Mr. O’Connell. These things happened some 5 and 6 and 7 years ago and it is not easy and all of these people are actually strangers to me and all that. I came down here as a former Congressman, as a political figure in the Democratic Party in my own right and so on, I came here with a true and honest and firm belief in my opposition to the Mundt bill at that time. I think that it was wrong and I think it is wrong now.
Mr. Scherer. I do not want anything I have said to appear as a criticism of you. As I said, I think you have been very polite and very respectful, but I think when certain statements are made it is incumbent upon members of the committee to comment upon those statements and clear the record.
Mr. O’Connell. I have been a Member of the House, sir, and I have full respect for the committee and I realize, I have sat up there and I have made my comments too as witnesses have testified.
Mr. Scherer. Have you been given every opportunity to make explanations to answers you gave?
Mr. O’Connell. Yes.
Mr. Scherer. I think that the members of the committee, then, have a right of course to comment upon statements you have made, the same as you have that privilege.
Mr. O’Connell. I have no complaint. I have been treated very fairly and respectfully and everything, I have made no complaint and I am doing my very level honest best to do a good job to answer the questions as they are given to me.
Mr. Tavenner. Do you recall having spoken to the legislative conference of the Freedom Crusade Congress of the Civil Right Congress on the question of the indictment of the 12 Communist leaders?
Mr. O’Connell. I don’t know what that Freedom Crusade is. Where was that supposed to be?
Mr. Tavenner. In Washington.