Kennedy Lauds Immigrants to U.S.A.; Workmen’s Circle Elects Zukerman

Secretary of Labor Arthur J. Goldberg, speaking here today at the 62nd anniversary convention of the Workmen’s Circle, national Jewish fraternal and cultural organization, brought a message from President Kennedy, who praised the contribution of immigrants to American life.

"At the beginning of this century, " the President said, "immigrants came to the United States in search of opportunity, and they gave more to this Nation in idealistic vigor and energy than many of them received in material reward. The concept of freedom was constantly refreshed and encouraged by new citizens," Mr. Kennedy stated. He said that today the country "looks not only to the immigrant from abroad, but also to those within our society who still seek equality and opportunity, to remind us of the true promise of American life and the obligation we have to serve that promise."

The Secretary of Labor told the delegates they could judge the progress made toward equality of opportunity in American life by comparing present-day conditions with the "bleak picture that existed 62 years ago, when the Workmen’s Circle was founded." He recalled that immigrants then lived in New York and Chicago ghettoes, hemmed in by barriers of language and economic and social discrimination.

"In our history," said Mr. Goldberg, "freedom has gained strength from the eager and energetic support of immigrants new to our shores. They have constantly reminded us that the price of freedom is best measured by the zeal and dedication that are put into the effort to achieve it." He praised the Workmen’s Circle for its "significant part in this tradition. You have helped to give greater reality to the principles of justice and equal opportunity by accepting them as guidelines for your daily activities," he said.

In introducing the Secretary of Labor, Workmen’s Circle president Israel Breslow said that the Secretary was at the convention as "an old friend who shares our Jewish traditions, our democratic and humanistic philosophy, our general outlook on life."

The convention today elected Jacob T. Zukerman, New York attorney and social worker, to succeed Mr. Breslow in the presidency. The latter had served two two-year terms. In his opening address as next president, Mr. Zukerman denounced vigorously the right-wing, extremist organizations in this country which, he said, "threaten the fabric of democratic society and decent American life." He specifically named the John Birch Society as a group he called "un-American and Communist."

Listing the organization’s objectives in the near future, Mr. Zukerman said the Workmen’s Circle would continue its efforts on behalf of fuller civil rights, liberalization of immigration laws, and medical care for the aged. The organization, he said, will also continue vigorously "to encourage the teaching of Yiddish literature and culture in every community."