06/05/1963
President Kennedy, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, Texas Gov. John Connally and Gov. Jack Campbell of New Mexico, will be among the approximately 50 members of the Presidential party.
The President will arrive by helicopter at 5:30 p.m. at International Airport. Many of his party will be passengers in the five helicopters which will come to El Paso from White Sands Missile Range, N.M. Others will arrive separately.
Richard White, chairman of the committee making arrangements for the Kennedy visit, said the President’s presence here is an “historic event in El Paso.” The fact that Vice President Johnson will be in El Paso with the President is even more historic. White said he believes that never before in the history of the Southwest have the President and vice president visited simultaneously.
On his arrival, president Kennedy will be met by Vice President Johnson, Gov. Connally, and Ft. Bliss commanding general, Maj. Gen. Tom Stayton. They will walk over to the reception committee, and receive greetings from that group, according to White.
The committee is composed of White, Ray Pearson, Democratic state district committeeman; Major Judson Williams; County Judge Glenn Woodard; Customs Collector Ray Dwigans, I.S. Boundary and Water Commission Joseph Friedken; Postmaster J.J. Kaster; 95th Bombardment Wing commander Col. Thomas G. Netcher of Biggs, and possibly others.
The Chief Executive will be rendered a 21-gun salute, and the 62nd Army Band will play “Hail to the Chief.” An honor guard, commanded by Ft. Bliss Col William A. Stricklin, will also be present.
TO SPEAK AT AIRPORT
The president will ascend a 60-seat platform, accompanied by other members of the official party. White said it is anticipated that Mayor Williams will introduce Gov. Connally; the governor will introduce Vice President Johnson, and the vice president will introduce President Kennedy.
Following a 15 to 20 minute speech to a crowd expected to reach 20,000, the President and his party will ride in a motorcade to Downtown El Paso en route to Hotel Cortez, where the entire party will stay overnight. President Kennedy will ride with Gov. Connally and Sen. Ralph Yarbrough, in a special White House limousine brought here for the occasion.
Large crowds are expected to line the motorcade route. The cars will go south on Airways Boulevard to Montana Avenue; west on Montana Avenue to Mesa Street, and south on Mesa to the hotel. Officials are planning on thousands of spectators in the Downtown area around San Jacinto plaza.
INQUIRES RECEIVED
White said he has been receiving calls from as far as Marfa, Odessa, Midland, Presidio and Fort Stockton, Tex., and Las Cruces, Carlsbad, Alamogordo, Truth or Consequences, Deming, Lordsburg and Silver City, N.M.
“This will be the largest event ever held in this area, and I think we can expect visitors from all over the Southwest,” he said. “In addition to visitors from other Southwestern communities, I think we can expect thousands of people to come from Juarez to see and hear the President.”
After his arrival at the hotel, no further official functions are planned for the president. The Junior Chamber of Commerce Banquet, planned in the Cortez at 8 p.m. Wednesday, will probably be attended by several high officials but the President and vice president are not expected to participate, White said.
At 9 a.m. Thursday, President Kennedy and his party will return to the airport by motorcade, by the same route except that Yandell drive will be followed east to Montana, and his plane will be in the air by 9:30 a.m.
The President and his party will be coming to El Paso from White Sands Missile Range, N.M., where an extensive program is planned early in the afternoon.
The President will arrive at White Sands from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., at 2:40 p.m. He will remain there until 5:10 p.m., when the helicopters will leave for El Paso.
White stressed the fact that the program at International Airport, and all events on the President’s itinerary are directed by the White House. White House protocol also determines the size of the platform from which he will speak, who will occupy the platform, and who will travel in the motorcade.
More than 230 civilian law enforcement officers will control traffic and handle the large crowds expected at the airport, downtown and along the motorcade route.
Area dignitaries Tuesday held a “dry run” at International Airport. They were briefed on the schedule, security regulations and other items concerning the visit.
GIFTS FOR FAMILY
Just in case the U.S. missile defense program should prove inadequate to the job, President Kennedy will have a tried and true weapon to fall back on.
Upon his arrival in El Paso, the President will receive a pair of matched frontier model Colt .45s complete with western style cartridge belt, initialed silver buckle and tied down “gun slick” holsters presented by mayor Judson Williams.
Also to bolster the authority of his office, the President will receive a silver Texas Ranger badge handcrafted by Texas Western College professor Wiltz Harrison, with a smaller 14-carat gold replica for the first Lady.
Among other gifts to be showered on president Kennedy by Mayor Williams will be an official gold key to the City and a genuine size 7 1/2 Stetson with the President’s name printed in gold in the headband.
Mayor Williams said, “We want the President to know that here in the West the Colt .45 is still remembered as the great equalizer and that to be well-armed is America’s greatest defense against any and all enemies and surest safeguard of peace.”
Rep. Ed Foreman will fly to White Sands on an Army plane, then will come to El Paso for the Presidential welcome and the Jaycee dinner later.
White announced Tuesday the persons who will be in charge of crowd facilities for the Democratic party when the President arrives at International Airport.
Tom Diamond will be in charge of gate credentials and Col. Ted Hover, field co-coordinator, will be assisted by Ted Hover Jr. and Pappy Hoyt.
Joe Yarbrough is in charge of Platform arrangements and Wayne Windle is heading the general setting committee. Mrs. Barton Boling is in charge of the reception usherettes.
More artilces from 06/05/1963
Visit Makes EP Temporary White House
Fly Flags Wednesday, CC UrgesRaymond Telles To Make EP Trip
Articles from 06/06/1963
Chief Executive Sees Holloman Facilities
President Views Flawless White Sands Missile Shots
Short Political Talk Highlights Arrival
Comments