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Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-JHH-01
In this interview Herling discusses John F. Kennedy [JFK] as part of the House Labor Committee headed by Andrew Jacobs; JFK’s understanding of labor issues; Robert F. Kennedy [RFK] and JFK as part of the McClellan Committee [U.S. Senate Select Committee on Improper Activities in Labor and Management]; RFK’s dinner with Edward Cheyfitz and James Hoffa and the attempted infiltration of the McClellan Committee; McClellan Committee hearings; George Meany testifying before the subcommittee on labor affairs of the Senate Labor and Education Committee and JFK’s reaction; labor unions’ support for JFK in the 1960 presidential campaign; the 1960 Democratic National Convention; Lyndon B. Johnson asking for labor support right before the 1960 Convention; the negative reaction to Johnson as the vice-presidential candidate from labor delegates; JFK and the Landum-Griffin Bill; and covering JFK’s 1960 campaign, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-JBC-01
Carey discusses the International Union of Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers' (IUE) close relationship with John F. Kennedy (JFK) during his years in Congress and as president, and JFK’s interest in international labor matters, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-RFK-05
In this interview Robert F. Kennedy [RFK] and Marshall discuss how John F. Kennedy [JFK] and RFK grew increasingly more involved with and concerned about civil rights; getting Martin Luther King out of jail during JFK’s 1960 campaign; civil rights advisers during JFK’s 1960 campaign; RFK becoming Attorney General amidst the civil rights battle and the transitional period in the Department of Justice [DOJ]; how Marshall got his position in the DOJ; the struggle over school desegregation; the New Orleans school crisis of February 1961; the Freedom Riders and violence against them; sending federal marshals to Alabama; trying to find a bus driver to get the Freedom Riders out of Birmingham, Alabama; criticism of RFK’s response to the Freedom Riders; how Freedom Riders were arrested and threatened in Mississippi; African-American voting rights in the South and DOJ authority; difficulties with judges; Supreme Court appointments; the FBI and organized crime; reorganization of the DOJ; RFK’s interactions with the FBI and J. Edgar Hoover after JFK’s death; Hoover’s allegations about JFK and the Kennedy family; the alleged FBI wiretapping of officials; JFK’s opinion of Hoover; FBI press releases; connecting the civil rights movement with communism to discredit it; FBI involvement in civil rights matters; issues with the FBI as having civilian control of a police force; JFK’s communication with King and other civil rights leaders; civil rights legislation; the issue of equal employment; the Civil Rights Commission; and violence against African Americans in Birmingham in the spring of 1963, among other issues.
Sound recording
Edward M. Kennedy Senate Files
EMKSEN-AU0008-003-013
Sound recording of radio program "Face Off." Senator Edward M. "Ted" Kennedy of Massachusetts and Senator Alan K. "Al" Simpson of Wyoming debate the failed attempt by Congress to override President George H. W. Bush's veto of legislation to increase the minimum wage to benefit the working poor. They comment on drafting new legislation on the same topic. The episode aired on Friday, June 16, 1989, on the Mutual Broadcasting System.
Oral history
Robert F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
RFKOH-JTC-03
In this interview Conway discusses getting Martin Luther King out of jail in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1963; Robert F. Kennedy’s [RFK] view of King and his actions; the March on Washington; working with RFK and the Justice Department on civil rights legislation; Walter Reuther; Conway’s decision to leave John F. Kennedy’s Administration and working on legislation from the outside; the Community Action Program; working with Senator RFK during the Johnson Administration; Senator RFK’s involvement in the labor movement; Jesse M. Unruh, RFK, and the 1968 California presidential primary; Department of Urban Affairs legislation; getting accelerated public works legislation through Congress; Housing and Home Finance Agency staff members; and the attempt to pick up congressional seats in 1962 and 1964, among other issues.
Oral history
Robert F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
RFKOH-JTC-02
In this interview Conway discusses working with John F. Kennedy’s [JFK] 1960 presidential campaign; the negative reaction to the choice of Lyndon B. Johnson for JFK’s running mate; labor leadership and JFK’s campaign; unions and the religious issue during the 1960 election; discussing presidential appointments with JFK after the election; Conway’s role in JFK’s Administration; the Housing and Home Finance Agency, legislation, and working with Congress; accelerated public works, the Department of Commerce, and problems with the extent of presidential powers; Walter Reuther and his relationship with JFK; confrontations between Johnson and Robert F. Kennedy [RFK]; working with RFK on civil rights marches and their legislative demands; and interactions with RFK from 1964 through 1968, among other issues.
