PRESIDENT HARRY S TRUMAN - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 08/30/1967 - HFSID 168507

HARRY S TRUMAN
The former President writes to Academy Award-winner Harold Russell on the 20th anniversary of the Committee on Employment of the Handicapped, which Truman created.
Typed Letter Signed: "Harry Truman", 1p, 7¼x10½. Independence, Missouri, 1967 August 30. To Harold Russell, Chairman, The President's Committee on Employment of The Handicapped, Washington, D.C. In full: "On the occasion of the celebration of twenty years of service to the handicapped by The President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped, I send greetings and thanks to all who have given of themselves so freely and ably to this high calling. Our concern for the handicapped is in the best tradition of this nation's permanent commitment to aid the deprived, help all the sick and restore to usefulness the handicapped among us. This is not only a matter of conscience, but a requirement of those among us who are more fortunate. You have my hopeful best wishes for continued dedication to this cause." Sergeant Harold Russell lost both his hands in an explosives accident in World War II. His appearance in an Army documentary caught the eye of director William Wyler, and Russell made his motion picture debut portraying returning soldier Homer Parrish, who tried to adjust to civilian life without his hands, in The Best Years of Our Lives. He won the 1946 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and became the only actor to win two Oscars for the same role, also receiving a special Oscar "for bringing hope and courage to his fellow veterans". In 1947, President Truman named Russell a member of the newly created President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped. In 1964, Russell was named Chairman of the Committee by President Johnson. Red stamp at lower verso shows through to typed address. Light ½-inch stain at blank right edge. Paper clip stains at upper blank margin. Horizontal fold touches signature. Overall, fine condition.