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Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
Clinton Library
DOCUMENT NO.
SUBJECT/TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
AND TYPE
001. email
re: SSNs and DOBs [Personally Identifiable Information] (I page)
07/14/1999
b(6)
COLLECTION:
Clinton Presidential Records
Speechwriting
Josh Gottheimer
OA/Box Number: 18991
FOLDER TITLE:
American Bar Associate Event 7/20/99 JFK [John Fitzgerald Kennedy] and Civil Rights
7/15/99
2016-0201-S
rc2234
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act |44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - 15 U.S.C. 552(b)]
PI National Security Classified Information [(a)(1) of the PRAJ
b(1) National security classified information |(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office |(a)(2) of the PRA]
b(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of
P3 Release would violate a Federal statute |(a)(3) of the PRAJ
an agency |(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
b(3) Release would violate a Federal statute |(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA|
b(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA
b(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy |(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy |(a)(6) of the PRA)
b(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes |(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed
b(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
of gift.
financial institutions |(b)(8) of the FOIA]
PRM. Personal record misfile defined in accordance with 44 U.S.C.
b(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
2201(3).
concerning wells |(b)(9) of the FOIA]
RR. Document will be reviewed upon request.
Withdrawal/Redaction Marker
Clinton Library
DOCUMENT NO.
SUBJECT/TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
AND TYPE
001. email
re: SSNs and DOBs [Personally Identifiable Information] (1 page)
07/14/1999
b(6)
COLLECTION:
Clinton Presidential Records
Speechwriting
Josh Gottheimer
OA/Box Number: 18991
FOLDER TITLE:
American Bar Associate Event 7/20/99 JFK [John Fitzgerald Kennedy] and Civil Rights
7/15/99
2016-0201-S
rc2234
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - 144 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - 15 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P1 National Security Classified Information |(a)(1) of the PRA]
b(1) National security classified information |(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office |(a)(2) of the PRAJ
b(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of
P3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA]
an agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
b(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA)
financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA
b(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information |(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors |a)(5) of the PRA|
b(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy |(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy |(a)(6) of the PRA)
b(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed
b(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
of gift.
financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
PRM. Personal record misfile defined in accordance with 44 U.S.C.
b(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
2201(3).
concerning wells |(b)(9) of the FOIA]
RR. Document will be reviewed upon request.
PAGE
1
LEVEL 1 - 1 OF 35 STORIES
Copyright 1997 The Commercial Appeal
The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)
September 1, 1997, MONDAY, FINAL EDITION
SECTION: METRO, Pg. A15
LENGTH: 1094 words
HEADLINE: HISTORY UNKIND TO MISS. 'SPIES';
FEARED AGENCY WAS INEPT, RECORDS SHOW
BYLINE: Reed Branson The Commercial Appeal; Jackson, Miss., Bureau
DATELINE: JACKSON, Miss.
BODY:
As a 40-year-old curtain of secrecy drops away from the notorious Mississippi
Sovereignty Commission, a new portrait of the agency is emerging: That of
paranoid and bungling boobs.
The segregation-era state agency's sinister motives to spy on and undermine the
civil rights movement were never in doubt. From 1956 to 1973, the agency
attempted to undermine the movement to enfranchise black citizens.
But as Mississippi prepares in coming months to make public the agency's secret
files, some victims of agency spying say the documents they previewed portray a
remarkably sloppy and inefficient tool of the white power structure.
''I don't know whether they were fools or knaves. Either they missed everything
or destroyed the records, said Jeremiah Gutman, 73, a New York attorney who
worked in 1964-65 for the Lawyers' Constitutional Defense Committee.
''I was concerned there might be stuff in there that might invade my privacy and
other people with whom I was spending time. But they didn't pick that up.
Gutman and others interviewed said the ''intelligence'' documents are littered
with grammatical errors, misspellings, baseless accusations and persistent
inaccuracy. Gutman, for example, was identified as an attorney from Los Angeles.
More striking, he said, the commission appeared to simply miss most of his
activities.
''I served a subpoena on Deputy Cecil Price in connection with one of the school
integration suits we'd brought, said Gutman, describing his meeting with the
infamous Neshoba County deputy sheriff convicted of violating the civil rights
of three murdered civil rights workers. ''You'd think they'd get that.
More than 85,000 names are mentioned in 132,000 pages that remain from the
agency's files. Gutman is one of only 360 ''victims'' to request and receive
from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History copies of commission
records referring to them.
The Legislature in 1977 formally abolished the agency, sealing its records for
50 years.
Sid Salter, publisher of the Scott County Times and a syndicated columnist in
Mississippi, reported in 1989 that the files contained damaging revelations
about some of the state's leading citizens.
Salter reported that then-district attorney Cliff Finch of Batesville complained
of black voter registration drives in Panola County. Finch was later elected
governor with the support of blacks.
And, in a revelation that ultimately led to the successful 1994 prosecution of
Byron De La Beckwith for the assassination of Medgar Evers, Salter reported
PAGE
2
The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN), September 1, 1997
that the Sovereignty Commission helped Beckwith's defense screen potential
jurors.
The American Civil Liberties Union sued to make the commission files public. In
an attempt to protect the privacy of the victims of spying, U.S. Dist. Judge
William H. Barbour Jr. ordered that they be given the chance to preview
documents in which they are mentioned.
Of 975 people who responded, only 360 received copies of relevant portions of
commission records.
Those classified as ''victims'' can ask for their identities to be concealed or
can add documents and statements to the files.
Some are asking: Why bother?
'Having seen the secret papers of the 'Keystone Kops, I'm so enlightened,
cracked Rims Barber, a Presbyterian minister and social justice advocate who
arrived from Iowa in 1964 and served with the Delta Ministry in Greenville.
'They weren't very good at their job. But then, they lost, didn't they?'' said
Barber, referred to as 'Rim' and 'Ram' in the files. In 1965, Barber was
arrested for encouraging a black man waiting to buy a license tag not to follow
an order to go to the end of the line.
The Sovereignty Commission file said, 'Reverend Barber is alleged to have used
abusive and profane language to the deputy sheriff for which he was arrested,
placed in jail and later released on bond.
''I don't think in those days you could do that (curse a deputy) and not get
assassinated, said Barber.
Many reports in the files simply assume blacks were incapable of actions not
directed by Northern liberals. Often, investigators were unable to identify key
players, such as voting rights attorney Frank Parker, described at one point
simply as an ''unknown white lawyer.
''I found few actual reports as to what I did, even though I knew I was being
followed, said attorney Constance Slaughter-Harvey of Forest, Miss.
In 1967, she was president of the student body at Tougaloo College and a civil
rights movement leader. Files on her do not begin until 1970.
She suspects some documents have been destroyed.
One tedious report from 1969 reads in part: ''Highway Patrol investigator
advised me that it was his opinion as well as that of FBI Agents that the
crosses burned recently in Leland were burned by Negro citizens, as a hole was
dug, the cross was placed in the hole and dirt packed around the cross in one of
the incidents.
