reel america, a film detailing the accomplishments of jfk's first term serving the people of massachusetts as a democrat. senator kennedy won reelection that year with about 73% of the vote. >> we present the united states senator john f. kennedy's story. ♪ >> this is washington, d.c. -- official capital of the united states, unofficial capital of the free world, or the people of massachusetts visit today with senator and mrs. john f.

kennedy. in this historic building, each senate and democratic battle which is its climates -- reaches its climax. the senate office building -- a handsome, white marble structure just across historic constitution avenue from the capital. here, most committees, all senators, and the vice president of the united states maintain their actual working headquarters. it is here that scores of massachusetts visitors and hundreds of massachusetts letters, telegrams, and telephone calls are received each day. john delaney about the activity. she is talking to the senator's administrative assistant. pardon me, joan. >> won't you come in? >> how many visitors do you

have? >> between 50 and 100 a day. sometimes for the senate, other times for his assistance. >> what about with all the mail? >> we receive up to 800 letters a day more than under senatorial office -- more than any other senatorial office. he never lets a letter go unanswered. some people write us legislative proposals or comments on bills pending in the senate. other people write to center on personal matters, however all of the mail is scarcely -- carefully examined. as a matter of fact, the center is in his office, going over the -- won't you go join him? >> thank you. as we enter the office, helen and gloria are rocking with the senator on his daily mail. senator kennedy, in his mere six years has introduce or

cosponsored bills aimed at centering -- strengthening massachusetts. he was also on the foreign committee, and the labor and public welfare committee. senator kennedy is also chairman of the legislation committee. he confirms with senator douglas of illinois -- unprecedented achievements for a first-term senator. this office is built with a mentos of his service in the united states navy, and his congressional and senatorial career. senator kennedy, could i ask you a few questions? president kennedy: sure. >> senator, could you tell us about the objects surrounding you here? president kennedy: i would be glad to. this is a picture of my wife

jackie, daughter caroline. here we have a picture of former president over. i was chairman of the subcommittee on your organization that consider the hoover recommendations. we passed about 30 of them. he expressed his appreciation. i believe it is in a good deal for the economy. ons is a model of a pt vote which i served during the war. of course, this is the democratic donkey. >> what about the coconut on your desk? boat was sunk our by a japanese destroyer. -- a coconut. i kept it as a memento of more unpleasant days. >> we notice your office is filled with objects to record your legislative as well as your military medals.

well, here on my desk are many of the bills i introduced on behalf of massachusetts. of course, on many of them, either the close cooperation of my senior colleague. you tell usill something about your campaign for a stronger massachusetts? pres. kennedy: of course, this is a never-ending job because when we reach the solution to one problem, we find new ones arising. massachusetts is either directly or indirectly affected by everything we do or do not do. let me tell you about a few of the things we have done. one of the most important, continuing tasks is that of bolstering new england's economy. a bill prevented speculation and raw wool. it is part of a broad program we have worked on to halt unfair foreign and domestic competition through the textile and apparel industries in our state, which

employ more than 100,000 of our citizens. we have obtained, as part of this program, higher duties on world textile imports when they are in excess of 5% of domestic production. also secured lower tariffs on raw wool imports, on which we depend, and in agreement with japan to restrict import to america of certain cotton textiles. turning to another vital to live industry, i would like to set the fee search and -- fishing and research development bill. has been channeled, including funds for albatross number three. this ship has been conducting research activity in and around massachusetts port sendoff often only one coast. --e you see underwater for new england coast. here you see underwater photographs taken by the albatross to strengthen the industry that provides income

for nearly 50,000 massachusetts residents. one levelingis the fishfs on the imports of -- one of the problems is the lack of natural resources to provide the cheap, electric power available in the south and the west. to counteract this, senator john pastorius of rhode island and i obtained passage of legislation giving new england preference for atomic energy. a new atomic energy plant is now being constructed in rural massachusetts as a result of this bill. >> of course, senator, we know these are but three vital areas you have worked to strengthen massachusetts. of our important part massachusetts economy is the commonwealth here at the boston harbor. we all recall this vital facility was a safety hazard and

was to be torn down. now, however, as a result of the coordinated efforts of senator kennedy and commerce and john mccormick, it is once more caring its heavy share of harbor traffic safely and economically. in the wake of the flood, tornadoes, and hurricanes that have devastated newlywed, senator kennedy successfully sponsored legislation to sponsor a flood insurance program, and obtained emergency disaster relief for those who suffered loss. center --s in which senator kennedy has looked after the interest of individual/us talk to sell the tour -- and the individuals -- let's talk to sell the tour. seleka: [-- sell the tour:

ore: [speaking italian] >> i am his knees. my uncle said he came into this country in 1955, but was not able to take his family with him. through mr. kennedy's efforts, he was reunited in this wonderful country of ours, and he wishes to thank senator kennedy very much. >> other families can be brought together in america as a result of senator kennedy's dale. the kennedy bill opens the nations wire to -- wider to people from friendly countries seeking safety and refuge here. between 50 and 70,000 refugees want enter the united states under this law.

