President Eisenhower signed letter to Senator John F. Kennedy

John F. Kennedy, one of the Democratic Presidential Candidates for the upcoming presidential elections wrote a letter to President Dwight D. Eisenhower. In this letter, a copy in the full record here, he expressed concerns that the nuclear test ban negotiations would be affected by the upcoming national election. Throughout this letter, Kennedy mentions that he supports the agreement to end nuclear testing and that he would not withdraw any moratorium if elected as president.

After President Eisenhower read Presidential Candidate John F. Kennedy's letter, he wrote Kennedy directly thanking him. In Eisenhower’s response, the original signed letter in our collection, he was pleased to hear that Kennedy would support an effort to arrange a temporary moratorium on tests. Despite Eisenhower and Kennedy being from different political parties, they both agree that the nuclear test ban negotiation should continue as planned, regardless of the upcoming national election.

“Dear Senator Kennedy: Thank you sincerely for your letter and for the confidence it implies in the attempt I am making to achieve a fair and just assessment for the cessation of nuclear testing. I note with satisfaction that you also support an effort to arrange a temporary moratorium of tests, for the purpose of providing opportunity to solve the inherent technical and other problems, and that you agree that I should act without regard to the coming national election. I assure you that I value your expression of dedication to the cause of world peace. Sincerely, Dwight D. Eisenhower.”