</s>104-10066-10003 APPROVED FOR RELEASE 1983 JFK ACT CIA HISTORICAL REVIEW PROGRAM 4 October 1976 RELEASE MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD SUBJECT: House Select Committee on Assassinations 1. On Tuesday, 27 September, I met with Mr. Tiny Hutton, Administrative Assistant to Representative Thomas Downing (D ., Va.) ,, and staff member Rick Feeney, to discuss the newly designated House and staff Member Rick Feeny, to represent Thomas Downing(D . ., VA.) , ,, Select Committee on Assassinations (membership list attached). Mr. Hutton asked for the meeting when I being inquiring as to whom Mr. Horton advised that the meeting was being circulated by certain Mr. Hilton advised that that running was being conducted by certain spooks' that "uncomfortable" information would be released if certain people who were being considered for top staff positions were hired. The CIA was not specifically mentioned but the impression left was that the Agency was involved. I had earlier called Frank Slatinsky, Chief Counsel and Armed Services, in Committee of Representative Bob Daniel (R ., R .), and Thad Murray, in the Office of RepresentativeBob Daniel (r ., V.A.) ., 2. Hutton said that Mr. Downing has discounted the credibility of the rumors that were circulating concerning certain people that were being considered are controlled positions on the Committee. Attacks were that these people are top critical positions on The Committee attacks by a number of rival groups. He was usual and are the subject of the Agency would not in any way have involved. 3. Hulton explained that Mr ., Downing's interest in this matter arose from discussions he had with Bernard Fensterwald and Bob Morrow, who claims past association with the Agency, concerning the association of President Kennedy. Based on what information they and others provided him, CLASSIFIED BY: 04.63/25 EXEMPT FREDERIC D. CORY, SCHELTERY FREDERAL D.CORY, SCHELLERY FRENCH FEDERAL FEDERICK FEDERA, CORY. SCHEERLY FREDE FREDERT D. CORRY, 3. J. CORTY, 3. CERTIFY (R.V.A.). SCHLTERY, C.CORTY. (C.C.M.C.) SCHEEFORD FREDEREY, F.C ., (R .. ) ., J. V.V.) SCHERRY, FEDERT, FENERGY, FERRY. F.D. C.M ., CORDY. SCHLEFT, FEMT, (C .- C.V . ,, C ., "C.Y.

Summary: The document details a meeting between CIA officials and representatives of the House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA) regarding the committee’s formation and operational concerns. It outlines discussions with Representative Thomas Downing (D-Va.) and his staff, including Rick Feeney, about the committee’s focus on JFK assassination investigations. Downing expressed skepticism about the Warren Commission’s findings, particularly regarding CIA efforts to assassinate Castro, and sought transparency to address public doubts. The HSCA’s formation was influenced by the Black Caucus extending the investigation to include Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. Downing emphasized narrowing the inquiry to avoid a broad, unproductive scope, aiming for a final report by January. Feeney, with TS clearance, planned to review classified materials and consult with the committee chairman on sensitive matters. The CIA was advised not to prepare for a full-scale investigation until the committee defined its scope. Documents related to Lee Harvey Oswald and JFK were shared under FOIA, and Downing selected Richard A. Spague as a staff member.  

Key People: Thomas Downing (D-Va.), Rick Feeney, Bernard Fensterwald, Thad Murray, Richard A. Spague  
Key Locations: Washington, D.C., Philadelphia  
Key Events: Formation of the HSCA, discussions on JFK assassination investigations, concerns about CIA transparency, extension of inquiry to MLK’s assassination, FOIA document releases  
Key Organizations: House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA), Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

MLK Declassified Files

00451064_house_select_committee_on_104-10066-10003.pdf

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