Washington (Jan 20)House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) today participated in an event held in the Capitol Rotunda to mark the 50th anniversary of the inaugural address of President John F. Kennedy. Following are Speaker Boehner’s remarks as prepared for delivery:
“Mr. Vice President, Leader Pelosi, Senator Reid, and Secretary Chao … thank you for being here today. We’re honored to be joined by members of President Kennedy’s family. Sadly, this is the first Congress to convene without a Kennedy in its ranks since Harry Truman was president. Caroline … there’s still time.
“To all of you, welcome to the Capitol Rotunda. To walk along these walls is to relive the American story – to be awed once again by the greatness of our nation and the values upon which it was built … economic freedom, individual liberty, and civic responsibility. It was to these values President Kennedy looked when, in his inaugural address, he began by reminding his fellow countrymen that our rights are derived ‘not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God.’
“Welcoming the awesome responsibility to serve, Kennedy summoned each of us to do our part to defend freedom – no matter the cost or burden. He did so mindful of the blessings that had been passed on to his generation, which he described as ‘tempered by war’ and ‘proud of our ancient heritage.’ These were the words of a sailor who served … a man who lost his brother in the Second Great War.
“Kennedy embraced America’s destiny to not simply be part of the free world – but to lead it, and to serve as a shining beacon of freedom and liberty. ‘On the strength of our free economy rests the hope of all free nations,’ President Kennedy declared on December 14, 1962. Speaking at the Economic Club of New York, he called for reducing ‘deterrents to private initiative’ – by which he meant cutting taxes and encouraging ‘new interest in taking risks.’ For just as freedom built this country, it also sustains our economy, and instills in us the drive to take what we have been given, make the most of it, and do better for ourselves and our children.
“That is, of course, the American story, in which John F. Kennedy continues to play a critical part. His inaugural address, with its call to honor our past and commit to our future, sets an example of service for every American, young and old, to follow.”
“To all of you, welcome to the Capitol Rotunda. To walk along these walls is to relive the American story – to be awed once again by the greatness of our nation and the values upon which it was built … economic freedom, individual liberty, and civic responsibility. It was to these values President Kennedy looked when, in his inaugural address, he began by reminding his fellow countrymen that our rights are derived ‘not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God.’
“Welcoming the awesome responsibility to serve, Kennedy summoned each of us to do our part to defend freedom – no matter the cost or burden. He did so mindful of the blessings that had been passed on to his generation, which he described as ‘tempered by war’ and ‘proud of our ancient heritage.’ These were the words of a sailor who served … a man who lost his brother in the Second Great War.
“Kennedy embraced America’s destiny to not simply be part of the free world – but to lead it, and to serve as a shining beacon of freedom and liberty. ‘On the strength of our free economy rests the hope of all free nations,’ President Kennedy declared on December 14, 1962. Speaking at the Economic Club of New York, he called for reducing ‘deterrents to private initiative’ – by which he meant cutting taxes and encouraging ‘new interest in taking risks.’ For just as freedom built this country, it also sustains our economy, and instills in us the drive to take what we have been given, make the most of it, and do better for ourselves and our children.
“That is, of course, the American story, in which John F. Kennedy continues to play a critical part. His inaugural address, with its call to honor our past and commit to our future, sets an example of service for every American, young and old, to follow.”
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