LESTER PEARSON EASES 'STRAIN ON U.S.-CANADIAN RELATIONS'
Hyannis Port, Massachusetts (JFK+50) On May 11, 1963, The Evening Star reports that new Canadian prime minister Lester Pearson* hosted a reception last evening for President John F. Kennedy and the press of both the United States and Canada.
David S. Broder describes the prime minister as "the life of the party in Bobby Kennedy's living room" and in the process eased "the strain on U.S.-Canadian relations."
Mr. Pearson then "flew off by helicopter to the President's summer home" here in Hyannis for lunch and "the start of their talks."
JFK+50 NOTE
Upon greeting PM Pearson's arrival to the United States again in May 1963, JFK said "We share a neighbor's pride in the prime minister's career" & welcomed him "as an old friend of the United States." JFK & Pearson shared a "warm, productive relationship."
*Lester Bowles Pearson (1897-1972) was born in Newtonbrook, Ontario & educated at Victoria University. LBP served as Canadian ambassador to the U.S. 1944-1946 & won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957. He served as PM of Canada 1963-1968 & initiated progressive policies.
SOURCES
"Pearson Thaws Ottawa Frost At Meeting With Kennedy," by David S. Broder, The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., May 11, 1963, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
"Welcoming Remarks to Prime Minister of Canada At Otis AFB, Falmouth, MA, 10 May 1963," JFK Presidential Library and Museum, www.jfklibrary.org/
