The National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (Nicap)

# Approved For Release 2001/04/02 : CIA-RDP81R00560R000100010001-0

# SECTION XIII

# CONGRESS & THE UFOs

Copies of this report have been sent to all Members of Congress. If you agree that the UFO subject ought to be probed by Congress, letters to your own Congressman or Senators would help to bring about action. We also invite the support and encouragement of individual Members of Congress, and will cooperate fully in any reasonable investigation which they deem appropriate.

It is our firm conviction that the Congress is the logical place for the UFO problem to be ironed out. Our efforts to deal directly with the Air Force, to resolve the issue without sensational publicity, have been rebuffed. Still, we believe the matter can be settled in an unsensational manner without making the Air Force a scapegoat. Air Force errors and misinformation on the UFO subject should be corrected (as should any NICAP errors), so that the public can be reliably informed. Beyond that, the Air Force has a serious mission to perform and NICAP has no desire to criticize.

UFOs, we believe, are a matter for scientific inquiry. The Air Force, through intelligence procedures, has concluded UFOs represent no danger or threat to the national security. Therefore, there is no reason why the scientific community should not have complete access to UFO data and be encouraged to study the problem from the scientific standpoint. The fact that NICAP (including a large number of scientists and engineers) disagrees with the Air Force about the nature of UFOs should not be construed as an "attack" on the Air Force. Only dispassionate scientific investigation can settle the dispute about the significance of UFOs.

NICAP's criticisms of the Air Force are directed only at its specific policies on the UFO subject; particularly its dogmatic and "authoritative" approach to the subject, and seeming resentment of legitimate requests for more detailed data which would allow independent study of the phenomenon.

Soon after NICAP was formed in late 1956, one of the main goals established was to press for Congressional hearings as a step toward bringing scientific attention to UFOs. Hearings, it was felt, would clarify the problem and bring out information about the scope and seriousness of the phenomenon. Hoaxters would be exposed, and serious fact separated from misinformation. Then it would be possible for scientists and others to lend their skills to a thorough investigation, without fear of ridicule. An equally important result would be a more regular flow of reliable information to the public.

At first, there was only scattered interest in UFOs among Members of Congress. As NICAP began to publish solid information, sending occasional reports to Congress, interest picked up. NICAP members also began to write their Senators and Congressmen urging them to look into the subject. In June 1960, NICAP sent a confidential report to Members of Congress outlining the accumulated evidence. Congressional interest reached a peak in 1961, when the House Committee on Science & Astronautics began to look into the matter.

Serious discussion of UFO hearings continued until, late in the year, Chairman Overton Brooks died. About the same time, NICAP had nearly exhausted its financial resources (always slim), and was forced to send an emergency appeal to its members. The response was excellent, but it was too late to allow effective use to continue the drive for hearings.

A misunderstanding with the Chairman of the UFO Subcommittee about Congressional protocol, at the peak of interest, also was a setback. However, the misunderstanding was cleared up and the Subcommittee Chairman was willing to proceed with hearings, if approved by the new parent committee Chairman. The new Space Committee Chairman opposed UFO hearings.

Then, in answer to letters about UFOs, the House Science & Astronautics Committee began stating that the subject was not in their jurisdiction, referring inquiries to the House Armed Services Committee. The Chairman of that Committee also opposed UFO hearings.

Since early 1962, neither Committee has taken any action on UFOs. However, interest has been shown by individual Members of Congress, including an increasing number of Senators. The problem has been to find an appropriate Committee Chairman who is willing to undertake an investigation. At the present time, it appears that the Senate Committees on Space and Armed Services offer the best chance, although interest could also be revived in the House Committee.

## Chronological List of Statements

## by Members of Congress

(From letters to NICAP members; copies on file at NICAP)

## 1957

Senator Barry Goldwater (R. Ariz.) - August 31, 1957

"I am an Air Force Reserve Officer and have been one for the past 27 years and, consequently, I am, indeed, interested in unidentified flying objects. I, frankly, feel that there is a great deal to this and I have discussed it often with many Air Force Officers. . ."

## 1958

Congressman William H. Ayres (R. Ohio) - January 28, 1958 "Congressional investigations have been held and are still being held on the problem of unidentified flying objects and the problem is one in which there is quite a bit of interest. . Since most of the material presented to the Committees is classified, the hearings are never printed. When conclusions are reached they will be released if possible. . "

Congressman Ralph J. Scott (D. N.C.) - March 13, 1958

"I quite agree with you that the general public should be allowed information thus far known about Flying Objects except, of course, in the case where they might become unduly alarmed or panicked by such a revelation. .you can readily understand and appreciate the seriousness of such a reaction. If this information could be presented to the American public in such a way as to appeal to reason and not to emotion, I think it would be a good thing. . ."

Senator George Smathers (D. Fla.) - June 26, 1958

"The subject of flying saucers is one in which we all share a great interest. No legislation is pending in the Congress at the present time to require that information on the subject be made public, but you may be sure that your interest in the matter will have my attention should it come before the Senate. . ."

Congressman Thomas Ludlow Ashley (D. Ohio) - July 14, 1958

"I have made a number of inquiries of the Air Force relative to its activities in connection with these unidentified flying objects, but have invariably received comment that evidence to date is too inconclusive to sustain any theory but that these objects are 'hoaxes, hallucinations, or normal meteorological manifestations.' I share your concern over the secrecy that continues to shroud our intelligence activities on this subject, and I am in complete agreement with you that our greatest national need at this time is the dissemination of accurate information upon which responsible public opinion can be formulated. . ."

Approved For Release 2001/04/02 $ ^{173} $ CIA-RDP81R00560R000100010001-0