Citizens Committee on Displaced Persons collection

The Citizens Committee on Displaced Persons was formed in the United States in 1946, by leaders of the American Jewish Committee and the American Committee for Judaism. This broad based group of noted Americans were gathered for the goal of influencing Congress so that it would pass legislation relaxing immigration quotas and permitting the entrance of displaced persons from Europe to enter the United States. In January of 1947, with Earl G. Harrison as chairman, the Citizens Committee announced its goal: the admission of 400,000 refugees from Europe over the next four years. The organization enlisted the support of labor unions, religious organizations, and prominent political leaders on behalf of their efforts, and worked closely with David Niles, President Truman’s special assistant on minority affairs. Niles and the Committee worked with Congressman William Stratton of Illinois, to introduce the bill, which eventually evolved into the Displaced Persons Act in 1948. Following an amendment to that bill in 1950, the organization soon disbanded later in that year. The Citizens Committee on Displaced Persons collection consists of material created by the Committee in support of legislation concerning displaced persons in Europe. Editorials and press releases inform readers on the progress made on said legislation, while memorandum updates members and coordinating organizations of the Committee. Internal information consists of a variety of lists and news useful to members of the Committee. Also included is a report on immigration of European displaced persons to the United States. The Citizens Committee on Displaced Persons collection contains material created by the Committee, in its attempts to assist with legislation in support of bringing displaced Jewish Europeans to the United States. Included are editorials and press releases, intended by the Committee to gain public awareness and support for the passage of the Displaced Persons Act. Memorandum contains information sent to cooperating organizations and members, updating them on the Committee’s progress. Internal information consists of various information composed for internal use, such as lists of local citizens committees and radio program transcriptions discussing displaced persons. Also included is a report on immigration of European displaced persons to the United States created by the Committee.