President Kennedy told the National Conference of Christians and Jews that “our Nation will fall short of its full power and greatness” as long as “there is unreasoning bigotry instead of understanding and tolerance.”
In a special message for Brotherhood Week, released today by the NCCJ, the President declared that the new nations across the world composed of men of all colors and faiths will look to us for guidance “only if we demonstrate that the freedom which we advocate is available to all our citizens.” The President is honorary chairman of Brotherhood Week whose nation-wide observance commenced yesterday.
In his message, President Kennedy urged all Americans to observe Brotherhood Week, in which “we honor the human values upon which our country was established. ” The President said:
“As long as men fear or distrust one another because of race, religion or ethnic origins, as long as any of the gates of opportunity are closed to the deserving, as long as there is unreasoning bigotry instead of understanding and tolerance, our Nation will fall short of its full power and greatness.”
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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.
