To John F. Kennedy
Author: King, Martin Luther, Jr.
Date: March 16, 1961
Location: Atlanta, Ga.
Genre: Letter
Details
King congratulates Kennedy on his victory in the 1960 presidential election and requests a meeting with the president within the next month to discuss civil rights in the United States.1 King met with Kennedy on 16 October 1961, nine months after Kennedy’s inauguration.2
President John F. Kennedy
The White House
Washington 25, D.C.
Dear President Kennedy:
First, let me offer my belated congratulations to you for being elected President of our great nation. You conducted a marvelous campaign and stood up superbly against tremendous odds. May I assure you that you will have my support and prayers as you lead us through the difficult yet challenging days ahead.
If it is at all possible, I would like to have a conference with you within the next three or four weeks to discuss some important matters concerning the civil rights issue. I realize that this is asking a great deal in the light of your extremely busy schedule, but I am sure that a brief discussion on the present status of the civil rights struggle may prove to be mutually beneficial. If a date can be worked out I would appreciate hearing from you as soon as possible so that I can re-arrange my schedule accordingly.
With warm personal regards, I am,
Sincerely yours,
[signed] Martin L. King Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Km
1. There was considerable discussion within the White House regarding a meeting with King. Kennedy’s special assistant for civil rights, Harris Wofford, who had also served as an unofficial advisor to King, was among those aides advocating for a meeting (see Wofford to Kenneth P. O’Donnell, 20 March 1961; Frank D. Reeves to O’Donnell, 22 March 1961; and O’Donnell to King, 25 March 1961). Dora E. McDonald sent another request on 28 April 1961, suggesting several dates in May (McDonald to Reeves, 28 April 1961). Throughout the summer and early fall, Wofford and Reeves urged the White House to arrange a formal meeting between King and President Kennedy (Reeves to Kennedy, 5 May 1961; Wofford to O’Donnell, 4 October 1961).
2. For King’s remarks following his meeting with Kennedy, see Press Conference after Meeting with John F. Kennedy, 16 October 1961, pp. 308–311 in this volume.
Source: JFKWHCSF-MBJFK, John F. Kennedy Presidential Papers, White House Central Subject Files, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, Boston, Mass.