Here are some additional posts regarding
Laurance Rockefeller, including why he
became interested in financing "The Best
Available Evidence" concerning UFOs.
From: UFO UpDates - Toronto <ufoupdates.nul>
Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2004 20:33:45 -0400
Fwd Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2004 20:33:45 -0400
Subject: Who Was Laurance Rockefeller?
Source: The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-
dyn/articles/A42994-2004Jul11.html
Philanthropist Laurance Rockefeller Dies
The Associated Press
Sunday, July 11, 2004; 7:25 PM
NEW YORK - Laurance Rockefeller, a conservationist, philanthropist
and leading figure in the field of venture capital, died in his sleep
Sunday morning. He was 94.
The cause of death was pulmonary fibrosis, his spokesman Fraser
Seitel said in a statement.
Rockefeller was No. 377 on this year's Forbes magazine list of 587
billionaires, with $1.5 billion. But he was perhaps best known for his
environmental work: He served under five presidents in several
capacities related to conservation and the outdoors.
He founded the American Conservation Association in 1958 and was
head of Jackson Hole Preserve Inc., a conservation organization
that played a major role in protecting parts of the Grand Tetons in
Wyoming and redwood trees in California.
Rockefeller helped develop national parks in Wyoming, the U.S.
Virgin Islands and Vermont, and chaired the White House
Conference on Natural Beauty.
Rockefeller also was a pivotal developer of the economics field that
became known as venture capital.
In 1938 he helped finance World War I pilot Eddie Rickenbacker's
Eastern Airlines, and he later invested in McDonnell Aircraft Corp.,
Intel Corp. and Apple Computer Inc. He sought to fund ventures
that would strengthen national security, welfare or the economy.
"As his younger brother, I always admired Laurance for his
extraordinary business skills and often followed his lead by joining
him in the field of venture capital, where he was a true pioneer,"
said David Rockefeller, the last remaining child of John D. Rockefeller
Jr.
Laurance Spelman Rockefeller was born May 26, 1910, in New York,
and was the fourth of six children of Rockefeller Jr. and Abby Aldrich
Rockefeller. He graduated from Princeton University in 1932 and
studied law at Harvard for two years. In 1934, he married Mary
French.
He served in the Navy during World War II and became a lieutenant
commander.
Rockefeller served on the board of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer
Center and became the first recipient of the American Cancer
Society's Alfred P. Sloan Memorial Award for his contributions to
cancer research.
Rockefeller is survived by four children, eight grandchildren and 12
great-grandchildren. His wife died in 1997.
2004 The Associated Press
-----
Date: 05-30-96 (08:35)
To: All
From: John Powell
Subj: Rocky & UFOs
Conf: Fd_Bama
UFO BRIEFING DOCUMENT SHOWS "BEST AVAILABLE EVIDENCE"
Rockefeller-Financed Report To Be Sent To World Leaders
by Michael Lindemann
In recent years, 85-year-old philanthropist Laurance Rockefeller has
given financial support to a number of prominent researchers of UFO
and alien phenomena, including Dr. John Mack and Dr. Steven Greer.
He has also urged President Clinton to acknowledge the reality of
UFOs, both indirectly, through Clinton's science advisor John
Gibbons, and directly -- if well-placed rumors are true -- last fall
when Rockefeller hosted the president at his ranch in Wyoming.
Now Mr. Rockefeller has financed the creation of a 169-page
document intended to present "the best available evidence" on
UFOs to a very select audience: heads of state and other key world
figures, who may be almost entirely ignorant of the evidence but
who could, if sufficiently moved, very quickly undo the atmosphere
of secrecy that has surrounded this subject for decades.
Reportedly, only 1,000 copies of the special briefing have been
printed, and it will not be offered for sale. Distribution of the briefing
has only begun, and so far no feedback from high- ranking
recipients has been reported. However, ISCNI has received a copy
of the briefing, along with permission to describe its contents to the
readers of this newsletter.
Titled "Unidentified Flying Objects Briefing Document" and subtitled
"The Best Available Evidence," the report is conservatively
packaged, with a plain blue softcover binding and black-and-white
illustrations throughout. It was written mainly by Don Berliner, a
long-time respected UFO researcher, author and senior associate of
the Fund for UFO Research. Co-authors were Antonio Huneeus and
Marie Galbraith. Chairman of the Fund for UFO Research Richard Hall
also wrote a separate executive summary. Joint credit for the
material in the report is given to the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON),
the Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS) and the Fund for UFO
Research. A letter of endorsement signed by the heads of these
organizations appears at the front of the report.
