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Judge Matthews and a jury in the United States District Court of the District of Columbia; hence, this communication.

I have known Attorney Thompson for more than twenty-five years and this acquaintance has been professional, fraternal and personal. În every area I have known him to be competent, industrious and trustworthy. He has shown an abiding and enthusiastic interest in this community and in my opinion is eminently fitted for a position on the Council. His willingness to serve, if confirmed, with the challenges and curtailments which the position affords, attests to his dedication in the public interest. I commend him to you and your committee without reservation.

With high personal regard, I am,
Respectfully yours,

GEORGE E. C. HAYES.

THE BAR ASSOCIATION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,
Washington, D.C., October 20, 1967.

Hon. ALAN BIBLE,
Chairman, Senate Committee on the District of Columbia,
New Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.

DEAR SENATOR BIBLE: On behalf of the Bar Association of the District of Columbia it is my great pleasure to recommend to you and to your Committee most warmly that you act favorably upon the appointment of William Sylvester Thompson, Esquire, to be a member of the District of Columbia Council and that the Senate give its advice and consent.

Mr. Thompson has been a member of the Bar of the District of Columbia since 1944 and has been a member of this Association since January, 1959. Since his admission he has served zealously as a member of several important committees and was Chairman of the Committee on Criminal Law and Procedure several years ago. During the past year he served as a member of the Board of Directors. During the twenty-three years that he has been engaged in practice in the District of Columbia Mr. Thompson has been most active in professional and civic affairs and he has given himself unstintingly to worthwhile undertakings of many kinds. His numerous accomplishments are well known to your Committee and too lengthy to be repeated here but I cannot forebear mentioning the fact that he was President of the Urban League in 1966-67 and that his position as SecretaryGeneral of the World Peace Through Law Center, which has its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, has required him to travel to every continent and has brought him into contact with members of the Bar of every country. He is held in affection and esteem by all who know him.

To conclude on a personal note, I have known Bill Thompson for more than twenty years and have the highest regard for him both as a man and as a lawyer. Sincerely,

JOHN E. POWELL, President.

ASSOCIATION OF PLAINTIFFS TRIAL ATTORNEYS
OF METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON, D.C.,
October 17, 1967.

Senator ALAN D. BIBLE,

Chairman of the Senate District of Columbia Committee,
Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.

DEAR SENATOR BIBLE: Mr. William S. Thompson has been a member of this Association for many, many years.

The purpose of this letter is to respectfully urge that Mr. Thompson's nomination as a member of the Council of the District of Columbia be endorsed. Our Association is composed of over 300 trial lawyers who practice in the District of Columbia, and there is none among us more highly respected both as an attorney and as a person than "Turk" Thompson. He is a gentleman in every sense of the word and a man that all of us are proud to call a friend. This is a most significant time in the history of the District of Columbia, and the selection of the members of the first Council will play a large role in the success or failure of this type of new government. For that reason we would be pleased and proud to have the Council include a man like Mr. Thompson.

Respectfully yours,

84-529 0-67- -13

ERNEST C. RASKAUSKAS, President.

Hon. ALAN BIBLE,

Chairman, Senate District Committee,

Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.

NATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION, INC.,

East St. Louis, Ill., October 9, 1967.

HONORABLE SIR: It is with the greatest pleasure that the National Bar Association endorses and supports the nomination of William S. Thompson to the Council for the District of Columbia.

Mr. Thompson is a past president and a member of the Board of Directors of the National Bar Association, and for the past four years he has planned all of the activities for the annual conventions of this bar association. He has successfully presented each year programs designed to increase the interest of the membership in rendering legal assistance to the poor.

He is a capable and indefatigable worker who is in close touch with both the upper strata of society and the common man on the street. He has a widely varied and colorful background of experience to draw upon in forming decisions, and he is a man of unimpeachable character who is held in the highest esteem by those

who know him.

As representative of the National Bar Association, and personally, I heartily endorse the nomination of William S. Thompson to the Council for the District of Columbia.

Sincerely,

BILLY JONES, President.

FREEDMEN'S HOSPITAL,

OFFICE OF THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR,

Washington, D.C., October 18, 1967.

Hon. ALAN BIBLE,

Old Senate Office Building,

Washington, D.C.

MY DEAR SENATOR BIBLE: I have known Attorney Thompson ever since he came to Washington, D.C. as a student at Howard University.

I have seen him progress in a "boot strap operation"-working long hours to support his education in a nearby gasoline service station.

He has become an outstanding member of the Bar-rising to leadership in both, the local Washington Bar Association and the National Bar Association.

