Mr. Specter. And what were the activities in Houston?
Mr. O'Donnell. We drove from the airfield into the hotel. As I recollect, there were very large crowds.
Mr. Specter. Was that a motorcade procession, also?
Mr. O'Donnell. Motorcade; and particularly as we got in downtown Houston, the crowds were very large, and very enthusiastic. Getting in the hotel was somewhat of a chore.
Mr. Specter. What public appearances did the President then make in Houston?
Mr. O'Donnell. The President spoke at the appreciation dinner for Congressman Thomas. The records will show the location. I did not accompany him. And I went directly from the hotel to the airport, and met him as he got aboard the plane.
Mr. Specter. Approximately when did the Presidential party depart from Houston?
Mr. O'Donnell. Well, I would have to guess again. I would think around 10:30 or 11 o'clock. The alternative was staying overnight in Houston, getting in early in the morning—or getting in to Fort Worth late at night, and allowing the President a little more rest, and we selected going to Fort Worth that night.
Mr. Specter. What were the public appearances made by the President, then, in Fort Worth, Tex.?
Mr. O'Donnell. He spoke at 8 o'clock that morning at a breakfast which was given by the business community, as I remember, came back up to his room, chatted for a few minutes, went back down. It had been raining. The sun had just come out. He went out and spoke to a group assembled in the parking lot and went back and departed for—came back upstairs, we chatted for a few minutes again, and then came back down and departed for Carswell.