Biography of John F. Kennedy - Research Paper Example

John F. Kennedy, born in Brookline, was the 35th president of United s. After completing his education from Harvard in 1940, he joined the navy in 1941. He led a boat in World War II with his exceptional qualities of leadership, bravery and patience. He was considered a real war hero after saving many lives in Japanese Destroyer sank PT 109. After retiring from Navy service in 1945, He started his political career. Kennedy faced many difficult times in his life but he never lost hope and always kept a balance in his life. Kennedy was an ambitious and determined man. He strived hard and got elected in U.S House of Representatives in 1946. This was the beginning of his career in politics. He emphasized social welfare programs including low cost housing programs during his period. Kennedy was faithful and strong friend of labor. He served in labor committee from 1947 to 1952, six years in the House of Representatives. He also worked as the member of Joint Committee on Labor-Management Relations in 1949 (Manchester, n.d.). Later he joined U.S. Senate in 1952 and promoted foreign affairs, civil rights, progressive taxation, regulation of business and social welfare legislation. Kennedy remained the member of labor committees during his entire political career and presented many major legislations related to labor. He combated against the Taft Hartley Bill in this period. After taking this seat, he served in the Labor and Public Welfare Committee, the Government Operations Committee, the Select committee on Labor Management Relations, the Foreign Relations Committee and the Joint Economic Committee. At that time many issues of unions aroused in factories. He was well-known in dealing with traditional and common democratic issues including trade union matters and foreign policy matters. Kennedy presented The Kennedy-Douglas-Ives Bill (1957) which entailed the whole details about the pension of every employee and the welfare funds (Manchester, n.d.). Kennedy gave a bill in 1958 which was the first main labor relations bill that got so much importance after Taft-Hartley Act of 1947. This bill did not include the Taft Hartley amendments as proposed by the President. It was basically about controlling union abuses uncovered by the McClellan committee. It was later on rejected by the House. Kennedy introduced a minimum wage bill in 1959. It was basically the same bill presented in 1958 with few amendments regarding the financial and misconduct of union officials. He thought that the amendments given by McClellan would not let the bill accepted. He was strongly against them, especially the “bill of right” amendment. The bill was presented after the careful study and it includes large portion of House bill. He tried to soften the strong Taft-Hartley provisions by including many benefits for unions. He was not satisfied with the final version of the bill as according to him it can be improved further in some areas. He was strongly appreciated by the labors because of his struggle for labor rights and removing injustices.  AFL-CIO President George Meany admired him for bringing a lot of improvements. President of United Auto Workers valued his adjustments in the bill. This bill helped him in getting support of labors in 1960 elections (Kennedy, 1960). After the vigorous campaign in 1960, J.F. Kennedy beat Lyndon B. Johnson and was elected the president of U.S. He faced many controversies while becoming the candidate because on his religion. He was Roman Catholic but he cleared this issue during his speech. According to him, there is separation between church and state. He was the only person who went to the people and asked for vote. He was the youngest ever President of U.S. Kennedy, and the first Roman Catholic elected President gave the memorable words in his inaugural speech "Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country." He always believed that the President should use his powers for bringing improvements in the Nation. In the challenging and revolutionary period of 1960’s, the President should care about the fate of the people of his Nation. The phrase “New Frontier” was used mostly in his programs depicting the new advancements and ambitious measures taken by him. Some of these frontiers include creating jobs, improving education, providing trainings for jobs, decreasing poverty and improving the tax system (Manchester, n.d.). He brought young and energetic staff in cabinet. Also, because He believed in the equality of status, therefore, he appointed many black leaders after the elections. He tried to decrease the discrimination as much as possible and selected his committee on the basis of Equal Employment Opportunity. Kennedy wanted that the Nation should see itself with new eyes. He took many new initiatives. He was the first President who had to face nuclear confrontation. He called a White House Conference on Conservation for the first time. During his period, Nation’s space programs were initiated to reach the moon. He was the most famous President among Youth at that time. Kennedy struggled to bring the U.S. economy out of recession. He had given many laws during this frontier, in which his emphasis was on investment tax credit and tax breaks. He started many new programs to support the economy. He knew very less about the agricultural sector of the economy. The main programs offered included: federal aid and emphasis on education, shifting of urban mass, new department for dealing urban affairs and medical care for old people. Expansion Act was also passed by Government to increase the U.S. exports and to reach foreign markets. These programs prospered the economy of the country (Manchester, n.d.). In 1960, he gave a debate on Fair labor Standards Amendments. This wage bill basically served two basic functions. First was that it increased the minimum wage of two and one half million workers from $1.10 to $1.25 per hour. This increase in wage occurred in three stages. The wage was to be $1.15 an hour from 1st January 1961, $1.20 an hour from 1st January 1962 and $1.25 from 1st January 1963. Such kinds of raise in minimum wage rate were also made in 1955, but it did not result in any significant change in prices or unemployment. This bill helped in increasing the standard of living as it extended to lowest paid workers to three and half million employees and their families. Kennedy basically wanted that the success at the top level should also reach labors. Higher minimum wage rate and more purchasing power increased the demand and thus, helped in bringing idle industries back to work. Second basic function was that this Act now covered 5 million additional employees and provided