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Senate Confirms Meriwether’s Appointment; Vote is 67 to 18

March 9, 1961
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
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President Kennedy today expressed confidence that Charles–M. Meriwether–confirmed today by a 67 to 18 Senate vote despite charges of racism–would do a good job as a director of the United States Export-Import Bank.

Following the final vote by the Senate this afternoon on the controversial nomination, Mr. Kennedy told a press conference he had looked over Mr. Meriwether’s record, that the nominee had been approved by an overwhelming majority of the Senate, and that “I am confident he will do a good job.”

The 18 who voted against confirmation included liberals of both parties. Senator Wayne Morse, Oregon Democrat, told the Senate he had no doubt that if President Kennedy had known at the time Mr. Meriwether was named all that has since been disclosed, “he wouldn’t have made the nomination in the first place.”

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