Versions of the Speech
Official version held by the National Archives. This version was prepared in advance and then released after the speech was delivered.
Version published by the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights
Version published on American Rhetoric. Includes an audio recording.
Respect for Law, 48 ABA Journal 31 (Jan. 1962); authored by Robert F. Kennedy
Cases Referred to in the Speech
- Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1952)
- Davis v. County School Board of Prince Edward County, 103 F.Supp. 337 (1952)One of the four cases combined into Brown v. Board of Education. The other three were Briggs v. Elliott (filed in South Carolina), Gebhart v. Belton (filed in Delaware), and Bolling v. Sharpe (filed in Washington D.C.).
- Henry W. GradyQuoting from a speech delivered at the annual banquet of the Boston Merchants' Association in December, 1889.
speech - Crumb v. The State, 205 Ga. 547 (1949)
- Presidential Proclamation 3405April 7, 1961
The President urged the people of the United States to observe Monday, May 1, 1961, as Law Day, U.S.A., with suitable ceremonies.
Books by and about Robert F. Kennedy
During the speech, Attorney General Kennedy highlighted three "major areas of difficulty within the purview of my responsibilities that sap our national strength, that weaken our people, that require our immediate attention." These included organized crime, corrupt practices in business and by unions, and civil rights which included school desegregation. These would continue to be areas of focus for the rest of his professional life.
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