The CHAIRMAN. The Commission will come to order.
Mr. Brennan, in keeping with our statements, so you will know just what
the purpose of the session is, I will read a little statement to you.
The purpose of today's hearing is to hear the testimony of Howard
Leslie Brennan, Bonnie Ray Williams, James Jarman, Jr., Harold Norman,
Roy S. Truly.
These witnesses were all in the vicinity of the Texas School Book
Depository Building at the time of the assassination of President
John F. Kennedy. They will be asked to provide the Commission with
their knowledge of the facts concerning the assassination of President
Kennedy.
Would you please rise and be sworn?
Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you give before this
Commission will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the
truth, so help you God?
Mr. BRENNAN. I do.
The CHAIRMAN. You may be seated, Mr. Brennan.
Mr. Belin will conduct the interrogation.
Mr. BELIN. Mr. Brennan, will you state your name for the record, please?
Mr. BRENNAN. Howard Leslie Brennan.
Mr. BELIN. Where do you live?
Mr. BRENNAN. 6814 Woodward, Dallas 27.
Mr. BELIN. And how old a man are you?
Mr. BRENNAN. 45.
Mr. BELIN. Are you married?
Mr. BRENNAN. Yes.
Mr. BELIN. Family?
Mr. BRENNAN. Two children. One grandson.
Mr. BELIN. What is your occupation, Mr. Brennan?
Mr. BRENNAN. Steamfitter.
Mr. BELIN. And for whom are you employed, or by whom are you employed?
Mr. BRENNAN. Wallace and Beard.
Mr. BELIN. Is that a construction company?
Mr. BRENNAN. Yes.
Mr. BELIN. And let me ask you this: How long have you been a
steamfitter?
Mr. BRENNAN. Since 1943, I believe.
Mr. BELIN. Do you work for one employer, or do you go from job to job?
Mr. BRENNAN. I go from job to job.
Mr. BELIN. Is that at your direction or at the direction of any union?
Mr. BRENNAN. Local 100 in Dallas.
Mr. BELIN. Mr. Brennan, where were you on the early part of the
afternoon of November 22, 1963, say around noon or so?
Mr. BRENNAN. I left a position behind the Book Store, which is a leased
part of Katy Yards, which we have fabrication for pipe for the Republic
Bank Building. At 12 o'clock I went to the cafeteria on the corner of
Main and Record. I believe that is it.
Mr. BELIN. That would be at Main and Record Streets in Dallas?
Mr. BRENNAN. Yes.
Mr. BELIN. And did you have your lunch there?
Mr. BRENNAN. Yes.
Mr. BELIN. And then after lunch, where did you go?
Mr. BRENNAN. I finished lunch and I glanced at a clock--I don't know
exactly where the clock is located--and noticed it was 12:18. So I
thought I still had a few minutes, that I might see the parade and the
President.