May 1961- President Kennedy's Schedule


 

1 The President spoke briefly to the President's Committee on Labor Management Policy. The President then went to the Internal Revenue Service where he spoke to the regional commissioner's The President then returned to the White House were he signed S-1 Area Redevelopment Bill. The President met with the new US Ambassador to Mexico and with Panama's ambassador to the US. The President then attended a meeting of the National Security Council. The President then met with Senator Mansfield.
2 The President began his day with a breakfast with the democratic leaders, the President then met with the Vice President, Senators Humphrey, Mansfield and Congressman Rayburn and McCormack. The President then joined a meeting with the largest defense contractors discussing the Equal Employment Opportunities. The President greeted the National Teacher of the year. The President met with the US Ambassador to Venezuela. the President chaired a National Security Council Meeting. The President then hosted another Congressional Coffee. After the coffee he returned to the Oval Office for a meeting with LBJ and and Speaker Sam Rayburn.
3 The President attended a meeting of the Equal Opportunities Commission. He then drove to the George Washington University were he received an honorary Law degree. The President then went together with the First Lady to greet Tunisian President Bourguiba and his wife on their arrival in Washington. In the afternoon the President met with Arthur Goldberg and Walter Heller together with Senators Joseph Clark and Hubert Humphrey. The President had off the record meetings with Dean Acheson, Clark Kerr the President of the University of California, Emelio Gallado of Standard Oil Company and Hugh Sidney of the New York Times. In the evening the President and First Lady hosted a dinner in honor of the President of Tunisia.
4 The President began his day with an off the record breakfast with Senator Stuart Symington. He then had a meeting with the Tunisian President and his entourage. The President had a lengthy meeting with Rusk McCloy and Arthur Dean. The President had a meeting with major business leader on Foreign Aid. Included in the meeting were Stephen Bechtel of Bechtel Company, Clark Beise of Bank of America. The President then met with Senator Fulbright. He ended his official day with an off the record meeting with Arthur Krock.
5 The President signed HR 3935 a new Minimum Wage law. The President then chaired a lengthy National Security Council Meeting. The President met with US Ambassador to Chad and Peru. After lunch the President met with Dr Miro Gardona the Chairman of the Cuban Revolutionary Council. The President then held a Press Conference. The President then returned to the White House and met with the President of Tunisia. In the evening the President and First Lady were guests in the evening of the President of Tunisia at the Mayflower Hotel.
6 The President met with Senator Willis Robertson. In the afternoon the President drove to Glen Ora.
7 The President and Mrs Kennedy went to church at St John's Parish. The President then went to a luncheon buffet at the home of Senator Harry Byrd.
8 The President and First Lady returned from Glen Ora first thing in the morning. They welcomed astronaut Alan B Shepard and his wife when they arrived at the White House. The President presented Commander Shepard with the Distinguished Service Medal. The President attended a meeting with Appalachian Governors and their assistants. The meeting included lunch. The President signed HR 484 on aid to dependent children in the afternoon. The President met with the Ambassador of the United Arab Republic. The President me off the record with Congressman Frank Smith.
9 The President began his day with the Legislative Leaders Breakfast. The President then had a meeting nine governors to discuss Civil Defense. The President then had a lengthy meeting with representative of the American Society of Newspaper Editors. The President had an off the record lunch with a group of newspaper publishers. He had an off the record meeting with William Palely, He then met with the Governor of Colorado. The President then had a meeting on the state of relations with the Soviet Union. The President had off the record meetings with Harry Snydman of Life Magazine and Douglas Carter.
10 The President began his day greeting International Junior Diplomats. The President then met with Congressman Charles E Bennet and Sikes of Florida. He had an off the record meeting with Senator Kuchel. The President received the new ambassador from Guinea. The President had an off the record meeting with Charles Meyer VP of Sear Roebuck. The President had and off the record lunch with Justice William O Douglas. The President had a meeting with Bundy, McNamara, Wiesner, Bell, Webb, Welcham Stasts and Sorenson. The President met the Ambassador of Italy. The President and the first Lady hosted a reception for the Junior Diplomats. The President met off the record with representatives of Time-Life Magazine.
11 The President began his day with a Cabinet Meeting. The President and Robert Kennedy when to St Matthews Cathedral for mass for Ascension Day. After returning to the White House the President and the First Lady flew to West Palm Beach.
12 The President remained in Palm Beach the only recorded activity was a round of golf.
13 The President remained in Palm Beach the only recorded activity was a round of golf.
14 The President and the First Lady attended church at St Edward Church. In the afternoon the President play a round of golf with Senator George Smathers.
15 The President returned to Washington. He attended a meeting of the Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board- The board consisted of, James E Killian, William O Baker, General James Doolittle, William Langer, Robert Murphy, General Maxwell Taylor, Gordon Gray, Clark Clifford, Dr Edwin Land and Patrick Coyne.
