December 14, 1978
[name and address deleted]
Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514
Dear [name deleted]:
In reply to your November 23rd letter, the FBI is an investigative arm of the Department of Justice and our duties and responsibilities are clearly defined by legislation as enacted by the Congress or by Executive Order of the President. Our investigations are conducted within the guidelines of, and in accordance with, directives of the Department of Justice. We are not empowered to investigate members of any organization unless there is an indication of a violation within our prescribed jurisdiction.
You may be interested to know that we are investigating the murder of Congressman Leo J. Ryan under the provisions of the Congressional Assassinations Statute. Under that statute, those responsible for the death of Congressman Ryan can be prosecuted for this offense if they are found in, or returned to, the jurisdiction of the United States.
Sincerely yours,
William H. Webster
Director
NOTE: Based on available information, correspondent is not identifiable in Bufiles.