Washington, D.C. – Dean of the United States House of Representatives, John D. Dingell (D-MI15) released the following statement today to honor the 50th Anniversary of the Inaugural Address of President John F. Kennedy —one of the most famous and inspirational addresses in American history that will be remembered forever:
“January 20th, 1961. The day was brutally cold; there was deep snow, and a bright winter sun overhead shined down on the large crowd. I was there.
“The time and setting was a shift from an earlier generation to Kennedy’s generation which fought World War II and was now coming into new responsibilities in business and government. As Tom Brokaw calls us, “The Greatest Generation,” we were coming into lead the American government and annunciated the ideals for which they had fought a war and overcome what was then the greatest economic calamity our great nation had faced.
“As one of the few Congressional members who was in Congress when he gave the speech 50 years ago, reading it and hearing it as a Congressional member today not only brings back memories, but parallels. Kennedy’s call for America, “ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man…;” and his call to leadership, “civility is not a sign of weakness” and “United, there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures;” we need to hear today to concentrate our thoughts and efforts on what we can do for our country.
“In a time of bitterness and division, his call is as relevant today as it was fifty years ago. Today, Americans would do well to read the speech again and dedicate themselves to joining together to work for the good rather than for the fierce deadly infighting that threatens our core, the wellbeing of the country and our future.”
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