in the field of foreign affairs, senator kennedy has fought to utilize united states economic aid to keep the torch of freedom burning for those held against her will behind the iron curtain. a major, schmidt of the senate the past year and a half has been the -- hot topic accomplishment of the senate the past year and a half -- senator kennedy and his brother bob, as chief counsel to the committee, in thisyed key roles historic episode. >> the fact is you were paying bride.road here to >> -- >> i paid it with the complete knowledge -- >> i'm a talking about that, i am talking about your own responsibility. it is prohibited. we are talking about the fact you gave $175 a week in cash to mr. mccue, and it was your

impression it was going into his pocket. >> it was not my impression it was going into his pocket. pres. kennedy: you testified at first you believed him, but then you did not. i was of the opinion that probably they were lying to me. pres. kennedy: then you continue to pay the money. >> i continue to pay the money. pres. kennedy: well, then you are giving him a bribe. >> i mimic talked to the people involved. pres. kennedy: he talk to you question my >> we discussed the matter, yes. >> you told them what had happened. >> no, i told them i borrowed the money. money could slip. instead of 52, it was 51. >> hua -- pres. kennedy: who else that he talked to -- talk to, your

accountant? >> people involved. pres. kennedy: how many were involved? >> i cannot tell you. pres. kennedy: so in other words, the people you talk to, you and mr. bush can. it'd talk to other people? au read to the committee statement your accountant has been over it, and is now indicated you borrowed the money in such and such year and repaid the money in such and such year. when did the account make the study? the last few months? >> last few days. pres. kennedy: the determination, and you cannot tell us who we talked to besides you, mr. hopper? that made the report about what your accountant found, and now we find there are no reference that

he talked to you and the other gentleman involved and the whole transaction was in cash. >> legislative outgrowth was the kennedy bill designed to strengthen immunity by ridding it of those who would rob the working man of use and rights. this important measure passed the senate 88-1, but was defeated by a close vote in the house of representatives. these were the words of senator kennedy and senator ives the day of the house action. this -- only: on jimmy hoffa can rejoice at his continued good luck. honestly and members can only regarded as a tragedy that politics has remanded -- frommended the bipartisan being passed in the house of representatives. instructive legislation in the reform of this general area will be brought again to the congress next year. in the meantime, those who defeated this dale will bear a

heavy -- this bill will bear a heavy response ability for the racketeering that will continue to go on unchecked. >> now we hear from senator ives of new york. senator ives bill is a good bill. jimmy hoffae put out of business. a lot of the house members were led by. again to from the american retail federation, the -- can you imagine a more on holy alliance. they represent the extremists in both camps. when the say this -- senate passed this bill 88-1, we didn't it by a bipartisan approach. senator kennedy is a democrat. i am a republican. we worked together. politics -- partisan politics has not been in our consideration. as i look at that vote, i am ashamed of my party. the vote was in favor of it --

democrats 149, republicans, 41. a total of 190. against it, democrat 61, republicans, 137. a total of one -- 198. that speaks for itself. the house has a long way to go before it approaches the nonpartisan attitude of senator kennedy to myself, and many other republicans and democrats in the senate. >> of course senator kennedy also has retained a keen interest in other human problems. he fought to extend unemployment compensation to 39 weeks. he led successful campaigns to raise the national minimum wage to one dollar and lower the retirement age for women. sponsored they legislation that will establish the first national library of medicine. this library will provide the nation with a vital medical research facility, the largest in the world, safeguard priceless and irreplaceable medical journals that are now housed in antiquated quarters. the people of massachusetts also

