Stewart L. Udall with President John F. Kennedy and poet Carl Sandburg, 1961-10.

Stewart L. Udall observing as President John F. Kennedy presents a special meda to poet Robert Frost, 1962.

Under President Kennedy, Stewart Udall joined in a conscious effort to recognize and promote U.S. history and culture as a national entity, where he channeled his childhood love of the land into political action. This passion was further evident in arranging both poet Carl Sandburg's historic visit to President Kennedy and poet Robert Frost's reading at Kennedy's inauguration, both occurring in 1961. In 1962, Stewart was also in attendance when President Kennedy presented a special medal to Frost.

Stewart L. Udall speaking at the White House Conference on Conservation, 1962.

President Kennedy signing the bill establishing Point Reyes as a national seashore, 1962.

Stewart was a central figure on September 3, 1964--a major day in U.S. environmental conservation history--when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the 1964 Wilderness Act and the 1965 Land and Water Conservation Fund Act. Secretary Udall continued to play a key role in environmental legislation with the 1965 Solid Waste Disposal Act, the 1968 National Trail System Act, and the 1968 Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.