He has maintained the touch with the "common people" throughout his ascendency to national prominence.

As the membership campaign leader for the Washington Urban League during three annual campaigns, his leadership more than doubled the actual membership, as well as funds.

He was then sponsored for and elected to the Board of Directors of the Washington Urban League and within the year, he became its president. Under his leadership, the Washington Urban League has been able to reach the people of the center city in a more meaningful way. The programs of the League developed under his leadership delve deeply into programs which will lift the sights and train the latent talents of our center city populations.

Throughout the years I have known Attorney Thompson, I have neither witnessed nor heard of any action or activity which would reflect discredit upon his

name.

I can support with my full being my confidence in Attorney Thompson as an attorney, for he now represents me in a matter before the courts. Without reservation, I endorse the nomination of Attorney Thompson made by the President.

Very sincerely yours,

R. FRANK JONES, M.D.,
Medical Director.

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 9, 1967.

Hon. ALAN BIBLE,
U.S. Senate,

Washington, D.C.

DEAR SENATOR BIBLE: As a native Washingtonian and one who has been concerned with various Washington problems over the years, I heartily endorse the

selection of Attorney William S. Thompson for membership on the new District of Columbia Government City Council.

I have know the candidate over a period of 30 years and have nothing but high regard for his ability and his sense of civic pride.

Sincerely yours,

BERNARD F. COLEMAN.

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 13, 1967.

Senator ALAN BIBLE,

Chairman, Senate District Committee,

Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.

DEAR SENATOR BIBLE: I would like to endorse the nomination of Mr. William Thompson to the Washington City Council, and to add my voice to those requesting Senate approval of his selection.

As a business man of over thirty years standing in the community, and as one who is concerned with and aware of its social and economic problems, I believe Mr. Thompson would serve the city in a most excellent manner, and would be an asset in pursuing its best interests and achieving our national purpose in our Federal city.

Very truly yours,

MORTIMER C. LEBOWITZ.

Hon. ALAN BIBLE,

NORTHWEST BOUNDARY CIVIC ASSOCIATION,
Washington, D.C., October 6, 1967.

Chairman, District of Columbia Committee,
U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C.

DEAR SENATOR BIBLE: This is to solicit your favorable consideration and support of Attorney William S. Thompson as Councilman for the District of Columbia.

Mr. Thompson has served his community in a most commendable fashion for many years. He has been active in civic affairs and possesses an intimate and thorough knowledge of local conditions. In his successful career as a practicing attorney, he has conducted himself with the utmost integrity and always in the best interests of the community. Mr. Thompson is well known, admired, and respected among the citizenry of the District of Columbia.

I unqualifiedly recommend Mr. Thompson and respectfully urge favorable action by your Committee and the Senate in confirming his appointment as Councilman.

Sincerely yours,

J. WARNER HAGAN, Jr., President.

WASHINGTON URBAN LEAGUE, INC.,
Washington, D.C., October 12, 1967.

Hon. ALAN BIBLE,

Chairman, Senate District Committee,
U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C.

DEAR SENATOR BIBLE: I wish to enthusiastically endorse the President's nomination of William S. Thompson to the new D.C. City Council.

Mr. Thompson has long been a devoted and conscientious servant of the people in the Washington community through his many civic endeavors, just as he has been a faithful and hard working president of the Washington Urban League. Dedicated to quality community service, Mr. Thompson is an outstanding president, skillful in leadership and unfailing in devotion. Mr. Thomspon will serve the City Council with integrity and sensitivity.

I could propose no finer candidate, either professionally or personally, than William S. Thompson.

Sincerely,

STERLING TUCKER,
Executive Director.

Hon. ALAN BIBLE,

D.C. TRANSIT SYSTEM, INC.,
Washington, D.C., October 6, 1967.

Chairman, Senate Committee on District of Columbia Affairs,
Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.

DEAR SIR: William S. Thompson, a candidate for Councilman for the new District of Columbia Council, is well known to me. For more than twenty years I have known him socially, as well as an attorney-at-law, here in the District of Columbia. I have always found him to be a gentleman in every sense of the word. In addition, I believe him to be a man of decency, integrity and of great industry. Mr. Thompson, through his professional knowledge and his complete familiarity with the city and its problems, is in my judgment eminently qualified to serve as Councilman. I think he will be a valuable asset to the new form of government. I recommend his approval by your Committee.

Sincerely yours,

Hon. ALAN BIBLE,

RICHARD W. TURNER,
Claims Attorney.

OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL,
D.C. TRANSIT SYSTEM, INC.,
Washington, D.C., October 6, 1967.

