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Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. V - Page 362« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of Bernice Waterman)

Mr. Coleman.
That has been given Commission Exhibit No. 982. That is December 28, 1961. It is the last document.
Now, after December 28, 1961, did you have anything else to do as far as the Oswald matter was concerned?
Miss WATERMAN. I don't think so, except perhaps sending a copy of some document or letter to our files--because I had only about a month's work in the Department. I left work on February 2, 1962, and that was the last day I had with any kind of performance of duties.
I might have marked some paper or something of that sort.
But I don't recall any action. If the file shows it, I took it. But, otherwise, I don't remember.
Mr. Coleman.
When you took the various actions we have discussed this morning with respect to Mr. Oswald, were you acting under instructions of anyone that this was the decision you would have to make because someone else in the Department wanted you to resolve the question this way?
Miss WATERMAN. What do you mean?
Do you mean outside of the Passport Office?
Mr. Coleman.
Yes.
Miss WATERMAN. Outside the Passport Office?
Mr. Coleman.
Yes; I am just asking you for the record.
Miss WATERMAN. I know. But you mentioned--such as who?
Mr. Coleman.
Did anyone call you up and say, "Miss Waterman, this is the way you have to resolve this case"?
Miss WATERMAN. Oh, no. Oh, no.
Mr. Coleman.
And you made the decisions you made based upon the record and your judgment as to what you thought the law was and what the facts were?
Miss WATERMAN. Certainly.
Mr. Dulles.
Did you consult anyone in connection with reaching that decision in the Oswald case?
Miss WATERMAN. Well, Mr. Dulles, in preparing this correspondence, as I have told you, the correspondence was prepared for the signature of my superiors, and if they didn't agree with what I wrote, that was all right with me. But that was my impression, and I believed there had been discussion among persons in our immediate office. And while----
Mr. Dulles.
Your decision, then, is not final. It is subject to review by your superiors in matters of this kind?
Miss WATERMAN. That is right.
But in no event--I don't know of any--as I say, my connection with the case closed, and I never heard in the press or any other place that indicated that Oswald expatriated himself and that he wasn't entitled to a passport.
Mr. Coleman.
Your decision wasn't in any way influenced by the fact that Miss James told you that this was a decision that would have to be made or anything like that?
Miss WATERMAN. Certainly not. They have absolutely nothing to do with citizenship--nothing.
Mr. Coleman.
I have no further questions, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Dulles.
Off the record.
(Discussion off the record.)
Mr. Coleman.
Mr. Chairman, before we close the testimony of Miss Waterman, I would like to move for the admission of Commission Exhibits No. 957 through Commission Exhibit No. 983, which were the documents that we marked.
Mr. Dulles.
They shall be admitted.
(The documents heretofore marked for identification as Commission Exhibits Nos. 957-983, were received in evidence.)
Mr. Coleman.
I would like to thank Miss Waterman for coming in.
Mr. Dulles.
We thank you very much, Miss Waterman.
(Whereupon, at 12:50 p.m., the President's Commission recessed.)
Mr. Dulles.
Hon. Dean Rusk, Secretary of State
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