Apr. 26, 1963 - Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, visiting Atlanta on Confederate Memorial Day, praised progress made in Georgia and the South in solving civil rights problems. Mr. Kennedy (pictured with Atlanta Mayor Sam Massell) said today that progress had been made in desegregating schools, transportation, and other public facilities in many sections during the past few years and “we are on the right road now.” He urged that moderates throughout the country work together to prevent a rise in extremism on both sides of the racial issue. Mr. Kennedy answered questions at a news conference after a breakfast engagement with Governor Carl E. Sanders. He told Governor Sanders that Georgia has demonstrated it can handle its own problems, and if that continues the state needs “no interference from the federal government.” The Attorney General told newsmen he has no plans for seeking the Presidency, the Vice Presidency, or Governorship of Massachusetts. He said he expected Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson would again be the second man on the Democratic ticket. He said he hoped to continue as Attorney General for the remainder of this term and “well into the next,” adding over the laughter of reporters: “Get it?” Asked for comment on the possibility of a revolt by some southern states against his party, Mr. Kennedy acknowledged that the chances of Alabama and Mississippi going for President Kennedy in 1964 were dim.
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