Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, June 29, 1973 (1/2
Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, June 29, 1973 (1/2
Robert MacNeill states that there will also be a discussion with guests Steven Hess, former White House aide, and David Austern, Georgetown University Law School professor. Begins hourly summary of hearings. Shot of caucus room, Attorney Shaffer reading papers; MacNeill continues in voice over. Senator Howard Baker conferring with Senator Sam Dash. Senator Sam Ervin moving to seat, pauses to confer with Senator Dash, takes seat, prepares to gavel.
Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, June 29, 1973 (1/2
Senator Sam ERVIN: The committee will come, to order. I would like to thank Senator Baker for presiding during my temporary absence yesterday afternoon and also. in addition to saying my thanks to him, I would like to state that I have never had the privilege of performing a public service with a more courageous and independent man than my vice chairman. I would also like to make this statement: The committee has discussed the question of holding hearings next week but the staff has been so pressed in preparing the testimony and talking to witnesses that we decided we would make more progress by taking next week off and leaving the staff here to work. I would like to praise the staff because, in connection with preparation of the transcripts of 'Mr. Dean's testimony some 12 or 14 members of the staff who had worked all day, Saturday and all day Sunday; also stayed up Sunday night in order to enable the committee to go ahead with the hearing on Monday, and I have never known a more diligent and more dedicated staff on any committee than this committee has the honor of having. Thank you. Senator Howard BAKER: Mr. Chairman, might I respond just for a moment? I thank you most deeply and humbly for your remarks. I say not just in a spirit of reciprocation but with absolute sincerity that, and I have said it before and I would like to say it again, I have never in my life 'Worked with a man who has been more cooperative, who has been more sensitive and understanding to the importance of this occasion and who has tried hard to make a bipartisan effort of these hearings which I think they have been. It has been a great privilege for me to learn from you and to go forward in this unpleasantness. Senator Sam ERVIN: Thank you. Senator Montoya.