"VIVA COSTA RICA, ARRIBA COSTA RICA"
San Jose, Costa Rica (JFK+50) On March 19, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was spending his second day in Central America and speaking about the accomplishments of the Alliance for Progress.
After JFK had given a luncheon toast to the people of Costa Rica and the presidents of Central America and Panama, President Luis Somoza* of Nicaragua said...
"Yesterday you saw thousands of people cheering for you, for your country and what your country represents to us...and....(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."
JFK said...
"They call for a better standard of living for all of our citizens in order that they may produce and live up to their capabilities. 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.
San Jose, Costa Rica (JFK+50) On March 19, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was spending his second day in Central America and speaking about the accomplishments of the Alliance for Progress.
After JFK had given a luncheon toast to the people of Costa Rica and the presidents of Central America and Panama, President Luis Somoza* of Nicaragua said...
"Yesterday you saw thousands of people cheering for you, for your country and what your country represents to us...and....(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."
JFK said...
"They call for a better standard of living for all of our citizens in order that they may produce and live up to their capabilities. 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.
JFK Motorcade in Costa Rica
