DEAN RUSK - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 05/02/1967 - HFSID 291593

DEAN RUSK
Lyndon B. Johnson's Secretary of State writes to Warren P. Knowles, Governor of Wisconsin, telling him "I intend to appoint ... a distinguished senior officer of the Department of State who will be responsible for liaison with the Governors ...I am looking forward to the closer and more effective relation-ships with you and the other Governors which these arrangements will permit."
Typed Letter Signed: "Dean Rusk" as Secretary of State, 1 page, 7x9¼. Washington, 1967 May 2. On letterhead of The Secretary of State addressed to the Honorable Warren P. Knowles, Governor of Wisconsin, Madison. In full: "I regret that I did not have the opportunity to meet with you during the Governor's Conference at the White House. Our discussion of important international issues with the Governors present was very worthwhile. The role of the Governors in foreign affairs, I fully realize, is a most significant one. Your responsibilities are closely inter-related with the Federal Government's activities in this field. It is clear to me that more effective working relationships with you and the other Governors will require more direct liaison arrange-ments than have existed in the past. In this respect, I was pleased to learn that the National Governors' Conference has opened a liaison office in Washington, under the direction of Mr. Charles Byrley. It may be of interest to you to know that I intend to appoint in the very near future a distinguished senior officer of the Department of State who will be responsible for liaison with the Governors. In addition to his work with the new Governors' office in Washington, he will be in such direct contact with you and the other Governors as your interests may indicate. I am looking forward to the closer and more effective relation-ships with you and the other Governors which these arrangements will permit. With kind regards, Sincerely," Dean Rusk (1909-1994) served as Secretary of State throughout the JFK and LBJ administrations, January 20, 1961 to January 20, 1969. Early in the Cuban missile crisis, Rusk advocated a strike on Cuba after prior political warning to Castro or Khrushchev. Later in the crisis he suggested that Attorney General Robert Kennedy offer Soviet Ambassador Dobrynin oral assurances on the U.S. intention to withdraw Jupiter missiles from Turkey. Rusk supported U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. Fold creases not near signature. Fine condition.