Chairman, Senate Committee on District of Columbia Affairs, Senate Office Building,
Washington, D.C.

MY DEAR MR. BIBLE: I know that your Committee is soon to consider the nomination of William S. Thompson as a councilman for the D.C. Council. I have known Mr. Thompson for approximately eight years, both professionally and socially.

In legal matters, I have found him to be an able opponent and a welcome ally. He is an attorney of competence and integrity and has that reputation among the Bar of this jurisdiction.

On the many occasions when I have visited with him, I have come to know that he has an intimate knowledge of many of the problems that face the District of Columbia and maintains a deep interest in finding solutions for those problems. He is an extremely personable man who approaches problems with an air of diplomacy, a sense of justice and a degree of knowledge which leave little to be desired.

I believe Mr. Thompson is eminently qualified for the position to which he has been nominated, and therefore, it is my sincere hope that your committee will recommend that his nomination be confirmed.

Very truly yours,

DAVID L. HILTON.

Hon. ALAN BIBLE,

United States Senate,

Washington, D.C.

CHESAPEAKE & POTOMAC TELEPHONE Co.,
Washington, D.C., October 13, 1967.

DEAR SENATOR BIBLE: As a native Washingtonian and an active businessman in this community for many years, I have awaited with considerable interest the announcement of the names of the nine council members for the District government. I was particularly gratified to find on the list of nominations the name of William S. Thompson.

I have known Mr. Thompson for several years as a fellow Urban League Board member and more recently as President of that organization. I have found him to be a man of distinctive leadership qualities with a broad interest in the welfare of this community. In the role of meeting chairman, he has displayed outstanding skill and ability in situations which have many parallels to his future duties as a councilman. As a private lawyer in this city I know him only by reputation, but this reputation is of the finest.

It is with the greatest pleasure that I warmly recommend the wholehearted endorsement of Mr. Thompson's nomination when it comes before your committee.

Sincerely yours,

C. B. THOMPSON, General Personnel Manager.

Hon. ALAN BIBLE,

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 12, 1967.

Old Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.

DEAR SENATOR BIBLE: May I add my endorsement of William S. Thompson's nomination to the D.C. Council.

I have known Mr. Thompson for many years at the bar and have found him to be in all respects an excellent attorney devoted to the highest standards of the profession.

He has had an illustrious career having served with distinction in many posts of honor, including the Board of Directors of the D.C. Bar Association; President of the National Bar Association and President of the Washington Bar Association. His early confirmation to the D.C. Council will be in the best interests of the community.

Sincerely yours,

Senator ALAN D. BIBLE,

June L. GREEN,

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 9, 1967.

Chairman of the Senate District of Columbia Committee,
Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.

DEAR SENATOR BIBLE: I was very pleased to learn recently that "Turk" Thompson is one of the persons under consideration for appointment as a member of the Council of the District of Columbia.

I first met Mr. Thompson in 1957 when I began working for Judge Harry L. Walker of the District of Columbia Court of General Sessions. Since my own admission to the bar in 1961 I have known him as a fellow attorney and friend. I can state without hesitation that he is one of the most respected members of the bar, both by the judiciary and attorneys. His legal competence is well known in this and other jurisdictions throughout the country. He is held in high regard for his personal and professional integrity and is known as a man whose "word is his bond.” At the risk of sounding trite, I have never known anyone acquainted with "Turk" who does not like and respect him.

I respectfully urge that Mr. Thompson's nomination as a member of the Council of the District of Columbia be endorsed.

Very truly yours,

JOYCE CAPPS.

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 9, 1967.

Hon. ALAN BIBLE,
U.S. Senate,

Washington, D.C.

DEAR SIR: I feel highly honored in having the opportunity of urging the confirmation of William S. Thompson as one of the Councilmen selected by the President of the United States to serve the District of Columbia.

Mr. Thompson has been a public servant for over 20 years, and has been known to be an individual who has the ability of reaching the people in the high and in the low economic set-up of the District of Columbia. He has served on various and sundry committees dealing with the needs of this city, and has done a yeoman's job.

If Mr. Thompson is confirmed, I am sure he will be a great asset to the District of Columbia in moulding together a model city government here.

Very truly yours,

JAMES A. MITCHELL, Esq.

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 9, 1967.

Hon. ALAN D. BIBLE,

Chairman, District of Columbia Senate Committee,
U.S. Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.

DEAR SENATOR BIBLE: I was pleased to see the nomination of William S. Thompson for the District of Columbia Council. I have known him for many years and have served with him on the Board of Directors of the D.C. Bar Association and the Local Trial Lawyers Association.

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