September 4, 2002

To Whom It May Concern:

This is to offer recommendation on behalf of Jeffrey Mills and the Interstate Documentary Project.

I have only recently become familiar with this project, but am most pleased to write in support of it. Although being a native Houstonian, I have spent a number of years in my professional career in Washington, D.C. and New York, New York where I served as press secretary to former President George Bush in his positions as U.S. Congressman, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and Chairman of the Republican National Committee. I then served two tours of duty in the White House as a staff assistant to President Ford and as deputy press secretary and special assistant to President Reagan.

In growing up in Houston in the 1940s and 1950s, I became familiar with the Interstate Theatres organization as a result of my father serving as film, theatre and music critic for The Houston Post, 1933-66. With him, and on my own, I attended events and viewed films at these theatres. Some of these had fascinating histories dating back to the days of vaudeville where their stages were utilized for live performances.

This is not only the story of a premier theatrical organization, but of a unique time and place in the history of Texas. It is a story most worthy of telling. I think such a documentary film has the potential to tell that story in a compelling and dramatic way.

Sincerely,

Peter Roussel
Executive Vice President