Mr. Hubert.

President Kennedy. Under the provisions of Executive Order 11130 dated November 29, 1963, and the joint resolution of Congress No. 137, and the rules of procedure adopted by the President's Commission in conformance with that Executive order and that joint resolution, I have been authorized to take a sworn deposition from you. I state to you that the general nature of the Commission's inquiry is to ascertain, evaluate, and report upon the facts relative to the assassination of President Kennedy and the subsequent violent death of Lee Harvey Oswald. In particular, as to you, Mr. Rea, the nature of the inquiry today is to determine what facts you know about the death of Oswald and any other pertinent facts you may know about the general inquiry and about Jack Ruby and his operations and associates, and his move-
ments and whereabouts on November 22, particularly.

Mr. Rea.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Hubert.

You have appeared here today, Mr. Rea, by virtue of a letter written to you by Mr. J. Lee Rankin, general counsel of the staff of the Presi-

dent's Commission, asking you to be present, is that correct?

Mr. Rea.

That's right, sir.

Mr. Hubert.

What is the date of that letter, sir, do you have it?

Mr. Rea.

I believe it was Monday, June 22.

Mr. Hubert.

When did you receive it ?

Mr. Rea.

I received it yesterday. That came to my house Wednesday, however, no one was home.

Mr. Hubert.

Let me say this to you--under the rules adopted by the Commission, all witnesses are entitled to a 3-day written notice prior to the taking of their deposition, but the rules also provide that a witness may waive that notice if he sees fit to do so, and I ask you if you are willing to testify now and waive the notice?

Mr. Rea.

Yes, I am.

Mr. Hubert.

Then, will you rise and let me administer the oath, please.
Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you are about to give in this matter will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so, help you God ?

Mr. Rea.

I do.

Mr. Hubert.

Will you state your full name, please, sir ?

Mr. Rea.

Billy A. Rea--Billy Andrew Rea.

Mr. Hubert.

W,here do you live, sir?

Mr. Rea.

In Lancaster, Tex., 157 Arbor Lane.

Mr. Hubert.

How far is that from Dallas?

Mr. Rea.

Well, the city limits are adjacent--I live about 14 miles from downtown Dallas.

Mr. Hubert.

What is your occupation ?

Mr. Rea.

I work for the Dallas Morning News on the retail advertising staff.

Mr. Hubert.

How old are you, sir?

Mr. Rea.

Forty.

Mr. Hubert.

Are you married?

Mr. Rea.

Yes

Mr. Hubert.

Children?

Mr. Rea.

Three.

Mr. Hubert.

How long have you been employed by the Dallas Morning News?

Mr. Rea.

Nine years.

Mr. Hubert.

What was your occupation prior to that time?

Mr. Rea.

I edited and published a suburban paper in Wynnewood.

Mr. Hubert.

You've been in the newspaper business, I take it, all of your life?

Mr. Rea.

Yes; practically since I got out of college in 1949.

Mr. Hubert.

Where did you go to college ?

Mr. Rea.

At Texas Christian University.

Mr. Hubert.

Did you graduate ? •

Mr. Rea.

Yes sir.

Mr. Hubert.

What degree do you have?

Mr. Rea.

Bachelor of arts in Journalism.

Mr. Hubert.

And that was in 19497
M.r. REA. Yes.

Mr. Hubert.

Did you serve in the war ?