Description:

John Kennedy Fights Organized Crime & Racketeering. ALS. With PSA Authentication.

ALS, 8" x 10.5", no date, on United States Senate letterhead. Kennedy writes to Democratic Majority Leader John McCormack and addresses a willingness and enthusiasm to introduce the 1959 Labor and Racketeering Act they were working on with "Salty" (Leverett Saltonstall), the Governor of Massachusetts. A beautiful letter scripted boldly in the hand of John Kennedy, and signed as "Jack". Three hole punch to the left margin, expected folds, else near fine. Accompanied by a full letter of authentication from PSA/DNA.

Earlier provenance from a prior sale at Sotheby's in 1986 (Lot 57), noted that "According to the manuscript's owner, this letter was written during Kennedy's work on the 1959 Labor and Racketeering Act." This incredible letter presages Kennedy's preparation for his senatorial speech on the urgent need for the Kennedy-Ervin Labor-Management Reform Bill, which was presented on January 20, 1959. Kennedy's efforts to thwart racketeering, corruption, and crime in the unions, while maintaining fair labor standards, was one of the many foundations of his political campaign. So much so that some even believe it was the catalyst for his assassination once he became president. Both he and his brother Robert were passionate about neutralizing organized crime, but in the process, they created enemies in the mob, in corrupted labor, in Castro's Cuba, and in the rogue wing of the American intelligence system.

The letter reads:

"Dear John (McCormack)

I am writing to Tom. I think his idea excellent and will be glad to form with Salty + others in introducing it and working for its passage.

I want to thank you again for taking on an onerous task—It is a great great help—Best wishes for the New Year.

Cordially,

Jack"

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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