Correspondence between Edythe Katz and the Ford Motor Company regarding their sponsorship of airtime for Schindler's List on NBC, March 26, 1997

Ross H. Roberts Vice President - General Manager Ford Division Ford Motor Company P.O. Box 529 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303 March 26, 1997 Ms. Edythe Katz Chairperson Gov. Adv. Council 3909 S. Maryland Parkway #400 Las Vegas, NV 89119-7520 Dear Ms. Katz: Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us regarding Ford Division's exclusive sponsorship of the movie Schindler's List, which aired on NBC February 23, 1997. As you know, Schindler's List is a movie of historical importance and powerful content, and all of us at Ford Division felt privileged to be a part of its national broadcast. We made a conscious decision not to advertise during the movie because we believed traditional advertising messages during a movie of this nature would not be appropriate and would conflict with the movie's underlying message. Since the broadcast on NBC, we have received hundreds of letters and phone calls from viewers across the country; the vast majority with positive comments, like yours, supporting our decision and thanking Ford Division for the unique, commercial free experience. Initial results show that Schindler's List was one of the most watched broadcasts in the history of network television. Your comments are valued and we very much appreciate the time you took for a personal response. Sincerely, BOB MILLER Governor STATE OF NEVADA EDYTHE KATZ QMrpnon JACK BREBBIA Vice-Chairman HY KASHENBERG Treasurer RABBI SANFORD AKSELRAD BISHOP WENDELL GRAY GENE GREENBERG DR. VERN MATTSON KARLA McCOMB DR. DENNIS ORTWE1N MARY PETERSON DR. LEONARD WEINBERG ROZ SBARRA Secretary to the Council GOVERNOR'S ADVISORY COUNCIL ON EDUCATION RELATING TO THE HOLOCAUST 3909 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite 400 Us Vegas, Nevada 89119-7520 (702) 732-0556 ? Fax (702) 732-3228 March 10, 1997 Mr. Ross Robert, General Manager Ford Division, World Headquarters Ford Motor Company The American Road Dearborn, Michigan 48121 Dear Mr. Roberts: You and the Ford Motor Company are to be lauded for the sponsor-ship of "Schindler's List" on television- I am aware of the fact that showing this important motion picture completely without television advertising breaks was extremely expensive and that it took a great deal of courage to run it that way. It gave more prestige to the film and to the Ford Company as well. I am very familiar with the old history of the "Protocols of the Elders of Zion" and old Mr. Henry Ford's attitude towards the people of the Jewish faith. I hasten to add that there were attempts by some acquaintances to intimidate me when I bought one of the first Grenadas. In this case, the attitudes of the older generation do not necessarily carry down to the following generations. I would also like to add that I have been approached by many people who have commented very favorably about how tastefully the Ford Motor Company allowed "Schindler's List" to be presented on television. I think I can speak for all of us who work in the area of education, tolerance and history of the Holocaust who are very pleased and grateful for your support of the most important film to ever be produced on the subject. Sincerely, cc: Governor Bob Miller Steven Spielberg Jim Rogers (01-227