I don’t know who held the celebration, or under what auspices.
Mr. Tavenner. Let me see if I can refresh your recollection:
It is a fact that there was a celebration committee established to celebrate the 75th birthday of Mother Bloor, an open Communist in this country, throughout the width and breadth of the land, and that you were a member of that celebrating committee? Or, I should correct that and say that you were a sponsor of that celebration committee?
I have before me a letterhead showing that Congressman Jerry J. O’Connell was one of a list of sponsors for that celebration.
Mr. Connell. I can’t recall the circumstances now, but as far as Mother Bloor was concerned, I am sure that I would have sent her some greetings on her 75th birthday, and if I am listed there as a sponsor—I don’t recall it now, but I don’t deny that I was.
Mr. Tavenner. I desire to introduce the document in evidence, and ask that it be marked “O’Connell Exhibit No. 6” for identification only, and to be made a part of the committee files.
Mr. Willis. It is so ordered.
Mr. Tavenner. The National Federation for Constitutional Liberties in January 1943 addressed a message to the House of Representatives critical of the Dies committee and calling for its abolishment. A number of signatories appear to that letter and among them appears your name. It appears in this way:
I hereby join in signing the January 1943 message to the House of Representatives opposing renewal of the Dies committee.
There were a number of signatories, including Jerry O’Connell. Do you recall that?