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Federal Anti-Obscenity Laws/Pornography - Presidential and Anne Higgins' Form Letters
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Federal Anti-Obscenity Laws/Pornography - Presidential and Anne Higgins' Form Letters
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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Digital Library Collections
This is a PDF of a folder from our textual collections.
Collection: Blackwell, Morton: Files
Folder Title: Federal Anti-Obscenity Laws/Pornography
- Presidential and Anne Higgins' Form Letters
Box: 18
To see more digitized collections visit:
https://reaganlibrary.gov/archives/digital-library
To see all Ronald Reagan Presidential Library inventories visit:
https://reaganlibrary.gov/document-collection
Contact a reference archivist at: [email protected]
Citation Guidelines: https://reaganlibrary.gov/citing
National Archives Catalogue: https://catalog.archives.gov/
July 15, 1983
Dear Ben:
Thank you for your recent letters following up on our
March 28 meeting concerning enforcement of Federal
anti-obscenity laws.
I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet with you
and other leaders from some of the groups concerned
about the ever more extreme forms of pornography being
distributed throughout our land. I was impressed by
your testimony on the destructive effect of pornography
on our children, our families, and our communities.
In response to the recommendations made at that meeting,
I want you to know that we have set up a working group
here at the White House to coordinate enforcement efforts
under Federal anti-obscenity laws. Members of the working
group include representatives from the Department of
Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Customs
Service, and the Postal Service. Direction will be provided
by Steve Galebach in our Office of Policy Development.
I certainly appreciate your outspoken concern and support
in this important matter. Thank you again, and God bless
you.
Sincerely,
RONALD REAGA
Dr. Ben Armstrong
Executive Director
National Religious Broadcasters
CN 1926
Morristown, New Jersey 07960
RR: OPD: AVH: CMD: RDC: RCH:
P-122(v)
cc: Morton Blackwell
July 12, 1983
Dear Archbishop May:
Knowing of your strong support for enforcement of Federal
anti-obscenity laws, I am taking this opportunity to bring
you up to date on our recent initiative in this area.
As you may know, I had a meeting at the White House
in March with citizen leaders who are concerned about
the spread of ever more extreme forms of pornography
throughout our land. I am impressed by their testimony
on the destructive effect of pornography on our children,
our families, and our communities.
In response to the thoughtful recommendations made at
that meeting, we have set up a White House working
group to coordinate among the Federal agencies with
responsibility for investigation and enforcement under
Federal anti-obscenity laws. Members of the working
group include representatives from the Department
of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the
Customs Service, and the Postal Service. The executive
secretary of the group is Steve Galebach of our Office
of Policy Development.
I certainly appreciate the support of concerned leaders
for our efforts in this important matter. Thank you
again for your interest, and God bless you.
Sincerely,
RONALD REAGAN
The Most Reverend John L. May
Archbishop of St. Louis
The Catholic Center
4445 Lindell Boulevard
St. Louis, Missouri 63108
RR:OPD:AVH:CAD:RDC:RCH:AVH:plr-pman
cc: w/copy of inc. to Morton Blackwell
auth-2
THE CATHOLIC CENTER
Archdiocese of St. Louis
RCH
February 24, 1983
33630
President Ronald Reagan
The White House
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. President:
May I thank you for your action on February 16
urging speedy passage by Congress of the tuition tax credit
legislation. Your action is a great encouragement to
so many people of modest income who are struggling to
maintain our tradition of private schools working side
by side with our public schools for the better education
of all our children.
May I ask also your favorable consideration of
the interfaith appeal for vigorous enforcement of the
federal anti obscenity laws in the war against pornography.
Very respectfully I would like to join with so many others
in requesting your executive instruction to the Attorney
General to carry out such enforcement of our laws which
have already been enacted for this purpose.
With my prayers for you and all your work for
our people,
Sincerely yours,
Most May
John Reverend R may John A.
Archbishop of St. Louis
4445 Lindell Boulevard
St. Louis, Missouri 63108
314 533-1887
Maiselle -- Chuck Donovan asked me to send
you copies of the Presidential and Anne
Higgins' form letters regarding pornography.
Maureen Hudson
P-122
RE: Pornography
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 21, 1983
Dear VnameV:
Thank you for writing to express your support for
enforcement of Federal anti-obscenity laws.
