ALLIANCE FOR PROGRESS SIGNED IN URUGUAY
Punta Del Este, Uruguay (JFK+50) The Alliance For Progress was signed here today by representatives of the United States & 19 Latin American countries.
President John F. Kennedy proposed the Alliance in March of this year.
By the terms of the Alliance, the United States will provide financial assistance to Latin America over the next 10 years that will be used to promote economic development, social progress & political freedom.
President Kennedy has expressed the desire to help the people of the region to rise out of poverty but he also hopes to stem the spread of communism there.*
*When JFK visited Colombia, he was greeted by wildly cheering crowds. Alberto Lleras Camargo, President of Colombia, told him: "Its because they believe you are on their side."
August 17, 1961
JFK RECOGNIZES IMPORTANCE OF UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy, on the 25th anniversary of the 1st unemployment insurance fund, wrote a letter to Secretary of Labor Arthur J. Goldberg today expressing appreciation for the role of unemployment insurance in helping to "ease the financial burden of many millions of workers who lost their jobs through no fault of their own."
Arthur J. Goldberg
Official Portrait
Department of Labor
August 17, 1962
JFK BEGINS CONSERVATION TRIP TO THE WEST
Pierre, South Dakota (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy attended the dedication today of the Oahe Dam near Pierre, South Dakota.
The Oahe Dam is the world's largest rolled-earth dam.
The Presidential visit marks the beginning of a trip to conservation centers in the Western United States.
JFK also traveled today to Pueblo, Colorado & the Castle Air Force Base in California.
Oahe Dam Flooding
June 15, 2011
Photo by Travisleehardin
August 17, 1963
LEE HARVEY OSWALD GIVES RADIO INTERVIEW
New Orleans, Louisiana (JFK+50) Lee Harvey Oswald, secretary of the New Orleans chapter of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee, was interviewed today on a local radio program.
Mr. Oswald appeared on WDSU-AM's "Latin Listening Post" & was questioned by William K. Stuckey.*
*Just a few days later Oswald appears on WDSU's "Conversation Carte Blanche" in a debate with Ed Butler of the Information Council of the Americas & Carlos Bringuier, a Cuban refugee. (The radio interview of August 17th 1963 can be heard on You Tube.)
August 17, 1959
LEE HARVEY OSWALD FILES FOR DISCHARGE
El Toro, California (JFK+50) Private First Class Lee Harvey Oswald applied today for a hardship discharge from the United States Marine Corps.
Private Oswald states that his mother has suffered an injury & needs his support.*
*Oswald was released from active duty in the USMC on September 11, 1959.
According to Robert J. Groden's "The Search for Lee Harvey Oswald" (1995), Lee's mother, Marguerite Oswald, was injured on December 5, 1958 when a box of glass jars fell on her head while she was working at a department store in Fort Worth, Texas.
According to Groden, she had "completely recovered months before Lee applied for the early discharge".
August 17, 1956
KEFAUVER DEFEATS JFK FOR DEMOCRATIC VP
Chicago, Illinois (JFK+50) Senator Estes Kefauver of Tennessee defeated Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts in the balloting at the Democratic National Convention to become the party's nominee for Vice-President.
Senator Kefauver won the nomination on the 2nd ballot after his colleague, Tennessee Senator Al Gore, Sr. bowed out of the race & threw his support to Kefauver.
Senator Kennedy gave a gracious concession speech after the balloting in which he asked the convention to make Kefauver's nomination unanimous.*
*This was the only political race JFK ever lost. In July 1962 my Dad & Uncle took me to Senator Kefauver's office in Washington & we had the opportunity to meet him & shake his hand.
Senator Estes Kefauver
