Description:

Lyndon Johnson
[Washington, DC], February 27, 1967
Lyndon B. Johnson 2x Signed TLS With Bonus AN Re: Chile-California Program & Upcoming 1967 American Leaders' Summit in Uruguay!
TLS

A 1p typed letter twice signed by 36th U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson (1908-1973), the first time as "Lyndon B Johnson" at the conclusion, and the second time after a 15-word autograph inscription signed as: "I'll ask Dean Rusk to give me a / reading and then get in touch - / L" at the bottom of the page. February 27, 1967. [Washington, D.C.] On watermarked pale blue stationery with "The White House / Washington" embossed letterhead. Date-docketed by the recipient's office at lower right. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds. The lower edge is unevenly toned, and there is a partially rusted paper clip impression along the left edge. Else near fine. 7.125" x 10.375." Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity from Shafran Collectibles, Inc. (East Meadow, New York).

Lyndon B. Johnson wrote the following letter to former California Governor Pat Brown (1905-1996), who had left office the previous month after losing a third-term reelection bid to Republican contender Ronald Reagan. Evidently, ex-Governor Brown had inquired if he could attend an upcoming South American summit.

Johnson wrote in part:

"I welcome your continuing interest in Latin America. I was especially pleased to note that you were able to go to Chile recently for a discussion of the Chile-California program. I also hope that this particular program can be continued because it is making a useful contribution to the development of Chile and to good relations with Chile.

I am awaiting a final report from Secretary Rusk on the outcome of the Inter-American Meetings at Buenos Aires. His preliminary report was that it seemed likely that a meaningful agenda could be worked out and that a Summit Meeting could be scheduled for April. We still have a lot of work to do with respect to our participation in such a meeting. I have been awaiting the outcome of this staff work before I consider the composition of our delegation…"

A few years earlier, California Governor Pat Brown had heartily accepted JFK's proposal to launch the Chile-California Program: a state-to-foreign country economic aid program focused on developing Chilean education, agriculture, economy, and infrastructure. The Chile-California Program was part of Kennedy's ambitious 1961 Alliance for Progress initiative during an era when economic aid was viewed as another weapon in the arsenal against Communist expansion. During its brief lifetime, the Chile-California Program met with considerable success. The program fostered a university exchange of Californian and Chilean academics. By 1965, an estimated 45 Californians were working in Chile on field projects. By 1966, over 100 American corporations had investments in Chile, and American loans flooded Chile during this time period. Brown's gubernatorial successor, Ronald Reagan, would nix the Chile-California Program in 1968.

In the letter, Johnson refers to U.S. Secretary Dean Rusk's recent trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina to attend the Third Inter-American Conference. While in Argentina from February 14-21, 1967, Rusk strengthened ties within the OAS (Organization of American States), and he also laid the groundwork for a future official leaders' summit. The summit finally convened at Punta del Este, Uruguay from April 11-14, 1967. It was attended by President Johnson and Secretary of State Rusk. (No evidence suggests that ex-California Governor Pat Brown was among the members of the U.S. delegation.) 19 of 20 heads of state from the Americas signed and issued the summit's "Declaration of the Presidents of America." The leaders pledged to collaborate on multinational projects and to create a common market within the following decade. One contemporary U.S. newspaper quipped that the summit aimed to establish a "do-it-yourself hemisphere-wide Great Society." The emphasis was on education, healthcare, the economy, technology, and industry. If people had a better standard of living, they would be less inclined to be seduced by Communism…

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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  • Dimensions: 7.125" x 10.375"
  • Medium: TLS

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