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