</s>104-10128-10271 APPROVED FOR RELEASE 1993 CIA HISTORICAL-REVIEW PROGRAM OLC 76-2946 77-0001/2 4 October 1976 P.A. 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 Select Committee for Assassinators (membership list attached). Mr. Hutton asked for the meeting when I called inquiring as to when the Committee would be initiating their investigation. At as time, Mr. Hutton advised that rumors were being circulated. At certain experience people who were being considered for top staff positions if experienced in the investigation. were hired. The CIA was not specifically mentioned but the impression left that was the Agency was involved. I had earlier called Frank Slatinsky, Chief Counsel, House Armed Services, in Committee, and he suggested Bob Daniel (R ., VA.) ., the office Representative Bob Daniel R ., va.) .. 2. Hutton said that Mr. Downing was discounted the credibility of the rumors that were circulated concerning certain people that were being considered for staff positions on the Committee. He recognized that there were no staff positions and are the subject of attacks by a number of rival groups. However, and are certain that the Agency would not be a any way have been involved. 3. Hulton explained that Mr./ Downing's interest in this matter arose from discussions that he had to Bernard Fensterwald and Bob Morrow, who claims past associations with the Agency, concerning concerning the assassination of President Kennedy. Based on what information they and others provided him, JFK ACT RELEAS 20349

Summary  
This document details a 1976 meeting between Patrick L. Carpenter, Assistant Legislative Counsel, and representatives of the House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA). The discussion centers on the committee’s investigation into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, with particular emphasis on potential involvement of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Representative Thomas Downing (D., Va.), chair of the committee, expressed concerns that the Warren Commission had not fully disclosed information about CIA efforts related to assassinating Cuban leader Fidel Castro. Bernard Fensterwald, a former CIA associate, influenced Downing’s views and drafted some of his statements on the matter. The HSCA was established amid pressure from the Black Caucus and the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., though the committee’s focus remained primarily on JFK’s murder. Rick Feeney, a staff member with Naval Intelligence clearance, supported the CIA and emphasized maintaining objectivity in the investigation. The document also notes that the committee planned to review classified materials and seek information from the CIA under FOIA.  

Key People  
- **Thomas Downing** (D., Va.): Chair of the HSCA; advocated for transparency regarding CIA’s role in JFK’s assassination.  
- **Bernard Fensterwald**: Influenced Downing’s views on the Warren Commission and drafted his statements.  
- **Rick Feeney**: Staff member with Naval Intelligence clearance; supported the CIA and emphasized objectivity.  
- **Frank Slatinsky**: Chief Counsel for the House Armed Services Committee; recommended Bob Daniel as a potential committee member.  
- **Thad Murray**: Represented Bob Daniel’s office; doubted the committee’s effectiveness and questioned Fensterwald’s credibility.  

Key Locations  
- Washington, D.C.: Site of meetings and committee operations.  
- Philadelphia: Home to Richard A. Sprague, a lawyer appointed as staff director for the HSC.  

Key Events  
- **Formation of the HSCA**: Established in response to pressure from the Black Caucus and the MLK assassination, though its primary focus was on JFK’s murder.  
- **FOIA Releases**: Agency documents related to Lee Harvey Oswald and the JFK assassination were released to Fensterwald and other requesters.  
- **Committee Structure**: Richard A. Sprague was appointed as staff director; most members would focus on their districts, with Downing overseeing the investigation closely.  

Key Organizations  
- **House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA)**: Established to investigate JFK’s assassination and related matters.  
- **Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)**: Subject of scrutiny regarding its potential involvement in JFK’s assassination and Castro-related activities.  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Mentioned in context of FOIA requests and information sharing.

MLK Declassified Files

00544176_house_select_committee_on_104-10126-10271.pdf

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