A proclamation designating the start of Voluntary Overseas Aid Week was signed by President Kennedy in White House ceremonies today. The week-long event is designed to draw national attention to the overseas relief work being carried out by volunteer agencies such as the United Jewish Appeal.
Rabbi Herbert Friedman of New York, executive vice-chairman of the United Jewish Appeal, presented a scroll to the President, on behalf of the eight voluntary organizations represented at today’s ceremonies. The agencies include the relief arms of the major religious groups in the United States plus CARE.
The citation said in part: “In tribute to John F. Kennedy, President of the United States, for giving new force to American humanitarian traditions and fostering the dignity and well-being of the family of man through his vigorous championship of constructive assistance to the needy abroad.”
In brief remarks, Rabbi Friedman said that the eight voluntary groups–whose work is aided by contributions from more than 100,000,000 persons–“are motivated in this work by spiritual and humanitarian needs.” Rabbi Friedman told the President that the goal of all eight organizations “is to relieve misery and suffering.” The UJA leader pointed out that the government has been especially cognizant of the importance of the work being done by these organizations, having made available to them some three billion tons of food for overseas distribution.
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