Rare ALS signed “John Kennedy,” two pages both sides, 6.25 x 9, Congress of the United States letterhead, February 15, [1951]. Letter to Frank F. Previte, Jr., in full: "I am very sorry to hear about your recent experience in my office in Boston. While we are short-handed due to Joe Rosetti of South Boston who was formerly in the Boston office and while it will be another week before the new man comes in—there is still no excuse for the treatment that you received. I am sending your letter to Boston to be read by everyone so that there will not be a repetition of this. I will be in Boston this Saturday about 5:00 P.M. at 122 Bowdoin St., if you can come around, I would like to discuss your case with you. If you cannot, would you write to me directly in Washington and I will see that some action is taken. I hope that you will accept my apology for what happened." In fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope bearing a pre-printed franking signature; also includes a secretarial letter from Kennedy on February 8th, recommending Previte for a position as storekeeper at the Navy's shipyard in Quincy, as well as its envelope.
Previte, who had likely worked on Kennedy’s political campaigns, evidently sought an audience with Congressman Kennedy at his Boston office sometime between February 9th and 14th. The request was granted and when Previte showed up he was told to wait in the outer office. Forgotten, Previte spent the entire day waiting for JFK, who never appeared and may have left through the rear without being told that a constituent was waiting. Previte was incensed and sent a scathing letter to Kennedy, to which JFK immediately responded with this long and thoughtful handwritten letter. Such earnest, heartfelt apologies from those in office are rare, and Kennedy's personal outreach to an unhappy citizen demonstrates his keen political instincts.
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