"POLITICS WAS CLEARLY IN JFK'S BLOOD"

KENNEDY & FITZGERALD SERVE TOGETHER IN STATE SENATE


Boston (JFK+50) On January 4, 1893, P. J. Kennedy* began his second term as Massachusetts state senator serving the 4th Suffolk District while John F. Fitzgerald** began his first term as state senator from the 3rd Suffolk District.
  
Mr. Kennedy would serve as chairman of the Committee on the State House.   Mr. Fitzgerald, known as "Honey Fitz", would be chairman of the Committee on Engrossed Bills.

P.J. Kennedy was JFK's paternal grandfather while J.F. Fitzgerald was his maternal grandfather.  Politics was clearly in John F. Kennedy's blood.

*Patrick Joseph Kennedy (1858-1929) was born in Boston, MA, the youngest child of Patrick Kennedy and Bridget Murphy, both from New Ross, County Wexford, Ireland.

PJK attended Boston College and was prominent in local business before getting into politics.  PJK served in the MA State Senate 1884-1895. In 1888 he made a seconding speech for Grover Cleveland at the Democratic national convention.

**John Francis Fitzgerald (1863-1950) was born in Boston, the son of Thomas Fitzgerald of County Limerick and Rosanna Cox of County Cavan, Ireland.  He was educated at Boston Latin School and Boston College. 

JFF served as state senator 1892-1894, member of the U.S. House of Representatives 1895-1901 and March 4 to Oct 23, 1919. He was mayor of Boston 1906-1908 and 1910-1914. 

P.J. Kennedy

  John F. Fitzgerald

JOHN F. FITZGERALD'S VICTORY IS SUCCESSFULLY CONTESTED

HONEY FITZ ELECTED TO CONGRESS


Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) On November 5, 1918,  the former mayor of Boston, John Francis "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald, won the 10th District congressional seat in a close race.

Fitzgerald received 7,227 votes while opponents Peter F. Tague, an Independent, received 6,998 & Republican Hammond T. Fletcher had 1069.


The former mayor's son-in-law, Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr., served as a fund-raiser.*


*Fitzgerald served in the United States Congress from March 4 to October 23, 1919.  He was forced to give up his seat when Tague successfully contested the results.  Honey Fitz made unsuccessful bids for the senate in 1916 & governor in 1922.

        John F. "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald

"I FELL IN LOVE WHEN I WAS 17 & NEVER FELL OUT"

ROSE FITZGERALD BORN IN BOSTON

Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) The mother of the future 35th POTUS, Rose Elizabeth Fitzgerald, was born on July 22, 1890 at 4 Garden Court Street here in Boston's North End.  

Rose's parents were John F. and Mary Josephine Fitzgerald.  She studied piano at the New England Conservatory and attended the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Manhattanville, NY.  Rose met Joe Kennedy in Old Orchard, Maine in 1906 and married Joseph P. Kennedy on October 7, 1914. 

Rose later recalled..."I fell in love when I was seventeen and I never fell out."

John F. "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald, then the Mayor of Boston, did not share his daughter's love for Joe and the wedding ceremony was held in private attended only by family and the closest friends.  The couple began their marriage living in Brookline and would eventually have 9 children,  one of them becoming President and two others becoming United States Senators.  

Rose died at the Kennedy Compound in Hyannis Port on January 22, 1995.  The funeral was held at St. Stephen's Church on January 24 in Boston's North End where Rose had been born.  Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, who left behind 30 grandchildren and 41 great grandchildren, was buried in Brookline's Holyhood Cemetery next to her husband Joe.

SOURCES

"Rose Kennedy and Her Family:  The Best and Worst of Their Lives and Times," by Barbara Gibson and Ted Schwarz, Carol Publishing Group, New York, 1995.

"Rose Kennedy, Political Matriarch Dies at 104," by Robert D. McFadden, January 23, 1995, www.nytimes.com/

Rose Kennedy & the President

Statler Hilton Hotel

Washington, D.C.

December 6, 1962

Photo by Abbie Rowe

JFK Library Image

JFK SWORN IN AS US SENATOR

JFK+50:  Volume 6, No. 1817

JFK SWORN IN AS UNITED STATES SENATOR TWICE ON JANUARY 3RD

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) John F. Kennedy was sworn on January 3rd twice as United States Senator representing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The first came 62 years ago today, January 3, 1953 and the second came 56 years ago today, January 3, 1959.

In his first election to the United States Senate, Representative John F. Kennedy, a 35 year old three term 11th district congressman, narrowly defeated incumbent Republican Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr. in the fall election.

The Lodge family had ruled political life in the Commonwealth for many years and JFK's grandfather, John F. Fitzgerald, had been defeated by Cabot Lodge's grandfather for the United States Senate in 1916.

The Senate election of 1952 marked the end of the Lodge dynasty and the beginning of the Kennedy dynasty in Massachusetts.  Since 1953, no member of the Lodge family has held political office in the Commonwealth.