16 The President began his day with a Legislative Leaders Breakfast. The President received Mikhail Menshikov the Soviet Ambassador who had a message from Khrushev. The President then met with Brazilian Minister of Finance together with the President of the Export-Import Bank. The President met with the newly appointed Ambassador of Mauretania, followed by a short meeting with the US Ambassador to Israel. The President then met with Earl Attlee the former British Prime Minister. The President had a meeting with Walter Hallestein the President of the European Economic Community. The President had an off the record lunch with RFK, General Maxwell Taylor, Allen Dulles and Admiral Arleigh Burke. The President and First Lady then departed for a state visit to Canada. The President and First lady were the guest of honor at a State Dinner held by Governor General Vanier and Mrs Vanier. A state reception was held starting at 10PM
17 The President began his day with a visit to the US Embassy. He then went to National War Memorial were he placed a wreath. The President then met with Prime Minister Diefenbaker and members of his government. The Canadian Prime Minister held a luncheon in the honor of the President. In the afternoon the President addressed the Canadian House of Commons. The President and the First Lady gave a dinner for the Canadian leadership.
18 The President and the First Lady left Ottawa and returned to Washington. The President had a meeting with James Gavin, American Ambassador to France. The President then had an off the record meeting with Bundy, Kohler, Dean Achenson, Robert McBride, Charles Bohlen, Henry Own and Harry Rowien. The President then met with the Pennsylvania Congressional delegation. The President then hosted a coffee for member of Congress
19 The President began the day with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretary of Defense. The President then met with the Secretary of Commerce. The President then met with a large delegations from the National Association of Home Builders. The President signed S-912 that provided for additional Federal District and Circuit Judges. The President met with outgoing US ambassadors. After lunch the President attended a National Security Council Meeting. In the evening the President attended the White House News Photographers Dinner where he presented the awards for the winners of 18th National News Photo Contest.
20 The President signed the Agricultural Adjustment Act- HR 7030. The President presented the Medal of Honor to the Widow of Lt Commander Victor Prather. In the afternoon the President flew to Glen Ora.
21 The President and the First Lady attended church at St John's Parish. Ben Bradlee was a guest at the residence.
22 The President returned to the White House, were he met with a large group of Russian Editors. The President then had an hour and half meeting on Foreign Aid. That was followed by a meeting on Civil Defense. The President had a meeting with Mahamedeli Currim Chagla the Ambassador from India. The President had two meetings with Secretary of Treasury Dillon. The President met with Eleanor Roosevelt. He then greeted a meeting of the National Advisory Council for the Peace Corps.
23 The President began his day with a Legislative Leaders Breakfast. The President had an off the record meeting with Senator Bourk Hickenlooper. The newly appointed Ethiopian Ambassador presented his credentials to the President. The President had and off the record meeting with Hugh Sidney from Time Life. he then had and extended briefing on his forthcoming trip to Paris.
24 The newly appointed Ambassador of New Zealand presented his credentials and met with the President. The President greeted the Vice President on the South Lawn on his return from a visit to Southeast Asia. The President had off the record meeting with Mayor Richard Daley. The President and First Lady gave a luncheon in honor of Princess Grace and Prince Rainier of Monoco. The President met with the Ambassador of Uruguay and then met with the Argentine Minister of the Economy. The President had an off the record meeting with Dr Henry Kissinger.
25 President Kennedy met with the newly appointed Ambassador from El Salvador. The President then met with delegation of Mayors. The President had a full Cabinet Meeting. The President traveled to the Capital and addressed a Joint Session of Congress. President Kennedy had an off the record lunch with Henry Luce of Time. The President had an off the record briefing on his trip to Paris. The President then hosted a Congressional Coffee Hour.
26 The President began his day with an off the record meeting to prepare for his trip to France. The new Italian Ambassador presented his credentials. The Ambassador from Guinea met the President. The President had lunch with Walter Lipman. In the afternoon the President met with a group of Democratic Committee members and prepared for his upcoming European trip
27 The President met with former President Truman. He then signed HR 6518 Appropriation for South America. The Senator met with Senator's Fulbright and Humphrey. He then met with General Maxwell Taylor. He met with Allen Dulles and Richard Goodwin. The President then had an off the record meeting with the Joint Chief of Staff. After lunch the President met with Adlai Stevenson and Harlan Cleveland. He then met with Senator Henry M Jackson. The President then went to the National Armory for a birthday party in his honor. The entertainment was Jerry Lewis and President Truman Sam Rayburn were among the speakers.
28 The President arrive in at 12:52 in Hyannis Port. He attended church at St Xavier's Church.
29 The President' spent the morning at his Fathers house. He then traveled in the afternoon to Boston. In the evening a dinner was given in honor of the President's birthday. He returned to his Fathers house in Hyannis Port for the night.
30 The President went for a cruise on the Marlin. In the afternoon he left for New York. In New York the President attended the American Cancer Foundation Dinner where he spoke. Late at night he was joined by the First Lady and they left for Paris France.
31 The President and First Lady Arrive in Paris. They are welcomed at the airport by President and Madame de Gaulle. The two Presidents and the two first lady proceed in a motorcade to the Quai d[ Orsay and then to the Elysee. Presidents Degaulle and Kennedy hae a private meeting. It is followed by an official luncheon. The Presidents have another private meeting. A reception is held for the diplomatic corp. The President then attends an early evening ceremony at the Arc de Triophe. In the evening a dinner is held at the Elysee Palace which is followed by a reception that goes on until 11:45 PM.