</s>Assassination Records Review Board Final Determination Notification AGENCY HSCA RECORD NUMBER : 180-10060-1049 RECORD SERIES : STAFF PAYROLL RECORDS AGENCY FILE NUMBER: December 8, 1995 Status of Document: Postponed in Part Number of releases of previously postponed information: 9 Reason for Board Action: The Review Board's decision was premised on several factors including: (a) the significant historical interest in the document in question; (b) the absence of evidence that the release of the information would cause harm to the United States or to any individual. Number of Postponements: 6 Postponments: All the postponents is this document represent Social Security numbers. Reason forBoard Action: the text is redacted because the public disclosure of the reaction could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, and that invasion of privacy would be substantial that it outweighs the public interest. Substitute Language: SSN Date of Next Review: 2017 Board Review Completed: 10/24/95 Released under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 (44 USC 2107) Note: Case N/V 89226 Date: 2025 NW 8326 Dodl: 32239507 Page 1

Summary  
The document contains multiple payroll authorization forms and related records concerning Mary Elizabeth Ponder’s employment with the U.S. House of Representatives, specifically under the Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA). These records detail her appointments, salary adjustments, and terminations between 1975 and 1978. The HSCA payroll records were reviewed by the Assassination Records Review Board in 1995, which postponed their release due to concerns about public disclosure of Social Security numbers (SSNs) potentially infringing on personal privacy. The documents include forms authorizing her employment as an Administrative Assistant with a gross annual salary of $14,000 and later adjustments, along with termination dates. A memorandum from January 1977 notes that Ponder was not related to any Members of Congress.  

Key People  
- Mary Elizabeth Ponder: Employee under the Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA), involved in payroll actions from 1975 to 1978.  
- Louis Stokes: Authorizing official for payroll approvals.  
- Henry B. Gonzalez: Chairman of the Select Committee on Assassinations, referenced in payroll authorization forms.  
- Thomas N. Downing: Chairman of the Select Committee on Assassinations, noted as an authorizing official.  

Key Locations  
- Washington, D.C.: Headquarters of the U.S. House of Representatives and HSCA operations.  
- U.S. House of Representatives: Office where Ponder’s employment was managed.  

Key Events  
- Payroll authorization actions for Mary Elizabeth Ponder (1975–1978): Including appointments, salary adjustments, and terminations under the Select Committee on Assassinations.  
- Review by the Assassination Records Review Board in 1995: Postponed release of HSCA payroll records due to SSN privacy concerns.  
- Memorandum requiring staff employees to disclose relationships with Members of Congress (January 1977): Ponder confirmed no familial ties to any current Congress members.  

Key Organizations  
- U.S. House of Representatives: Employer and administrative body overseeing payroll actions.  
- Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA): Oversight committee responsible for Ponder’s employment and payroll management.  
- Office of the Clerk: Administrative office referenced in Ponder’s personnel records.

JFK Declassified Files

180-10060-10499.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search