U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa, St. Petersburg) today hosted an official presentation to the U.S. Library of Congress of JFK in Tampa: The 50^th Anniversary on the birthday of President Kennedy.

Media stories filled the airwaves late last year when Tampa marked the 50^th anniversary of President Kennedy’s visit to this city. That stop was the first time a sitting president came to Tampa. It was also President Kennedy’s final stop before he was assassinated in Dallas just four days later on Nov. 22, 1963.  JFK in Tampa is a 60-minute documentary by journalist and producer Lynn Marvin Dingfelder that combines rare film footage of President Kennedy’s Tampa speeches, unique photos and first-hand accounts from individuals who were there for that magical visit. JFK in Tampa will be airing tonight at 10 p.m. on WUSF.

“This poignant day in Tampa’s history will live forever in America’s library and will be available to everyone who is interested in President Kennedy’s last day in the public eye before the fateful day in Dallas,” U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor said.  Lynn Marvin Dingfelder was surrounded by friends and family as she shared her years of work on the documentary, which chronicles the important historical occasion for Tampa and the nation.

“I have had the opportunity to present a variety of special collections to the Library of Congress on behalf of my constituents, but this is the first time I have had the privilege to present a video documentary and I am thrilled this historic moment in time was captured in such a meaningful way,” said U.S. Rep. Castor, who has personal admiration and affinity to the Kennedy legacy. U.S. Rep. Castor chose her first office in the House Office Building because it was once that of John Kennedy when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives prior to serving as Senator and then President. In addition, former Florida Education Commissioner and USF President Betty Castor, U.S. Rep. Castor’s mother, joined the Peace Corps and went to Africa to teach under the inspiration of President Kennedy, who asked Congress to create the volunteer program as one of his first presidential acts.  Former U.S. Rep. Sam Gibbons, who traveled with JFK in Tampa and was a mentor to U.S. Rep. Castor, appears in the documentary three months before he died.

“I am so honored to have my documentary archived in the Library of Congress,” Lynn Marvin Dingfelder said. “In addition to WUSF and the Tampa Bay History Center, the Tampa Bay Times, Tampa Theatre and City of Tampa were partners in this JFK anniversary project.” 

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