Testimony of Martin Isaacs

The testimony of Martin Isaacs was taken on April 16, 1964, at the U.S. courthouse, Foley Square, New York, N.Y. by Mr. Wesley J. Liebeler, assistant counsel of the President's Commission.

Martin Isaacs, having been first duly sworn, was examined and testified as follows:

Mr. Liebeler.

My name is Wesley J. Liebeler. I am an attorney on the legal staff of the President's Commission investigating the assassination of President Kennedy. Staff members have been authorized to take the testimony of witnesses by the Commission pursuant to authority granted to the Commission by Executive Order No. 11130, dated November 29, 1963, and Joint Resolution of Congress No. 137.
The Commission has also established rules of procedure governing the taking of testimony from witnesses, and under those rules of procedure each witness is to be furnished with a copy of the Executive order and joint resolution to which I referred, as well as with a copy of the rules governing the taking of testimony.
The Commission will provide you with a set of those documents.
Under the rules governing the taking of testimony, each witness is entitled to 3 days' notice before he is required to appear and give testimony. I don't know whether you actually received 3 days' notice or not, but----

Mr. Isaacs.

They told me yesterday about it. It's quite all right.

Mr. Liebeler.

Each witness is able to waive that notice, and I presume that you do wish to waive it.

Mr. Isaacs.

I waive, yes.

Mr. Liebeler.

Thank you, sir.
We want to inquire briefly of you today concerning any contacts which you or your office may have had with Lee Harvey Oswald and his family upon Oswald's return from Russia in approximately June of 1962.
Before we get into the details of that testimony, however, would you state your full name for the record?

Mr. Isaacs.

Martin Isaacs.

Mr. Liebeler.

Where do you live, sir?

Mr. Isaacs.

1669 Grand Avenue, Bronx, New York.

Mr. Liebeler.

Where are you employed at the present time?

Mr. Isaacs.

I am employed by the Special Services Welfare Center, Department of Welfare, City of New York, 42 Franklin Street.

Mr. Liebeler.

Were you so employed in June of 1962?

Mr. Isaacs.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Liebeler.

When and where were you born, Mr. Isaacs?

Mr. Isaacs.

I was born in Hungary, December 12, 1904.

Mr. Liebeler.

When did you come to the United States?

Mr. Isaacs.

I was about 2 or 3 years old. I don't recall exactly.

Mr. Liebeler.

Are you presently a citizen of this country?

Mr. Isaacs.

I am a citizen, yes; derivative citizenship.

Mr. Liebeler.

Your parents?

Mr. Isaacs.

My father became a citizen, and, of course, I received derivative citizenship.

Mr. Liebeler.

How long have you employed by the department of welfare?

Mr. Isaacs.

Since May 12, 1934.

Mr. Liebeler.

And this is the Department of Welfare of the City of New York; is that correct?

Mr. Isaacs.

That is right.

Mr. Liebeler.

Do you recall personally coming into contact with Lee Harvey Oswald and his family?

Mr. Isaacs.

I do recall coming into personal contact; yes, sir.

Mr. Liebeler.

Would you give us the best recollection that you have concerning that event?

Mr. Isaacs.

I was told by our intake, I believe it was, that the family was in