ADDRESS BY Hon. Michael A. Feighan OF OHIO Mr. Speaker, the untimely death of President John F. Kennedy has inscribed a sad and tragic chapter in the history of our great Nation. Our beloved President was a source of strength, inspiration, and hope for our people and for countless millions of others in many distant lands. The full measure of our loss is indescribable, for his lifework embodied the spirit of heroism, dedication, brilliant and confident leadership, and unselfish devotion to the highest American ideals. It is little wonder that the shocking news of his death struck our people a blow that can be compared only with the shock of Pearl Harbor. The stature of John F. Kennedy loomed large on the world stage. During the course of a short 2 years and 10 months as our President, the quality of his leadership made of him a giant among giants. In all the things that he did, his abiding confidence in the noble cause he led was matched by an uncommon inner confidence in his abilities to meet and resolve the many challenges confronting our Nation and the free world community. And these attributes of true greatness shone through the daily test and trial of his leadership like a bright silver lining in an overcast sky. The course of his journey through life was charted by the steady and certain guidance of Divine Providence on which he depended and which he constantly sought. John F. Kennedy was an unyielding champion of peace with freedom and justice for all men and all nations. John F. Kennedy was a tireless fighter for human rights, equal dignity, and equal opportunity for all the people of our Nation. John F. Kennedy was an implacable foe of poverty, disease, illiteracy, injustice, and all forms. of tyranny. John F. Kennedy was blessed by his Maker with many rare talents and he happily turned those talents to a life of labor for the benefit of his fellow men. These immortal lines of personal dedication, spoken by our late President in closing his in augural address, resound today as a clear trumpet's call to this generation of Americans: With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessings and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own. Our country has lost one of its most noble souls and gifted citizens. Our memory of him as the architect of a heroic age in an era of uncertainty and fear will never die. May his noble soul find peace and comfort in eternal rest. I join the people of our saddened land in expressing condolences to Mrs. Kennedy and her dear children and to all the members of the Kennedy family in this hour of national mourning. ADDRESS BY Hon. Frank Chelf OF KENTUCKY Mr. Speaker, in the gracious words of our late and beloved friend and President, John F. Kennedy, "thank you, thank you so very much" for your recognition of me so that I might say a few words of eulogy with respect to our fallen and martyred leader. Among the many very real and beautiful talents that President Kennedy possessed, such as honor, integrity, courage, intelligence, wit, humor, dedication, loyalty, ability, youth and many, many others, he had a genuine love and respect for his fellow man. In my opinion he had more consideration for others than any man I have ever known in any office high or low. If you will please pardon the personal reference let me give you an example. The President and I were personal friends. Our friendship dates back to when we served together as young Members in this House. I was elected in 1944 and he came to Washington in 1946. Whenever I had a birthday he would send me a letter of congratulations. Each time he did so his staff would write the salutation "Dear Congressman Chelf" and invariably the President in his own handwriting would cross out the "Dear Congressman" and write in "Dear Frank." He was not only considerate but a kind and generous person as well. For instance, when my dear brother, Henry Lee Chelf, passed away, a personal letter of condolence came to me from the President. Truly it was one of the sweetest, most considerate acts of kindness ever done me. His greatness was his deep humility. Mr. Speaker, I could speak for hours on this. great and good man, but I know that President Kennedy is now sitting in a special room, looking out at all of us from a special window, from a special rocking chair fashioned of love, immortality, and eternity-yes, he sits in God's own presence and in God's own mansion. Why? Because President John Fitzgerald Kennedy "let his light so shine that men might see his good works and glorify our Father, which art in heaven." Our beloved President lived an exemplary life, one of moderation, courage, of kindness, of gentleness, one that was free of hate, malice, and bigotry. He read and loved the Bible and I am sure that he has said to Almighty God many times these words from the book of books: Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight O Lord my strength and my redeemer. It is no wonder that all the world was stunned by his sudden tragic death. We are all better men, better women, better legislators and we are a better country because John Fitzgerald Kennedy passed our way and served approximately “a thousand days" as our President. And thank Thee, dear God, for his selection of Lyndon B. Johnson as his running. mate. Bless him and guide him now and always. To all members of his family, and most especially his stoic, gallant, magnificent widow and his lovely, wonderful, well-mannered children, Caroline and