Another says the Greenville chief of police ''believes that there will be an
increase in firebombings and possibly other guerrilla warfare activities in
Greenville this summer.
Others link people with communism and outrageous plots that never happened.
David Ingebretsen, executive director of the ACLU of Mississippi, says rather
than being disturbed, the civil rights activists with whom he's spoken are
''uniformly'' disappointed that their activities aren't more accurately
cataloged.
Ingebretsen said perhaps the most interesting revelations will come as 'state
actors'' seek to change their classification to ''victims,' giving them the
right to hide their names.
Alvin J. Bronstein, 69, a civil rights lawyer from 1964 to 1968 who lives in
Washington, said despite the 'tremendously foolish and paranoid'' speculation
in his files, the documents reopened a past in both uplifting and disheartening
ways.
He learned of betrayal.
The commission describes one informer in a manner that clearly indicates it was
a secretary with the Lawyers' Constitutional Defense Committee.
PAGE
3
The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN), September 1, 1997
She is identified by the Sovereignty Commission as 'Operator F.' She was
reporting every phone call I had, with whom I talked, what airline flight I was
going to meet at the Jackson Airport, he said.
More troubling, he said, was to find informers within the ranks. ''I think I
know a couple, he said.
'These were people active in the movement who were obviously paid. There was
that sense of sadness.
Call reporter Reed Branson at (601) 352-8631 or E-mail [email protected]
GRAPHIC: photo ;
Rims Barber
LOAD-DATE: September 2, 1997
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THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
GOOD LAWYOR JUKET
QUOTES - Polkt
V I GRAPH / ON GALL
Quits Junice CIVIL RIGHTS
( EMENCE DARROW
Sirior Mp about/ow loyn
fuar thp.
THE WHITE house
washington
ngr cluil 1 ghts (ose
Isna 63
use in side ant An or eat laya involved?
} 1gal mgar notural
lay 1 my vina t squalis
laye death Neah
Mavi Souda Any law atr.
Joshua S. Gottheimer
07/15/99 01:16:51 PM
Record Type:
Record
To:
Laura J. Lewis/WHO/EOP@EOP
CC:
Subject: RFK/JFK call to action
Forwarded by Joshua S. Gottheimer/WHO/EOP on 07/15/99 01:16 PM
Jeffrey A. Shesol
07/15/99 09:57:38 AM
Record Type:
Record
To:
Joshua S. Gottheimer/WHO/EOP@EOP
CC:
Subject: RFK/JFK call to action
Forwarded by Jeffrey A. Shesol/WHO/EOP on 07/15/99 09:57 AM
Kris M Balderston
07/15/99 09:13:30 AM
Record Type: Record
To:
Jeffrey A. Shesol/WHO/EOP@EOP
CC:
Subject: RFK/JFK call to action
I assume you are involved with this event.
Forwarded by Kris M Balderston/WHO/EOP on 07/15/99 09:13 AM
Setti D. Warren
07/15/99 08:45:37 AM
Record Type: Record
To:
See the distribution list at the bottom of this message
CC:
Subject: RFK/JFK call to action
Forwarded by Setti D. Warren/WHO/EOP on 07/15/99 08:42 AM
Kathleen K. Ahn
07/14/99 08:34:32 PM
Record Type:
Record
To:
Setti D. Warren/WHO/EOP@EOP
CC:
Subject: hi.
From the desk of Leonard Feldman
A Mass in Memory of Robert F. Kennedy
A personal memoir by Jerome J. Shestack
Pages 12-15
In mid-June, President Kennedy gave a stirring call to the nation, announcing new civil
rights legislation and calling the denial of civil rights the greatest "moral crisis" facing our
nation in modern history. "Now," the President declared, "the time has come for this
nation to fulfill its promise..." It was a call long awaited and much needed. I believe it
happened then because of the advocacy of Bobby Kennedy.
June of 1963 also saw a turning point for leaders of the bar. Earlier that month,
Governor Wallace announced that he would defy an order by Federal Judge Seabrooke
Lynne to open the University of Alabama to Negro students. My partner, Bernie Segal,
(then still 6 years away from the ABA presidency) was outraged. He decided to muster
national bar leaders to issue a dramatic joint statement condemning Governor Wallace'
S action. He enlisted my help and for two days and late in the night we called lawyers
around the nation. Finally, we were able to assemble 44 bar leaders across the country
to join in a declaration strongly condemning Wallace. It was the first condemnation of
this kind by leaders of the bar. After that declaration, the bar could no longer ignore
racial discrimination.
Soon after the Wallace condemnation, Bobby Kennedy and Bernie Segal had a series
of discussions on how to mobilize the nation's lawyers. Telegrams were sent by the
President to about 250 lawyers asking them to meet at the White House on June 21,
1963. Most of the names had been suggested by Bernie Segal and they included past
and future presidents of the ABA, officers of state and local bar associations and other
leaders of the profession.
The day the White House Conference was to take place, Bobby Kennedy was in
Philadelphia for morning ceremonies at Independence Hall commemorating the 175th
Anniversary of the Constitution. I was in the audience.
Bobby spoke to a crowd of several thousand gathered on Independence Mall. "For too
many years, he said, "The Negroes have been asked to 'be patient' and advised that
we must move slowly in adjusting civil rights to social custom. The day is long gone
when those phrases had any validity - if indeed they ever did." His speech reflected his
own impatience with the slow pace of civil rights justice and his eagerness to do more
himself.
After his speech, I asked Bobby whether I could hitch a ride to Washington for the
White House meeting that afternoon. He quickly invited me to join him and his press
officer, Ed Guthman. On the plane, Bobby asked, "What do you think I should say this
afternoon?" I replied that convening nearly 250 lawyers at the White House to deal with
civil rights was quite unique. I noted that the image of the lawyer is pretty low these
days, and suggested that he point out that he lawyer's image won't be improved by
their standing idly by while the nation is going through a moral and legal crisis because
of racial discrimination supported by legal institutions.
I don't know that Bobby found that suggestion especially helpful for he didn't reply. But
then, one expected long silences when talking with Bobby. When he spoke, he recalled
the epigram that, "evil takes place when good men do nothing" and, almost wistfully,
added that he hoped the nation's lawyers would do "something." Then he was deep in
his own thoughts.
On that momentous and historic afternoon of June 21, 1963, there assembled in the
East Room of the White House, an array of 244 lawyers. It was the first time a group of
the nation's leading lawyers had come together to focus on civil rights. President
Kennedy opened the meeting. He spoke briefly, but compellingly, of the need to muster
the nation's religious, business and professional leaders in the cause of civil rights.
Vice President Johnson spoke next, surprising us with the fullness of his commitment to
civil rights.
Then the Attorney General spoke and he spoke the longest. He spoke of the divisions
racking the nation and of the need for communication between racial groups. He spoke
of picketing in the south where the white authorities did not even have a clue of why the
Negroes were picketing. He spoke of southern judges who had been socially
ostracized because they had been rendering decisions in civil rights causes which were
unpopular in the south. He spoke of his outrage at the attacks on these few brave
judges and also his outrage because lawyers in those locations had not spoken out in
defense of their Courts. His voice was quiet, but one could feel the intensity.
