@jfklibraryfdn: President Kennedy established USAID in 1961 to provide aid to under-resourced governments across the world, which he later called an “essential national commitment.” Speaking to directors USAID missions in June 1962, #JFKsaid: “The people who are opposed to aid should realize that this is a very powerful source of strength for us. It permits us to exert influence for the maintenance of freedom. If we were not so heavily involved, our voice would not speak with such vigor.”