John F. Kennedy

John F. Kennedy was the thirty-fifth president (1961–1963) of the United States. In the following viewpoint, Kennedy maintains that, since all Americans are immigrants or the descendants of immigrants, it is difficult to discuss a particular “immigrant contribution” to America. However, he adds, each wave of immigration has left its own stamp on the United States and American life, thus contributing to the building of America. Immigrants—well known and anonymous alike—from all countries have made important contributions to science, industry, politics, and the arts. But perhaps the most pervasive influence of immigrants, Kennedy asserts, has been their effect on everyday American life: on religion, vocabulary, and food, for example. In addition, Kennedy contends that the popular image of the “melting pot” contributes to social...