On Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019, the United States Capitol Historical Society (USCHS), in partnership with the United States Capitol Visitor Center (CVC), presented “Truth is the Only Client,” a new documentary and panel discussion that examined the workings of the Warren Commission, officially known as The President’s Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy. Five staff members of the Commission participated in the discussion of their important work.
The program was attended by more than 200 people and separated provable facts from what has become the legend surrounding the assassination by examining all that was uncovered by the investigation and what has been learned since. With the benefit of hindsight, the investigators reflected on what they may have missed, and spoke to mistakes and miscommunications that may have led to more than a half century of suspicion.
Nik Apostolides, Deputy CEO of the CVC, opened the program with an official welcome to the Congressional Auditorium. Brigadier General Tim White, USAF (Ret.) – a USCHS Trustee – then explained the Society’s role in the project: USCHS occupies the office suite in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Building that was used by the Warren Commission, and parts of the documentary were filmed in Society offices. Steve Anderson, President and CEO of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, spoke about how his time as a congressional staffer and his friendship with director Todd Kwait made this documentary a special priority for him.
After the documentary presentation, the Honorable Jane L. Campbell, President/CEO of USCHS, introduced director Todd Kwait to moderate the panel. Former Warren Commission staff members Dr. Alfred Goldberg, retired Judge Burt W. Griffin, California Associate Justice Stuart Pollak, Samuel Stern, and Howard P. Willens spoke about their experiences investigating the assassination of President Kennedy and dealing with the conspiracy theories which have arisen over the ensuing years.
The Society thanks the National Association of Chain Drug Stores for their generous support of this program.
The production company is working to secure future screenings of the film; the USCHS will publish those details when available.
