April 28 in A.A. History

1983: Raymond M., an A.A. member from Grandville, Michigan, wrote [right: letter] to Dr. Carlton Turner [left, 1982], director of the Drug Abuse Policy Office during President Ronald Reagan's administration, enclosing his personal story:

RAYMOND E. M―――――――
2714 Donna, S.W.
Grandville, MI 49418
  April 28, 1983

Mr. Carlton Turner
THE WHITE HOUSE
Washington, D.C. 20001

Dear Mr. Turner:

     Alcoholics Anonymous, as you know, is a bi-partisan organization numbering in the millions. Members include men and women, young and old, from all walks of life. The work they do, which is almost entirely on a voluntary basis, is an inspiration and a powerful statement of what can be accomplished through simple human kindness and concern.

     I am enclosing and forwarding to you a story I have written which displays the spirit of A.A. I hope you will find it interesting and inspirational. Without the splendid help these people and others in the field of substance abuse perform, this world, certainly this country, would not be as well off as it is. As an A.A. member myself, I am proud to be able to make this statement.

     Thank you for your kind attention and continued support of A.A.

          Sincerely,
           <signature>
                   Raymond E. M―――――――

REM:m
enc.

April in A.A. History—day unknown

 

1961: Bill W. declined to be the subject of a Time magazine cover story [right: mock cover], even though his full name would not have been used and he could have been photographed from behind. He later remarked:

    For all I know, a piece of this sort could have brought A.A. a thousand members—possibly a lot more. 
    Therefore, when I turned that article down, I denied recovery to an awful lot of alcoholics—some of these may already be dead.… in a sense, my action has pronounced a death sentence on some drunks and condemned others to a much longer period of illness.…
    I estimated that it would be better for some to die and others to suffer, rather than set such a perilous precedent.

    He rejected the honor, as he had many others, because accepting it would threaten the very existence of A.A. and violate the principles he himself had written into Traditions 10, 11, and 12. Bill later noted that his refusal would likely be remembered far longer than having his face splashed across a magazine cover for a week.