them with fair minimum wage rate, along with a premium for overtime. It included those retail and service industries having an annual gross sales of more than $1 million. This bill was not applicable to country store, independent grocers and the industries earning less than $1 million. It included those who were bread-earners of their family but their incomes were not sufficient. It helped in creating justice between employees in the same organization. Kennedy took a stand for removing poverty, unemployment, inferior education and injustice in the country. This bill acted as an important step for the beginning of new opportunities (Kennedy, 1960). The government started many housing and construction programs to provide jobs for over 400,000 people. Different tax reliefs in businesses investments helped in slowly recovering the Economic condition. At that time, formation of unions among the labors was at its peak (Manchester, n.d.). The Kennedy’s administration valued the labors. More labor laws were offered in his period (1961-1962) than during the period of any other previous Secretary of Labor. Kennedy made a department of Labor and had taken many initiatives for resolving the issues of labor. The department of labor accomplished many activities during this period. In 1961, The Temporary Extended Unemployment Compensation Act was given. According to this act, the unemployment benefits were extended in the country. An Area Redevelopment Act was made for giving training to the unemployed people. In 1961, a bill for including an additional secretary of labor, a woman, was approved. She would be responsible for many other tasks beyond Women’s Bureau. Some amendments were also made in Welfare and Pension Disclosure Act for giving authority to Secretary of labor to investigate the cases of misconduct or offense. He could take help from the reports of health and welfare plan administrators. Small changes were done in Railroad Retirement Act to permit the early retired people on fewer benefits for some workers. A bill was also signed for protection and health of migrant workers. For handling Labor Management policy, a President’s Advisory committee was created in which people would be selected on the basis of Equal Employment Opportunity. An order was given that the Government agencies should participate in collective bargaining with employees. According to The Manpower Development and Training Act of 1962, 3 year occupational training program was prepared for unemployed workers. Kennedy knew the importance of labor in the economic life that’s why the Secretary of labor was made the member of small “kitchen cabinet” for advising President about the condition of economy. Although the department of labor was the smallest department of the Government at that time, but it had done many amazing work in this short duration. (Goldberg, 1988) At that time, the number of immigrant workers was continuously increasing but the common myth was that attention should be given to the benefits, not the costs. Kennedy considered these myths a great enemy of truth. This myth was affecting the economy, so the nation would have to change their thinking and they couldn’t live with this myth any more (Briggs, 1999). Industrialists and owners of big businesses were against of different policies given by Kennedy’s administration. It was very difficult for them to just sit idle and face the situation as it is. According to Joseph L. Block, Chairman of Inland steel, many employers couldn’t take risk of strike because of the financial condition of unions. Employers thought that the Kennedy’s administration was encouraging and giving favors to unions through public interest. Although, Kennedy declared that the government would not intervene in controlling wages and prices but his administration was highly involved in labor issues. The National Labor Relations Board reappointed the labors who were fired because of their involvement in union activities. Along with getting the job at their previous pay, 6% interest would also be given. Employers were feared of the increasing government’s control on the wages. According to the Vice President of Labor Relation of Ford Motor Company, the control of Kennedy’s administration will increase due to involvement in both private bargaining and Government compulsion. In 1963, there was progress in gross national product, wages and taxes, but the overall condition of the business was just satisfactory. According to businessmen, the condition had not improved in these 3 years, in fact the profits were same as they were after the World War II and, as compared to other industrial countries, and American economy had the lowest growth rate in 1963. They predicted that these situations will bring many dramatic consequences in future (Knight, 2006). J. F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. He faced many difficult situations in his time as he said “very dangerous, untidy” (Manchester, n.d.). His assassination made him a martyr and he was truly respected by his friends and family. He was the member of different labor committees for many years and presented many legislations for labor’s benefit. He was really appreciated by the blue collar and black Americans. Although he faced the criticism of industrialists, he always worked hard for labors. He had gone through the era of Great Depression and nuclear age but he handled the whole situation in a remarkable way. He never lost his balance and grace during these catastrophic situations. With his strong determination and passion he was able to overcome all the challenges in his navy and political life. References Kennedy, J. (1960). Remarks of Senator John F. Kennedy at Washington DC, August 10, 1960, Retrieved from http://www.jfklibrary.org/Historical+Resources/Archives/Reference+Desk/Speeches/JFK/JFK+Pre-Pres/1960/002PREPRES12SPEECHES_60AUG10.htm Kennedy, J. (1960). John F. Kennedys Voting Record and Stands on Issues Page 2, Retrieved from http://www.jfklibrary.org/Historical+Resources/Archives/Reference+Desk/John+F.+Kennedys+Voting+Record+and+Stands+on+Issues+Page+2.htm Goldberg, A. (1988). Labor-Management Relations a High Priority: 1961-62, Monthly Labor Review, 111 Manchester, W. (n.d.) History & Society: John F. Kennedy, Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/314791/John-F-Kennedy Briggs, J. (1993) Immigration Policy and the Plight of Unskilled workers, Retrieved from digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1031... Knight, L. (2006) John F. Kennedy and the Titans, Retrieved from http://www.sott.net/articles/show/124999-John-F-Kennedy-and-the-Titans Legal Encyclopedia: Kennedy, John Fitzgerald, Retrieved from http://www.answers.com/topic/john-f-kennedy Read More