John, Jr., I extend my deepest sympathy. "May their leaf never wither and whatsoever they do-may it prosper." ADDRESS BY Hon. William H. Natcher OF KENTUCKY Mr. Speaker, the heart of our Nation is heavy today. A great American is dead and a grateful nation bows is solemn tribute. The death of our President, John F. Kennedy, is too tragic for words. Into a world darkened by ideological struggle and actual conflict, his clarity of vision, intellectual honesty and indomitable courage brought a clear shaft of light and hope. In these times when many of the problems confronting this country and the world seem almost incapable of solution, we can ill afford to lose a man with the experience, ability, integrity and statesmanship of our late President. He had no peer in his knowledge of public affairs. His honesty and fairness. were proverbial. It was these qualities which led to his rise to power and to a position which commanded the confidence of millions of Americans. The passing of this great American is a great loss to this Nation and to the free world. To his grieving family we can offer only the comfort that John F. Kennedy won an assured place in history and a permanent resting place in the hearts of all good men. ADDRESS BY Hon. John J. Rooney OF NEW YORK Mr. Speaker, it is with a deep feeling of sadness at the untimely loss of our beloved President, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, that I this afternoon join my colleagues in these eulogies. Really, I cannot find the words to adequately express the reaction I had when I first heard the tragic news on that fateful afternoon of November 22, 1963. The feeling of utter helplessness I had then, overcomes me again today in trying to find words to properly express the sadness I have suffered in the passing of John Fitzgerald Kennedy. The moving tributes from my distinguished colleagues certainly indicate the high esteem, admiration and respect that was felt for President Kennedy and there is little that one can say which would not be repetitious. The most fitting tribute we as a nation could give to our late President would be for each and every citizen to strive to bring to an end the hatred which incites destruction and death, for President Kennedy's dream was to have a peaceful world in which his children and ours could live. In the words of Abraham Lincoln, whose life was a great inspiration to President Kennedy: Let him have the marble monument along with the well-assured and more enduring one in the hearts of those who loved liberty, unselfishly, for all men. I am indeed proud to be able to say that John Fitzgerald Kennedy was one of the finest friends I have had in my lifetime. I first came to know him when he became a Member of this body in January 1947. I worked closely with him on a number of matters, including his legislation to separate airmail pay from subsidy moneys for the airlines. He helped me in connection with the erection of the beautiful statue in honor of Comdr. John Barry, the father of the American Navy, unveiled in September 1956 at Crescent Quay, Wexford, Ireland. It was this statue on which President Kennedy placed a wreath last June. At his invitation, I had the privilege to meet with him for a few days at his father's home in Palm Beach at Christmastime in 1960 following his election to the Presidency of the United States. I also had the great privilege of being one of the Members of this House invited to attend his wedding at Newport, R.I., in 1953. During those hectic days following November 22 when our country was grasping for something of which it could be proud, we found that something in the strength, endurance and devotion of Mrs. John F. Kennedy. My heartfelt sympathy and prayers are with her, Caroline and John John, and the entire Kennedy family in their great loss. ADDRESS BY Hon. Joe L. Evins OF TENNESSEE Mr. Speaker, the flag of our country and the hearts of our people continue to fly at half-mast because of the death of John F. Kennedy, the late President of the United States. I join with my colleagues in mourning his passing and in paying a brief but sincere tribute to his memory and to his life of dedicated service to our country. I was shocked and saddened, as all the world was shocked and saddened, to learn of his un timely passing-to know of this most terrible tragedy which took the life of the young, brilliant 35th President of the United States. In his passing the cause of freedom has suffered an irreparable loss. A truly great hero and champion has fallen in our midst. Reflecting in the afterglow following this tragic event, it is well that we consider the moral implications of conditions in the world which produced such a national tragedy. The country may well fasten the blame on a single individual and attribute to him a diseased and depraved mind. History may possibly label this era as an era of hate and suspicion and an age which produced an unhealthy climate filled with the venom of hate in which the assassination of the President was but a single expression. Perhaps the death of John F. Kennedy will signal the beginning of the end of the hate period in America and in the hearts of men everywhere. If such a condition would occur, then the President's life would have been given for a most noble purpose unparalleled and unequaled in time. In the year that John F. Kennedy first ran for Congress from Massachusetts, I also ran for Congress from Tennessee-and after the election in 1946 we came