Description:

John F. Kennedy
Washington, DC, June 6, 1963
Kennedy Increases Defense Funds to Latin America, In 1963
TLS
Exceptional typed letter signed in full as President, one page, 8" x 10.5", Washington, [date stamped June 6, 1963]. On White House letterhead to Speaker of the House, John W. McCormack. Two staple holes at bottom left, clear of text, numerous pencil notations throughout as well as an indelible pencil note at top right and a receiving stamp. Overall very good.

Kennedy writes, in part:

"…I have the honor to transmit herewith for the consideration of the Congress an amendment to the budget for the fiscal year 1964 in the amount of $46,900,000 for the Department of Defense.

The details of this amendment, the necessity thereof, and the reasons for its submission are set forth in the attached letter from the Director of the Bureau of the Budget [not present], with whose comments and observations thereon I concur…".

On January 17, 1963, Kennedy unveiled to Congress the Annual Budget for the Fiscal Year of 1964. Calculated on the back of five years of disappointing performance in the economy (from 1958-1963), the 1964 budget included decreasing expenditures in every government proposal except for space programs and national defense.

Kennedy's plan specifically addressed: "Expenditures in fiscal year 1964 for military and economic assistance [are] $100 million less than in the current year…We will be highly selective, stressing projects and programs crucial to the rapid development of countries which are important to the maintenance of free world security and which demonstrate willingness and ability to marshall their own resources effectively. Of special concern are the Latin American Republics, with whom we have joined in the Alliance for Progress…". (cf. Annual Budget Message to the Congress, Fiscal Year 1964).

The Alliance of Progress, signed at the inter-American conference in Uruguay in 1961, was borne out of concerns over Soviet and Cuban influence in Latin America and thus sought to provide over $80 billion in funds for emerging governments. The Alliance - a Marshall Plan of sorts - especially sought to extend U.S. military assistance to friendly regimes in the region.

Kennedy helped author the Alliance for Progress: "…to complete the revolution of the Americas, to build a hemisphere where all men can hope for a suitable standard of living, and all can live out their lives in dignity and in freedom." Further, he characterized is as "…a vast cooperative effort, unparalleled in magnitude and nobility of purpose to satisfy the basic needs of the [Latin] American people for homes, work and land, health and schools – techo, trabajo y tierra, salud y escuela."

Between 1962 and 1967 the US supplied $1.4 billion per year to Latin America; however aid dropped off towards the end of the 1960s. Despite the lofty aims, many of the Alliance's programs were hindered by corruption and political instability in the regions it aimed to benefit, and while even Johnson, like Kennedy, increased military support, initiatives outside of the defense aspects of the program were less supported. Finally, support of the Alliance dropped sharply when Nixon took office and the program ended in 1969.

John W. McCormack (1891-1980) was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts from 1928 to 1971. He several times served as House Majority Leader, including 1940 to 1947, 1949 to 1953, and 1955 to 1962. From 1962 to 1971, he served as Speaker of the House.

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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