Daniel Neal Heller, Miami, Florida attorney, who today became the first Southerner in many years to be elected national commander of the Jewish War Veterans of the U. S. A., stated in acknowledging his election at the 68th JWV national convention that he will seek a more active role for local posts in implementing civil rights objectives.
The JWV meanwhile adopted a resolution supporting the August 28 March on Washington for Negro rights and authorized “the participation of all echelons in the planned peaceful demonstration.” The veterans also resolved to urge congressional approval of President Kennedy’s proposals for civil rights legislation. Several hundred Jewish veterans are expected to participate in the August demonstrations.
Adoption of the resolutions followed an address to the convention by Roy Wilkins, executive secretary of the NAACP. Mr. Wilkins reviewed Jewish efforts to promote Negro rights and commended the role of the JWV.
The JWV made known receipt of a letter from the White House indicating agreement with a JWV suggestion for a White House conference with the leaders of all veterans organizations on the subject of civil rights. The White House replied in a letter signed by Lee C. White, the President’s civil rights expert, that the suggestion was “one that makes sense” and would be given consideration.
URGE MILITANCY AGAINST RIGHT; CALL FOR INITIATIVE FOR ARAB-ISRAEL PEACE
Mr. Heller, the newly elected national commander, is 38. He is a former president of the Harvard Law School Association of Florida and served as JWV national judge advocate. He is the Florida state chairman of the United Jewish Appeal Young Leadership Cabinet.
In his initial remarks as national commander, Mr. Heller stressed the commitment of his organization in the racial integration crisis. He called for more activity by local leadership in the 500 JWV posts around the country, including Southern posts, to realize the racial equality objectives espoused by President Kennedy.
The organization also adopted resolutions calling for militant defense against encroachment of the radical right; an aggressive American initiative for Arab-Israel peace in view of the thaw in American-Soviet relations; adoption of the President’s immigration reform bill; and the ratification by the Senate of the United Nations genocide convention, and other issues.
Sen. Thomas H. Kuchel, California Republican, addressed the convention on the resurgence of the radical right. He warned that anti-Semitism and other forms of hate were being injected into national life by right-wing extremists, and gave evidence of such extremism that had recently come to his attention under the guise of zealous anti-Communism. Gov. Richard J. Hughes, of New Jersey, also addressed the convention, emphasizing the need for early action on civil rights.
(In New York, members of the American Nazi Party wearing swastika armbands, distributed leaflets yesterday, threatening to make Washington a “battleground” in connection with the planned August 28 march for civil rights. The Nazis boasted that “the white man will sweep away the black revolution,” and equated the civil rights movement with Communism.)
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