In March of this year, I had the opportunity to
meet in the White House with leaders from some of
the groups concerned about the ever more extreme
forms of pornography being distributed throughout
our land. I was impressed by their testimony on
the destructive effect of pornography on our
children, our families, and our communities.
In response to the recommendations made at that
meeting, we have set up a working group here at the
White House to coordinate enforcement efforts under
Federal anti-obscenity laws.
Members of the working group include representatives
from the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau
of Investigation, the Customs Service, and the
Postal Service. Direction will be provided by our
Office of Policy Development.
I certainly appreciate your support in this important
matter. Thank you again, and God bless you.
Sincerely,
(6/20/83)
Vinside_addressV
RR/OPD/AVH/CAD/RDC/RCH
RESTRICTED TO MORTON BLACKWELL
P-122A
RE: Pornography
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 21, 1983
Dear VnameV:
Thank you for writing to express your support for
enforcement of our Federal anti-obscenity laws.
In March of this year, I had the opportunity to
meet in the White House with leaders from some of
the groups concerned about the ever more extreme
forms of pornography being distributed throughout
our land. I was impressed by their testimony on
the destructive effect of pornography on our
children, our families, and our communities.
In response to the recommendations made at that
meeting, we have set up a working group here at
the White House to coordinate investigation and
enforcement of the Federal anti-obscenity laws.
Members of the working group include representatives
from the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau
of Investigation, the Customs Service, and the
Postal Service. The executive secretary of the group
is Steve Galebach of our White House Office of Policy
Development.
I certainly appreciate your support in this important
matter. Thank you again, and God bless you.
Sincerely,
(6/20/83)
Vinside_addressW
RR/OPD/AVH/CAD/RCH/AVH
P-122B
RESTRICTED TO MORTON BLACKWELL
RE: Pornography (letters addressed to Morton Blackwell)
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 28, 1983
Dear VnameV:
Morton Blackwell has shown me your letter
expressing support for enforcement of our
Federal anti-obscenity laws.
In March of this year, I had the opportunity to
meet in the White House with leaders from some
of the groups concerned about the ever more
extreme forms of pornography being distributed
throughout our land. I was impressed by their
testimony on the destructive effect of pornog-
raphy on our children, our families, and our
communities.
In response to the recommendations made at that
meeting, we have set up a working group here at
the White House to coordinate investigation and
enforcement of the Federal anti-obscenity laws.
Members of the working group include represen-
tatives from the Department of Justice, the
Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Customs
Service, and the Postal Service. The executive
secretary of the group is Steve Galebach of our
White House Office of Policy Development.
I certainly appreciate your support in this
important matter. Thank you again, and God
bless you.
Sincerely,
(6/24/83)
Vinside_addressV
RR/OPD/AVH/CAD/RCH/AVH
AVH-198 (5th Rev.) (REISSUED to add apostrophe in line 1 of para. 2)
RE: Pornography
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
May 19, 1983 (XXX198)
Dear Mr. Ortega:
Thank you for your message to President Reagan expressing
concern about the nationwide sale and distribution of obscene
materials. I can assure you that the President shares your
convictions about this problem.
Leaders of citizens' groups concerned about pornography have
twice met with President Reagan, first in July 1982 and more
recently on March 28, 1983. These meetings were devoted to
discussion of how best to enforce existing laws against
pornography. The President has directed Attorney General
Smith to take all appropriate action to combat pornography, and
we believe that important progress has now been made against
this threat.
Organized criminals are deeply involved in the manufacture and
distribution of pornography. The Administration believes that it
is important for Federal efforts to strike directly at such criminal
groups. Accordingly, the Department of Justice has created
twelve task forces throughout the country to battle organized
crime. As part of this campaign, the President has also proposed
creation of a special Presidential Commission on Organized Crime,
which will be responsible for reviewing the problems posed by
organized illegal activity in areas like drugs and pornography.
In addition, the Attorney General has already acted to ensure
that the Justice Department is using existing resources to combat
pornography through a four-point approach.
First, the FBI is in the process of identifying and
investigating violations of Federal anti-pornography
laws, giving priority to the most egregious violations.
Second, all United States Attorneys have been sent a
personal memorandum from the Attorney General
stressing the importance of anti-pornography
enforcement, especially in cases involving large-
scale distributors, organized crime and child
pornography. U.S. Attorneys were told that
they may prosecute where pornography is a
significant local problem, and they should lend
all necessary support to local officials.
