John
Morris
Another interesting event occurred before the one I just related. I hadn't been in Washington
more than a few days and was told that I would escort to West Point a special investigating
committee which was headed up by Congressman [Edward]
was number two in
the House Armed Services Committee.
The investigation was to consider why Army had turned down a request to play a post-season
football game in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans against Louisiana State University. Mr.
had been instrumental in getting Army invited. When the Chief of Staff of the Army and the
secretary decided to decline, the cadets and Mr.
were really upset. I was still at West Point
when the turndown occurred, but the investigation started after I got to Washington. I remember
the cadets took all the sugar bowls off the table from the dining room in protest for not being able
to go to the game in the Sugar Bowl.
Well, anyway, I'd only been gone about a week and I was back up at West Point with this
investigation. The congressman made his point, but the Army didn't play in the bowl game,
either.
The Legislative Liaison job has impact on many activities. On one occasion, the Senate Armed
Services Committee was meeting on the authorization bill, and I happened to be outside when the
staffer came out and asked if I could help resolve a problem at West Point.
The East Academic Building, a new building to be built at West Point, was about to be axed to
save money. The discussion favored cutting back on entrants for a couple of years to delay the
need. I drew a little sketch to show that the students who would use that building were already
at West Point, and by the time the building was finished they'd be ready to use it.
So he grabbed the sloppy sketch and took it back in the Senate. In about15 minutes he reported
the building was in the bill. That's just how close it was. I've seen this gentleman two or three
times since then, and he always remarks on how that East Academic Building at West Point was
saved. Legislative Liaison was an important job. You soon learn that at that level facts and
accuracy are crucial-guesses are dangerous.
You were heavily involved in the funeral arrangements for Robert Kennedy, weren't you?
A
Yes. Whenever a senior Executive Branch official is to be buried, one of the services will be
designated to manage the congressional delegation that goes to the funeral. When Robert F.
Kennedy was assassinated, that project was assigned to the Army even though the Kennedys were
Navy people.
Because Mr. Kennedy was running for president, he had a large political campaign staff. Of
course they became involved with everything, and the situation became confused. Besides that,
the funeral services were to be in Saint Patrick's Cathedral in New York, and the interment in
Arlington Cemetery, Virginia.
General Penney decided he would stay in Washington and take care of the situation here,
particularly the event at the Arlington Cemetery, and receive the cortege when it came from New
York on the train. I was to go to New York where my first stop was at the "Kennedy for
President" headquarters. That was a real madhouse, and I was getting nowhere. I wasn't able to
find anybody to talk to. It may have been orderly to somebody, but it wasn't to me.
Finally, I saw a familiar face which I recalled from the dedication of the
Dam in
Oklahoma. He, a Mr. Bruno, also recalled the event, so I explained that I had about 200 members
of the Congress of the United States and their wives coming to the funeral, and my responsibility
was to get them into Saint Patrick's Cathedral and seated as a group.
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