April 29, 1954
My dear Michael:
Upon returning from Washington where I attended the meetings of the National Academy, I found your letter of April 24.  We are all extremely happy that you are going to be with us.  Your presence here will add considerably to the creation of a research atmosphere at this new Institute.  I hope that the foundation that we will lay during the next few years will serve as an important milestone in the history of microbiology and will serve to attract young investigators from this and other countries who will come here to work in the field of microbiology and help to advance this important science.
We are all looking forward to having you in our midst.
Mrs. Waksman joins me in sending our best wishes to you.
Cordially yours,
Selman A. Waksman