| I was overwhelmed often by then US President John | | | | world assembly of sovereign states, the United |
| F. Kennedy for his charismatic leadership and his | | | | Nations, our last best hope in an age where the |
| eternal love for peace.As the 35th President of the | | | | instruments of war have far outpaced the |
| United States, he served from 1961 until his | | | | instruments of peace, we renew our pledge of |
| assassination in 1963.Though he was from a politically | | | | support to prevent it from becoming merely a forum |
| prominent Irish-American Kennedy family, he was so | | | | for invective to strengthen its shield of the new and |
| down to earth and considered an icon of American | | | | the weak and to enlarge the area in which its writ |
| liberalism.His bravery and heroism well reflected during | | | | may run.""Finally, to those nations who would make |
| World War II by rescuing a fellow sailor in the South | | | | themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but |
| Pacific.He was elected as the US President in 1960, in | | | | a request: that both sides begin anew the quest for |
| one of the closest elections in history after he | | | | peace, before the dark powers of destruction |
| served in his home state of Massachusetts as both a | | | | unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or |
| member of the House of Representatives and | | | | accidental self-destruction.""We dare not tempt them |
| Senate.His inaugural address on Friday, January 20, | | | | with weakness. For only when our arms are sufficient |
| 1961 to the Americans and to the world was a | | | | beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that |
| fascinating and heart-touching one.The events, just | | | | they will never be employed.""But neither can two |
| before the inaugural address are rolling into | | | | great and powerful groups of nations take comfort |
| mind.Heavy snow fell the night before the | | | | from our present course both sides overburdened by |
| inauguration, but thoughts about canceling the plans | | | | the cost of modern weapons, both rightly alarmed |
| were overruled.The election of 1960 had been close, | | | | by the steady spread of the deadly atom, yet both |
| and the Democratic Senator from Massachusetts | | | | racing to alter that uncertain balance of terror that |
| was eager to gather support for his agenda.He | | | | stays the hand of mankind's final war.""So let us |
| attended Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Georgetown | | | | begin anew remembering on both sides that civility is |
| that morning before joining President Eisenhower to | | | | not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always |
| travel to the Capitol.The Congress had extended the | | | | subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. |
| East Front, and the inaugural platform spanned the | | | | But let us never fear to negotiate.""Let both sides |
| new addition.The Chief Justice Earl Warren | | | | explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring |
| administered the oath of office.President John F. | | | | those problems which divide us.""Let both sides, for |
| Kennedy addressed the audience where the Vice | | | | the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals |
| President Johnson, the Speaker, the Chief Justice, | | | | for the inspection and control of arms and bring the |
| President Eisenhower, Vice President Nixon, President | | | | absolute power to destroy other nations under the |
| Truman, reverend clergy and others were | | | | absolute control of all nations.""Let both sides seek to |
| gathered.His statement in his eloquent voice that "we | | | | invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors. |
| observe today not a victory of party, but a | | | | Together let us explore the stars, conquer the |
| celebration of freedom, symbolizing an end, as well as | | | | deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths, and |
| a beginning, signifying renewal, as well as change. For | | | | encourage the arts and commerce.""Let both sides |
| I have sworn before you and Almighty God the | | | | unite to heed in all corners of the earth the |
| same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a | | | | command of Isaiah to 'undo the heavy burdens ... and |
| century and three quarters ago" was so heart | | | | to let the oppressed go free.""And so, my fellow |
| touching forever.He was continuing, "We dare not | | | | Americans: ask not what your country can do for |
| forget today that we are the heirs of that first | | | | you ask what you can do for your country.""Finally, |
| revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and | | | | whether you are citizens of America or citizens of |
| place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been | | | | the world, ask of us the same high standards of |
| passed to a new generation of Americans, born in | | | | strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a |
| this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard | | | | good conscience our only sure reward, with history |
| and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage and | | | | the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead |
| unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of | | | | the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but |
| those human rights to which this Nation has always | | | | knowing that here on earth God's work must truly |
| been committed, and to which we are committed | | | | be our own."The US President who came out with his |
| today at home and around the world.""Let every | | | | inaugural address not only for his fellow Americans |
| nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we | | | | but for the entire world and faced the major crisis |
| shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any | | | | during his presidency, the Bay of Pigs invasion, the |
| hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in | | | | Cuban Missile Crisis, the building of the Berlin Wall, the |
| order to assure the survival and the success of | | | | Space Race, early events of the Vietnam War and |
| liberty.""To those peoples in the huts and villages | | | | the American Civil Rights Movement and tried his |
| across the globe struggling to break the bonds of | | | | best to resolve those crisis, was finally assassinated |
| mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help | | | | on November 22, 1963 by Lee Harvey Oswald |
| them help themselves, for whatever period is | | | | untimely before he put a lasting end to those |
| required not because the Communists may be doing | | | | crisis.Kennedy's assassination has left in America and |
| it, not because we seek their votes, but because it is | | | | around the world, a traumatic impact for centuries to |
| right. If a free society cannot help the many who are | | | | remember for the world leader who thought for |
| poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.""To that | | | | peace and harmony globally. |