Hon. THOMAS J. LANE, OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL, Chairman, Subcommittee, No. 2, Judiciary Committee, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. LANE: It has been called to my attention that your committee will be hearing testimony Wednesday morning, August 23, on the proposed legislation supporting amendments to the Constitution regarding continuity of government for the House of Representatives. Optimist International is a strong advocate of the continuity of government phase of the civil defense program, and on behalf of 2,000 Optimist clubs, I urge your committee to give favorable consideration to this proposed legislation. Sincerely, R. R. REMBOLT, M.D., President. REGULAR VETERANS ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Hon. THOMAS J. LANE, DEAR CONGRESSMAN LANE: Information has come to me that your committee will hold hearings tomorrow on an amendment to the Constitution of the United States which will assure the continuity of the House of Representatives in times of extreme emergency. In view of the extremely dangerous and explosive condition of the world today, we believe that the proposed amendment is one of the most important pieces of legislation now before the Congress of the United States, if indeed it is not basically the most important! The Regular Veterans Association of the United States supports, without qualification, this amendment to the Constitution. We urge its enactment without delay. The 25th national convention of this association, which convened in Reno, Nev., this month, unanimously urged this action in the following resolution: "Whereas the U.S. House of Representatives is a fundamental element of our form of government; and "Whereas in the event of a nuclear type of attack on our country, a substantial number of casualties in the House of Representatives could result; and "Whereas article I, section 2, of the U.S. Constitution limits the filling of vacancies to election by the people; and "Whereas it may be impossible after such an attack to hold elections promptly: Now, therefore, be it "Resolved, That the Regular Veterans Association of the United States urges and supports without qualification an amendment to the Constitution of the United States which will assure the continuity of the House of Representatives in times of extreme emergency." Since previous commitments in San Francisco make it impossible for me to be present at the hearing scheduled by your committee, it will be highly appreciated if you will make this statement a part of the hearing records. Thank you very much for your courtesy. Sincerely, JOHN SHANNON, National Commander. WASHINGTON, D.C., August 21, 1961. Hon. THOMAS J. LANE, Chairman, Subcommittee 2, House Committee on the Judiciary, The Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. in national convention assembled, resolved to support the continuity of government. We hereby signify our support of bills now pending to provide for amendment to the U.S. Constitution to insure continuity of the House of Representatives. THEODORE BROOKS, National Commander, Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. MILWAUKEE, WIS., August 18, 1961. Hon. T. J. LANE, Chairman, Subcommittee No. 2, House Judiciary Committee, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.: At our Eagles 63 international convention just completed a resolution was passed setting up a permanent civil defense committee. On behalf of the Eagles, we wish to make known our support of the proposed legislation submitted to amend the Constitution of the United States to assure continuity of the House of Representatives. We do so in the interests of the preservation of an efficiently functioning Government under emergency conditions. PAUL N. HOFFMANN, Grand Worthy President, Grand Aerie Fraternal Order of Eagles. Hon THOMAS J. LANE, ST. LOUIS, Mo., August 21, 1961. Chairman of Subcommittee No. 2, Committee on Judiciary, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.: The Disabled Americans Veterans supports pending legislation for amendment to the U.S. Constitution providing for continuity of the House of Representatives. WILLIAM O. COOPER, National Commander, Disabled American Veterans. WASHINGTON, D.C., August 22, 1961. Hon. THOMAS J. LANE, Chairman, Subcommittee on Claims, House Judiciary Committee, U. S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.: We understand your committee will soon be conducting hearings with respect to the continuity of Government program as it applies to civil defense. It is my pleasure to advise you that the Air Force Association completely endorses the philosophy of continuity of Government and our membership has supported this philosophy in many States that held elections on this matter throughout the past year. We are confident you and your committee will also be in strong support of the continuity of Government philosophy. Respectfully, THOS. F. STACK, President, Air Force Association. (The report of the Executive Office of the President, Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization on House Joint Resolution 29, House Joint Resolution 74, and House Joint Resolution 91 is as follows:) Hon. EMANUEL CELLER, EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: This is in reply to your request for a report on the following joint resolutions: House Joint Resolution 29, to amend the Constitution to enable the Congress to function effectively in time of emergency or disaster. House Joint Resolution 74, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to enable the Congress, in aid of the common defense, to function effectively in time of emergency or disaster. House Joint Resolution 91, to amend the Constitution to authorize Governnors to fill temporary vacancies in the House of Representatives. The Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization favors a simple grant of authority to State Governors to fill vacancies in the House of Representatives during an emergency. Accordingly, we prefer House Joint Resolution 91 over House Joint Resolution 29 and House Joint Resolution 74. The latter two joint resolutions are not desirable, because each includes specific provisions which pertain to notification of the President that the prescribed percentage of vacancies has in fact occurred. Moreover, House Joint Resolution 74 restricts each Governor's appointive power by including an undesirable condition precedent to appointment; namely, that the Governor shall appoint the individual named by the central committee of the political party to which the deceased Member belonged. We believe that necessary administrative procedures such as those proposed by House Joint Resolution 29 and House Joint Resolution 74 may better be left to the Congress and to each State legislature. The Bureau of the Budget advises that it has no objection to the submission of this report from the standpoint of the administration's program. Sincerely, FRANK B. ELLIS. Director. O PD 2.3.3 |