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Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-RFK-02
In this interview Robert F. Kennedy [RFK] discusses the 1961 Berlin crisis; American forces, military and diplomatic, in Germany; John F. Kennedy’s [JFK] recommendation for Americans to have fallout shelters; nuclear testing; problems with the Department of State; the start of the conflict in Vietnam, 1961; the Department of Justice under RFK and organized crime; RFK’s difficult relationship with J. Edgar Hoover; the wiretapping bill; new federal judgeships in 1961 and other presidential appointments; the Alliance for Progress; Red China; crises during JFK’s presidency and how he was an optimist; RFK’s move for an income tax increase during the Berlin crisis; RFK’s disagreements with President JFK; indecisiveness over picking JFK’s running mate, 1960; the missile gap; fighting and UN operations in the Congo; Nikita S. Khrushchev’s speeches; RFK’s 1962 trip to Japan, Indonesia, Germany, and other countries; the release of Allen L. Pope; Dutch disputes in Southeast Asia; the 1961 crisis in the Dominican Republic and the assassination of Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina; the 1962 disarmament conference in Geneva; Edward M. Kennedy’s 1962 campaign for U.S. Senate; the Kennedy family national and political reputation; the Justice Department under RFK and civil rights; and the 1962 steel crisis, among other issues.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-16A
Dictation Belt 16A contains five sound recordings. Item 16A.1 is a recording of remarks made by President John F. Kennedy to an unidentified group of visitors. The remarks concern the United States economy. This is not a telephone conversation. The recording begins in mid-sentence. Item 16A.2 is a fragment of a telephone conversation held on March 26, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. They discuss congressional hearings. The recording begins in mid-conversation. Item 16A.3 is a telephone conversation held on March 26, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara. They discuss hearings concerning the TFX airplane. The recording begins in mid-conversation. Item 16A.4 is a telephone conversation between President John F. Kennedy and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. They discuss Senate hearings concerning the TFX airplane. They also discuss a raid by Cuban exiles targeting a ship, concerns about a Russian ship being targeted, and consultations with John A. McCone. The recording begins in mid-conversation. Item 16A.5 is a telephone conversation held on March 28, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs William R. Tyler. They discuss press reports of Canadian Prime Minister John G. Diefenbaker possessing a working paper written by Walt W. Rostow on relations between the United States and Canada.Transcript included. Each item listed above is also available individually as an excerpt derived from this full-length digitized recording. See Related Records for more information.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-244-002
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s remarks before a rally in front of the Texas Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas. In his speech President Kennedy explains that the country’s overall security relies on military strength, economic prosperity, and superiority in space exploration.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-114
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of July 23, 1962 (News Conference 39). The President begins the press conference by announcing that part of the conference is being broadcast across the Atlantic Ocean by the Telstar communications satellite. He then states the importance of the satellite to provide fast communication, resulting in peace and security for all people. Following this statement the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including a possible peace treaty between the Soviet Union and East Germany (Democratic Republic), nuclear testing by the Soviet Union, tax cut hearings, the domestic economy, foreign affairs, Martin Luther King, Jr. and segregation, strike increases, and the appointment of General Lyman Lemnitzer as Commander in Chief of U.S. Forces in Europe.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-082-004
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s remarks in the White House Fish Room upon presenting the “E” Awards for significant contributions to the Export Expansion Program. In his speech President Kennedy thanks the award recipients for their efforts to stimulate trade, and discusses the ways export trade impacts national security.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-016
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of March 8, 1961 (News Conference 6). President Kennedy begins the press conference by urging the public to support Radio Free Europe. He then announces that he would be making a statement concerning his views of problems in the Americas following an upcoming reception at the White House; that he has directed Federal departments and agencies to speed up government spending; and the upcoming visit of Swedish Prime Minister Tage Erlander to the United States. He then makes several statements concerning the building of schools for Native American and Inuit children, the distribution of surplus food, and the polio outbreak in Cuba. Following the announcements the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the President’s economic program, the situation in Laos, and federal aid to education.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-006
