1973 February 7

U.S. Senate, by 77-0, passes Senate Resolution 60, creating the Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities.

Sam Ervin (D-NC) is appointed Chair and Howard Baker (R-TN) Vice Chair. Senators Inouye (D-HI), Talmadge (D-GA) and Montoya (D-NM) join Ervin representing the majority. Senators Weicker (R-CT) and Gurney (R-FL) join Baker representing the minority.

Ervin appoints Sam Dash as Majority Chief Counsel and Howard Baker appoints Fred Thompson as Minority Chief Counsel. Carmine Bellino, who worked for Robert Kennedy, Chief Counsel of the Senate Permanent Committee on Investigations in the 1950’s, is appointed Chief Investigator for the Watergate Committee.