Congress of the United States
                       House of Representatives
                         Washington, DC  20515

May 30, 1991

Mr. Philip Tourney
Vice President
USS Liberty Veterans Association

Dear Phil,

I join the courageous survivors of the deliberate attack on the U.S.S.
Liberty to memorialize the thirty four members of the crew killed and
171 wounded without provocation in international waters.  I join in
support of the crew of the U.S.S. Liberty, both living and dead, on this
twenty fourth anniversary of this infamous event.

In addition, I apologize on behalf of our government for failing to
address this most serious tragedy because of its "sensitivity".  The
Constitution does not allow for asterisks in sensitive cases - rights
are to be applied in all matters of consequence.

The survivors of the U.S.S. Liberty not only deserve an apology but an
investigation into this tragic disaster.

Respectfully,

/signed/
James A. Traficant, Jr.
Member of Congress

(Letter included a handwritten "God Bless" at the bottom.)