From the archives: LI’s leaders stunned

This story was originally published in Newsday's EXTRA edition on Nov. 22, 1963.

Long Island political figures, who were closer to and more personally familiar with President Kennedy than the average citizen, were stunned by the news of the fatal attack on him.

Statements were grief-filled but the one man who perhaps knew Kennedy best could not speak at all. John F. English, the Democratic chairman of Nassau County, was silent in his grief. “He’s just too broken up,” said his aide. English has been the New York State campaign chairman for the President’s 1964 reelection drive, a campaign that will now not take place. He was also a personal friend of the President.

Nassau County Executive Nickerson, reached in Ithaca, N.Y., declared, “There is now only prayer in whatever form each of us can pray. Our prayers must now be especially for the President’s gallant wife and small children, for President Johnson …” Nickerson ordered all 10,000 county workers sent home, except hospital workers and police. Flags were lowered to half-mast.

Rep. James Grover, (R-Babylon) expressed his feelings in short and bitter terms. “What can anyone say?” he said. “It is barbaric. It is shocking.” Rep. Frank Becker (R-Lynbrook), a veteran in politics, said, “Nothing more tragic has happened in my lifetime … It is one thing to have political difference but … this is not only murder, it is treason …”

Suffolk County Executive Dennison said, “This is the most tragically shocking thing imaginable in the 20th century history of the United States. I join all my fellow Americans in this dark hour for a prayer for the future of this country.”

Suffolk GOP Chairman Arthur Cromarty said, “Words cannot describe the grief which our entire nation must share with the President’s family.”

Nassau County Republican Chairman Joseph F. Carlino, said, “John F. Kennedy gave his life for his country … as surely as his comrades gave theirs to protect it during World War II … Men of goodwill everywhere join with his family in mourning President Kennedy’s death. This nation was greater for his being. It is less in his death.”