LETTER TO <SANITIZED> FROM FRANK GIBNEY RE PROGRESS OF TED'S CITIZENSHIP

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00983621
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: March 8, 2023
• Document Release Date: April 24, 2019
• Case Number: F-2015-00892
• Publication Date: June 5, 1959

Approved for Release: 2019/04/15 C00983621
LIFE
Time & Life Building
Rockefeller Center
New York 20
June 5, 1959
Dear
I thought you would like to know the result of my
talk with Besterman at the House Sub-Committee about the
progress Of Ted's citizenship. I took the liberty of en-
quiring since, as you know, I am very interested in this
matter and would hate to see anything go awry-with our plans
for citizenship now that they have advanced so far.
Besterman, I am happy to say, was most encouraging.
He pointed out that the full Committee would meet to approve
the recommendations of the Sub-Committee on June 9th. He
anticipates no trouble whatever at this meeting since the
full Committee invariably passes on the Sub-Committee's re-
commendations. On the 16th it is tentatively planned to
bring this to the floor and get House approval. Besterman
anticipates no difficulties here either. I am sure there
will not be since John McCormack has himself displayed such
a lively personal interest in this matter. Just to make
sure, of course, I shall get in touch with John in the
matter -- although I believe Walters has already done so.
Besterman did bring up a matter which I daressty
must cause you people some concern, i.e. the question of the
double identity. I was prepared to argue with him on the
score of introducing the bill under both names and I pointed
out the pitfalls therein as I saw them. I must say, though,
that his explanation of the Sub-Committee's view was so con-
vincing that I could not but accept it. He pointed out that
the Sub-Committee, on the advice of the Immigration Service,
had felt two names necessary for this reason: to eliminate
any question of the legality involved. It is very possible,
as he explained, that a Federal judge might question now or
later the propriety, if not the entire legal basis, of a
citizenship granted to an abvious pseudonym. With the
Deriabin name included, however, there is no room for doubt
that U.S. citizenship has been conferred on a certain specific
person who may, if he wishes, exercise his prerogative of
changing his name. Besterman reminded me that it is always
possible /
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possible to change one's name again, even at the very moment
of accepting citizenship. I feel sure that this could be
arranged, with citizenship granted, with the formal swearing-in,
taking place in some relatively inconspicuous locality.
Besterman suggested I might well say a word or two to the
Senate people when the House bill goes there for action --
Sourwine seemed favorable to the matter. Besterman rightly
advised me not to attempt anything until after House passage,
however. I will of course ask various people to use their
good offices in the Senate and I know John McCormack will be
happy to lend his own recommendations.
Sincerely,
/s/ Frank Gibney
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