The report is in three parts. First is a brief Overview, discussing the
general case for UFO reality and the problem of government
secrecy. Part two, the most lengthy, presents nineteen case
discussions deemed "the best evidence" now available. Various
experts will no doubt quibble over the inclusion or exclusion of some
cases, but in general the selection is well thought out and
impressive. Part three is comprised mainly of quotes from various
world figures on the reality or possibility of UFOs and alien contact.
Notably absent from the report are any cases involving alleged
abduction of humans by UFO occupants. In fact, the report includes
only one case of the "third kind" (CE3) involving direct observation
of apparent alien beings. Over half of the cases are of the "first
kind" (CE1), that is, observation of unusual craft or airborn objects.
The rest are of the "second kind" (CE2) in which the object or
encounter left clear physical evidence behind.
According to this report, the "best evidence" includes:
- "Foo fighters" sighted by WWII fliers during 1944-45, notably on
August 10, 1944 over the Indian Ocean, and December 22, 1944
over Hagenau, Germany;
- Kenneth Arnold's famous sighting of nine aerial objects over the
Cascade Mountains in Washington State on June 24, 1947;
- bold incursions of unidentified craft over several Strategic Air
Command bases during late October and November, 1975, including
Loring AFB in Maine, Wurtsmith AFB in Michigan, Malmstrom AFB in
Montana; Minot AFB in North Dakota and Falconbridge in Ontario,
Canada;
- a "dogfight" between a UFO and two F-4 jets over Tehran, Iran in
1976;
- the strange sightings in the Rendlesham Forest between
Bentwaters and Woodbridge RAF bases in England in late December,
1980; and
- visual and radar sighting of an aerial object "two times bigger than
an aircraft carrier" by the flight crew of a Japan Airlines 747
freighter over Alaska on November 17, 1986.
Another of the "best cases" involved photos of a Saturn-shaped
UFO over Trindade Island in the South Atlantic, taken from the deck
of a Brazilian Navy ship on February 21, 1958. Brazilian president
Kubitschek later gave the photos to the press. Reportedly,
extensive testing showed no signs of hoax and the numerous
eyewitnesses included credible military personnel. However, the
U.S. military labeled the case a fake.
On July 28, 1989, a UFO was clearly observed for a period of two
hours over a Russian army missile base at Kapustin Yar, Astrakhan
region. The KGB file on this case detailed the testimony of seven
military witnesses, with drawings. According to the report,
"Observed characteristics are: disc is 4-5 meters (13-17) feet in
diameter, with half-sphere on top which is brightly lit. It moved
sometimes abruptly, but noiselessly, at times coming down and
hovering over the ground at an altitude of 20-60 meters... while
over a rocket weapons depot, a bright beam appeared from the
bottom of the disc, lighting the corner of one of the buildings,
lasting for several seconds."
Also highlighted in the briefing document is the extensive series of
sightings and aerial encounters over Belgium in 1989 and 1990.
Numerous drawings and photos by witnesses show a huge triangular
shaped craft with bright lights at each corner. In several instances,
the UFOs showed on multiple military radars simulatneously,
including both airborn and ground-based installations. F-16 jets
were sent aloft to engage the UFOs but found that the strange
objects could perform maneuvers that would probably kill a human
pilot. Belgian military spokesman, Major General (then Colonel)
Wilfred De Brouwer, stated on television that the observed behavior
of the objects was "outside the performance envelope" of any
known aircraft and could not be explained.
One of the most unusual reported encounters of the "second kind"
took place at mid-day on May 20, 1967, near Falcon Lake,
Manitoba, Canada. Amateur prospector Steven Michalak reported
seeing two glowing red objects hovering in the air. One flew away
while the other landed nearby. Michalak said it appeared oval and
disk-shaped and was about 35 feet in diameter and twelve feet
high.
While he was observing the craft, a door opened and he heard
voices coming from inside. He tried communicating in several
languages, but got no reply and saw no one. He approached the
craft and saw intensely brilliant light coming from within. Moments
later, the door suddenly closed. Then a blast of hot air hit Michalak
in the chest, emitting from an "exhaust vent." His shirt caught fire.
