JFK ADDRESSES CONFERENCE ON EXPORTS
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On September 17, 1963, President John F. Kennedy delivered a major address to the members of the White House Conference on Exports at the Mayflower Hotel* here in the Nation's Capital.
The President said...
"It is our hope that out of this meeting will come not only a very candid consideration of what we as a Government are doing to assist you in developing your exports but also some proposals as to what we might do in the future which will improve this program."
JFK continued...
"Our ratio of exports to gross national product is only 4%--about one half of what it was a century ago.
We still have a larger volume of exports than any other country (but) there is no reason why this Nation should be able to export only 4% of its GNP when Germany exports 16%, Italy 10%, Japan 9%, Sweden 19%, Switzerland 22%. and the Netherlands, a staggering 35%.
We are now committed in the Trade Expansion Act to full participation in a world market of vast dimensions."
*The Mayflower Hotel, located at 1127 Connecticut Ave NW in Washington, D.C., is the largest luxury hotel in the district as well as the longest continuously open hotel in the Nation's Capital. The MH opened in 1925. It has 512 rooms, 69 suites including 2 presidential suites. It has been called 'the hotel of presidents.'
SOURCE
"Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: John F. Kennedy, 1963," United States Government Printing Office, Washington, 1964.
The Mayflower Hotel
Washington, D.C.
Harris & Ewing Photo
Library of Congress Image
