Pres. Kennedy's of the Union speeches: on Foreign Policy

Free the Americas of all foreign domination and all tyranny

We are pledged to work with our sister republics to free the Americas of all such foreign domination and all tyranny, working toward the goal of a free hemisphere of free governments, extending from Cape Horn to the Arctic Circle.

To our sister republics to the south, we have pledged a new alliance for progress-alianza para progreso. Our goal is a free and prosperous Latin America, realizing for all its states and all its citizens a degree of economic and social progress that matches their historic contributions of culture, intellect and liberty.

Alianza Para Progreso: Food-for-Peace to Latin America

• Appropriating the $500 million fund pledged by the Act of Bogota, to be used not as an instrument of the Cold War, but as a first step in the sound development of the Americas.
• That the Department of State coordinate at the highest level all policies and programs of concern to the Americas.
• That our delegates to the OAS strengthen that body as an instrument to preserve the peace and to prevent foreign domination anywhere in the Hemisphere.
• That we launch a new hemispheric attack on illiteracy and inadequate educational opportunities to all levels; and, finally,
• That a Food-for-Peace mission be sent immediately to Latin America to explore ways in which our vast food abundance can be used to help end hunger and malnutrition in certain areas of suffering in our own hemisphere.

Peace Corps carries spirit of America abroad

A year ago, less than 900 Peace Corps volunteers were on the job. A year from now they will number more than 9,000-men and women, aged 18 to 79, willing to give 2 years of their lives to helping people in other lands.

There are, in fact, nearly a million Americans serving their country and the cause of freedom in overseas posts, a record no other people can match. Surely those of us who stay at home should be glad to help indirectly; by supporting our aid programs; .by opening our doors to foreign visitors and diplomats and students; and by proving, day by day, by deed as well as word, that we are a just and generous people.