“At the end of 1962, President John F. Kennedy asked his brother, Attorney General Robert Kennedy, to compile a report on the Civil Rights enforcement activities of the Justice Department over the previous year. In this report, submitted on January 24, 1963, Robert Kennedy notes "progress" overall, but reminds the President that difficult race problems remain "not only in the South . . . but throughout the country."
During this time, Robert “Bobby” F. Kennedy had played an active role in the civil rights movement. He remained committed to civil rights enforcement to such a degree that in 1962 he commented that it seemed to envelop almost every area of his public and private life, from prosecuting various corrupt Southern electoral officials to answering late …show more content…
Leaving the ballroom, Bobby went through the hotel kitchen after being told it was a shortcut to a press room. He did this despite being thoroughly advised by his bodyguard—former FBI agent Bill Barry—to avoid the kitchen. In a crowded kitchen passageway, Kennedy turned to his left and enthusiastically shook hands with busboy Juan Romero, as well as a few others, just as Sirhan Bishara Sirhan, a 24-year-old Palestinian, opened fire with a .22-caliber revolver. Kennedy was hit three times, and five other people were wounded. As Kennedy lay mortally wounded, Juan Romero cradled his head and placed a rosary in his hand. Kennedy asked Romero, "Is everybody OK?", and Romero responded, "Yes, everybody's OK." Kennedy then turned away from Romero and said, "Everything's going to be OK," almost as if he were reassuring the country that, without him, the movement would go on and equality could still be obtained for those of different racial and economic backgrounds.
During this time, Robert “Bobby” F. Kennedy had played an active role in the civil rights movement. He remained committed to civil rights enforcement to such a degree that in 1962 he commented that it seemed to envelop almost every area of his public and private life, from prosecuting various corrupt Southern electoral officials to answering late …show more content…
Leaving the ballroom, Bobby went through the hotel kitchen after being told it was a shortcut to a press room. He did this despite being thoroughly advised by his bodyguard—former FBI agent Bill Barry—to avoid the kitchen. In a crowded kitchen passageway, Kennedy turned to his left and enthusiastically shook hands with busboy Juan Romero, as well as a few others, just as Sirhan Bishara Sirhan, a 24-year-old Palestinian, opened fire with a .22-caliber revolver. Kennedy was hit three times, and five other people were wounded. As Kennedy lay mortally wounded, Juan Romero cradled his head and placed a rosary in his hand. Kennedy asked Romero, "Is everybody OK?", and Romero responded, "Yes, everybody's OK." Kennedy then turned away from Romero and said, "Everything's going to be OK," almost as if he were reassuring the country that, without him, the movement would go on and equality could still be obtained for those of different racial and economic backgrounds.