Proclamation 3502—National Cultural Center Week

Whereas the Congress, by an Act approved September 2, 1958 (72 Stat. 1698), established a board known as the Trustees of the National Cultural Center to plan, create, and operate a National Cultural Center in the Nation's Capital; and

Whereas the National Cultural Center will provide facilities for the presentation of classical and contemporary music, drama, opera, dance, poetry, and other performing arts; and

Whereas a nationwide fund-raising campaign will give the American people an opportunity to demonstrate their support of the creation of the National Cultural Center and also their support of cultural activities in their own communities; and

Whereas this fund-raising program will be highlighted on November 29, 1962 with a nationwide, closed-circuit telecast entitled "An American Pageant of the Arts," designed to display the contributions of each of the Nation's regions to our national cultural heritage; and

Whereas communities participating in this telecast will retain one-half of the proceeds to support local cultural activities; and

Whereas both Mrs. Kennedy and Mrs. Eisenhower now serve as Honorary Chairmen of the National Cultural Center and a number of citizens prominent in government, business, labor, and the arts are members of its Board of Trustees; and

Whereas the Congress, by a joint resolution approved October 15, 1962, has requested the President to issue a proclamation designating the period from November 26, 1962, through December 2, 1962, as National Cultural Center Week:

Now, Therefore, I, John F. Kennedy, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate the period from November 26, 1962, through December 2, 1962, as National Cultural Center Week; and I urge all persons, organizations, and governmental agencies involved in fostering the performing arts in this Nation to publicize and observe that week.

I also call upon the Governors of the States, other State officials, the mayors and city managers, and the various civic, fraternal, and patriotic organizations to join in assuring a successful fund-raising campaign for the National Cultural Center.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States of America to be affixed.

DONE at the City of Washington this fifteenth day of October in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and sixty-two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and eighty-seventh.

JOHN F. KENNEDY

By the President:

DEAN RUSK,

Secretary of State