PRESS RELEASE OF SENATOR JOHN F. KENNEDY,
WASHINGTON, D.C., SEPTEMBER 24, 1960
Senator John F. Kennedy announced this week
that Senator Hubert Humphrey will be chairman of the National Conference
on Constitutional Rights which will be held in New York City on October
11 and 12.
The conference will wind up in an open-air
rally in Harlem on the afternoon of October 12 when Senator Kennedy will
make one of the major speeches of the campaign.
In the original call to the conference, Senator
Kennedy stated:
The conference will seek to review and clarify the positive
steps needed to insure full constitutional rights for all Americans. I
am inviting leaders of thought and of action to meet together to throw
light on these problems. This is a good time for the rededication of the
Democratic Party and the American people to the aims and principles of
the Constitution.
Congressman Adam Powell of New York and Harry
Golden, the author, of North Carolina will open the conference at 8 p.m.
in the Park-Sheraton Hotel on October 11.
Following their remarks the conference will
divide itself into three working panels: (1) Executive action, (2) legislation,
(3) State and local leadership. The conferees will recess at 11 p.m. and
reconvene on the morning of October 12.
Senator Joseph S. Clark of Pennsylvania and
Senator Philip Hart of Michigan along with Congressmen Celler, Dawson,
Nix, and Diggs will participate in the conference.
A report on the work of the conference will
be made to Senator Kennedy at a luncheon in the Park-Sheraton on October
12. That afternoon at 4 p.m. the new frontiers and freedom rally will begin
in Harlem.
The speakers at the rally beside Senator Kennedy
include, Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, Gov. Mennen Williams, of Michigan, Congressman
Powell, former Senator Herbert H. Lehman. A host of stars from Hollywood
and New York will provide entertainment.
Mayor Robert F. Wagner of New York will act
as host to the conference.