But he did not limit his comments to the south. While the dramatic incidents of racial
tension have been in the south, he said, the north is far from blameless. "While there is
de jure discrimination in the south, there is de facto discrimination in the north," in
schools, housing, employment and other areas. And he challenged the lawyers at the
White House to address problems in their own communities, to marshall forces to cure
the de facto discrimination and to set up "lawyers communities for civil rights throughout
the north, midwest and west as well as the south."
I was surprised at the scope of his remarks. The emphasis by the President and the
Vice President had all been on the south, but Bobby broadened the agenda, giving the
Lawyer' Committee national goals to redress discrimination. His challenge went far and
deep.
Bobby concluded with quiet passion. "The surface eruptions of an internal disease
cannot be cured with bandages," "he said, "The only way to cure a disease is to attack
its source; and the sources of this disease, this malignancy that has been allowed to
grow within the tissues of our National life, are as minute and various as the cells of any
living body." Out of that historic White House Conference rose the Lawyers Committee
for Civil Rights Under Law
Message Sent To:
Thurgood Marshall Jr/WHO/EOP@EOP
Kris M Balderston/WHO/EOP@EOP
Lisa J. Levin/WHO/EOP@EOP
Sean P. O'Shea/WHO/EOP@EOP
Anne W. Bovaird/WHO/EOP@EOP
Irma L. Martinez/WHO/EOP@EOP
Index
[ Main references are to items except as otherwise indicated
Christian Leadership, International, 52 n.
Civil rights-Continued
nt Chiefs of
Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens, 465
News conference remarks, 89 [8, 15], 107
Chrysler Corp., 77
[18], 144 [13], 169 [1, 4, 14, 19], 202
lopment, In-
Church, Sen. Frank, 35⁶ [18]
[I, 20], 305 [4, 7, 20], 320 [6, 7, 9,
Churches, Negro, bombing of, 360, 365
12], 328 [3, 9], 356 [9, 22], 448 [4,
Churches, World Council of, 136
16], 459 [4, II]
Churchill, Lady, 126 n.
Public accommodations. See Public ac-
workers,
Churchill, Randolph, 126
commodations, equal access
Churchill, Winston S., 90, 215, 387, 463
Radio address, question of, 169 [19]
202 [6]
Honorary U.S. citizenship, 35 [8], 126
Voting rights. See Voting rights
News conference remarks on, 35 [8], 65
See also Integration
[12]
Civil Rights, Commission On, 59, 82, 107
53, 64, 187,
Statue of, proposed, 169 [7]
[18], 134 [5], 135, 144 [13, 18], 202
CIA. See Central Intelligence Agency
[20], 248
Cigarette smoking, effect on health, 202 [17]
Civil Rights, Commission on, Chairman
228, 230, 305
Cisneros, Manuel, 468
(John A. Hannah), 135
Citations. See Awards and Citations
Civil Rights, Committee on (1947), 248
Citizens' Committee on Free World Secu-
Civil Rights Act of 1963, 248
rity, 118
Civil rights bill, 248, 305 [4, 7], 328 [7]
mbing, 360,
Citizens Committee on Natural Resources,
Civil Service, 4 n., 221, 366
196 n.
Entrance examination, 228
34
Citizens Committee for Tax Reduction and
See also Government employees
Revision in 1963, 177
Civil Service Commission, 44, 148, 357, 405
Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, 307
[13], 448 [27], 452
Civil Aeronautics Board, 186
Civil Service Commission, Chairman (John
Civil Aeronautics Board, Chairman (Alan
W. Macy, Jr.), 4, 76, 129, 130, 148, 174,
,o, 316, 349,
S. Boyd), 29, 186
238, 357, 452
Civil aviation, 30 (p. 67), 179, 186, 242
Civil War, 92, 136, 192, 226, 227, 228, 265,
Civil defense, I2 (p. 18), 82
276, 278, 279, 303, 381, 45I
2I (p. 34),
Fallout shelters, 2I (p. 33)
Civilian Conservation Corps, 378
85, 320 [3],
State directors, message, 166
Clark, Sen. Joseph S., 376, 445
Civil rights, 3° (p. 71), 59, 73, 90, 153, 192,
Clay, Henry, 2, 73, 99, 334, 381
[3], 54 [7],
220, 226, 230, 232, 236, 237, 271, 290,
Clay, Gen. Lucius D., 118, 267, 268, 269,
60 [9], 305
294, 302, 309, 311, 339, 340, 349, 35I,
270, 272, 333, 338
328 [1], 356
360, 365, 366, 372, 397, 427, 444, 462,
Letter to, III
465 [3], 473
News conference remarks on, 89 [20], 169
ion of sign-
Birmingham, Ala. See Birmingham, Ala.
[17], 328 [1]
Demonstrations 169 [1, 4, 14], 202 [20],
Clay Committee, 89 [20], III, 118, I20 [6]
[II]
230, 248, 305 [20], 320 [12], 328 [3,
Clement, Gov. Frank G., 192
ion of, 356
9], 356 [22]
Cleveland, Grover, 23, 228
March on Washington, 305 [20], 328
Cleveland, Harlan, 359
I2 (p. 17),
[3, 9], 33⁶
Cleveland, Ohio, newspaper strike, 35 [11],
]
District of Columbia, 22, 35 [15], 230
75 [13], 107 [16]
Employment. See Equal Employment
Cliff, Edward P., 37⁶
opportunity
Clifford, Clark, 405 [12]
Federal aid, proposed termination in
Clifton, Maj. Gen. Chester V., 335
states violating, 134 [5], 135, 144 [13]
Clyde, Gov. George D., 385
na, question
Housing, 10, 82, 230, 248, 305 [7], 356 [9]
Coal, 193, 381
Legal counsel, (p. 14), 9I
Mine disasters, 155
Messages to Congress, 82, 248
News conference remarks, 459 [25]
3
Negro leadership, 320 [9]
Unemployment in industry, IIO, 175 [2],
228
German, 265
941
John F. Kennedy, 1963
Feb. 28 [82]
tion to maintain the neu-
market and we are wondering how to solve them.
for such choices. I shall only mention one of them,
ce of our country and not
Trade is of vital importance to us, since we have but
dear to my heart and, I believe, Mr. President, dear
assist to that end and we
few raw materials and but a small home market.
to yours: What should the industrial nations' attitude
and we thank the people
This is the reason why we have always had a
be towards economic development in the not too
is expression."
liberal attitude towards world exchanges and why
prosperous areas? I feel that this is perhaps the
we have never refused to consider negotiated trade
most dramatic issue of our time; the one that bears
agreements.
the fastest reaching consequences and, therefore,
"Our two countries have known each other for a
of course, [one of] many other fields where countries
im.
long time and although they have their own legiti-
of the free world could cooperate." In conclusion
mate interests to protect, they are always side by side
Prince Albert expressed best wishes for such future
when the times come for fundamental choices
cooperation.
