Box 16, Folder 9, Document 43

Box 16, Folder 9, Document 43

BER R Y Cc QOQkLkLEGE

MO U N T BERRY * GEorReGIA 30149

AREA CODE 404 %2232-5374



Office of the President September 8, 1966

The Honorable Ivan Allen
Office of the Mayor
City Hall voy
Atlanta, Georgia

Dear Mr. Mayor:

You have earned the gratitude and admiration of people through-
out this region and indeed throughout the nation for your handling
of the tense situation on the streets of Atlanta last Tuesday evening.

You have helped to establish an image of Atlanta as a city, not
of prejudice, but of progress. You have worked conscientiously and
effectively for social justice, economic opportunity and fair treat-
ment for all citizens. _

When, despite your best efforts, tensions reached a breaking
point, you moved with resolute courage, tempered by reason and
restraint, to protect your city against some of its citizens and, in
fact, to protect these people against some of their own temporary
excesses,

We realize that your magnificent performance on this occasion does
not insure against a recurrence of violence in Atlanta. I am sure, too,
that you can take little pleasure in commendations for your handling of
a situation which you undoubtedly hoped would never occur, Still, we
should be permitted to express our pride in a captain who keeps his ship
on course when the sea is rough as well as when the sailing is smooth.

Best wishes for a successful voyage and safe landing from an old

submariner,
Cordially yours,
ohn R. Bertrand
President

JRB:hd

INCORPORATED AS THE BERRY SCHOOLS + FOUNDED BY MARTHA BERRY IN 1902