, he that if a direct result founded the one conference of senators. this conference brought together 12 when senators, republicans and democrats, -- new england senators, republicans and democrats. senator, since the people of massachusetts have always been at it in your personal and professional life, we would like to share with them in recollection some of the intimate highlights of the last few years. let's begin with that day in january, 1953, when they beloved alan w barkley swore you and as junior senator from massachusetts. as your entry into the senate political important event, your wedding was a romantic highlight of that year. ♪

another highlight in both your lives, of course, was the birth last november of your daughter caroline, and her christening a few weeks later by archbishop richard kirsch in. we recall also, senator, your little one of the most successful political dramas, the fight for the 1956 democratic vice presidential nomination. here are tense moments from the race to begin with your nomination and reached the climax with a second ballot, where you came within 20.5 votes of capturing the nomination. >> john kennedy of massachusetts -- [applause] >> is an outstanding american. john kennedy of massachusetts is a great democrat. john kennedy of massachusetts is a successful campaigner, and a successful candidate every time

he has run for public office. kennedynt we want kennedy. we want kennedy. >> the convention will be in order, and the clerk will proceed with the second rollcall of the states for the nomination of the vice presidency of the united states. >> alabama, passes. , six votes. alaska castsan, six votes for asterisk he falter -- york casts 1.5 votes for votes for the next vice

president of the united states, senator kennedy. votes texas proudly casts this vote for the fighting sailor that wears the scars of battle, the next vice president of the united states, john kennedy of massachusetts. [applause] does the state of tennessee desire recognition? >> mr. chairman -- ? >> tennessee respectfully requests the opportunity for candidate albert gore to make the brief announcement. mr. chairman, with thanks to this great, free democratic convention, i request my name be

mr.drawn in favor of kefauver. cast 17.5 now --shine votes for kefauver, for senator kennedy. >> senator john kennedy of massachusetts. pres. kennedy: ladies and gentlemen -- ladies and , itlemen of this convention want to take this opportunity first to express my appreciation to democrats from all parts of the country, north and south, east and west, who have been so generous and kind to me this afternoon. i think that it proves, as

nothing else could prove, what a strong, and united party the democratic party is. [applause] pres. kennedy: secondly, i think bearsas happened today out the good judgment of governor stevenson in deciding this issue should be taken to the floor of the convention. [applause] believennedy: because i that the democratic body will go from this convention far stronger by what we have done here today. therefore, ladies and gentlemen, recognizing this convention has selected a man that has campaigned in all parts of the country, who has worked entirely for the party, who will serve as an admirable running mate to governor stevenson, i hope this convention will make --kefauver

nomination unanimous. thank you. suspend the rules and make the nomination of kefauver by acclamation. [applause] >> of course, no recounting of your personal triumphs would be complete without mentioning the pulitzer prize you won in 1957 for writing "profiles in courage." pres. kennedy: it was interesting job because all of us who hold a position in legislature are concerned with problems and how other senators and commerce have endured the pressures all of us undergo. one of the most heartening things about it is the fact that the united states information service has chosen it to be translated in order to explain one phase of american life. inave here the copy that is vietnamese, and here, a copy in japanese. it also has been translated into

hebrew, for use in the country of the israel, and also in spanish. i have a letter from george allen, the head of theinformation service, in which he says "profiles in courage" has proven to be exceptionally effective in promoting a clear understanding of american-statesman among our foreign audiences. of course, that is been one of the very beneficial things that has sprung out of the book. thank you, senator, for letting us visit with you here in your office. now, may we meet the rest of your family? pres. kennedy: yes, i will take you to my house and i will introduce them to you. >> thank you very much, senator kennedy. ♪

pres. kennedy: hey. it is a pleasure to have you here. i want you to meet my daughter caroline, and my wife, jackie. -- ikennedy: how do you do am glad you had the pleasure to see the office in the senate, and now our house, where we have lived for a year, and where caroline was born. i look forward to meeting all of when we will be back in massachusetts. pres. kennedy: he wants this -- you want this? thank you very much for coming to see us, and we look forward to seeing you very shortly. say goodbye, too, caroline.

mrs. kennedy: bye-bye. pres. kennedy: that is good. >> this has been a visit in washington with your united state senator, john f. kennedy. in this great city, a glow with tributes to america's past, is being written america's future. the authors of that future will come in large part, be the 98 members of the united states senate. the senate's members must understand thoroughly both foreign policy, and the day to day economic and social problems of the people they represent. they must be men of stature, courage, and ability. such a man is john f. kennedy. he serves massachusetts with his tension in the united states senate. ♪ [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2016] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] you are watching on american history tv -- 48 hours of programming on american history every weekend on c-span3.

follow us on twitter @ c-spanhistory to keep up with the latest history news. >> up next, harry katz speaks about "mark twain's america," and mark twain's influence on american culture. it is about 50 minutes. >> a little microphone adjustment. understandable. really happy to be here today because this is a culmination of about three years of wonderful work