Close
Not finding the information you're looking for? Please contact the Archives research staff.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-RFK-02
In this interview Robert F. Kennedy [RFK] discusses the 1961 Berlin crisis; American forces, military and diplomatic, in Germany; John F. Kennedy’s [JFK] recommendation for Americans to have fallout shelters; nuclear testing; problems with the Department of State; the start of the conflict in Vietnam, 1961; the Department of Justice under RFK and organized crime; RFK’s difficult relationship with J. Edgar Hoover; the wiretapping bill; new federal judgeships in 1961 and other presidential appointments; the Alliance for Progress; Red China; crises during JFK’s presidency and how he was an optimist; RFK’s move for an income tax increase during the Berlin crisis; RFK’s disagreements with President JFK; indecisiveness over picking JFK’s running mate, 1960; the missile gap; fighting and UN operations in the Congo; Nikita S. Khrushchev’s speeches; RFK’s 1962 trip to Japan, Indonesia, Germany, and other countries; the release of Allen L. Pope; Dutch disputes in Southeast Asia; the 1961 crisis in the Dominican Republic and the assassination of Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina; the 1962 disarmament conference in Geneva; Edward M. Kennedy’s 1962 campaign for U.S. Senate; the Kennedy family national and political reputation; the Justice Department under RFK and civil rights; and the 1962 steel crisis, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-PAHD-01
Douglas discusses his memories of John F. Kennedy as a Senator and as President, including their work on labor and civil rights legislation, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-WDM-01
This interview focuses on the activities of the House Ways and Means Committee and potential legislation on taxes and Medicare during the Kennedy administration, among other topics.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-26B
Dictation Belt 26B contains seven sound recordings. Item 26B.1 is a telephone conversation between President John F. Kennedy, Herbert S. Walters, Governor Frank G. Clement of Tennessee, and Walter Clement. They discuss the appointment of Herbert S. Walters to succeed the late Estes Kefauver as United States Senator from Tennessee. President Kennedy speaks briefly to Governor Clement’s father Walter. Item 26B.2 is a telephone conversation held in August 1963 between President John F. Kennedy and Speaker of the United States House of Representatives John W. McCormack of Massachusetts. They discuss their legislative strategy on a tax bill, including how to deal with Representative Wilbur Mills of Arkansas. For most of the recording there is a strong echo. Item 26B.2A is a brief telephone exchange between Personal Secretary Evelyn Lincoln and Tazewell Shepard, Naval Aide to the President. Shepard asks what time President Kennedy will be available for a discussion. Item 26B.3 is a telephone conversation held on August 22, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Solicitor General Archibald Cox. They discuss a tidelands issue concerning Louisiana. Item 26B.3A is a brief telephone exchange on August 23, 1963, between Personal Secretary Evelyn Lincoln and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Arthur J. Goldberg. They chat while Justice Goldberg holds for President Kennedy. Item 26B.4 is a telephone conversation held on August 23, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Arthur J. Goldberg. Justice Goldberg advises President Kennedy on negotiations concerning a railroad work rules dispute. Item 26B.5 is part of a telephone conversation held on August 23, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Senator J. William Fulbright. They discuss hearings on a treaty banning atmospheric nuclear weapons tests, later known as the Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT) or the Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT). The recording of this conversation ends abruptly and continues on Dictation Belt 26C.Transcript included. Each item listed above is also available individually as an excerpt derived from this full-length digitized recording. See Related Records for more information.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-25B
Dictation Belt 25B contains two sound recordings. The recording of the conversation in item 25B.1 begins on Dictation Belt 25A.6. Item 25B.1 is part of a telephone conversation held on August 7, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Representative Martha W. Griffiths of Michigan. They continue to discuss their positions on a tax bill and its possible effects on the economy and politics. Following the conversation, there is machine noise and [White House Operator?] answers the telephone. Item 25B.2 is part of a telephone conversation held on August 12, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Senator Mike Mansfield of Montana. They discuss arrangements for General Maxwell D. Taylor, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other Joint Chiefs, to speak to United States Senators about a treaty banning atmospheric nuclear weapons tests, later known as the Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT) or the Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT). The Senators include Senator John C. Stennis of Mississippi, his Preparedness Investigation Subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The recording of this conversation ends abruptly and continues on Dictation Belt 25C.Transcript included. Each item listed above is also available individually as an excerpt derived from this full-length digitized recording. See Related Records for more information.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-26D
