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Highway 61 correspondence and documents, 1968-1974

1972-01-17 James I. Meyerson to Miss Virginia Harper Page 1

NAACP Special Contribution Fund

1790 BROADWAY / NEW YORK, N.Y. 10019 / 245-2100

January 17, 1972

Miss Virginia Harper
Administrative Secretary
Fort Madison Branch, NAACP
720- 7th Street
Fort Madison, Iowa 52627

RE: Proposed re-routing of Highway # 61 through the City of Fort Madison

Dear Miss Harper: 

As per our telephone conversation this date as above, please be advised that the National Office of the NAACP is very much concerned about the above-mentioned re-routing of Highway # 61 through the City of Fort Madison, Iowa and the acknowledged discriminatory effect it will have on minority persons, specifically Black persons and persons of Mexican-American ancestry.

Accordingly, as I advised you per our telephone conversation, this office is anxious, willing, and able to assist the local branch, in Fort Madison, in resisting the efforts of the Iowa Highway Commission to proceed with the project. Not only are we prepared to fight state and local authorities in this matter but federal officials as well, particularly in light of the fact that the latter have acknowledged the discriminatory effect which the proposed project will have on minority persons. If informal efforts do not prove fruitful, in this regard, then there will be no other alternative but to pursue the matter in a Federal Court.

I would appreciate it if you would discuss this matter forthwith with the Branch and advise me of the feelings thereon. You should note that should the Branch decide that it does not wish to involve itself in this matter, nevertheless, the National Office could proceed, on its own, to get involved, due to the seriousness of the matter and the discrimination involved.

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NAACP Special Contribution Fund 1790 BROADWAY / NEW YORK, N.Y. 10019 / 245-2100 January 17, 1972 Miss Virginia Harper Administrative Secretary Fort Madison Branch, NAACP 720- 7th Street Fort Madison, Iowa 52627 RE: Proposed re-routing of Highway # 61 through the City of Fort Madison Dear Miss Harper: As per our telephone conversation this date as above, please be advised that the National Office of the NAACP is very much concerned about the above-mentioned re-routing of Highway # 61 through the City of Fort Madison, Iowa and the acknowledged discriminatory effect it will have on minority persons, specifically Black persons and persons of Mexican-American ancestry. Accordingly, as I advised you per our telephone conversation, this office is anxious, willing, and able to assist the local branch, in Fort Madison, in resisting the efforts of the Iowa Highway Commission to proceed with the project. Not only are we prepared to fight state and local authorities in this matter but federal officials as well, particularly in light of the fact that the latter have acknowledged the discriminatory effect which the proposed project will have on minority persons. If informal efforts do not prove fruitful, in this regard, then there will be no other alternative but to pursue the matter in a Federal Court. I would appreciate it if you would discuss this matter forthwith with the Branch and advise me of the feelings thereon. You should note that should the Branch decide that it does not wish to involve itself in this matter, nevertheless, the National Office could proceed, on its own, to get involved, due to the seriousness of the matter and the discrimination involved.