White House Press Release

47 #995 IMMEDIATE RELEASE FEBRUARY 7, 1947 The President has sent identical letters as follows to the Honorable Arthur H. Vandenberg, President of the Senate pro tempore, and the Honorable Joseph W. Martin, Jr., Speaker of the House of Representatives: . "February 6, 1947 My dear An offer of $8,500,000 has been made to the United Nations for acquisition of a headquarters site in the city of New York, on the condition that the gift should be free of Federal Gift Taxes. The United Nations desires to take advantage of this generous offer and has requested that the United States comply with the condition attached to this gift. I heartily recommend that this government comply with this request. It would appear that the most desirable method by which this gift could be freed from such taxes would be to amend the appropriate sections of the Internal Revenue Code, In addition to accomplishing the purpose of complying with the above offer, the effect of such an amendment would be to en- courage other public-spirited citizens to make gifts to the United Nations. I enclose herewith, for your consideration, copy of a suggested joint resolution which would accomplish the desired purposes. I consider that the passage of such a resolution is definitely in the public interest and I suggest that you bring this to the attention of the Congress at your earliest con- venience. Very sincerely yours, (d) HARRY S. TRUMAN (OVER)