Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-054-010
This folder contains material collected by the office of President John F. Kennedy's secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, concerning the President's News Conference of March 23, 1961 (News Conference 8). President Kennedy began the press conference with a statement concerning the advances of Communist forces in Laos, emphasizing his administration's support for the goal of a peaceful, neutral, and independent Laos. Following this statement the President answered questions from the press on a variety of topics including the situation in Laos, foreign aid, and segregation. Of note is an unofficial transcript of President Dwight D. Eisenhower's News Conference of January 18, 1961, in which he was asked by the press to reflect upon his own administration and to answer questions about the transition to the incoming Kennedy administration, the 1960 Presidential election, the election process, and his plans for the future. Background materials in the folder include drafts of press conference announcements. The official White House transcript of the press conference and the stenotype transcript of the press conference are also included.