inthe know
Did you know?
McKeesport Statue T
Was One of the
First to Honor JFK
his past November marked the 50th anniversary of John
F. Kennedy’s assassination in Dallas. Though that city
will forever be linked with the slain U.S. president in an
infamous way, McKeesport has its own connections that are
both historic and fond.
By Pamela Palongue
Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon both visited McKeesport for
an important debate on April 21, 1947. These two men, who
would one day be President of the United States, faced off
on the Taft-Hartley Act, a legislative bill that would limit the
power and activities of labor unions. Kennedy opposed the
bill in favor of more freedom for labor. Despite his efforts, the
bill was passed into law just two months later. But for a brief
moment, this small city by the river served as the backdrop for
a national debate that took center stage in our country.
This wasn’t the only time that Kennedy would visit our
city. On Oct. 13, 1962, he again made an appearance in
McKeesport as he toured several mill towns, meeting citizens
face to face and shaking hands. By all accounts, people were
impressed with his friendly and accessible demeanor as he
took the time to greet each person with whom he came in
contact. Sadly, it would prove to be his last visit as Kennedy
was assassinated some 13 months later on November 22, 1963.
McKeesport’s strong connection with the president continued
even after his assassination. Then-mayor Andrew J. Jakomas
proposed that a statue of Kennedy be erected. It is believed
that the bronze likeness is one of the earliest, if not the first,
full-body statues of President Kennedy erected in the U.S. The
9-ft. statue stands in Kennedy Park and features a somewhat
stern-faced Kennedy, clutching a satchel under his arm. ■
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