Senator Kennedy served on the Government Operations and Labor as well as the Public Welfare committees during his 1st term.  The other senator representing Massachusetts was Republican Leverett Saltonstall*.

After being sworn in for his second Senate term, Senator Kennedy, age 41, joined the 86th Congress as a member for the Foreign Relations Committee, the Public Welfare Committee and the Joint Economic Committee.

*Leverett A. Saltonstall (1892-1979) served as Governor of Massachusetts 1939-1945 and United States Senator 1945-1967.  LAS was born in Chestnut Hill, MA to a family that traced its roots back to the Mayflower.  He graduated from Harvard in 1914 and Harvard Law School in 1917.  LAS served in the US Army in WWI.

JIMMY CARTER AT NOTRE DAME

JIMMY CARTER SPOKE AT NOTRE DAME 37 YEARS AGO TODAY

South Bend (JFK+50) President James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, after just 4 months in office, gave a commencement address 37 years ago today, May 22, 1977, at Notre Dame University here in South Bend, Indiana.

The President noted recent successes in India, Greece and Spain in bringing about democratic governments.

President Carter said:

"We are now free of that inordinate fear of communism which led us to embrace any dictator who joined us in our fear."

The President took the opportunity to speak about a new policy. 

 He said what is needed now...

"is a policy based on constant decency in its values and an optimism in our historic vision."

     President Carter at Notre Dame
      photo from www.spectator.org


HONEY FITZ WITHDREW FROM SENATE RACE 70 YEARS AGO

Boston (JFK+50) Former mayor of Boston and Massachusetts congressman John F. "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald announced his withdrawal 70 years ago today, May 22, 1944, from the race for nomination of the Democratic Party for United States Senate.

Less than a dozen candidates remained in the race at the time.

Honey Fitz, Joe and Jack Kennedy

Library of Congress photo by Hy Peskin

CHARLES SUMNER BEATEN ON SENATE FLOOR 158 YEARS AGO

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts,  just days after giving a speech attacking both the institution of slavery and South Carolina Senator Andrew Butler, was severely beaten 158 years ago today, May 22, 1856, as he sat at his desk on the floor of the senate.

During a break between sessions, Sumner was busy writing at his desk when Congressman Preston Brooks, a cousin of Senator Butler's, came into the chamber carrying a wooden cane.

Brooks, with only a few bystanders looking on, proceeded to beat Sumner over the head and shoulders with the cane.

Sumner attempted to get up from his desk but could not do so because it was bolted to the floor.

Although Sumner would eventually recover, he was unable to return to the senate for 3 years.

Brooks became an instant Southern hero and  received many new canes in the mail, one with the inscription "Hit Him Again!"

JFK'S UNCLE, JOHN F. FITZGERALD, JR., MARRIED 85 YEARS AGO TODAY

April 28, 2013

JFK's UNCLE, JOHN F. FITZGERALD, JR., MARRIED 85 YEARS AGO TODAY 

Dorchester, Massachusetts (JFK+50) 85 years ago today, April 28, 1928, President John F. Kennedy's uncle, John Francis Fitzgerald, Jr.* married Catherine O'Hearn at St. Ambrose's Church here in Dorchester.

The groom's father, JFK's grandfather, John F. Fitzgerald, Sr.,** a.k.a. "Honey Fitz," had served 2 terms as mayor of Boston, from 1906 to 1908 and from 1910 to 1914.  Honey Fitz had also represented the 10th District of Massachusetts in the United States Congress from 1895 to 1901.

The bride's father, Patrick O'Hearn, who passed away before his daughter's marriage, had been Building Commissioner in Boston.

When John F. Fitzgerald, Jr, known as "Johnny," was 5 years old, his father bought a "palatial Victorian mansion" at 39 Welles Avenue in Dorchester where he lavishly entertained "friends, celebrities and common folk  alike."

By 1903, Honey Fitz and his family moved to Concord Junction (now West Concord) in a house "set back from the road on a little hill."  It had a wide veranda and a conservatory which was glassed in.  Johnny's older sister, Rose, described these as...

"wonderful years...full of the traditional pleasures and satisfactions of life in a small New England town."

Despite the edict that commanded Catholic parents to send their children to  church schools, Honey Fitz and Josie sent theirs to the Concord Public Schools.  

The elder Fitzgerald believed the public schools to be "training grounds for success in the world," and besides West Concord Grammar School was just 3 blocks away.

Boston Chamber of Commerce Post Card
         Mary E. McKee, artist (1907)

In 1906, John F. Fitzgerald, Sr. campaigned for mayor of Boston.  His slogan was "Bigger, Better, Busier Boston!"

After Honey Fitz was elected mayor, Johnny predicted that his father would be Governor of Massachusetts and eventually President of the United States. 

^While HF did make a bid for the 1912 Democratic presidential nomination, he withdrew at the last minute for unknown reasons.

At the inauguration on January 1, 1906, Johnny and his brother Thomas wore "black velvet Eton suits."

