G. V. "SONNY" MONTGOMERY - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 01/21/1974 - HFSID 79156

G. V. "SONNY" MONTGOMERY
"The Veterans' Champion"
Typed Letter signed: "G. V. Montgomery" as U. S. Representative, 1p, 8x10½. Washington, D.C., 1974 January 21. On Congressional letterhead to the Congressional Liaison, Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Washington, D.C. In full: "I have been advised that the Lawrence County Educational and Recreational Association, Monticello, Mississippi, has aplied to HEW for a grant for career education and dropout prevention in Lawrence County, Mississippi. Due to a mix-up during the Christmas holidays, their application, although mailed on the day of the deadline, was not received until after the deadline for applying. It is my understanding that a waiver is now needed in order for this Association to qualify for the grant. This application was filed in Region Four, Atlanta, and is called an ESAA proposal. I would greatly appreciate your consideration of this application and ask that the request for a waiver by granted, if at all possible. Sincerely yours." Himself a decorated combat veteran of the Korean War, Gillespie V. "Sonny" Montgomery (1920-2006) represented Mississippi in the U.S. House of Representatives for thirty years (1967-1997). He represented the Fourth District 1967-1973, and the Third District thereafter. A conservative Democrat, Montgomery devoted himself to military preparedness and the interests of veterans. A longstanding member of the Armed Services Committee, he chaired the Committee on Veterans' Affairs for 14 years, and also headed a select committee investigating the Missing in Action (MIA's) in Southeast Asia. Montgomery's greatest legislative landmark was the Montgomery G. I. Bill, extending college assistance for veterans. During the final stages of the Watergate crisis, as the House considered articles of impeachment, Montgomery was a diehard defender of President Nixon. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005. Staple holes in upper left. Date stamps and red pencil notations. Overall, fine condition.