Kennedy traveled from Lincoln to Beatrice on May 10, 1968, to commence his whirlwind tour of southeast Nebraska. Interest was so high that two busloads full of national press members followed Kennedy’s caravan and three thousand enthusiastic individuals welcomed Kennedy at downtown Charles Park. Kennedy’s visit made such an impression that Beatrice commemorated a plaque, which stands to this day. It was a typical Nebraska event only for Kennedy — classes were canceled so local school students could see him and they were entertained by the local high school bands.
Kennedy focused on the farm economy, Vietnam, national unity, and the role of the federal government. His jokes and peroration were like those he had delivered previously, save for the mention of a new policy aimed at alleviating rural poverty. During his proposal the candidate emphasized the seriousness of issue. Kennedy said that although approximately 50 percent of the nation’s poor — or fourteen million people — inhabited rural areas, “…the nation had focused its attention on the ‘very real problems’ of the urban poor,” and that “the time had come for equal emphasis on the problems of rural America.
He continued: “In Nebraska…about 22 percent of the state’s families live in poverty and two-thirds either live on farms or in small towns. Nearly half of Nebraska’s farmers have income below the poverty level.” Kennedy proposed a rural community services program that would inject federal funds into rural areas for manpower training, housing, and education. He also came out in support of increased federal spending on infrastructure in rural areas, calling for investments in schools, roads, housing, water and sewer plants, and airports.
At the conclusion of his remarks, Beatrice Mayor Ray Elwood presented the candidate with a “Homestead Deed” on behalf of some local organizations. Beatrice, having been the location of the first American homestead following the passage of the Homestead Act of 1862, was symbolically welcoming Kennedy to settle and stay in their community. Kennedy thanked Elwood and said: “I have two questions, is it free and is it large enough for thirteen people in case I lose?” This was the first time Kennedy publicly acknowledged that his wife Ethel was pregnant with their eleventh child. Kennedy’s humorous questions caused the entourage of national reporters to rush to the payphones and report this news. As usual, throngs of young people pressed Kennedy as he left. It was difficult for Kennedy and his entourage to push through the crowd back to the campaign bus.
After Kennedy left Charles Park the press bus continued on to the next announced campaign stop in Tecumseh. Kennedy, however, paused to make an unscheduled stop at what is now known as the Beatrice State Developmental Center (BSDC), a facility which has housed and cared for the intellectually disabled since 1887. At the time, BSDC was a model facility with a national reputation, so when Kennedy learned BSDC was in Beatrice he wanted to visit the residents and tour the facility. Apparently, the decision to visit BSDC was spontaneous, and the facility was given little warning.
Having chosen to drive his own car, Lincoln Journal Star reporter Don Walton took the initiative and followed Kennedy’s motorcade, not knowing where it was going. He was surprised when Kennedy stopped at BSDC. Walton followed Kennedy to the entrance where the facility superintendent asked: “Would you like to see the wards?” Kennedy imperiously replied: “I would like to see the children.”
During this exchange Kennedy insisted that Freckles be allowed to enter the facility. The BSDC staffer at the entrance initially told Kennedy dogs were not allowed, but he relented when Kennedy convinced him the residents would love the dog. Walton took the liberty of touring the facility with the Kennedy entourage. While he observed that the residents did not recognize Kennedy the candidate was correct — they did love Freckles. While there, Kennedy spent most of his time with the children. Don Walton remembers that “inside, Kennedy was hugged by people who had no idea who he was…Kennedy walked through the entire building, asking about various residents he saw. He reached out, touched hands, patted heads.” Walton was most moved when the candidate cradled two hydrocephalic babies. He did not just hold them — he gave them love. Walton felt he had seen a glimpse of the real Robert F. Kennedy: “It was a personal and private act, all the more revealing and meaningful because it was out of sight of the press and cameras who had been sent ahead to the next stop.”
Walton, and the American public, could not have known then why this stop was so important to Kennedy. Kennedy’s older sister Rosemary (1918–2005) was intellectually disabled, a fact that the family had concealed for her entire life. Born into a family of successful, ambitious, brilliant social climbers, Rosemary functioned at the level of a ten-year-old-child, perhaps as an outcome of being oxygen deprived at birth. Even so, Rosemary was constantly pressured to perform at the level of her brothers and sisters, especially by Joe Kennedy, who shamed her for everything from her academic performance to her weight.
To Joe at least Rosemary was a liability, evidence that the Kennedy’s had defective genetics. He feared that Rosemary would bring further shame upon the family through her intense emotional outbursts and shared a common, but mistaken, notion that intellectually disabled women were incurably promiscuous. Joe’s solution was to subject Rosemary to a lobotomy in 1941. This lobotomy was both primitive and destructive. Following the operation Rosemary was rendered infantile, incoherent, and incontinent. She lost all ability to care for herself. Joe quickly shunted her into a facility where she could receive intensive care for the rest of her long life.
At the time it was considered poor practice to interrupt psychiatric treatment with family visits. Robert, who had grown up playing with, chaperoning, and caring for his disabled elder sister, had not seen her for nearly twenty years. Undoubtedly Kennedy’s mind turned towards Rosemary during his BSDC visit. He entered the facility to bring joy and love to the residents, hoping perhaps that someone was doing the same for his sister. With the secretiveness surrounding Rosemary, her condition, and her whereabouts, perhaps Kennedy only felt safe to express such proxy affections beyond the scrutinizing, judgmental glare of the press and their cameras.
Kennedy’s visit to BSDC was Kennedy at his best. This was the real Robert F. Kennedy. He deeply cared about people less fortunate than himself. Kennedy dedicated his life to public service and to helping those who were left behind. Kennedy was truly a great American.