JFK WELCOMES DIPLOMATIC CORPS OF LATIN AMERICA
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On March 13, 1961, President John F. Kennedy addressed Members of Congress along with the Ambassadorial Corps of the Western Hemisphere at the White House.
The President had asked the ambassadors to come to the Executive Mansion to discuss the challenges and dangers faced by the nations of the Western Hemisphere.
Speaking in the East Room, President Kennedy said...
"Throughout Latin America...millions...suffer the daily degradations of poverty and hunger. They lack decent shelter or protection from disease. Their children are deprived of the education or the jobs which are the gateway to a better life."
JFK continued...
"If we are to meet a problem so staggering...our approach must...be...bold. Therefore, I have called on all people of the hemisphere to join in a new Alliance for Progress--a vast cooperative effort...to satisfy the basic needs of the American people for homes, work and land, health and schools."
The President concluded....
"Let us once again transform the American continent into a vast crucible of revolutionary ideas and efforts...an example to all the world that liberty and progress walk hand in hand. Let us once again awaken our American revolution until it guides the struggle of people everywhere--not with an imperialism of force and fear---but the rule of courage and freedom and hope for the future of man."*
*Following JFK's address, his remarks were translated & broadcast in Spanish, Portuguese and French to Latin America via the Voice of America.
SOURCE
"Address at a White House Reception for Members of Congress and for the Diplomatic Corps of the Latin American Republics, March 13 1961," Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, January 20 to December 31, 1961, United States Government Printing Office, Washington, 1962.
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On March 13, 1961, President John F. Kennedy addressed Members of Congress along with the Ambassadorial Corps of the Western Hemisphere at the White House.
The President had asked the ambassadors to come to the Executive Mansion to discuss the challenges and dangers faced by the nations of the Western Hemisphere.
Speaking in the East Room, President Kennedy said...
"Throughout Latin America...millions...suffer the daily degradations of poverty and hunger. They lack decent shelter or protection from disease. Their children are deprived of the education or the jobs which are the gateway to a better life."
JFK continued...
"If we are to meet a problem so staggering...our approach must...be...bold. Therefore, I have called on all people of the hemisphere to join in a new Alliance for Progress--a vast cooperative effort...to satisfy the basic needs of the American people for homes, work and land, health and schools."
The President concluded....
"Let us once again transform the American continent into a vast crucible of revolutionary ideas and efforts...an example to all the world that liberty and progress walk hand in hand. Let us once again awaken our American revolution until it guides the struggle of people everywhere--not with an imperialism of force and fear---but the rule of courage and freedom and hope for the future of man."*
*Following JFK's address, his remarks were translated & broadcast in Spanish, Portuguese and French to Latin America via the Voice of America.
SOURCE
"Address at a White House Reception for Members of Congress and for the Diplomatic Corps of the Latin American Republics, March 13 1961," Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, January 20 to December 31, 1961, United States Government Printing Office, Washington, 1962.
President John F. Kennedy
March 13, 1962
State Dining Room
1st Anniversary of the
Alliance for Progress