if in this fast-changing world there are occasions
d of prosperity in a
y. And unless we can
hat the power of the
r on the great desper-
8I Joint Statement Following Discussions With the King
1, particularly to the
of Laos. February 27, 1963
ously we are going to
the first priority, is to
HIS MAJESTY Sri Savang Vatthana, King
Recalling the agreement that he and Prime
using all of our com-
of Laos, has conferred with the President on
Minister Khrushchev made in Vienna in
for an easy flow back
recent developments in Laos, particularly the
June 1961 for the mutual support of a neutral
vices, that we are the
implementation of the Geneva Accord, and
and independent Laos under a government
ry arrangements and
on the future of Lao-American relations.
chosen by the Lao themselves, and of interna-
1 then we can match
His Majesty warmly thanked the President
tional agreements for insuring that neutrality
combinations in the
for United States efforts in bringing the
and independence, the President reaffirmed
Geneva negotiations on Laos to a successful
the United States policy of fulfilling its obli-
most important mat-
conclusion. His Majesty also expressed his
gations under the Geneva Agreements and
d you are very wel-
gratification that the United States has
supporting the Government of National
he friendship between
given its full support to the Government of
Union. The President spoke of his earnest
d States, which is an
National Union under Prince Souvanna
hope that this policy would enable the Lao
king personally, the
Phouma, and that it will continue faithfully
people to achieve their aspiration for peace,
our government and
to adhere to its engagements under the Ge-
dignity and freedom, and specifically cited
veral matters of great
neva Agreements. The United States policy
the large United States economic assistance
st months, both in
in Laos, His Majesty said, was a significant
program as evidence of the determination of
has been particularly,
manifestation of the President's continuing
the United States Government to help the
common cause and
efforts to help-bring peace, freedom and dig-
Lao people achieve these objectives. Respect
to this Government.
nity to all peoples. In discussing the future,
for Lao neutrality, independence and SOV-
;, through you, our
His Majesty stressed his desire for unity,
ereignty, the President said, is the con-
vernment and to the
peace and independence for his people and
tinuing basis for United States policy toward
is partnership which
reiterated the determination of his country
the Royal Lao Government.
fruitful. So I hope
to support the Geneva Agreements.
sing our welcome to
, to the members of
ne in drinking to the
82 Special Message to the Congress on Civil Rights.
is Majesty the King.
February 28, 1963
d the toast at a luncheon
t the White House. In
To the Congress of the United States:
of the country do not always conform to the
explained that his trip
"Our Constitution is color blind," wrote
principles of the Constitution. And this
York was primarily for
to promote the sales of
Mr. Justice Harlan before the turn of the
Message is intended to examine how far we
nited' States. "As you
century, "and neither knows nor tolerates
have come in achieving first-class citizenship
some difficulties in this
classes among citizens." But the practices
for all citizens regardless of color, how far
22I
[82] Feb. 28
Public Papers of the Presidents
we have yet to go, and what further tasks
Nation rose to greatness. It increases the
remain to be carried out-by the Executive
costs of public welfare, crime, delinquency
and Legislative Branches of the Federal
and disorder. Above all, it is wrong.
Government, as well as by state and local
Therefore, let it be clear, in our own hearts
governments and private citizens and
and minds, that it is not merely because of
organizations.
the Cold War, and not merely because of the
One hundred years ago the Emancipation
economic waste of discrimination, that we
Proclamation was signed by a President who
are committed to achieving true equality of
believed in the equal worth and opportunity
opportunity. The basic reason is because it
of every human being. That Proclamation
is right.
was only a first step-a step which its author
The cruel disease of discrimination knows
unhappily did not live to follow up, a step
no sectional or state boundaries. The con-
which some of its critics dismissed as an
tinuing attack on this problem must be
action which "frees the slave but ignores the
equally broad. It must be both private and
Negro." Through these long one hundred
public-it must be conducted at national,
years, while slavery has vanished, progress
state and local levels-and it must include
for the Negro has been too often blocked and
both legislative and executive action.
delayed. Equality before the law has not
In the last two years, more progress has
always meant equal treatment and oppor-
been made in securing the civil rights of all
tunity. And the harmful, wasteful and
Americans than in any comparable period
wrongful results of racial discrimination and
in our history. Progress has been made-
segregation still appear in virtually every
through executive action, litigation, persua-
aspect of national life, in virtually every part
sion and private initiative-in achieving and
of the Nation.
protecting equality of opportunity in educa-
The Negro baby born in America today-
tion, voting, transportation, employment,
regardless of the section or state in which he
housing, government, and the enjoyment
is born-has about one-half as much chance
of public accommodations.
of completing high school as a white baby
But pride in our progress must not give
born in the same place on the same day-
way to relaxation of our effort. Nor does
one-third as much chance of completing col-
progress in the Executive Branch enable the
lege-one-third as much chance of becom-
Legislative Branch to escape its own obliga-
ing a professional man-twice as much
tions. On the contrary, it is in the light of
chance of becoming unemployed-about one-
this nationwide progress, and in the belief
seventh as much chance of earning $10,000
that Congress will wish once again to meet
per year-a life expectancy which is seven
its responsibilities in this matter, that I stress
years less-and the prospects of earning only
in the following agenda of existing and
half as much.
prospective action important legislative as
No American who believes in the basic
well as administrative measures.
truth that "all men are created equal, that
they are endowed by their Creator with cer-
I. THE RIGHT TO VOTE
tain unalienable Rights", can fully excuse,
explain or defend the picture these statistics
The right to vote in a free American elec-
portray. Race discrimination hampers our
tion is the most powerful and precious right
economic growth by preventing the maxi-
in the world-and it must not be denied on
mum development and utilization of our
the grounds of race or color. It is a potent
manpower. It hampers our world leader-
key to achieving other rights of citizenship.
ship by contradicting at home the message
For American history-both recent and
we preach abroad. It mars the atmosphere
past-clearly reveals that the power of the
of a united and classless society in which this
ballot has enabled those who achieve it to
222
John F. Kennedy, 1963
Feb. 28 [82]
Its incerses the
win other achievements as well, to gain a
tion workers are arrested. In some instances,
full voice in the affairs of their state and
sime deliquency
churches in which registration meetings are
nation, and to see their interests represented
held have been burned. In one case where
I 14' wrong.
in hearts
in the governmental bodies which affect their
Negro tenant farmers chose to exercise their
meed because of
future. In a free society, those with the
right to vote, it was necessary for the Justice
ser recause of the
power to govern are necessarily responsive to
Department to seek injunctions to halt their
minature. that me
those with the right to vote.
eviction and for the Department of Agricul-
nf = equality of
In enacting the 1957 and 1960 Civil Rights
ture to help feed them from surplus stocks.
