THE OVERTON BROOKS YEARS, 1959-61 



S3 



fill, popular Congressman, Anfuso held the first congressional hearings 

 on women astronauts. Meanwhile, Representative B. F. Sisk of Cali- 

 fornia did a quiet and workmanlike job, as he had on the select 

 committee. 



Although eight freshman Democrats were assigned to the new 

 committee, the Republican members were all veterans of several terms 

 of service. Congressman Chenoweth of Colorado was serving his ninth 

 term; Riehlman of New York and Osmers of New Jersey were in their 

 seventh terms; Baumhart was in his fourth term; and Bass, in his third 

 term. 



RECRUITMENT OF STAFF 



One of the first tasks which faced Chairman Brooks was the re- 

 cruitment of staff. He wanted to have his own people with whom 

 he had worked, who knew his methods of operation, and could sense 

 how he would react while he was not available personally — chairing 

 hearings, visiting his district, touring installations, or occupied with 

 other pressing business. This was perhaps even more important be- 

 cause Brooks himself tended to be unpredictable in some of his actions 

 and reactions. At the same time, Brooks sincerely attempted to assemble 

 a staff which was both professional in its competence, and technically 

 proficient. 



Chairman McCormack had developed a firm and healthy relation- 

 ship with the select committee staff, headed by George Feldman. The 

 members of the staff overflowed with affection and respect in their 

 deeply appreciative letters to Chairman McCormack and all members 

 of the select committee on July 21, 1958, which included these words of 

 praise: 



The whole record of hearings makes clear the active and intelligent participation 

 of the members of the committee. This kind of interest and support has made our 

 work for you more meaningful. We also appreciate the opportunity we have been 

 afforded in executive sessions to express our views on the reports and the draft legis- 

 lation before the committee. * * * It was the inspiration of leadership shown by the 

 members and the chairman which made it easy for us to devote the long hours we did 

 to our efforts, and which turned a burden into a rich and satisfying experience. * * * 

 We have been treated with unfailing courtesy and friendship without partisanship 

 ever influencing the treatment we have received, any more than party lines influenced 

 our warmth of feeling for all the members. 



Representative Ford in a response to Feldman noted: "This joint 

 letter reaffirms my belief that a real 'team-work' job was done." 



It was against this backdrop that Brooks began considering how 

 he should organize his staff. At a meeting in Majority Leader McCor- 

 mack's office, Brooks asked Feldman to stay on, but Feldman had 

 already decided to leave. "Then I made a real hard pitch for Dr. 



