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White House press release
White House press release

White House press release

Object number2010.042.0003
Date09/30/1962
ClassificationsDocuments
ObjectDocument
Credit LineThe Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza Collection
MediumPaper
Dimensions14 x 8 1/2 in. (35.6 x 21.6 cm)
Collections
DescriptionOriginal White House press release issued by the Kennedy Administration, dated September 30, 1962. Press release is a transcript of the telegram sent to Governor Ross Barnett of Mississippi questioning whether he intended to prevent James Meredith from matriculating at Ole Miss. Press release is a double-sided, one-page document. Heading at top of document reads: " IMMEDIATE RELEASE SEPTEMBER 30, 1962 Office of the White House Press Secretary - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - THE WHITE HOUSE TEXT OF TELEGRAM FROM THE PRESIDENT ADDRESSED TO THE HONORABLE ROSS BARNETT, GOVERNOR, STATE OF MISSISSIPPI" Full text of the telegram follows, questioning Governor Barnett on his intentions regarding James Meredith and requesting a reply by the end of the day.
Curatorial Commentary
James Meredith broke the color barrier in 1962 as the first African American student at Ole Miss. Frank Lambert’s book “The Battle of Ole Miss” (2010) describes this critical historical encounter between civil rights and state rights.  This book is available in the Museum's Reading Room. - Krishna Shenoy, Librarian/Archivist