"THEY CALL FOR A BETTER STANDARD OF LIVING"

JFK TALKS UP ALLIANCE FOR PROGRESS IN COSTA RICA

San Jose, Costa Rica (JFK+50) On March 19, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was on the second day of his trip to Costa Rica talking up the Alliance For Progress* program.

The President commented at the El Busque Housing Project about "new goals for democracy to suit the demands of a new age."

President Kennedy added...

"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."

JFK+50 NOTE

President Kennedy's visit to Costa Rica was March 18-20, 1963.

*Alliance For Progress (Allanza para el Progreso) a program of mutual economic cooperation between the United States & Latin America.

The U.S. was to provide $20 billion in economic aid over 10 years with Latin America pledging $80 billion.  

AFP goals included establishment of democratic governments in Latin America nations.

SOURCE

"Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, John F. Kennedy, January 1 - November 22, 1963," United States Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1964.

JFK in Costa Rica

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library

Boston, Massachusetts

"OUR STRONG IDENTIFICATION WITH LATIN AMERICA"

JFK SPEAKS OF ALLIANCE FOR PROGRESS IN COSTA RICA

San Jose, Costa Rica (JFK+50) On March 18, 1963, President John F. Kennedy addressed the members of the American Colony from the steps of the Ambassador's residence here in San Jose.

President Kennedy said...

"Our great effort...must be to help construct democratic, responsible and stable governments which provide an ever-increasing standard of living for the people of their countries.  That is our objective.  That is the meaning of the Alliance for Progress."

The President continued...

"I hope that all of us...can demonstrate our strong identification with the people of Costa Rica, with the people of...Latin America."

Also in attendance were Secretary of State Dean Rusk along with some members of the United States Senate and House of Representatives.  U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica, Raymond Telles*, was also present.

*Raymond L. Telles, Jr. (1915-2013) was born in El Paso, TX & served in the US Army Air-Force in WWII & USAF during the Korean War.  RLT was the 1st Mexican-American mayor of a major U.S. city (El Paso) & 1st Hispanic appointed to a U.S. ambassadorship.

SOURCE

"Remarks to Members of the American Colony in San Jose.  March 18, 1963," 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. 

   

 

Raymond L. Telles

U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica

April 1961

Photo by Abbie Rowe

JFK Library Image

"NEW GOALS FOR DEMOCRACY TO SUIT DEMANDS OF A NEW AGE"

"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.

JFK Motorcade in Costa Rica