ESI .41 because it
Acts, Congress provided the Department of
Under these circumstances, continued delay
Justice with basic tools for protecting the
in the granting of the franchise-particularly
knows
right to vote-and this Administration has
in counties where there is mass racial dis-
addres The con-
not hesitated to use those tools. Legal action
franchisement-permits the intent of the
milen must be
is brought only after voluntary efforts fail-
Congress to be openly flouted.
R. in givate and
and, in scores of instances, local officials, at
Federal executive action in such cases-
turned II national,
the request of the Department of Justice,
no matter how speedy and how drastic-can
2, I mis include
have voluntarily made voting records avail-
never fully correct such abuses of power.
mise arin
able or abandoned discriminatory registra-
It is necessary instead to free the forces of
ma. pregress has
tion, discriminatory voting practices or seg-
our democratic system within these areas by
= in rights of all
regated balloting. Where voluntary local
promptly insuring the franchise to all citi-
comparable period
compliance has not been forthcoming, the
zens, making it possible for their elected
has been made-
Department of Justice has approximately
officials to be truly responsive to all their
quadrupled the previous level of its legal
constituents.
Inigation, persua-
-= achieving and
effort-investigating coercion, inspecting
The second and somewhat overlapping
recumity in educa-
records, initiating lawsuits, enjoining intimi-
gap in these statutes is their failure to deal
in employment,
dation, and taking whatever follow-up action
specifically with the most common forms
x the enjoyment
is necessary to forbid further interference or
of abuse of discretion on the part of local
discrimination. As a result, thousands of
election officials who do not treat all appli-
- must not give
Negro citizens are registering and voting for
cants uniformly.
efion Nor does
the first time-many of them in counties
Objections were raised last year to the pro-
Branch enable the
where no Negro had ever voted before. The
posed literacy test bill, which attempted to
are its own obliga-
Department of Justice will continue to take
speed up the enforcement of the right to
I is in the light of
whatever action is required to secure the
vote by removing one important area of dis-
and in the belief
right to vote for all Americans.
cretion from registration officials who used
Experience has shown, however, that these
are again to meet
that discretion to exclude Negroes. Prevent-
DMICI, that I stress
highly useful Acts of the 85th and 86th
ing that bill from coming to a vote did not
1 of existing and
Congresses suffer from two major defects.
make any less real the prevalence in many
tant legislative as
One is the usual long and difficult delay
counties of the use of literacy and other voter
which occurs between the filing of a lawsuit
qualification tests to discriminate against
casures.
and its ultimate conclusion. In one recent
prospective Negro voters, contrary to the
case, for example, nineteen months elapsed
requirements of the 14th and 15th Amend-
0 VOTE
between the filing of the suit and the judg-
ments, and adding to the delays and difficul-
ree American elec-
ment of the court. In another, an action
ties encountered in securing the franchise for
and precious right
brought in July 1961 has not yet come to trial.
those denied it.
: not be denied on
The legal maxim "Justice delayed is Justice
An indication of the magnitude of the
denied" is dramatically applicable in these
lor. It is a potent
overall problem, as well as the need for
cases.
this of citizenship.
speedy action, is a recent five-state survey
both recent and
Too often those who attempt to assert
disclosing over 200 counties in which fewer
the power of the
their Constitutional rights are intimidated
than 15% of the Negroes of voting age are
who achieve it to
Prospective registrants are fired. Registra-
registered to vote. This cannot continue.
223
[82] Feb. 28
Public Papers of the Presidents
I am, therefore, recommending legislation to
vote to any qualified citizen, anywhere in
deal with this problem of judicial delay and
this country, through discriminatory admin-
administrative abuse in four ways:
istration of qualifying tests, or upon the basis
First, to provide for interim relief while
of minor errors in filling out a complicated
voting suits are proceeding through the
form which seeks only information. Yet the
courts in areas of demonstrated need, tem-
Civil Rights Commission, and the cases
porary Federal voting referees should be
brought by the Department of Justice, have
appointed to determine the qualifications of
compiled one discouraging example after an-
applicants for registration and voting during
other of obstacles placed in the path of
the pendency of a lawsuit in any county in
Negroes seeking to register to vote at the
which fewer than 15% of the eligible num-
same time that other applicants experience
ber of persons of any race claimed to be dis-
no difficulty whatsoever. Qualified Negroes,
criminated against are registered to vote.
including those with college degrees, have
Existing Federal law provides for the ap-
been denied registration for their inability to
pointment of voting referees to receive and
give a "reasonable" interpretation of the
act upon applications for voting registration
Constitution. They have been required to
upon a court finding that a pattern or prac-
complete their applications with unreason-
tice of discrimination exists. But to prevent
able precision-or to secure registered voters
a successful case from becoming an empty
to vouch for their identity-or to defer to
victory, insofar as the particular election is
white persons who want to register ahead
concerned, the proposed legislation would
of them-or they are otherwise subjected to
provide that, within these prescribed limits,
exasperating delays. Yet uniformity of treat-
temporary voting referees would be ap-
ment is required by the dictates of both the
pointed to serve from the inception to the
Constitution and fair play-and this pro-
conclusion of the Federal voting suit, apply-
posed statute, therefore, seeks to spell out
ing, however, only State law and State
that principle to ease the difficulties and de-
regulations. As officers of the court, their
lays of litigation. Limiting the proposal to
decisions would be subject to court scrutiny
voting qualifications in elections for Federal
and review.
offices alone will clearly eliminate any
Second, voting suits brought under the
Constitutional conflict.
Federal Civil Rights statutes should be ac-
Fourth, completion of the sixth grade
corded expedited treatment in the Federal
should, with respect to Federal elections, con-
courts, just as in many state courts election
stitute a presumption that the applicant is
suits are given preference on the dockets on
literate. Literacy tests pose especially diffi-
the sensible premise that, unless the right to
cult problems in determining voter qualifi-
vote can be exercised at a specific election, it
cation. The essentially subjective judgment
is, to the extent of that election, lost forever.
involved in each individual case, and the dif-
Third, the law should specifically prohibit
ficulty of challenging that judgment, have
the application of different tests, standards,
made literacy tests one of the cruelest and
practices, or procedures for different appli-
most abused of all voter qualification tests.
cants seeking to register and vote in federal
The incidence of such abuse can be elimi-
election. Under present law, the courts can
nated, or at least drastically curtailed, by the
ultimately deal with the various forms of
proposed legislation providing that proof of
racial discrimination practiced by local regis-
completion of the sixth grade constitutes a
trars. But the task of litigation, and the time
presumption that the applicant is literate.
consumed in preparation and proof, should
Finally, the 87th Congress-after 20 years
be lightened in every possible fashion. No
of effort-passed and referred to the states
one can rightfully contend that any voting
for ratification a Constitutional Amendment
registrar should be. permitted to deny the
to prohibit the levying of poll taxes as a con-
224
John F. Kennedy, 1963
Feb. 28 [82]
citizen, anywhere in
dition to voting. Already thirteen states
of men, by force or threat of force, could long
liscriminatory admin-
have ratified the proposed Amendment and
defy the commands of our court and our
ests, or upon the basis
in three more one body of the Legislature has
Constitution, then no law would stand free
ng out a complicated
acted. I urge every state legislature to take
from doubt, no judge would be sure of his
information. Yet the
prompt action on this matter and to outlaw
writ, and no citizen would be safe from his
sion, and the cases
the poll tax-which has too long been an
neighbors."
ment of Justice, have
outmoded and arbitrary bar to voting partici-
The shameful violence which accompanied
ing example after an-
pation by minority groups and others-as the
but did not prevent the end of segregation
ced in the path of
24th Amendment to the Constitution. This
at the University of Mississippi was an ex-
gister to vote at the
measure received bipartisan sponsorship and
ception. State supported universities in
applicants experience
endorsement in the Congress-and I shall
Georgia and South Carolina met this test in
Qualified Negroes,
continue to work with governors and legis-
recent years with calm and maturity, as did
college degrees, have
lative leaders of both parties in securing
the state supported universities of Virginia,
1 for their inability to
adoption of the anti-poll tax amendment.
