National Lutheran Council. Division of Public Relations. Washington Office.

The National Lutheran Council (NLC) was founded on September 6, 1918 as a common agency of participating Lutheran church bodies to administer domestic programs, publicize Lutheran activities and beliefs, and provide overseas emergency relief to areas devastated by World War I. By the 1940s, the NLC expanded and reorganized its program through the creation of divisions, departments, commissions, and bureaus. In 1948, its Division of Public Relations established a Washington Office to provide the NLC with representation in government affairs, to keep Council members and the Lutheran public abreast of political issues, and to promote.

Lutheran ideals and stances. Robert E. Van Deusen served as secretary of the new office from 1948 until 1966. His duties included arranging appointments for Lutheran leaders with government officials; serving as a liaison with foreign Lutheran exchange visitors in Washington; attending conferences on topics of concern; expediting visa applications for NLC and Lutheran World Federation staff and immigrants; and writing releases about legislative matters.