Corrimal Street,

Wollongong, N.S.W.

Australia

23rd November, 1963

My dear Mrs Kennedy,

I just wanted to tell you that in our household, so many miles away form you, my family and I were horrified and deeply saddened to hear this morning of the death of your husband. It was like a personal loss.

The President and his family took the hearts of the Australian people in a way quite different from any other interest which we have had in the leaders of other countries. It was not only the attraction of a charming couple, who obviously loved each other, and their delightful little family but the president had sincerity, breadth of vision, a young and yet mature approach to problems and the courage to say what he thought and stick to his considered opinion. In fact he was the type of man to inspire confidence not only in his own countrymen but even in the people of other lands. We are going to sadly miss him.

His courageous stand for human rights in your big racial problem over there was very much admired here as indeed was his interest in the human rights of people all over the world and you were obviously a wonderful help to him.

No doubt you will have many messages of condolence from all the leaders of the world but I am writing now because I just want to make sure that at least one Australian mother writes to tell you personally how she and her family feels about your loss and I know that this is the general opinion of people around me.

I cannot believe that God would permit your husband to die for no deeply important reason, even if we cannot see clearly now what that reason is. I assure you that we will pray for the repose of your husband's soul and your won consolation.

Sincerely,

Patricia Hall"

Source: Kennedy Presidential Library 

"Executive Order

Establishing the President's Commission on the status of women:

Whereas prejudices and outmoded customs act as barriers to the full realization of women's basic rights which should be respected and fostered as part of our Nation's commitment to human dignity, freedom, and democracy; and

Whereas measures that contribute to family security and strengthen home life will advance the general welfare; and

Whereas it is the national interest to promote the economy, security, and national defense through the most efficient and effective utilization of the skills of all persons; and

Whereas in every period of national emergency women have served with distinction in widely varied capacities but thereafter have been subject to treatment as a marginal group whose skills have been inadequately utilized; and

Whereas women should be assured the opportunity to develop their capacities and fulfill their aspirations on a continuing basis irrespective of national exigencies; and

Whereas a Governmental Commission should be charged with the responsibility for developing recommendations for overcoming discriminations in government and private employment on the basis of sex and for developing recommendation for services which will enable women to continue their role as wives and mothers while making a maximum contribution to the world around them:

Now, therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and statutes of the United States, it is ordered as follows:

Part III- Remuneration and Expenses

Sec. 301. Members of the Commission, except those receiving other compensation from the United States, shall receive such compensation as the President shall hereafter fix in a manner to be hereafter determined.

The White House,

December 14, 1961"

Political comedian Stephen Colbert discusses growing up with images of the Kennedys in his house and explains how he viewed JFK as a mythical being from a young age. John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963.

"Mr. John F. Kennedy

The White House

Washington, D.C.

Dear Mr. President:

I take the liberty of writing you as a fellow classmate of Harvard 1940, and as the man I voted for last November.

I am a musician, a singer of folk songs, facing trial for contempt of Congress on March 13th, because I declined to testify fully before the HUAC in August 1955, in New York. Since I did not use the 5th amendment, I was later cited for contempt and indicted.

At that time I stated under oath "…in my whole life I have never done anything of any conspiratorial nature…" I refused, however, to state whether or not I had ever sung specifically for the Communist Party, or joined it, saying "I have sung for Americans of Every political persuasion, and I am proud that I never refused to sing to an audience no matter what their religion or color of their skin, or situation of life…. I have never refused to sing for anybody because I disagreed with their political opinion."

Here is another sample of their questioning:

Mr. Tavenner: Did you sing this song, to which we have referred. "Now Is The Time," at Wingdale Lodge on the weekend of July 11th?

Mr. Seeger: I don't know any song by that name; I know a song with a similar name. It is called "Wasn't That A Time." Is that the song?

Chairman Walter: Did you sing that song?

Mr. Seeger: I can sing it; I don't know how well I can do it without my banjo…

Chairman Walter: I direct you to answer the question. Did you sing this particular song on the 11th of July at Wingdale Lodge in New York?

For not answering questions like this I am liable for a sentence of one year in jail on each of three counts. I enclose a copy of the song under discussion.

I would not take up your valuable time with my personal problem, except that I feel it is a very fundamental one which concerns all America these days. Do I, or does any citizen, have the right to hold unorthodox opinions, whether they be purely right or horribly wrong, and do I have the right to join with others who think similarly?- Without being blacklisted or persecuted as a 'subversive'.

My uncle, Alan Seeger, the poet, Harvard '10, the second American to die in World War I, in his poem 'Message to America,' issued this call:

'You have the grit and the guts, I know

You are ready to answer blow for blow

You are virile, combative, stubborn, hard

But your honor ends with your own backyard;

Each man intent on his private goal,

You have no feelings for the whole;

What singly none would tolerate

You let unpunished hit the state,

Unmindful that each man must share

The stain he lets his country wear,

And (what no traveller ignores)

That her good name is often yours.'

Should we not heed it now?

Sincerely,

Peter Seeger"

Submitted by: From the White House Central Name File, Box 2513, JFK Library