North Carolina, Florida, Texas, Louisiana,
interpretation of the
Tennessee, Arkansas and Kentucky in
ive been required to
II. EDUCATION
earlier years. In addition, progress toward
ions with unreason-
the desegregation of education at all levels
cure registered voters
Nearly nine years have elapsed since the
has made other notable and peaceful strides,
ntity-or to defer to
Supreme Court ruled that State laws requir-
including the following forward moves in
nt to register ahead
ing or permitting segregated schools violate
the last two years alone:
therwise subjected to
the Constitution. That decision represented
-Desegregation plans have been put into
it uniformity of treat-
both good law and good judgment-it was
effect peacefully in the public schools of At-
dictates of both the
both legally and morally right. Since that
lanta, Dallas, New Orleans, Memphis and
play-and this pro-
time it has become increasingly clear that
elsewhere, with over 60 school districts de-
seeks to spell out
neither violence nor legalistic evasions will be
segregated last year-frequently with the
e difficulties and de-
tolerated as a means of thwarting court-
help of Federal persuasion and consultation,
iting the proposal to
ordered desegregation, that closed schools
and in every case without incident or
elections for Federal
are not an answer, and that responsible com-
disorder.
arly eliminate any
munities are able to handle the desegregation
-Teacher training institutes financed
process in a calm and sensible manner. This
under the National Defense Education Act
of the sixth grade
is as it should be-for, as I stated to the
are no longer held in colleges which refuse
federal elections, con-
Nation at the time of the Mississippi violence
to accept students without regard to race,
hat the applicant is
last September:
and this has resulted in a number of institu-
pose especially diffi-
Our Nation is founded on the prin-
tions opening their doors to Negro appli-
nining voter qualifi-
ciple that observance of the law is the eternal
cants voluntarily.
subjective judgment
safeguard of liberty, and defiance of the law
-The same is now true of Institutes con-
ual case, and the dif-
is the surest road to tyranny. The law which
ducted by the National Science Foundation;
hat judgment, have
we obey includes the final rulings of the
-Beginning in September of this year,
of the cruelest and
courts, as well as the enactments of our legis-
under the Aid to Impacted Area School Pro-
r qualification tests.
lative bodies. Even among law-abiding men,
gram, the Department of Health, Education,
abuse can be elimi-
few laws are universally loved-but they are
and Welfare will initiate a program of pro-
ally curtailed, by the
uniformly respected and not resisted.
viding on-base facilities so that children
viding that proof of
"Americans are free to disagree with the
living on military installations will no longer
grade constitutes a
law but not to disobey it. For in a govern-
be required to attend segregated schools at
plicant is literate.
ment of laws and not of men, no man, how-
Federal expense. These children should not
gress-after 20 years
ever prominent or powerful, and no mob,
be victimized by segregation merely because
:ferred to the states
however unruly or boisterous, is entitled to
their fathers chose to serve in the armed
utional Amendment
defy a court of law. If this country should
forces and were assigned to an area where
E poll taxes as a con-
ever reach the point where any man or group
schools are operated on a segregated basis.
225
[82]
Feb.
28
Public Papers of the Presidents
-In addition, the Department of Justice
the Office of Education to assist local com-
and the Department of Health, Education,
munities in preparing and carrying out de-
and Welfare have succeeded in obtaining
segregation plans, including the supplying
voluntary desegregation in many other dis-
of information on means which have been
tricts receiving "impacted area" school assist-
employed to desegregate other schools suc-
ance; and, representing the Federal interest,
cessfully. There is also need for financial
have filed lawsuits to end segregation in a
assistance to enable those communities
number of other districts.
which desire and need such assistance to em-
-The Department of Justice has also in-
ploy specialized personnel to cope with
tervened to seek the opening of public schools
problems occasioned by desegregation and to
in the case of Prince Edward County, Vir-
train school personnel to facilitate the transi-
ginia, the only county in the Nation where
tion to desegregation. While some facilities
there are no public schools, and where a
for providing this kind of assistance are pres-
bitter effort to thwart court decrees requir-
ently available in the Office of Education,
ing desegregation has caused nearly 1500 out
they are not adequate to the task.
of 1800 school age Negro children to go
I recommend, therefore, a program of
without any education for more than 3 years.
Federal technical and financial assistance to
In these and other areas within its juris-
aid school districts in the process of desegre-
diction, the Executive Branch will continue
gation in compliance with the Constitution.
its efforts to fulfill the Constitutional objec-
Finally, it is obvious that the unconstitu-
tive of an equal, non-segregated, educational
tional and outmoded concept of "separate
opportunity for all children.
but equal" does not belong in the Federal
Despite these efforts, however, progress
statute books. This is particularly true with
toward primary and secondary school de-
respect to higher education, where peaceful
segregation has still been too slow, often
desegregation has been underway in prac-
painfully so. Those children who are being
tically every state for some time. I repeat,
denied their constitutional rights are suffer-
therefore, this Administration's recommen-
ing a loss which can never be regained, and
dation of last year that this phrase be elimi-
which will leave scars which can never be
nated from the Morrill Land Grant College
fully healed. I have in the past expressed
Act.
my belief that the full authority of the Fed-
eral government should be placed behind
III. EXTENSION AND EXPANSION OF THE
the achievement of school desegregation, in
COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS
accordance with the command of the Con-
stitution. One obvious area of Federal
The Commission on Civil Rights, estab-
action is to help facilitate the transition to
lished by the Civil Rights Act of 1957, has
desegregation in those areas which are con-
been in operation for more than five years
forming or wish to conform their practices
and is scheduled to expire on November 30,
to the law.
1963. During this time it has fulfilled its
Many of these communities lack the re-
statutory mandate by investigating depriva-
sources necessary to eliminate segregation
tions of the right to vote and denials of equal
in their public schools while at the same time
protection of the laws in education, employ-
assuring that educational standards will be
ment, housing and the administration of
maintained and improved. The problem
justice. The Commission's reports and rec-
has been compounded by the fact that the
ommendations have provided the basis for
climate of mistrust in many communities has
remedial action both by Congress and the
left many school officials with no qualified
Executive Branch.
source to turn to for information and advice.