Dictation Belt 26D contains eight sound recordings. The recording of the conversation in item 26D.1 begins on Dictation Belt 26C.3. Item 26D.1 is part of a telephone conversation held on August 23, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Louis Harris. They continue to discuss polling on various issues, including tax cuts, Congress, and regional attitudes. Item 26D.2 is a telephone conversation held on August 23, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Assistant Secretary of State Frederick G. Dutton. They discuss congressional hearings on a treaty banning atmospheric nuclear weapons tests, later known as the Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT) or the Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT). Item 26D.3 is a telephone conversation held on August 23, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Special Assistant to the President Lawrence F. O’Brien. They discuss a bill on foreign aid and a bill on railroad work rules arbitration. Item 26D.3A is a brief telephone exchange on August 23, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and a White House Operator. President Kennedy asks to speak to Secretary of Labor W. Willard Wirtz. Machine noise follows the exchange. Item 26D.3B is a brief telephone exchange on August 23, 1963, between a White House Operator and an unidentified man. They say hello. Machine noise follows the exchange. Item 26D.4 is a telephone conversation held on August 23, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Secretary of Labor W. Willard Wirtz. They discuss arbitration legislation concerning a dispute over railroad work rules. There is an echo throughout the recording. Item 26D.5 is a brief fragment of a telephone conversation between President John F. Kennedy and an unidentified man. They talk about a memorandum and arrange a meeting. The recording begins in mid-sentence. Item 26D.6 is a telephone conversation between President John F. Kennedy and an unidentified man. They discuss unidentified legislation. A delay precedes the conversation. The recording ends abruptly and much of it is badly garbled. Transcript included. Each item listed above is also available individually as an excerpt derived from this full-length digitized recording. See Related Records for more information.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-26C
Dictation Belt 26C contains five sound recordings from August 23, 1963. The recording of the conversation in item 26C.1 begins on Dictation Belt 26B.5. Item 26C.1 is a telephone conversation between President John F. Kennedy and Senator J. William Fulbright. They continue to discuss hearings and legislative strategy on a treaty banning atmospheric nuclear weapons tests, later known as the Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT) or the Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT). Item 26C.2 is a telephone conversation between President John F. Kennedy and Representative Torbert H. Macdonald of Massachusetts. They discuss unidentified legislation and railroad work rules legislation. [White House Operator?] announces the call. Item 26C.2A is a brief telephone exchange between President John F. Kennedy and a White House Operator. President Kennedy asks the operator to place calls to Special Assistant to the President Frederick G. Dutton and Secretary of Labor W. Willard Wirtz. Machine noise follows the exchange. Item 26C.2B is an unintelligible recording of something said by President John F. Kennedy. This is not a telephone exchange, but rather something said while the telephone was off the hook prior to the telephone conversation in item 26C.3. Item 26C.3 is part of a telephone conversation between President John F. Kennedy and Louis Harris. They discuss polling on potential Republican Presidential candidates in 1964, tax cuts, and other issues. The recording of this conversation ends abruptly and continues on Dictation Belt 26D.Transcript included. Each item listed above is also available individually as an excerpt derived from this full-length digitized recording. See Related Records for more information.
Sound recording
Edward M. Kennedy Senate Files
EMKSEN-AU0009-029-008
Sound recording of the radio program "Face Off." Senator Edward M. "Ted" Kennedy of Massachusetts and Senator Alan K. "Al" Simpson of Wyoming debate whether Congress is being open and transparent enough while working on President Clinton's tax plan. The episode aired on Tuesday, June 8, 1993, on the Mutual Broadcasting System.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. White House Staff Files of Lee C. White
JFKWHSFLCW-010-007
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-052-005
This folder contains materials collected by the office of President John F. Kennedy's secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, concerning legislative activities and efforts to enact the Kennedy Administration's legislative program. Items include memoranda regarding tax reform, the sugar bill, and other pending legislation. The folder was originally titled "12/62 Sugar."
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-050-017
This folder contains materials collected by the office of President John F. Kennedy's secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, concerning legislative activities and efforts to enact the Kennedy Administration's legislative program. Items include press releases concerning legislation, an overview of legislative items recommended by the President, and other items relating to legislative progress. Topics include the expanded common market, foreign trade and William Randolph Hearst, Jr.'s public support of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. Of note is a copy of Virginia Senator Harry F. Byrd's statement on the senate floor regarding the tax bill. This folder was originally titled "Trade, taxation, Byrd, Vinson, Mills."