/internal/media/dispatcher/36416/fullResponse letter from Congressman Bruce Alger12/11/196310 1/2 × 8 in. (26.7 × 20.3 cm)PaperThe Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza Collection2014.003.0072.00010Carbon copy of typed two-page response letter to Mr. Carl B. Young from Bruce Alger, dated December 11, 1963. Alger thanks Mr. Young for his letter and shares his belief that legislation should be judged on merit and should not be passed as a memorial or out of sentiment. Alger notes that in all the news coverage vilifying Dallas and its people "only mere mention has been made that the murderer was a Communist." Alger defends his political party by stating that “political differences to the principles of the national leadership is not inspired by hate” but is part of the free system. Alger concludes the letter by pledging to approach "all our problems with knowledge, integrity and principle."
Condition- both pages have staple holes and rust stains, lower left corners are wrinkled. (PP 06/10/14).Documents6529020.320040640126.670053340140741Letter0E-10Carbon copy of a typed two-page response letter to Mr. Carl B. Young from Congressman Bruce Alger, dated December 11, 1963. Alger thanks Mr. Young for his letter and writes that he shares his belief that legislation should be judged on merit and should not be passed as a memorial or out of sentiment. Alger, referring to Lee Harvey Oswald as the accused assassin of President Kennedy, notes that in all the news coverage vilifying Dallas and its people "only mere mention has been made that the murderer was a Communist." Alger states his political stance that “political differences to the principles of the national leadership is not inspired by hate” but is part of the free system.
Although not mentioned directly, Alger's references to those who would "stifle all opposition by calling it hatred" is written in response to Carl Young's original letter (see 2014.003.0072.0002) in which he expresses vehement opposition to civil rights legislation.
LettersCommunistsAnti-communismLegislationAlger, BruceDallasWashington, D.C.This letter is an example similar to many other response letters Congressman Alger wrote in the months following the assassination. Most of the letters share common language about approaching passage of legislation in a calm and measured fashion, without emotionalism inspired by President Kennedy's tragic death. Civil Rights legislation was a major topic of debate in the year following Kennedy's death. The Civil Rights Act was passed in June 1964. - Lindsey Richardson, Curator of CollectionsBruce Alger (1918-2015) was one of the larger-than-life ultraconservative personalities that dominated the political image of Dallas in the years before the Kennedy assassination. In 1954, the Dallas native became the first Republican congressman from Texas since Reconstruction. During his decade in Congress, he was considered one of the most conservative members of the U.S. House. For example, in addition to sponsoring a bill for the United States to withdraw from the United Nations, he was the only congressman to oppose a federally-funded school lunch program. Alger was particularly critical of the Kennedy administration and was present when Lyndon and Lady Bird Johnson were accosted in Dallas during the last days of the 1960 campaign. - Stephen Fagin, Associate Curator