There are, of course, many areas of denials
There is a need for technical assistance by
of rights yet to be fully investigated. But
226
John F. Kennedy, 1963
Feb. 28 [82]
) assist local com-
the Commission is new in a position to pro-
providing information, advice, and technical
d carrying out de-
vide even more useful service to the Nation.
assistance to any requesting agency, private
ing the supplying
As more communities evidence a willingness
or public; that in order to fulfill these new
which have been
to face frankly their problems of racial dis-
responsibilities, the Commission be author-
other schools suc-
crimination, there is an increasing need for
ized to concentrate its activities upon those
need for financial
expert guidance and assistance in devising
problems within the scope of its statute
ose communities
workable programs for civil rights progress.
which most need attention; and that the life
h assistance to em-
Agencies of State and local government,
of the Commission be extended for a term
el to cope with
industry, labor and community organiza-
of at least four more years.
segregation and to
tions, when faced with problems of segrega-
acilitate the transi-
tion and racial tensions, all can benefit from
IV. EMPLOYMENT
hile some facilities
information about how these problems have
assistance are pres-
been solved in the past. The opportunity to
Racial discrimination in employment is
fice of Education,
seek an experienced and sympathetic forum
especially injurious both to its victims and to
ne task.
on a voluntary basis can often open channels
the national economy. It results in a great
e, a program of
of communication between contending par-
waste of human resources and creates serious
ncial assistance to
ties and help bring about the conditions nec-
community problems. It is, moreover, in-
process of desegre-
essary for orderly progress. And the use of
consistent with the democratic principle that
the Constitution.
public hearings-to contribute to public
no man should be denied employment com-
at the unconstitu-
knowledge of the requirements of the Con-
mensurate with his abilities because of his
cept of "separate
stitution and national policy-can create in
race or creed or ancestry.
ig in the Federal
these communities the atmosphere of under-
The President's Committee on Equal Em-
icularly true with
standing which is indispensable to peaceful
ployment Opportunity, reconstituted by Ex-
n, where peaceful
and permanent solutions to racial problems.
ecutive Order in early 1961, has, under the
nderway in prac-
The Federal Civil Rights Commission has
leadership of the Vice President, taken sig-
e time. I repeat,
the experience and capability to make a sig-
nificant steps to eliminate racial discrimina-
tion's recommen-
nificant contribution toward achieving these
tion by those who do business with the
S phrase be elimi-
objectives. It has advised the Executive
Government. Hundreds of companies-
nd Grant College
branch not only about desirable policy
covering 17 million jobs-have agreed to
changes but about the administrative tech-
stringent non-discriminatory provisions now
niques needed to make these changes effec-
standard in all Government contracts. One
INSION OF THE
tive. If, however, the Commission is to
hundred four industrial concerns-including
IL RIGHTS
perform these additional services effectively,
most of the Nation's major employers-have
changes in its authorizing statute are neces-
in addition signed agreements calling for an
vil Rights, estab-
sary and it should be placed on a more stable
affirmative attack on discrimination in em-
Act of 1957, has
and more permanent basis. A proposal that
ployment; and 117 labor unions, represent-
e than five years
the Commission be made a permanent body
ing about 85% of the membership of the
on November 30,
would be a pessimistic prediction that our
AFL-CIO, have signed similar agreements
: has fulfilled its
problems will never be solved. On the
with the Committee. Comprehensive com-
tigating depriva-
other hand, to let the experience and knowl-
pliance machinery has been instituted to en-
1 denials of equal
edge gathered by the Commission go to
force these agreements. The Committee
lucation, employ-
waste, by allowing it to expire, or by extend-
has received over 1,300 complaints in two
dministration of
ing its life only for another two years with
years-more than in the entire 7½ years of
reports and rec-
no change in responsibility, would ignore
the Committee's prior existence-and has
led the basis for
the very real contribution this agency can
achieved corrective action on 72% of the
Congress and the
make toward meeting our racial problems.
cases handled-a heartening and unprece-
I recommend, therefore, that the Congress
dented record. Significant results have been
y areas of denials
authorize the Civil Rights Commission to
achieved in placing Negroes with contractors
vestigated. But
serve as a national civil rights clearing house
who previously employed whites only-and
227
[82] Feb. 28
Public Papers of the Presidents
in the elevation of Negroes to a far higher
make unnecessary the enactment of legisla-
proportion of professional, technical and su-
tion with respect to Union discrimination.
pervisory jobs. Let me repeat my assurances
that these provisions in Government con-
V. PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS
tracts and the voluntary non-discrimination
agreements will be carefully monitored and
No act is more contrary to the spirit of our
strictly enforced.
democracy and Constitution-or more right-
In addition, the Federal Government, as
fully resented by a Negro citizen who seeks
an employer, has continued to pursue a pol-
only equal treatment-than the barring of
icy of non-discrimination in its employment
that citizen from restaurants, hotels, theatres,
and promotion programs. Negro high-
recreational areas and other public accom-
school and college graduates are now being
modations and facilities.
intensively sought out and recruited. A
Wherever possible, this Administration
policy of not distinguishing on grounds of
has dealt sternly with such acts. In 1961, the
race is not limited to the appointment of
Justice Department and the Interstate Com-
distinguished Negroes-although they have
merce Commission successfully took action
in fact been appointed to a record number
to bring an end to discrimination in rail and
of high policy-making judicial and adminis-
bus facilities. In 1962, the fifteen airports
trative posts. There has also been a signifi-
still maintaining segregated facilities were
cant increase in the number of Negroes em-
persuaded to change their practices, thirteen
ployed in the middle and upper grades of
voluntarily and two others after the Depart-
the career Federal service. In jobs paying
ment of Justice brought legal action. As a
$4,500 to $10,000 annually, for example,
result of these steps, systematic segregation
there was an increase of 20% in the number
in interstate transportation has virtually
of Negroes during the year ending June 30,
ceased to exist. No doubt isolated instances
1962-over three times the rate of increase
of discrimination in transportation terminals,
for all employees in those grades during the
restaurants, rest rooms and other facilities
year. Career civil servants will continue to
will continue to crop up, but any such dis-
be employed and promoted on the basis of
crimination will be dealt with promptly.
merit, and not color, in every agency of the
In addition, restaurants and public facili-
Federal Government, including all regional
ties in buildings leased by the Federal Gov-
and local offices.
ernment have been opened up to all Federal
This Government has also adopted a new
employees in areas where previously they had
Executive policy with respect to the organi-
been segregated. The General Services Ad-
zation of its employees. As part of this
ministration no longer contracts for the lease
policy, only those Federal employee labor
of space in office buildings unless such facili-
organizations that do not discriminate on
ties are available to all Federal employees
grounds of race or color will be recognized.
without regard to race. This move has taken
Outside of Government employment, the
place without fanfare and practically without
National Labor Relations Board is now con-
incident; and full equality of facilities will
sidering cases involving charges of racial
continue to be made available to all Federal
discrimination against a number of union
employees in every state.
locals. I have directed the Department of
National parks, forests and other recrea-
Justice to participate in these cases and to
tion areas-and the District of Columbia
urge the National Labor Relations Board to
Stadium-are open to all without regard to
take appropriate action against racial dis-
race. Meetings sponsored by the Federal
crimination in unions. It is my hope that
Government or addressed by Federal ap-
administrative action and litigation will
pointees are held in hotels and halls which
228
John F. Kennedy, 1963
Feb. 28 [82]
do not practice discrimination or segregation.
the Armed Forces has been established to
ctment of legisla-
The Department of Justice has asked the Su-
investigate and make recommendations re-
discrimination.
preme Court to reverse the convictions of
garding the treatment of minority groups,
Negroes arrested for seeking to use public
with special emphasis on off-base problems.
