Official Memorandum

by ALLAN SHIVERS GOVERNOR OF TEXAS Austin, Texas

GREETINGS:

Truth is cur greatest defense against the forces which are challenging freedom throughout the world and distorting, through the use of false propaganda, the character of American citizens and their, way of life.

It is the avowed purpose of Communism to create disunity and incite hatred by propagating these falsehoods.

Letters From America Week, which will celebrate its fifth anniversary this year, is a project which utilizes the millions of letters that go abroad as a weapon for democracy in the fight against Communist tyranny. More than 1,500,000,000 letters have been sent overseas since this campaign got underway in 1950, the bulk of them written by first and second generation Americans to their friends and relatives.

The Letters From America campaign suggests methods these letter-writers can use in their persona,1 letters to tell the true story of America. It also secures special columns and articles from leading Americans; these have been translated into twenty-five languages and have appeared in 406 foreign language newspapers.

THEREFORE I, as Governor of Texas do hereby designate the Week of May 17-23, 1954, as

LETTERS FROM AMERICA WEEK and urge our citizens writing to relatives and griends abroad to participa.te in this truth campaign by giving the true facts about our American way of life.

(SEAL) .

In official recognition whereof, I hereby affix my signature this 31st day of March, 1954

(signed)