LETTER TO RONALD REAGAN FROM WILLIAM J. CASEY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88B00443R002004500046-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 28, 2011
• Sequence Number: 46
• Publication Date: November 10, 1986
• Content Type: LETTER

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The Director of Central Intelligence
VWashinpon. D C 20505
10 November 1986
The President
The White House
Washington, D. C. 20500
Dear Mr. President,
La Salle University is holding a posthumous
testimonial dinner for Bob Ames, one of CIA's most
splendid officers who was on temporary emergency
duty at the American Embassy in Beirut in April,
1983 and was killed in the bombing of the well
His family and friends at the Agency, llaas
La Salle University and myself, would appre
your signing this letter in tribute to his memory.
Yours,
William J. Casey
Attachment:
Draft Letter as Stated
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Brother Patrick Ellis, F.S.C., Ph.D.
President, La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA
Dear Brother Ellis:
I congratulate officials, alumni, students, and friends of La
Salle University for their recognition of a distinguished alumnus
and truly superior Federal employee, the late Robert C. Ames.
There can be no sadder and yet no more fitting duty for one who
holds the office I hold than to pay tribute to Americans who have
given their lives in the service of their country. The sadness I
felt on that rainy Saturday evening in April 1983, when the
flag-draped coffins bearing the remains of Bob Ames and his
companions reached Andrews Air Force Base, is still with me. So,
too, is my anger toward those whose violent act took their lives and
the lives of loyal Lebanese employees.
The world is complex and the Middle East especially so. To
know the Middle East as Bob did so well, and to advise properly and
eloquently those of us who relied so much upon him, required a
special degree of wisdom.
More than that, Bob and those other gallant Americans showed us
in their lives and tragic deaths a deep sense of purpose. They
recognized the danger they faced and yet they went willingly to
Beirut. Bob, in his special role, like the others in theirs, tried
to assist people who look to this country believing in America's
sense of justice, America's fundamental decency. Quite simply, Bob
and his companions were trying to keep the barbarians of the world
from having their way.
La Salle's motto, I am told, is "Virtue and Knowledge." In
both the wisdom and the dedication of Bob Ames, I cannot imagine any
better fulfillment of that motto.
It is written, "Blessed are the peacemakers." Bob Ames was a
true peacemaker. We thank God for him. And we thank you, too, men
and women of La Salle. In honoring Bob Ames you rightly honor
yourselves.
Sincerely,
Ronald Reagan
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Central Intelligence Agency
Washington, D.C.
[phone]
George V. Lauder
Director, Public Affairs
6 November 1986
Per your request here is the proposed
letter for the President's signature to Brother
Ellis at La Salle University on the occasion of
the dinner honoring the late Bob Ames.
STAT
George au er
DC1
EXEC
REG
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29 October 198F
DCI:
Brother Patrick Ellis, President of La Salle University, has
asked if you would request a letter from President Reagan honoring
the late Bob Ames. The University wishes to have the letter read at
the testimonial dinner that you are addressing on Thursday,
11 December.
If you ask the White House for a letter, you may wish to
reference the back speech that President gave the time the bodies
were brought ba
STAT
Georgb V. Lauder
Yes, I will ask the White House for a letter:
Dir for oft entral Intelligence
No, prefer not to ask for a letter:
Director of Central Intelligence
3 bf)V tirc:r
DATE:
DATE:
P, so 47- If
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wit WAarnnvivn, v. %-. w.+v-+
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Phone: [phone]
29 October 1986
Mr. Edward Turzanski
Deputy Director, Alumni
La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA 19141
Dear Mr. Turzanski:
This is to confirm arrangements for CIA Director William J. Casey's
address at the La Salle University testimonial miniPhiladelphia,honor of
Robert C. Ames on Thursday,
According to our conversation, the proposed format for the evening is
for the reception to begin at 6:00 p.m., dinner at 6:45 p.m. followed by
10 - 15 minutes of remarks given by the Director. We ask that a podium
with both mike and neck mike be available. Adjournment is scheduled for
approximately 9:~ p.m. e request that you do not put out an advance
press release. Also according to our conversation, you are expecting
members of the print media as well as commercial TV and radio to cover.
the event. Please keep us informed as to the e press coverage thatt s you
expect. The Director does not normally give press r s
are aware, the Agency is providing assistance to the La Salle
Communications Department in audio and videotaping selected parts of the
testimonial dinner and the symposium for the historical record. to If you
plan to publish his remarks, please give us the opportunity review the
material prior to publication.
Enclosed as you requested, is a photograph and biography of the
Director. Closer to the time of the event, we would appreciate receiving
short biographies of those people who will be meeting and htingathe
Director. We also ask that you send us an agenda, the symposium
dinner program, and a diagram of the head table seating.
Thank you for your kind attention to these nitty-gritty details and
for the information that you have already provided. If you have any
further questions on the arrangements
forltheeeventco or if there is
anything I can do to help you, please
[phone].
Sincerely,
STAT
Enclosure
Public Affairs
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Q
George V. Lauder
Director, Public Affairs
20 October 1986
Please si in the letter of acceptance
opposite. of HIC notified
La Salle University that you are unable at
this time to invite the President.
STAT
STAT
51GNAjU0
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W.nhmVon. D C 20505
2(:":T I 35
Brother Patrick Ellis, F.S.C., Ph.D
President, La Salle University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19-141
Dear Brother Ellis:
I accept with pleasure your invitation to speak at the testimonial
dinner given by La Salle University in of the late Robert C. Ames
on Thursday, December
the Director of Central Intelligence, I am honored to be paying
tribute to such an outstanding American as Robert C. Ames who served his
country so well and was a fine representative of our Intelligence
Community.
A member of my staff will be in touch with you to make the logistical
arrangements.
Sincerely,
1*1 william J. Case
William J. Casey
Director of Central Intelligence
STAT
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