McCarthy to Tanner

John McCarthy, the director of the new Department of Immigration at the NCWC, wrote this memo to Msgr. Paul Tanner, the secretary-general of the NCWC, summarizing recent conversations about the American Catholic Church's support for the proposed immigration legislation of 1965. This memo discusses the NCWC's plans for a publicity campaign to raise support for immigration reform among members of Congress and in the general public.

Questions:

As you read the document, reflect on the following questions:

• What does McCarthy say would be the first step in gaining the support of members of the Catholic hierarchy for the new legislation?
• What kinds of organizations does McCarthy propose to work with in getting the facts about the bill to the "grass-roots"?
• Why do you think Mr. McPherson stressed caution in the publicity campaign?