(5/19/83)
AVH-198 (5th Rev.) (REISSUED to add apostrophe in line 1 of para. 2)
RE: Pornography
2
Third, all Law Enforcement Coordinating Committees
(consisting of Federal, State and local law enforce-
ment officials) have been instructed to review the
pornography threat in their areas and to coordinate
efforts against it.
Fourth, the Justice Department has been working with
Congress to strengthen the Federal law against child
pornography and to increase criminal penalties for
pornographers.
The Administration recognizes that total elimination of the
pornography problem can be accomplished only by means of strict
enforcement of local statutes and ordinances. Concerned citizens
like you have the power under present Supreme Court rulings to
demand the enforcement of local laws which provide the first and
best line of defense against pornography and its attack on
community standards.
President Reagan urges you to continue working with your fellow
citizens to secure effective enforcement of pornography laws in
your area. He will continue to do everything in his power to
ensure that our common goals are achieved.
With the President's appreciation for your message and with his
best wishes,
Sincerely,
Anne Higgins
Special Assistant to the President
and Director of Correspondence
(5/19/83)
Mr. Michael Ortega
Mail Analyst Night Supervisor
Correspondence Analysis Section
Room 60
Old Executive Office Building
Washington, DC 20500
AVH/CAD/RCH/OPD/AVH
Draft Letter Re Pornography
Dear :
Thank you for writing to express your support for enforcement of
our federal anti-obscenity laws.
Recently, in March of this year, I had the opportunity to meet in
the White House with citizen leaders who are concerned about the
spread of ever more extreme forms of pornography through our
land. I was impressed by their testimony on the destructive
effect of pornography on our children, our families, and our
communities.
In response to the thoughtful recommendations made at that
meeting, we have set up a White House working group to coordinate
among the federal agencies that have responsibility for
investigation and enforcement under the federal anti-obscenity
laws. I have asked the working group to look into policy
questions related to the improvement of our enforcement efforts
in this area, including the proposals for action that were
presented at the White House meeting in March.
Members of the working group include representatives from the
Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the
Customs Service, and the Postal Service. The executive secretary
of the group is Steve Galebach of our Office of Policy
Development.
I certainly appreciate the support of concerned citizens for our
efforts in this important matter. Thank you again, and God bless
you.
Sincerely,
RR
AVH-198 (5th Rev.) (REISSUED to add apostrophe in line 1 of para. 2)
RE: Pornography
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
May 19, 1983 (XXX198)
Dear Mr. Ortega:
Thank you for your message to President Reagan expressing
concern about the nationwide sale and distribution of obscene
materials. I can assure you that the President shares your
convictions about this problem.
Leaders of citizens' groups concerned about pornography have
twice met with President Reagan, first in July 1982 and more
recently on March 28, 1983. These meetings were devoted to
discussion of how best to enforce existing laws against
pornography. The President has directed Attorney General
Smith to take all appropriate action to combat pornography, and
we believe that important progress has now been made against
this threat.
Organized criminals are deeply involved in the manufacture and
distribution of pornography. The Administration believes that it
is important for Federal efforts to strike directly at such criminal
groups. Accordingly, the Department of Justice has created
twelve task forces throughout the country to battle organized
crime. As part of this campaign, the President has also proposed
creation of a special Presidential Commission on Organized Crime,
which will be responsible for reviewing the problems posed by
organized illegal activity in areas like drugs and pornography.
In addition, the Attorney General has already acted to ensure
that the Justice Department is using existing resources to combat
pornography through a four-point approach.
First, the FBI is in the process of identifying and
investigating violations of Federal anti-pornography
laws, giving priority to the most egregious violations.
Second, all United States Attorneys have been sent a
personal memorandum from the Attorney General
stressing the importance of anti-pornography
enforcement, especially in cases involving large-
scale distributors, organized crime and child
pornography. U.S. Attorneys were told that
they may prosecute where pornography is a
significant local problem, and they should lend
all necessary support to local officials.
(5/19/83)
AVH-198 (5th Rev.)
RE: Pornography
2
Third, all Law Enforcement Coordinating Committees
(consisting of Federal, State and local law enforce-
ment officials) have been instructed to review the
pornography threat in their areas and to coordinate
efforts against it.
Fourth, the Justice Department has been working with
Congress to strengthen the Federal law against child
pornography and to increase criminal penalties for
pornographers.
