JFK HONORS PRESIDENT MONROY OF ECUADOR
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy honored President Carlos Julio Arosemena Monroy of Ecuador today at a White House luncheon.
The President's mother, Rose, served as hostess for the luncheon as Jacqueline Kennedy is away from the White House.*
*President Monroy would be ousted from power in a military coup in 1963 after 2 failed attempts to impeach him. One source says that he was disliked for his "leftist leanings" but more so because of his "immoderate drinking".
Carlos Julio Arosenmena Monroy
President of Ecuador
Photo of Monument by
Markus Lampe, Resthausen (2005)
July 23, 1962
JFK'S NEWS CONFERENCE TELECAST LIVE TO EUROPE VIA "TELSTAR"
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) History was made today at the State Department Auditorium when President Kennedy's news conference was transmitted live to Europe.
During the conference, JFK was asked the following question:
"Mr. President, now that the US image is being transmitted instantaneously overseas by Telstar, do you think the (TV) networks should do something about the "vast wasteland"?"*
*The "vast wasteland" was a term coined in 1961 by FCC chairman Newton Minow who in commenting about the quality of American TV programming said:
"When television is good, nothing is better (but) when television is bad, nothing is worse."
JFK, obviously not wanting to be critical of the networks, laughed & said:
"I'm going to leave Mr. Minow to argue the "wasteland" issue, I think."
Newton Minow
FCC Chairman
July 23, 1962
JFK DECLINES TO BLAME SENATE DEMOCRATS FOR MEDICARE'S DEMISE
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) At his news conference today, President Kennedy was reminded that when his Medicare Bill was defeated in the Senate he had said that a "handful" of Democrats joined with Republicans to vote against the bill.
The reporter said: "There were 21. Wasn't it a pretty big handful & won't this tend to inhibit you (on this issue)?"
JFK answered:
"No! 2/3 of the Democrats voted for (Medicare). 1/3 voted against. About 6/7 or 7/8 of the Republicans voted against it. So this combination of almost total Republican opposition with 1/3 of the Democrats defeated us by 52-45."
JFK continued:
"The fact is this Administration is for Medicare & 2/3 of the Democrats are for (it) & 7/8 of the Republicans are against it. That seems to me to be the issue."*
*EDITORIAL COMMENT
Medicare passed, of course, under LBJ.
The question I have is how many of the Senate Republicans who voted against Medicare in 1962 (or for that matter of the Republicans in the US today) refused (or refuse) to accept Medicare coverage?
Just asking!
Medicare ID Card
July 23, 1959
SENATE DEFEATS JFK'S BILL ON STUDENT LOANS
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) The United States Senate today defeated Senator John F. Kennedy's (D-Massachusetts) bill to remove the "loyalty oath" students must sign as a requirement to receive a federal loan.
Students who apply for a federal loan for college tuition must sign an oath swearing that they have never been connected with the Communist Party or any other subversive organization.
July 23, 1935
JOE KENNEDY MAKES COVER OF "TIME"
New York City (JFK+50) FDR's chairman of the Securities & Exchange Commission, Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr., has made the cover of Time magazine.
Mr. Kennedy's picture includes the caption:
"He makes it easy for the honest".
July 23, 1885
ULYSSES S. GRANT DEAD AT 63
Mount McGregor, New York (JFK+50) The 18th President of the United States, Ulysses Simpson Grant, died here today at the age of 63.
The former president had just completed his "memoirs" which he had been working on despite his illness in order to provide financial assistance to his family.
Mr. Grant died of throat cancer.
U.S. Grant graduated from West Point in 1843 & served in the war with Mexico.
He resigned from the army but re-enlisted when the Civil War began.
Although one of our country's most successful military leaders, Grant proved to be one of the least successful presidents.
He was elected in 1868 & re-elected in 1872, but his administration was marked by scandal.
U.S. Grant
Writing His "Memoirs"
1885