As he ripped off his burning clothes and stumbled back, the craft
took off. Within moments, Michalak had a pounding headache and
nausea. He staggered back to his nearby motel, vomiting along the
way.
In the following weeks, Michalak developed numerous symptoms of
radiation sickness. He was eventually examined by 27 different
doctors, none of whom could fully account for his condition. Of
particular interest was a geometric pattern of burn marks on
Michalak's chest which, he says, corresponded to the "exhaust grill"
of the UFO. This case was extensively investigated by Canadian
government authorities. The complete official report has not been
released.
As previously noted, the "best available evidence" makes reference
to only one case involving the sighting of unusual beings, that of
police officer Lonnie Zamora near Socorro, New Mexico, on April 24,
1964. Zamora said he witnessed an egg- shaped craft on four thin
legs, along with two small beings in white coverall-type outfits,
when he went to investigate an apparent explosion in a rural area
outside of Socorro. Zamora said he saw the craft take off and fly
away moments before the arrival of his backup, Sgt. Sam Chavez.
Then, he and Chavez went down to the landing site and found
abundant physical evidence that something had been there. This
case is undoubtedly one of the best-documented, best-attested
CE3 cases on record. Even a classified memo to the CIA, recently
declassified, mentioned this case as the "best" of its kind that Air
Force Project Blue Book ever found.
ISCNI thinks it odd, however, that this important report on "best
available evidence" does not list any other cases involving the claim
of "aliens." Apparently, the authors and sponsors of this project
intend to maximize their credibility by minimizing any sensational
aspects of the subject. ISCNI hopes this approach proves
successful where other approaches have so far failed.
We will continue to report on this story as new information becomes
available.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -FMail/386 1.02
* Origin: Absence of Evidence is not Evidence of Absence BBS (1:261/1201)
Date: 05-30-96 (08:35)
To: All
From: John Powell
Subj: More Rocky UFOs
Conf: Fd_Bama
jc The final paragraph in this article
explains Marie Galbraith's interest.
ROCKEFELLER NOT BELIEVER, BUT WANTS END TO UFO SECRETS
Marie Galbraith Explains Rationale For New UFO Report
[The following text is excerpted from a story that appeared in the
New York Observer on April 8 under the title, "Rockefeller Greets
Aliens! A Rich Guy's UFO Dream." For a detailed discussion of the
contents of the Rockefeller-funded "Unidentified Flying Objects
Briefing Document: The Best Available Evidence," see ISCNI*Flash
2.2, April 1, 1996.]
"You know, there are 200 billion star systems in the galaxy, and
there are 200 billion galaxies in the universe," said Marie [Bootsie]
Galbraith, a trim blonde woman in her 50's, as she reclined in her
sun-dappled, sparsely furnished office on Madison Avenue, her
diamond bagatelle rings flashing. She lifted her blue eyes
heavenward. "We're just a little zilch."
But some zilches have deeper pockets than others. Last year, Mrs.
Galbraith, who is married to Evan Galbraith, the investment banker
and former Ambassador to France, went to Laurance Rockefeller,
the 85-year-old environmental activist and venture capitalist, and
got him to fund a 169-page document titled "Unidentified Flying
Objects Briefing Document: The Best Available Evidence." The
report was co-authored by Mrs. Galbraith and Virginia-based
aviation writer Don Berliner, who is affiliated with the Fund for UFO
Research. [UFO researcher Antonio Huneeus is also listed as a co-
author. - ed.]
In an interview in her office, [Mrs.] Galbraith discussed Nikola Tesla
and Albert Einstein, Westinghouse and General Electric, secret
weather balloons and photographs of alien autopsies on the
Internet. "We have to challenge basic assumptions," she said.
She is distributing her report to "leaders of the world."
"We're only giving it to really top people," said Mr. Berliner. "Not
ordinary people like you and me. I guess the only reason I have a
copy is I wrote the thing."
In the acknowledgments page, Laurance Rockefeller is listed first,
"for his vision and support, financial and otherwise."
Fraser Seitel, Mr. Rockefeller's spokesman, confirmed that Mr.
Rockefeller funded the report at a cost of around $30,000. But he
said that Mr. Rockefeller did not endorse the findings. "He is
interested in Government disclosure of reported activities in this
area," said Mr. Seitel. "Laurance's feeling is that he is not convinced
one way or the other. But he is interested in learning what the
Government has on file... He's really quite an eclectic person."
