James Cummins Bookseller

[Carbon typescript of a speech given by JFK to the Boston chapter of HIAS, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society].

Kennedy, John F.

[Boston: April 30, 1950].

Price: $1,500.00

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About the item

11pp. 4to. Stapled. Pencil inscription at head of first leaf identifying the speech. Provenance: David F. Powers.

Item #378689

In April 1950, Kennedy, then a member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing Massachusetts's 11th congressional district, spoke at a meeting of the Boston chapter of the refugee organization HIAS. The speech begins by reviewing the atrocities committed on the Jewish people by Nazi Germany during the Holocaust and praising the role of HIAS in the immediate postwar years: "The work that the HIAS has done in the last five years deserves the lasting gratitude of all people who feel a responsibility toward their fellow man." He continues by specifically noting the importance to America of refugee scientists. The speech concludes with a review of the pending legislation to amend the Displaced Persons Act of 1948 to allow for more refugees and orphans to be settled in the United States, summarizing the benefits of the new bill: "It is certainly in keeping with the American tradition that we should absorb displaced persons. We have in this country a vigorous and dynamic society because we have utilized and amalgamated numerous cultures and numerous skills."

This carbon copy of the typescript of the speech from the collection of David F. Powers, JFK's long-time friend and aide. While much of his collection would form the basis for the Kennedy Library, other papers were retained by the Powers family and sold at auction in 2013.