TYPED LETTER to Congressman Seymour Halpern SIGNED by Journalist and "Washington Merry-Go-Round" columnist DREW PEARSON. by Pearson, Drew (1897-1969). American Journalist and Columnist - 1964.

Washington, D.C.: August 5, 1964., 1964.. Very good. - Over 40 words typed on his personalized 10-1/2 inch high by 7-1/4 inch wide stationery. Drew Pearson thanks Congressman Seymour Halpern for his letter and says "we are in complete accord". He notes that he will probably quote from Halpern's statement in a future column. Signed in full, "Drew Pearson." Folded 3 times for mailing. Near fine.

Drew Pearson (1897-1969), together with his associate Jack Anderson, was one of the most successful columnists of his day. Although having used Senator Joseph McCarthy as a confidential source for dirt on politicians, Pearson launched a series of attacks on him in his syndicated column. McCarthy, in turn, made several speeches in the Senate calling for a "patriotic boycott" of Pearson's radio show.

The Queens, New York Republican Congressman Seymour Halpern (1913-1997) started his political career as a campaign aide to New York's powerful mayor Fiorella La Guardia and first served in New York's State Senate for 14 years before seeking a seat in the U.S. Congress. In Albany Halpern sponsored 279 bills that became law, including measures on schools, housing, civil rights, nutrition and mental health. A Liberal, he was something of an anomaly as the lone Republican representative from New York City, and generally garnered support from Labor Unions and endorsement from the Liberal Party. Yet he never even considered switching parties as he considered membership in the Republican Party a family tradition and commitment. While he found ample time for his private pursuits, including painting and collecting autographs, he took his legislative duties very seriously. Of these, he was proudest of his co-sponsorship of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and of the original 1965 Medicare legislation.