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s State of the Union message addressed to Congress at the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. In his speech President Kennedy discusses his concerns regarding the present economic recession, the depreciation of the American dollar, the need for federal aid in education and scientific research, and Congress’ duty to respond to domestic issues, such as civil rights and clean water supplies. The President also discusses the possible spread of communism in Asia and Latin America, the need to restore peace in the Republic of Congo, and his plan for Cold War diplomacy, which focuses on the use of new military, economic, and political tools to meet potential challenges from the Soviet Union or Communist China.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-066A
Sound recording of the second part of President John F. Kennedy’s State of the Union message addressed to Congress at The House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. The recording continues from [Reel 1] (Accession Number WH-066). In his speech President Kennedy discusses his plans to strengthen the economy in response to the recent recession and threat of inflation, and the need for Congress to respond to certain domestic issues, including pollution, education, mass transit, urban housing, civil rights, public health, and welfare assistance programs. The President also addresses the possible spread of communism through Asia and Latin America, his plan for Cold War diplomacy, and the importance of organizations such as the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in managing international affairs. This is [Reel 2] (Accession Number WH-066A) of 2 audio tape reels.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-066
Sound recording of the first part of President John F. Kennedy’s State of the Union message addressed to Congress at The House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. In his speech President Kennedy discusses his plans to strengthen the economy in response to the recent recession and threat of inflation, and the need for Congress to respond to certain domestic issues, including pollution, education, mass transit, urban housing, civil rights, public health, and welfare assistance programs. The President also addresses the possible spread of communism through Asia and Latin America, his plan for Cold War diplomacy, and the importance of organizations such as the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in managing international affairs. This is [Reel 1] (Accession Number WH-066) of 2 audio tape reels. The recording continues on [Reel 2] (Accession number WH-066A).
Sound recording
Edward M. Kennedy Senate Files
EMKSEN-AU0008-031-013
Sound recording of the radio program "Face Off." Senator Edward M. "Ted" Kennedy of Massachusetts and Senator Alan K. "Al" Simpson of Wyoming debate whether the United States should have maintained economic sanctions on Iraq and its president, Saddam Hussein, instead of using military force to end Iraq's occupation of Kuwait (the First Gulf War). The episode aired on Thursday, March 14, 1991, on the Mutual Broadcasting System.
Sound recording
Edward M. Kennedy Senate Files
EMKSEN-AU0009-027-016
Sound recording of the radio program "Face Off." Senator Edward M. "Ted" Kennedy of Massachusetts and Senator Alan K. "Al" Simpson of Wyoming debate President Clinton's proposal to provide federal aid for innovative ways to convert defense plants and retrain defense workers for civilian production as part of the economy's transition following the end of the Cold War. The episode aired on Tuesday, May 4, 1993, on the Mutual Broadcasting System.
Sound recording
Edward M. Kennedy Senate Files
EMKSEN-AU0008-034-010
Sound recording of the radio program "Face Off." Senator Edward M. "Ted" Kennedy of Massachusetts and Senator Alan K. "Al" Simpson of Wyoming compare the economy and military spending of the United States to those of the Soviet Union. The episode aired on Tuesday, May 21, 1991, on the Mutual Broadcasting System.
Moving image
United States Government Agencies Collection
USG-01-26
Motion picture of the President's News Conference of March 1, 1961 (News Conference 5). President John F. Kennedy begins the press conference by announcing the upcoming visit of German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer to the United States, proposed legislation to restore former President Eisenhower's military rank of General of the Army, the reduction in the outflow of gold to foreign countries, the reduction of home mortgage rates, and the establishment of the Peace Corps on a temporary pilot basis. Following the announcements the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the Republic of the Congo, nuclear disarmament, the economy, and United States-Soviet relations.This is a recording by the United States Information Agency (USIA) and the White House Army Signal Agency (WHASA).