IODATIONS
accommodations; and took action both
-The U.S. Coast Guard Academy now
through the Courts and the use of Federal
has Negro students for the first time in its
o the spirit of our
marshals to protect those who were testing
87 years of existence.
n-or more right-
the desegregation of transportation facilities.
-The Department of Justice has increased
citizen who seeks
In these and other ways, the Federal Gov-
its prosecution of police brutality cases, many
in the barring of
ernment will continue to encourage and
of them in Northern states-and is assisting
s, hotels, theatres,
support action by state and local communi-
state and local police departments in meeting
er public accom-
ties, and by private entrepreneurs, to assure
this problem.
all members of the public equal access to all
-State employee merit systems operating
; Administration
public accommodations. A country with a
programs financed with Federal funds are
acts. In 1961, the
"color blind" Constitution, and with no
now prohibited from discriminating on the
e Interstate Com-
castes or classes among its citizens, cannot
basis of race or color.
sfully took action
afford to do less.
-The Justice Department is challenging
nation in rail and
the constitutionality of the "separate but
e fifteen airports
VI. OTHER USES OF FEDERAL FUNDS
equal" provisions which permit hospitals
ed facilities were
constructed with Federal funds to discrim-
practices, thirteen
The basic standard of non-discrimina-
inate racially in the location of patients and
after the Depart-
tion-which I earlier stated has now been
the acceptance of doctors.
gal action. As a
applied by the Executive Branch to every
In short, the Executive Branch of the Fed-
matic segregation
area of its activity-affects other programs
eral Government, under this Administration
on has virtually
not listed above:
and in all of its activities, now stands square-
isolated instances
-Although President Truman ordered
ly behind the principle of equal opportunity,
rtation terminals,
the armed services of this country desegre-
without segregation or discrimination, in the
d other facilities
gated in 1948, it was necessary in 1962 to
employment of Federal funds, facilities and
but any such dis-
bar segregation formally and specifically in
personnel. All officials at every level are
ith promptly.
the Army and Air Force Reserves and in the
charged with the responsibility of imple-
and public facili-
training of all civil defense workers.
menting this principle-and a formal inter-
the Federal Gov-
-A new Executive Order on housing, as
departmental action group, under White
up to all Federal
unanimously recommended by the Civil
House chairmanship, oversees this effort and
reviously they had
Rights Commission in 1959, prohibits dis-
follows through on each directive. For the
eral Services Ad-
crimination in the sale, lease or use of hous-
first time, the full force of Federal executive
tracts for the lease
ing owned or constructed in the future by
authority is being exerted in the battle
unless such facili-
the Federal Government or guaranteed un-
against race discrimination.
ederal employees
der the FHA, VA and Farmers Home
is move has taken
Administration program. With regard to
CONCLUSION
ractically without
existing property owned or financed through
of facilities will
the Federal Government, the departments
The various steps which have been under-
:ble to all Federal
and agencies are directed to take every ap-
taken or which are proposed in this Mes-
propriate action to promote the termination
sage do not constitute a final answer to the
and other recrea-
of discriminatory practices that may exist.
problems of race discrimination in this
rict of Columbia
A President's Committee on Equal Housing
country. They do constitute a list of priori-
without regard to
Opportunity was created by the Order to
ties-steps which can be taken by the Ex-
I by the Federal
implement its provisions.
ecutive Branch and measures which can be
by Federal ap-
-A Committee on Equal Opportunity in
enacted by the 88th Congress. Other meas-
and halls which
229
[82] Feb. 28
Public Papers of the Presidents
ures directed toward these same goals will
bitterness. No state or section of this Na-
be favorably commented on and supported,
tion can pretend a self-righteous role, for
as they have in the past-and they will be
every area has its own civil rights problems.
signed, if enacted into law.
Nor should the basic elements of this pro-
In addition, it is my hope that this message
gram be imperiled by partisanship. The
will lend encouragement to those state and
proposals put forth are consistent with the
local governments-and to private organiza-
platforms of both parties and with the posi-
tions, corporations and individuals-who
tions of their leaders. Inevitably there will
share my concern over the gap between our
be disagreement about means and strategy.
precepts and our practices. This is an effort
But I would hope that on issues of constitu-
in which every individual who asks what he
tional rights and freedom, as in matters af-
can do for his country should be able and
fecting our national security, there is a
willing to take part. It is important, for
fundamental unity among us that will sur-
example, for private citizens and local gov-
vive partisan debate over particular issues.
ernments to support the State Department's
The centennial of the issuance of the
effort to end the discriminatory treatment
Emancipation Proclamation is an occasion
suffered by too many foreign diplomats,
for celebration, for a sober assessment of our
students and visitors to this country. But it
failures, and for rededication to the goals of
is not enough to treat those from other lands
freedom. Surely there could be no more
with equality and dignity-the same treat-
meaningful observance of the centennial
ment must be afforded to every American
than the enactment of effective civil rights
citizen.
legislation and the continuation of effective
The program outlined in this message
executive action.
should not provide the occasion for sectional
JOHN F. KENNEDY
83
Statement by the President Marking the Centenary
of the Red Cross. February 28, 1963
[ Recorded for the opening of the 1963 Red Cross campaign ]
ONE HUNDRED years ago in Geneva a
women and children, regardless of nation-
group of men founded the International Red
ality or race. It silences guns on the battle-
Cross. Now, in 1963, we have an opportu-
field and rushes help to the wounded. It
nity to express our recognition of this cen-
fights the catastrophes of earthquakes and
tury of service to mankind; our recognition
famine. It reunites families separated by
and our gratitude.
war or political strife.
As President of the United States and
The emblem of the Red Cross is to be seen
Honorary Chairman of the American Red
wherever humanity needs assistance. It is
Cross, I have taken particular pleasure in
up to us and to people everywhere to hold
proclaiming the month of March as Red
this emblem as a symbol of hope here and
Cross Month. I suppose no single organiza-
around the world.
tion touches the lives of so many millions
I urge you to give your Red Cross chapter
of people at home and abroad.
special support in this centennial year and
The Red Cross emblem is respected every-
to do so proudly and generously.
where as a symbol of health for all men and
Thank you very much.
230