CLAUDE D. PEPPER - TYPED NOTE SIGNED 01/31/1942 - HFSID 34688

CLAUDE PEPPER
On his US Senate letterhead, Pepper complies with an autograph request.
Typed Letter signed: "Claude Pepper" as US Senator, 1 page, 8x10½. Washington, D.C., 1942 January 31. On letterhead of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to Edward Duncan, Jacksonville, Florida. In full: "I am glad to reply to your recent request and forward you the enclosed autographed picture. [Item not included.] I will be glad to hear from you again. With kindest regards and best wishes to you, I remain, Very sincerely yours". Claude Pepper (1900-1990), a Democrat, was a US Senator from Florida (1936-1951). Pepper had been a strong supporter of President Franklin Roosevelt, who died on April 12, 1945, but tried to block President Truman's re-nomination in 1948. In retaliation, Truman persuaded a more conservative Democrat, US Representative George Smathers, to unseat Pepper in the 1950 Democratic primary. After more than a decade out of office, Pepper would return to the US House of Representatives for 13 terms (1963-1989). As Chairman of the newly created House Select Committee on Aging, he became a foremost advocate for senior citizens, promoting Social Security and Medicare and passing legislation abolishing most mandatory retirement rules. Four days before his death, President George H. W. Bush awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Toned and creased. Multiple mailing folds. Folds effecting signature. Otherwise, fine condition.