Oral history
Robert F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
RFKOH-JTC-01
In this interview Conway discusses the 1956 Democratic National Convention; early interactions with John F. Kennedy [JFK] and Robert F. Kennedy [RFK]; the McClellan Committee and various hearings; Walter Reuther; RFK’s relationship with Senator John L. McClellan; major events for the United Automobile Workers [UAW] and political factors and decisions; the 1960 Democratic National Convention; the issue of UAW endorsement of a single Democratic presidential candidate in 1960; Lyndon B. Johnson and the UAW; the 1960 presidential primaries and general election; and the attempt to influence JFK’s choice for a running mate in 1960, among other issues.
Sound recording
Edward M. Kennedy Senate Files
EMKSEN-AU0008-001-009
Sound recording of the radio program "Face Off." Senator Edward M. "Ted" Kennedy of Massachusetts and Senator Alan K. "Al" Simpson of Wyoming debate the state of negotiations between President George H. W. Bush and the U.S. Congress on legislation to increase the minimum wage to benefit the working poor. The episode aired on Friday, April 28, 1989, on the Mutual Broadcasting System.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-23B
Dictation Belt 23B contains six sound recordings. Item 23B.1 is a telephone conversation between President John F. Kennedy and Senator George A. Smathers of Florida. It probably occurred between July 10 and July 17, 1963. They discuss President Kennedy’s response to an unidentified grievance, judgments about the suitability of men to serve in roles related to a railroad work rules dispute, and a press editorial critical of President Kennedy. The recording begins in mid-conversation. Item 23B.2 is closed. Personal conversations withdrawn under privacy provisions of the donor’s deed of gift. Item 23B.3 is a brief fragment of a telephone conversation held on July 17, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Secretary of the Treasury C. Douglas Dillon. The topic of discussion is unclear. The recording begins in mid-conversation. Item 23B.4 is a telephone conversation held on July 19, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Senator George A. Smathers of Florida. They discuss a legislative strategy for a foreign aid bill. The recording begins in mid-conversation. Item 23B.5 is a telephone conversation held on July 19, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Senator Russell B. Long of Louisiana. They discuss a foreign aid bill. [White House Operator?] announces the call. Item 23B.6 is part of a telephone conversation held on July 24, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Secretary of State Dean Rusk. They discuss hearings on a treaty banning atmospheric nuclear weapons tests, later known as the Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT) or the Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT) and the positions held by various Senators. The recording of this conversation ends abruptly and continues on Dictation Belt 23C.Transcript included. Each item listed above is also available individually as an excerpt derived from this full-length digitized recording. See Related Records for more information.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-26D
Dictation Belt 26D contains eight sound recordings. The recording of the conversation in item 26D.1 begins on Dictation Belt 26C.3. Item 26D.1 is part of a telephone conversation held on August 23, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Louis Harris. They continue to discuss polling on various issues, including tax cuts, Congress, and regional attitudes. Item 26D.2 is a telephone conversation held on August 23, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Assistant Secretary of State Frederick G. Dutton. They discuss congressional hearings on a treaty banning atmospheric nuclear weapons tests, later known as the Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT) or the Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT). Item 26D.3 is a telephone conversation held on August 23, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Special Assistant to the President Lawrence F. O’Brien. They discuss a bill on foreign aid and a bill on railroad work rules arbitration. Item 26D.3A is a brief telephone exchange on August 23, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and a White House Operator. President Kennedy asks to speak to Secretary of Labor W. Willard Wirtz. Machine noise follows the exchange. Item 26D.3B is a brief telephone exchange on August 23, 1963, between a White House Operator and an unidentified man. They say hello. Machine noise follows the exchange. Item 26D.4 is a telephone conversation held on August 23, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Secretary of Labor W. Willard Wirtz. They discuss arbitration legislation concerning a dispute over railroad work rules. There is an echo throughout the recording. Item 26D.5 is a brief fragment of a telephone conversation between President John F. Kennedy and an unidentified man. They talk about a memorandum and arrange a meeting. The recording begins in mid-sentence. Item 26D.6 is a telephone conversation between President John F. Kennedy and an unidentified man. They discuss unidentified legislation. A delay precedes the conversation. The recording ends abruptly and much of it is badly garbled. Transcript included. Each item listed above is also available individually as an excerpt derived from this full-length digitized recording. See Related Records for more information.