A letter to President Carter from Thurgood Marshall – I deeply regret my inability to attend the gathering at the White House on May 17., 5/15/1979

Marshall, Thurgood Folder Citation: Collection: Carter White House Central Files: Series: Name Files; Folder: Marshall, Thurgood: Container 2069 Supreme Court of the United States Washington, D. 4. 20543 CHAMBERS OF JUSTICE THURGOOD MARSHALL May 15, 1979 RL My dear Mr. President: I deeply regret my inability to attend the gathering at the White House on May 17. I consider it essential to avoid even the appearance of acting in a manner that would preclude my participation in cases before this Court. The May 17th gathering is for the purpose of "observing the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Brown V. Board of Education Supreme Court decision". There are two argued cases awaiting opinion writing and several others being held by this Court involving the question of alleged school segregation, busing and similar questions. I simply cannot do anything that might possibly jeopardize my participation in the decisions of those cases. To say I am wrong or correct in doing so could raise controversy. As an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, I am admonished not to take part in outside controversies. I am sorry. Sincerely yours, Theyat Muntab Thurgood Marshall The President The White House Hand Delivered