The Chairman.

words, in your own way, what happened at the time of the assassination of the President. Mr. Rankin will ask you a few questions, just from the time you left the airport until the time you started for the hospital. And we want it to be brief. We want it to be in your own words and want you to say anything that you feel is appropriate to that occasion.
Would you be sworn, please, Mrs. Kennedy?
Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you give before the Commission will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

Mrs. Kennedy.

I do.

The Chairman.

Would you be seated.

Mr. Rankin.

State your name for the record.

Mrs. Kennedy.

Jacqueline Kennedy.

Mr. Rankin.

And you are the widow of the former President Kennedy?

Mrs. Kennedy.

That is right.

Mr. Rankin.

You live here in Washington?

Mrs. Kennedy.

Yes.

Mr. Rankin.

Can you go back to the time that you came to Love Field on November 22 and describe what happened there after you landed in the plane?

Mrs. Kennedy.

We got off the plane. The then Vice President and Mrs. Johnson were there. They gave us flowers. And then the car was waiting, but there was a big crowd there, all yelling, with banners and everything. And we went to shake hands with them. It was a very hot day. And you went all along a long line. I tried to stay close to my husband and lots of times you get pushed away, you know, people leaning over and pulling your hand. They were very friendly.
And, finally, I don't know how we got back to the car. I think Congressman Thomas somehow was helping me. There was lots of confusion.

Mr. Rankin.

Then you did get into the car. And you sat on the left side of the car, did you, and your husband on your right?

Mrs. Kennedy.

Yes.

Mr. Rankin.

And was Mrs. Connally----

Mrs. Kennedy.

In front of me.

Mr. Rankin.

And Governor Connally to your right in the jump seat?

Mrs. Kennedy.

Yes.

Mr. Rankin.

And Mrs. Connally was in the jump seat?

Mrs. Kennedy.

Yes.

Mr. Rankin.

And then did you start off on the parade route?

Mrs. Kennedy.

Yes.

Mr. Rankin.

And were there many people along the route that you waved to?

Mrs. Kennedy.

Yes. It was rather scattered going in. Once there was a crowd of people with a sign saying something like "President Kennedy, please get out and shake our hands, our neighbors said you wouldn't."

Mr. Rankin.

Did you?

Mrs. Kennedy.

And he stopped and got out. That was, you know, like a little suburb and there were not many crowds. But then the crowds got bigger as you went in.

Mr. Rankin.

As you got into the main street of Dallas were there very large crowds on all the streets?

Mrs. Kennedy.

Yes.

Mr. Rankin.

And you waved to them and proceeded down the street with the motorcade?

Mrs. Kennedy.

Yes. And in the motorcade, you know, I usually would be waving mostly to the left side and he was waving mostly to the right, which is one reason you are not looking at each other very much. And it was terribly hot. Just blinding all of us.

Mr. Rankin.

Now, do you remember as you turned off of the main street onto Houston Street?

Mrs. Kennedy.

I don't know the name of the street.

Mr. Rankin.

That is that one block before you get to the Depository Building.

Mrs. Kennedy.

Well, I remember whenever it was, Mrs. Connally said, "We will soon be there." We could see a tunnel in front of us. Everything was really slow then. And I remember thinking it would be so cool under that tunnel.