your way to make her comfortable, and she has been comfortable, in spite of the sad and tragic events we have been discussing.
Point No. 2, she did want to make it quite clear to the Commission that in the event her testimony was needed for rebuttal or whatever on down the line, she would be available, and at your wish would come to Washington as convenient for you when it was again convenient.
The third point you have already covered. She did request that she be given a copy of these proceedings, which I told her she would receive, and, of course, copies of the exhibits would be attached for her identification and examination.
Mrs. Oswald.
And copies of some of the letters?
Mr. Thorne.
This will all be attached as exhibits.
And the final point was this. She has been, as you know, under protective custody of the Secret Service from shortly after the assassination. She has been most grateful for this protection. The Secret Service have shown her every courtesy, as everyone has in this matter. She is extremely grateful for this protection they have given her.
I haven't had personally enough time to think this thing out myself. I don't know. It is her request, however, that, at this point she feels the protection is no longer necessary. She feels that at this time she can walk among people with her head held high. She has nothing to hide. She is not afraid. She feels that the Secret Service has performed a noble service to her. And this is not meant by way of saying for some action 'on their part she wants to get rid of them.
I have noticed that since we have been in Washington she resents being guided. She feels she can find her way by herself.
And, if the Commission would give this matter consideration--we don't know whom to go to. I haven't thought about it. I don't know who has suggested the Secret Service continue protecting her. It is a matter, of course, that ought to be considered.
But it is her request that as soon as it is practical, she would like to be a free agent and out of the confines of this protection.
I point out to you gentlemen that she is living, as you well know, with Mr. and Mrs. Martin. They have a rather modest home. Three bedrooms. It has a den and it has a combination living and dining room. The house is not extremely large, but there are always two men in the house. This does burden the family. This is not a request on the part of the Martins. They welcome this protection. This is something she thinks in terms of herself that she does not want to feel that she is being held back.
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