Post by darkstar2 on Aug 6, 2008 13:12:25 GMT
30,000 In Miami Join A Rally For Decency
The New York Times
March 24 1969
Page 1 Col. 5 - Con't on Page 31, Col. 3
By: Associated Press
MIAMI March 23 - Some 30,000 hand clapping persons, some waving signs saying "Down With Obscenity," rallied in the Orange Bowl today to support a teenage crusade for decency in entertainment.
Teenagers organized the rally after Jim Morrison, 24 years old, the lead singer of The Doors, a rock group, was charged with indecent exposure during a concert in Miami on March 1. Six warrants have been issued for Mr. Morriosn' arrest.
Mike Levesque, 17, the originator of the rally, a senior at Miami Springs High School, said the idea had grown out of a Roman Catholic youth group discussion two days after the concert by The Doors.
"This is not a protest rally," said Julie James, 18 a member of the teenage Rally For Decency. "We're not against something. We're for something."
TALKS ON GOD AND SEX
Teenage speakers gave three minute talks on God, parents, patriotism, sexuality and brotherhood. There were appearances by professional entertainers, who donated their time.
"Five virtues ," selected as the keynote of the rally, were "belief in God and that He loves us; love of our planet and country; love of our family, reverence of one's sexuality, and equality of all men."
"Sex is definately being exploited and it is because society has been losing its reverence for one's sexuality," Miss James said.
The shirt sleeved crowd basking in the warm sun cheered for Jackie Gleason, Anita Bryant and the Lettermen, popular music singers who appeared in order to applaud the teenage rally.
"I believe this kind of movement will snowball across the United States and perhaps around the world," Mr Gleason said.
"I think it's great there should be more things like that," said Tony Butala of the Lettermen.
Young Levesque said he was thrilled by the rapid growth of the decency movement and the support it had gained from adults.
The crowd was about evenly split between teenagers and adults.
END.
Richard Nixon
Letter to a Student Concerning the Miami Teen-Age Rally for Decency.
March 26, 1969
Dear Mike:
I was extremely interested to learn about the admirable initiative undertaken by you and 30,000 other young people at the Miami Teen-age Rally for Decency held last Sunday.
This very positive approach which focused attention on a number of critical problems confronting society strengthens my belief that the younger generation is our greatest natural resource and therefore of tremendous hope for the future.
I hope that you will express my appreciation to everyone involved and my congratulations on the success of their efforts.
Sincerely,
RICHARD NIXON
[Mr. Mike Levesque, 401 To-To-Lo-Chee Drive, Hialeah, Florida 35000]
Note: The letter was dated March 25, 1969, and released March 26, 1969. Mike Levesque, 17, senior at Miami Springs High School, was the organizer of the rally.
www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=1979
The New York Times
March 24 1969
Page 1 Col. 5 - Con't on Page 31, Col. 3
By: Associated Press
MIAMI March 23 - Some 30,000 hand clapping persons, some waving signs saying "Down With Obscenity," rallied in the Orange Bowl today to support a teenage crusade for decency in entertainment.
Teenagers organized the rally after Jim Morrison, 24 years old, the lead singer of The Doors, a rock group, was charged with indecent exposure during a concert in Miami on March 1. Six warrants have been issued for Mr. Morriosn' arrest.
Mike Levesque, 17, the originator of the rally, a senior at Miami Springs High School, said the idea had grown out of a Roman Catholic youth group discussion two days after the concert by The Doors.
"This is not a protest rally," said Julie James, 18 a member of the teenage Rally For Decency. "We're not against something. We're for something."
TALKS ON GOD AND SEX
Teenage speakers gave three minute talks on God, parents, patriotism, sexuality and brotherhood. There were appearances by professional entertainers, who donated their time.
"Five virtues ," selected as the keynote of the rally, were "belief in God and that He loves us; love of our planet and country; love of our family, reverence of one's sexuality, and equality of all men."
"Sex is definately being exploited and it is because society has been losing its reverence for one's sexuality," Miss James said.
The shirt sleeved crowd basking in the warm sun cheered for Jackie Gleason, Anita Bryant and the Lettermen, popular music singers who appeared in order to applaud the teenage rally.
"I believe this kind of movement will snowball across the United States and perhaps around the world," Mr Gleason said.
"I think it's great there should be more things like that," said Tony Butala of the Lettermen.
Young Levesque said he was thrilled by the rapid growth of the decency movement and the support it had gained from adults.
The crowd was about evenly split between teenagers and adults.
END.
Richard Nixon
Letter to a Student Concerning the Miami Teen-Age Rally for Decency.
March 26, 1969
Dear Mike:
I was extremely interested to learn about the admirable initiative undertaken by you and 30,000 other young people at the Miami Teen-age Rally for Decency held last Sunday.
This very positive approach which focused attention on a number of critical problems confronting society strengthens my belief that the younger generation is our greatest natural resource and therefore of tremendous hope for the future.
I hope that you will express my appreciation to everyone involved and my congratulations on the success of their efforts.
Sincerely,
RICHARD NIXON
[Mr. Mike Levesque, 401 To-To-Lo-Chee Drive, Hialeah, Florida 35000]
Note: The letter was dated March 25, 1969, and released March 26, 1969. Mike Levesque, 17, senior at Miami Springs High School, was the organizer of the rally.
www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=1979