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John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum is formally dedicated on October 20, 1979

 

Image Courtesy of JFK Library

United States President Jimmy Carter joined numerous elected officials, political dignitaries and members of the Kennedy family to formally dedicated the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum at Columbia Point in Boston on October 20, 1979, before seven thousand people. 

In addition to President Carter, participants at the ceremony included Caroline Bouvier Kennedy, John Fitzgerald Kennedy Jr., Stephen E. Smith, Humbert Cardinal Medeiros, Reverent Herbert Meza, Joseph P. Kennedy II and Senator Edward M. Kennedy. 

Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was center stage but did not speak. Other non-participating members included Speaker Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr., Senator Paul Tsongas, Congressman Joe Moakley, Congressman Brian Donnelly, Mrs. Lyndon Johnson, Governor Edward J. King, Lt. Governor Thomas P. O'Neill III, Senate President William Bulger, Speaker Thomas McGee, Mayor Kevin H.White, Speaker John W. McCormack and Dave Powers.

Music was provided by the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, led by Conductor Harry Ellis Dickson. 

In his speech, President Carter said:

"President Kennedy understood the past and respected its shaping of the future. [He] entered the White House convinced that racial and religious discrimination was morally indefensible. He never failed to uphold liberty and condemn tyranny. . . . The essence of President Kennedy’s message – the appeal for unselfish dedication to the common good – is more urgent than ever."

President Carter arrived at Logan Airport at 9:35 a.m., according to the White House, and his motorcade reached the JFK Library at 9:55 a.m., where he took a private tour of the facility. At Noon, the president departed for Logan Airport and was set to arrive by 12:15 p.m.

Dan H. Fenn, Jr. was Director of the JFK Library, Dave Powers the Curator of the Museum, William W. Moss was Chief Archivist and Frank Rigg was Chief of Visitor Services. The facility was administered by the General Services Administration, National Archives and Records Services, according to press material. 

Prior to the dedication, Boston was busy with dignitaries coming to town and a variety of special events and educational activities. On October 19, Senator Kennedy visited Boston Latin and Dorchester High School, where he was joined by 75 political and civil leaders, journalists and educators to discuss 'The Challenge of Public Service.' Among the speakers were columnists Jimmy Breslin and Art Buchwald, civil rights leader Rev. Ralph Abernathy, economist Kenneth Galbraith, former Defense Secretary Robert McNamara, author Theodore White and political leaders George McGovern and Henry Cabot Lodge. 

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