Mr. Seitel said Mr. Rockefeller would not comment on the report.
In recent years, Mr. Rockefeller has become known as a supporter
of eclectic ventures. He funded embattled Harvard psychiatrist John
E. Mack, whose work with alleged alien abductees was loudly
criticized last May by his colleagues at Harvard. In fact, from 1993
to 1995, Dr. Mack's Cambridge-based, nonprofit research institute,
the Center for Psychology and Social Change, received about
$250,000 a year from Mr. Rockefeller.
According to Michael Luckman, director of the New York Center for
UFO Research, Mr. Rockefeller has financed at least two recent
meetings of a group called the Starlight Coalition, which Mr.
Luckman said is "composed of former intelligence officers and
military officials from the Pentagon who are prepared to talk about
extraterrestrial contact." (jc: bold print and italics are mine)
Mr. Luckman said Mr. Rockefeller has also held a UFO conference on
his JY Ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
"He's primarily interested in conservation and the environment, and
venture capital," said Mr. Seitel. "He's also interested in the whole
area of spirituality." Mr. Rockefeller majored in philosophy at
Princeton, Mr. Seitel pointed out.
As the sons of John D. Rockefeller Jr., the brothers -- Laurance,
John D. III, Nelson, Winthrop and David -- strode the earth as
business and political titans. Nelson served as Republican governor
of New York; David ran the Chase Manhattan Bank. Now, only two
brothers remain; David, who is in the process of buying back
Rockefeller Center from Mitsubishi, and Laurance.
Born in 1910, Laurance was a pioneer of venture capital in the
1940's. In the 1950's and 1960's, he was a champion of
environmental causes, serving as the director of the Outdoor
Recreation Resources and Review Commission under President
Kennedy. In 1965, Mr. Rockefeller traveled the country with Lady
Bird Johnson on her "beautification bus" as part of the Task Force
on Natural Beauty. But he began to draw criticism from
environmentalists in the late 1960's for developing resorts in the
Virgin Islands, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Vermont and Yellowstone
National Park, under the cloak of conservation.
Mrs. Galbraith said she approached Mr. Rockefeller last year to
provide the backing for her report. As an early supporter of the
Office of Alternative Medicine at the National Institutes of Health,
Mrs. Galbraith saw her role in the UFO debate as a promoter of
"frontier science," which she described as "science that is on the
cutting edge, like cold-fusion study, unified field theory, anything
that has to do with people working on integrative devices." She
paused. "It is a science which is heavily challenged, so it has to
prove itself more dramatically."
The report is indeed a dramatic document. "Secrecy, like power,
lends itself to abuse," reads the opening chapter, titled
"Government Secrecy." "Behind the shield of secrecy, it is possible
for an agency or service to avoid scrutiny and essentially to
operate outside the law. Accountability to the taxpayers and to the
Congress can be conveniently avoided."
The second part of the report consists of case histories of UFO
sightings around the world: "'Foo Fighters' Over Europe and Asia" in
the 1940's; "U.F.O. Dogfight Over Tehran"; the "U.F.O. Sighting
Wave in Belgium" in 1989-90; "Multiple Witness Case at Russian
Missile Base" in 1989.
In the third part of the report, government spokesmen and
politicians are quoted on the subject of UFOs. "I can assure you
that flying saucers, given that they exist, are not constructed by
any power on earth," Harry S. Truman is quoted as saying on April
4, 1950, at a White House press conference.
The report concludes, "When studied as a group, these case
histories exhibit clear patterns which strongly suggest that they
belong to a distinct new class of phenomena, rather than being a
formless collection of disparate observational errors... It is this large
quantity of evidence of the existence of something completely
baffling which motivates many of us to urge the governments of the
world to release all they know about UFOs so that the people of the
world, and especially scientists, can begin to come to grips with a
mystery that has far too long been subjected to secrecy and
ridicule."
"Our goal is to have elected officials decide what is secret and what
is not," said Mrs. Galbraith. "Because now the bureaucrats keep all
the secrets. They don't even keep the Congress and the President
informed."
However, Mrs. Galbraith added, "I think to be skeptical is extremely
healthy because I was, when I started out. Only because I've just
been with the head of the Belgian Air Force and the head of French
intelligence do I take it seriously now."
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