Moving image
Television Network Columbia Broadcasting System Collection
TNC-005
CBS (Columbia Broadcasting System) motion picture covering the President's News Conference of March 1, 1961, from the State Department Auditorium, Washington, D.C. (News Conference 5). See "Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, John F. Kennedy, 1961: Item 62." President John F. Kennedy begins the press conference by announcing the upcoming visit of German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer to the United States, proposed legislation to restore former President Eisenhower's military rank of General of the Army, the reduction in the outflow of gold to foreign countries, the reduction of home mortgage rates, and the establishment of the Peace Corps on a temporary pilot basis. Following the announcements the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the Republic of the Congo, nuclear disarmament, the economy, and United States-Soviet relations. Question/Answer 24 as documented in the Public Papers was not included in the original material received from CBS, and it is not known if there was a malfunction during the recording or if the section was removed. Press Secretary Pierre Salinger and Associate Press Secretary Andrew Hatcher accompany the President onstage. CBS No. 610306-09. Copyright restrictions apply.
Photograph folder
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-1962-01-11-A
AR15, ST08
Textual folder
James C. Thomson Personal Papers
JCTPP-019-014
Textual folder
James C. Thomson Personal Papers
JCTPP-008-011
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Pre-Presidential Papers. Senate Files
JFKSEN-0913-026
This file contains a copy of a speech given by Senator John F. Kennedy in Kittanning, Pennsylvania during his 1960 presidential campaign. In his speech he discusses political party divisions on economic and national security issues, including a need to re-establish the United States as a world leader to fight the growing threat of communism.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. White House Staff Files of Lee C. White
JFKWHSFLCW-002-007
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. White House Staff Files of Walter W. Heller
JFKWHSFWWH-MF41-070
This folder contains material pertaining to a request for comments from the Council of Economic Advisers on enrolled bill S. 2274, to establish a National Economic Conversion Commission to prepare for a transition of the economy from national defense to civilian work. The bill was introduced by Senator George McGovern.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. White House Staff Files of Walter W. Heller
JFKWHSFWWH-MF31-009
This folder contains material compiled by Walter W. Heller concerning disarmament. Items include a report of the Panel on Economic Impacts of Disarmament that was submitted to the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency; an article titled "Arms Control Will Not Cut Defense Cost" by T. C. Schelling, reprinted from Harvard Business Review; a paper titled "Economic Adjustments to Disarmament" by Murray L. Weidenbaum; the United States' to the Secretariat of the United Nations on "The Economic and Social Consequences of Disarmament"; a booklet titled "The Economics of Disarmament," published by the National Committee for a Sane Nuclear Future; and a Council of Economic Advisers staff paper by Richard Nelson on "The Impact of Disarmament on Research and Development."
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. White House Staff Files of Walter W. Heller
JFKWHSFWWH-MF31-008
This folder contains material compiled by Walter W. Heller concerning disarmament. Items include an article by Aaron H. Katz titled "The Myth of Overkill"; arrangements for Heller's address to a dinner of the Electronic Industries Association (11 March 1964); and a copy of the report of the Senate Select Committee on Small Business regarding "Impact of Defense Spending on Labor-Surplus Areas."
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. White House Staff Files of Walter W. Heller
JFKWHSFWWH-MF31-003
This folder contains memoranda by Walter W. Heller and Gardner Ackley concerning the economics of defense and disarmament.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. White House Staff Files of Walter W. Heller
JFKWHSFWWH-MF74-001
This folder contains material pertaining to the Committee on Economic Impact of Defense and Disarmament, which was formally established in December 1963 to coordinate the work of Federal agencies in appraising the economic impacts of disarmament and changes in defense spending. Gardner Ackley served as the Council of Economic Advisers representative on the committee, and also as the committee's chairman. Types of material include correspondence, memoranda, reports, drafts, and press releases. Most items relate to the initial organization of the committee. Also included are a paper by Seymour Melman titled "The Structure of Alternative Security Policies and Budgets," and another paper by Murray L. Weidenbaum titled "The Impact of Military Procurement on American Industry: Recent Patters and Trends" (May 1960).
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. White House Staff Files of Walter W. Heller
JFKWHSFWWH-MF28-022
This folder contains a small selection of memoranda and outlines by Council of Economic Advisers staff. Topics include interest rates, the federal deficit, assumptions underlying the President's tax proposals, and a methodology for tracking economic activity in national defense emergencies.