In a long inaugural speech, the new Mayor of Boston said...

"What we need...is a reawakening of (Boston) civic pride,"  (along with)
"imagination and risk."

In 1909, Honey Fitz made "Sweet Adeline" his campaign theme song and loved to sing it whenever he had the opportunity.  The tune is a barbershop standard published in 1903.

The lyrics are by Richard H. Gerard and the music by Harry Armstrong.

                        You Tube Video


SOURCES

The Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys, An American Saga by Doris Kearns Goodwin, Simon an Schuster, New York, 1987.

www.kennedy-web.com/fitz.htm

*John Francis Fitzgerald, Jr. (1897-1979) was the 4th of 6 children of John F. and Mary Josephine "Josie" Hannon.  He was the younger brother of JFK's mother, Rose Elizabeth Fitzgerald. JFF, Jr. was later elected as a Town Meeting Member in Milton, Massachusetts.

**John Francis Fitzgerald, Sr. (1863-1950) was born in Boston, the son of Irish immigrants Thomas Fitzgerald and Rosanne Cox.  Representing the 9th District, he opposed an anti-immigration bill and when it passed, he convinced President Grover Cleveland to veto it.  Immigration would remain unrestricted for the next 25 years.

                            John F. Fitzgerald
                  Library of Congress Image

Honey Fitz helped his grandson, John F. Kennedy, in the 1946 campaign for congress & when he went to the White House in 1961, JFK paid tribute to his grandfather by naming the presidential yacht in his honor.

                       You Tube Video
                          

GETTING INTO POLITICS III

May 5, 2012

"JOHNNY WE HARDLY KNEW YE": Memories of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Getting Into Politics III.

Knoxville, Tennessee (JFK+50) Today we continue our report on Chapter 2 of the book by Kenneth P. O'Donnell & David F. Powers with Joe McCarthy.  It is published by Little, Brown & Company.

The title of Chapter 2 is "Getting Into Politics".


This chapter continues the discussion of JFK's entry into the political profession in 1946.


O'Donnell & Powers write:


"One notable figure from Boston's political past who enjoyed mingling (in JFK's congressional campaign)was Grandfather (John F. "Honey Fitz") Fitzgerald."


They say that Honey Fitz was around all day.  He told of his own experiences in politics, gave advice to JFK's speech writers, & often sang his signature "Sweet Adeline."


And yet, according to the authors, JFK was a far cry from the traditional Boston pols like his own grandfather.  


JFK had an "air of quiet refinement" & "sincere platform manner."


This chapter includes the following quote:


"After a half a century of oafishness....this attractive, well-spoken, graceful, witty, Celtic, Harvard-bred & very rich young man was what every suburban matron would like her son to be."


Francis Russell

JOHN F. FITZGERALD

February 11, 1863


JOHN FRANCIS FITZGERALD BORN IN BOSTON


On this day JFK's maternal grandfather, John Francis Fitzgerald, was born in Boston, Massachusetts.


His parents were Thomas Fitzgerald of County Limerick & Rose Anna Cox of County Cavan, Ireland

John F. Fitzgerald was educated at the Boston Latin School & Boston College.  He served twice as Mayor of Boston & was elected to the US Congress.


"Honey Fitz", as he came to be known, was a natural politician who loved people & loved to sing "Sweet Adeline".


At the age of 85, he advised his grandson, John F. Kennedy, who was running for Congress in 1946.  Honey Fitz predicted JFK would one day be President of the United States.


John F. Fitzgerald died on October 2, 1950 & when his grandson became President in 1961, JFK would name the Presidential yacht, "Honey Fitz". 

February 11, 1990


NELSON MANDELA RELEASED


Today, after 27 years, the leader of the African National Congress, Nelson Mandela, has been released by order of newly elected South African President F.W. de Klerk.

In 1960, Mandela, who has long fought against control of South Africa by apartheid, the white minority government, organized guerrilla warfare in response to the massacre of peaceful black demonstrators.


In 1964, Mandela was convicted of treason & sentenced to life imprisonment.*


*In 1993, both F.W. de Klerk & Nelson Mandela will be awarded a Nobel Peace Prize & Mandela will be elected President of South Africa in 1994.


February 11, 1945


FDR ON WAY HOME FROM YALTA


After a week of meetings with Prime Minister Churchill of Great Britain & Josef Stalin of the USSR, President Roosevelt is returning home.


The President, who has suffered poor health recently, is accompanied by his daughter, Anna.*


*FDR will die from a cerebral hemorrhage on April 12, 1945

February 11, 1861


PRESIDENT-ELECT LEAVES FOR WASHINGTON


Abraham Lincoln, President-elect of the United States, departed his hometown of Springfield, Illinois bound for the White House.


Mr. Lincoln, speaking from the rear car of his train, said the following:


"I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington."*

*President Lincoln was to be assassinated in April 1865.  His body would return to Springfield borne by a funeral train.