Mr. O'Donnell. Kenneth P. O'Donnell.
Mr. Specter. What were your duties on November 22, 1963?
Mr. O'Donnell. I was special assistant to the President. I was in charge of his appointments and any itineraries that he might have.
Mr. Specter. How long had you served in that capacity?
Mr. O'Donnell. I served as special assistant to the President since the inauguration, January 20, 1961, with the same duties.
Mr. Specter. Were you a party to the original conversations and decision for President Kennedy to make a trip to Texas in November of 1963?
Mr. O'Donnell. I was.
Mr. Specter. Would you outline the origin of that trip to Texas, please?
Mr. O'Donnell. The origin of the trip I would think came from a conversation between the President, then Vice President Johnson, and myself. It concerned President Kennedy's desire, and President Johnson's desire that he come to Texas and spend some time there, looking forward to the campaign of 1964, in which Texas would play a very vital role in President Kennedy's view.
Mr. Specter. Approximately when did that first conversation occur, Mr. O'Donnell?