Feb. 10, 1970

Senator Robert Dole
Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

I am a former resident of Republic County, Kansas, and have many relatives in and around Belleville. My brother-in-law is (redacted) of the Kansas State legislature from (redacted). As a parent of 5 school-age children and resident for the past 16 years of Baton Rouge, La., I ask your support in the pending legislation regarding institution of freedom of choice in public education.
Unknown and unpublished, in the main, the Negro has made great strides in recent years in employment, education and related areas. In the South, many wrongs have and are being undone. Forced integration can only result in a setback in those advances.
More than that, one of the basic principles of a free country is being undermined. As parents, we have a right and responsibility for directing our children in their pursuit of learning. A Federally controlled system of education is a giant step toward another form of government other than that described in our Constitution.
I ask you to investigate the situation in the South before casting your vote - realize that many parents, confused, bewildered, angered, stunned - are seeing their children arbitrarily assigned to a school many miles from their home in a strange and often hostile neighborhood. Believe that most are not racists, but parents concerned with their children's safety and the quality of their education.

Sincerely,
(redacted)
(Mrs. ) (redacted)
Baton Rouge, La. 70815

SENATOR BOB DOLE
RECEIVED
FEB 12 1970
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20510


(page 2)
February 13, 1970
C.R.

(redacted)
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70815

Dear Mrs. (redacted):
Thanks for your letter of February 10 in which you express your concern in the matter of forced integration of our public schools.
Although I substantially agree with your comments on this subject, I also deplore the fact that the races seem unable to achieve the same goal in education without the violent disputes and other drastic results which ensue from such integration efforts.
As you perhaps know, the city of Wichita, Kansas is in the grips of a serious dispute over the bussing of black and white pupils. Unfortunately, the situation's solution does not appear imminent.
Thanks again for taking the time to share your views with me.

Sincerely yours,
BOB DOLE
U.S. Senate

BD:mb