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Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-210
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of August 20, 1963 (News Conference 60). The President begins the press conference with a statement urging the House of Representatives to pass the Mutual Defense and Assistance Bill of 1964, stating that the foreign aid program is essential to the strength of the free world. Following this announcement the President answers questions on a variety of topics including the four safeguards proposed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff to protect the country under the limited language of the Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT), the upcoming civil rights march in Washington D.C., atmospheric nuclear testing, British Guiana, and legislation.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-194-001
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s radio and television address on civil rights. In his speech the President responds to the threats of violence and obstruction on the University of Alabama campus following desegregation attempts, explaining that the United States was founded on the principle that all men are created equal and thus, all American students should be allowed to attend public educational institutions without the presence of military force, regardless of race. He also discusses how discrimination affects education, public safety, and international relations, noting that the country cannot preach freedom internationally while ignoring it domestically. The President asks Congress to enact legislation protecting all Americans' voting rights, legal standing, educational opportunities, and access to public facilities; but recognizes that legislation alone cannot solve the country's problems concerning race relations.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-186
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of May 22, 1963 (News Conference 56). During this press conference President Kennedy answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the controversial integration at the University of Alabama, the 1963 Wheat Referendum, the 1964 Presidential election, troops in Vietnam, foreign aid, and the progress of the nuclear test ban proposal.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-168-002
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s remarks to legislative and civil rights leaders of the International Union of Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers (IUEW) of the American Federation of Labor, Congress of Industrial Organization (AFL-CIO). In his speech the President commends the IUEW-AFL-CIO for the economic support of its members, support for free trade, and its fight for civil rights.