CARL T. CURTIS - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 12/02/1969 - HFSID 34349

CARL T. CURTIS
As a US Senator (1969), Curtis signs a typed letter to a school principal in his home state of Nebraska, attributing America's greatness to "her Christian heritage."
Typed Letter signed: "Carl T. Curtis" as US Senator, 2 pages, 8x10. Washington, D.C., 1969 December 2. On his personal Senate letterhead to Jack F. Dodds, Principal, Riley Elementary School, Lincoln, Nebraska. In full: "A person could write not one book but volumes on the greatness of America. I will try my best to give you a few ideas in concise form. In answer to the question, 'What my country means to me', my reply is, 'It is everything.' In spite of all our problems there are more things that are right with America than are wrong with America. Freedom of choice is still ours. The freedom to move about and live where we choose and the freedom to choose one's occupation are all taken for granted. The freedom to criticize and the freedom to worship and the freedom to disagree are as American as apple pie. In the United States we have been too self-critical. Too much attention has been given to the blight and too little attention to the fruit that nourishes freedom throughout the world. It is still possible for a boy or girl from the poverty level to climb the heights in industry, agriculture, science, medicine or the professions. It is still possible for the homeless to become home owners. Americans have twice landed on the moon. Our system of education, our scientific world and our engineering world and our world of business administration could not be defective in a major way and these accomplishments come about. These flights did more to enhance the image of the United States than anything that has happened in my lifetime. Enslaved people and people without opportunity around the world know that they can place their confidence in America because of the way in which America's capability was dramatized. I think America is great because of her Christian heritage. I think that our problems can be measured by the extent to which we as individuals and as a nation have deviated or neglected or abandoned our basic Christian faith. Of course, America has problems. If there was no wind in the world, our trees would not be strong. We should never abandon a house because there are flyspecks on the wall. With personal greetings, I am sincerely yours". Nebraskan Carl Thomas Curtis (1905-2000), a Republican, served in the US House of Representatives (1939-1954) and Senate (1954-1979). Known for his anti-communism and fiscal conservatism, Curtis was Barry Goldwater's floor manager at the 1964 Republican National Convention. He loyally supported President Nixon on the Vietnam War and throughout the Watergate crisis. After leaving the Senate he was a leader of the American Freedom Coalition, a conservative advocacy group. Lighlty toned and creased. Folded twice and unfolded. Otherwise in fine condition.