The Administration recognizes that total elimination of the
pornography problem can be accomplished only by means of strict
enforcement of local statutes and ordinances. Concerned citizens
like you have the power under present Supreme Court rulings to
demand the enforcement of local laws which provide the first and
best line of defense against pornography and its attack on
community standards.
President Reagan urges you to continue working with your fellow
citizens to secure effective enforcement of pornography laws in
your area. He will continue to do everything in his power to
ensure that our common goals are achieved.
With the President's appreciation for your message and with his
best wishes,
Sincerely,
Anne Higgins
Special Assistant to the President
and Director of Correspondence
(5/12/83)
Mr. Michael Ortega
Mail Analyst Supervisor
Correspondence Analysis Section
Room 60
Old Executive Office Building
Washington, DC 20500
AVH/CAD/RCH/OPD/AVH
Mciselle Shottley
July 7, 1983
Dear Archbishop Iakovos:
Thank you for writing to express your support for
enforcement of our Federal anti-obscenity laws.
I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet in March
with your representative, Fr. Efthimiou, and other
leaders concerned about the ever more extreme forms of
pornography being distributed throughout our land. I
was impressed by their testimony on the destructive
effect of pornography on our children, our families, and
our communities.
In response to the recommendations made at that meet-
ing, we have set up a working group here at the White
House to coordinate investigation and enforcement of the
Federal anti-obscenity laws. Members of the working
group include representatives from the Department of
Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the
Customs Service, and the Postal Service. The executive
secretary of the group is Steve Galebach of our White
House Office of Policy Development.
I certainly appreciate your support in this important
matter. Thank you again, and God bless you.
Sincerely,
The Most Reverend Iakovos
Archbishop of Greek Orthodox
Archdiocese of North and
South America
10 East 79th Street
New York, New York 10021
RR/OPD/AVH/CAD/RCH/AVH/dpf
P-122A(Variation)
Pornography
July 7, 1983
Dear Mr. Lindsay:
I was pleased to have the opportunity on March 28 to meet
with you and other leaders in the drive against pornog-
raphy and to discuss methods to improve enforcement of our
Federal anti-obscenity laws.
We share a deep concern about the ever more extreme forms
of pornography being distributed throughout our land.
Your testimony on the destructive effect of pornography on
our children, our families, and our communities was par-
ticularly impressive.
In response to the recommendations made at that meeting, I
have directed that a working group be established here at
the White House to coordinate investigation and enforcement
of the Federal anti-obscenity laws. Members of the working
group include representatives from the Department of
Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Customs
Service, and the Postal Service. The executive secretary
of the group is Steve Galebach of our White House Office of
Policy Development.
I certainly appreciate your active interest and support in
this important matter, and I welcome your continuing con-
tribution to our efforts against this significant national
problem. Thank you again, and God bless you.
Sincerely,
Mr. Richard P. Lindsay
The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-Day Saints
50 East North Temple Street
Salt Lake City, Utah 84150
RR/OPD/AVH/CAD/RCH/AVH/dpf
P-122A(Variation)
July 7, 1983
Dear Mr. Wildmon:
I was pleased to have the opportunity on March 28 to meet
with you and other leaders in the drive against pornog-
raphy and to discuss methods to improve enforcement of our
Federal anti-obscenity laws.
We share a deep concern about the ever more extreme forms
of pornography being distributed throughout our land.
Your testimony on the destructive effect of pornography on
our children, our families, and our communities was par-
ticularly impressive.
In response to the recommendations made at that meeting, I
have directed that a working group be established here at
the White House to coordinate investigation and enforcement
of the Federal anti-obscenity laws. Members of the working
group include representatives from the Department of
Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Customs
Service, and the Postal Service. The executive secretary
of the group is Steve Galebach of our White House Office of
Policy Development.
I certainly appreciate your active interest and support in
this important matter, and I welcome your continuing con-
tribution to our efforts against this significant national
problem. Thank you again, and God bless you.
Sincerely,
Mr. Donald E. Wildmon
Executive Director
National Federation for Decency
Post Office Box 1398
Tupelo, Mississippi 38801
RR/OPD/AVH/CAD/RCH/AVH/dpf
P-122A(Variation)
July 7, 1983
Dear Mr. Young:
I was pleased to have the opportunity on March 28 to meet
with you and other leaders in the drive against pornog-
raphy and to discuss methods to improve enforcement of our
Federal anti-obscenity laws.
