The Chairman. Oh, yes; it is our practice to make a brief statement before the testimony of each witness, and I will do it now.
Mr. Hoover will be asked to testify in regard to whether Lee H. Oswald was ever an agent, directly or indirectly, or an informer or acting on behalf of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in any capacity at any time, and whether he knows of any credible evidence of any conspiracy, either domestic or foreign, involved in the assassination of President Kennedy.
What he has to say about an article in the National Enquirer, Commission Exhibit No. 837, and concerning the failure to include the name and information concerning special agent Hosty in the initial report of the Oswald address book and any suggestions and recommendations he may have concerning improvements or changes in provisions for the protection of the President of the United States. Now, Mr. Rankin, you may proceed.
Mr. Rankin. Mr. Hoover, will you state for the record your name and position?
Mr. Hoover. J. Edgar Hoover, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the Department of Justice.
Mr. Rankin. Where do you live, Mr. Hoover?
Mr. Hoover. I live at 4936 30th Place, Northwest, Washington, D.C.
Mr. Rankin. And you have been Director of the Bureau for some 40 years according to the newspapers?
Mr. Hoover. That is correct; since 1924.
Mr. Rankin. You have furnished us a considerable amount of information, Mr. Hoover, about whether or not Lee Harvey Oswald was ever an agent or acting for the Bureau in any capacity as informer or otherwise at any time. Are those statements correct?