TLS as president, one page, 6.75 x 9, White House letterhead, March 23, 1963. Letter to Congressman Neal Smith of Iowa, in part: "Please accept my warmest congratulations on your birthday. I hope that this will be a happy and memorable occasion and that the years to come will bring you continued health and happiness." In fine condition. Accompanied by a full letter of provenance from University Archives.



Smith was elected to Congress as part of the Democratic landslide of 1958 and remained in Congress until 1995. He famously sponsored a federal anti-nepotism law, enacted in 1967, which was presumed to be in response to President John F. Kennedy's appointment of his brother, Robert F. Kennedy, as attorney general. He repeatedly denied that this was the case, citing the postal service and legislature as the targets of his crusade—Smith said that in the House of Representatives, 'there were 50 members who had their wives on the payrolls.'