We share a deep concern about the ever more extreme forms
of pornography being distributed throughout our land.
Your testimony on the destructive effect of pornography on
our children, our families, and our communities was par-
ticularly impressive.
In response to the recommendations made at that meeting, I
have directed that a working group be established here at
the White House to coordinate investigation and enforcement
of the Federal anti-obscenity laws. Members of the working
group include representatives from the Department of
Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Customs
Service, and the Postal Service. The executive secretary
of the group is Steve Galebach of our White House Office of
Policy Development.
I certainly appreciate your active interest and support in
this important matter, and I welcome your continuing con-
tribution to our efforts against this significant national
problem. Thank you again, and God bless you.
Sincerely,
Mr. Homer E. Young
Security-Investigative Consultant
4212 Minnecota Drive
Thousand Oaks, California 91360
RR/OPD/AVH/CAD/RCH/AVH/dpf
P-122A(Variation)
July 7, 1983
Dear Cardinal Krol:
I was pleased to have the opportunity on March 28 to meet
with you and other leaders in the drive against pornog-
raphy and to discuss methods to improve enforcement of our
Federal anti-obscenity laws.
We share a deep concern about the ever more extreme forms
of pornography being distributed throughout our land.
Your testimony on the destructive effect of pornography on
our children, our families, and our communities was par-
ticularly impressive.
In response to the recommendations made at that meeting, I
have directed that a working group be established here at
the White House to coordinate investigation and enforcement
of the Federal anti-obscenity laws. Members of the working
group include representatives from the Department of
Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Customs
Service, and the Postal Service. The executive secretary
of the group is Steve Galebach of our White House Office of
Policy Development.
I certainly appreciate your active interest and support in
this important matter, and I welcome your continuing con-
tribution to our efforts against this significant national
problem. Thank you again, and God bless you.
Sincerely,
His Eminence John Cardinal Krol
Archbishop of Philadelphia
222 North 17th Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
RR/OPD/AVH/CADRCH/AVH/dpf
P-122A(Variation)
July 7, 1983
Dear Howard:
I was pleased to have the opportunity on March 28 to meet
with you and other leaders in the drive against pornog-
raphy and to discuss methods to improve enforcement of our
Federal anti-obscenity laws.
We share a deep concern about the ever more extreme forms
of pornography being distributed throughout our land.
Your testimony on the destructive effect of pornography on
our children, our families, and our communities was par-
ticularly impressive.
In response to the recommendations made at that meeting, I
have directed that a working group be established here at
the White House to coordinate investigation and enforcement
of the Federal anti-obscenity laws. Members of the working
group include representatives from the Department of
Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Customs
Service, and the Postal Service. The executive secretary
of the group is Steve Galebach of our White House Office of
Policy Development.
I certainly appreciate your active interest and support in
this important matter, and I welcome your continuing con-
tribution to our efforts against this significant national
problem. Thank you again, and God bless you.
Sincerely,
Mr. Howard Phillips
National Director
The Conservative Caucus, Inc.
450 Maple Avenue, East
Vienna, Virginia 22180
RR/OPD/AVH/CAD/RCH/AVH/dpf
P-122A(Variation)
July 7, 1983
My Dear Doctor:
Thank you for writing to express your support for enforce-
ment of our Federal anti-obscenity laws.
I was pleased to have that opportunity to meet in the White
House with leaders concerned about the ever more extreme
forms of pornography being distributed throughout our land.
I was deeply impressed by their testimony on the destructive
effect of pornography on our children, our families, and our
communities.
In response to the recommendations made at that meeting,
we have set up a working group here at the White House to
coordinate investigation and enforcement of the Federal anti-
obscenity laws. Members of the working group include
representatives from the Department of Justice, the Federal
Bureau of Investigation, the Customs Service, and the Postal
Service. The executive secretary of the group is Steve
Galebach of our White House Office of Policy Development.
I believe that this will prove to be an effective way to
strengthen our efforts in this area, and I certainly appre-
ciate your support in this important matter. The leadership
you have provided on this and other moral issues through the
years are a vital ingredient of the success we hope to
achieve. Thank you again, and God bless you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale
1025 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10028
RR/OPD/AVH/CAD/RCH/AVH/dpf
P-122A (Variation)