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Tuesday, March 19, 2013

"VIVA COSTA RICA"

JFK SETS "NEW GOALS FOR DEMOCRACY" IN CENTRAL AMERICA

San Jose, Costa Rica (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy was spending his 2nd day in Central America 50 years ago today, March 19, 1963, continuing to speak about the accomplishments of the Alliance for Progress.

After JFK had given a luncheon toast to the people of Costa Rica & the Presidents of Central America & Panama, President Luis Somoza* of Nicaragua said...

"Yesterday you saw thousands of people cheering for you, for your country & what your country represents to us...&....(to) the free world."

Later in the day, President Kennedy gave an address at the El Bosque Housing Project where he spoke of "new goals for democracy to suit the demands of a new age" which he said were being addressed by the Alliance.

JFK said...

"They call for a better standard of living for all of our citizens in order that they may produce & live up to their capabilities."

The President of the United States added...

"Education, homes, jobs, health, security---those are the things for which this country stands.  Those are the things in which the people of the United States strongly believe."

JFK closed with...

"Viva Costa Rica, Arriba Costa Rica."

*Luis Anastasio Somoza (1922-1967) was born in Leon, Nicaragua & attended LaSalle Military Academy on Long Island & LSU.  He succeeded his father, who was assassinated, as president of his country in 1956. He died of a heart attack at the age of 45.


SOURCE

"Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, John F. Kennedy, January 1, to November 22, 1963."  United States Government Printing Office, Washington, 1964.