Oliver Stone's Opening Statement on JFK Assassination Records

The JFK Records Act and its Limitations

• 33 years ago, Oliver Stone presented his film "JFK" to Congress, sparking a demand for clarity on the assassination.
• Congress passed the JFK Records Act in 1992, mandating the release of all assassination-related records unless a strong national security reason prevented it.
• The Assassination Records Review Board attempted to declassify records until 1998 but faced a lack of cooperation from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

CIA's Lack of Transparency

• The CIA, described as a taxpayer-funded intelligence agency operating outside of laws, has historically failed to provide cooperation or release significant information.
• Despite known illegal and criminal activities in US foreign policy globally, the CIA has not revealed its true history concerning the JFK assassination.
• James Angleton, a former CIA member, described key figures like Dulles and Helms as being in a room where one would believe they deserved to end up in hell.

Call for Reinvestigation

• Stone implores the committee to reopen the investigation into President Kennedy's assassination, which the Warren Commission failed to complete.
• He emphasizes the need to reinvestigate the chain of custody for the rifle, bullets, fingerprints, and the controversial autopsy.
• The focus should be on the intelligence surrounding Lee Harvey Oswald from 1959 to his death in 1963, and the CIA's involvement.

The Meaning of Democracy and Truth

• The core issue is whether American democracy has a foundation, future, meaning, or purpose beyond wealth or military might.
• The speaker calls for a return to a government that is transparent and honest with its people.
• The goal is to see past lies, understand what happened, forgive transgressions, and praise representatives who believe in the pursuit of truth.