together as classmates in 1947 to the 80th Congress. It was my privilege to work with "Jack" Kennedy and to come to know him as a warm and personable friend. In our freshman class he was elected president of the Young Democrats of the 80th Congress and was early marked as a man of destiny. My esteem and respect for him continued to grow and increase over the years. Our friendship continued through his terms of service in the House and in the Senate and during his years in the White House. Born of wealth he might have chosen a life of relative ease-a life with few problems and many comforts. Instead he chose a career of public service-predicated upon the choice of the electorate-and a life filled with service to the cause of democracy and our country. He brought to this life of service a great intellect, dedication, and immense courage. He was taken from us in the prime of life while at the height of service but his 46 years were filled with accomplishments and with rich. contributions to his country-the America which he loved with intense devotion. America and the free world have lost a great leader, and I have lost a personal friend. I am proud to have known John F. Kennedy. I am proud to have walked in the Halls of Congress and to have served with him. John F. Kennedy the man is dead-but, John F. Kennedy the patriot will live forever. The principles for which he lived and died will continue to shine forth as a perpetual monument to this great and good man. His place in history as a dynamic, forceful, and foresighted President is assured. His brilliance and eloquence will serve as a continual reminder to Americans of the ideals and goals to which our country can aspire. I believe these goals are best summed up in the words of the late President himself when he said in his inaugural address: And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you-ask what you can do for your country. As the Nation observes the official period of mourning for our late President, I extend my deepest sympathy to Mrs. Kennedy and the other members of his family in their bereavement. ADDRESS BY Hon. Seymour Halpern OF NEW YORK Mr. Speaker, on Friday, November 22, a devastating blow was struck at every one of us. On that day, and for days thereafter, there were stunned, unbelieving looks on the faces of the people: crowds in the street, mourners in the President's funeral procession; wherever you looked you saw shock and incredulity. The bullet of the assassin had come like a wind of hurricane force out of clear skies, to strike down our wise and beloved leader, and to endanger our Ship of State in the difficult navigation of the waters of national and international affairs. We are all shaken, not only by the sudden tragic loss of a courageous and vital President, but by the realization of how powerless our pre cautions of police and other guards have proved against the spite and ingenuity of a viciously twisted mind. This silly little man, cocksure in his own warped and opinionated ideas, has taken the life of one of the leading human beings of the world, and deprived the people and nations of the world of a great man's inspiring strength and energy and guiding wisdom in the good fight for peace, justice, and human dignity. Tragically, the rule of law in our country has been grossly violated, first by the brutal assassination itself, second by the shooting down in cold blood of the policeman trying to apprehend the suspected assassin, and third by the murder of the handcuffed suspect himself. But in noble contrast to this breakdown of order and justice, in these sudden and violent events, we see the entire Nation, and the vast majority of the nations of the world, joining in a dignified, orderly, and impressive series of actions. In the honors paid to the slain President, in solemn processions and in lying in state, in the religious rites of his church, in the presence of high officials and heads of state of many countries at his funeral, we see recognition both of the intrinsic value of the man and of the dignity of his office. No assassin's bullet could reach or damage either that value or that dignity. In Mrs. Kennedy's behavior we see the utmost love for her husband combined with a noble concern for the welfare of our country, and a touching courtesy toward all who came to mourn her husband's death. Our hearts and prayers were with her during those long hours of terrible anguish, and our love and sympathy will always be with her and her children in all the days ahead. Our grief and our profound sympathy go out to all the bereaved members of the Kennedy family, who set an unforgettable example for us all of the strength, warmth, and beauty of a close and loving American family. In these sad and turbulent events we see, too, our ship of state surviving the sudden shock, and once more breasting the waves, as a new captain, experienced and conscientious, takes the wheel. In this reaction to the tragic event, we find a great consolation. Our party differences, our conflicts of opinion about various governmental measures taken or under consideration, give way for the time to our basic loyalty to the American democratic system of government. The transi tion from one administration to another has been marked, not by any conflict or irregularity, but by an ease and good will springing from our universal devotion to constitutional principles and the democratic process. Leaders of both parties have affirmed their unhesitating loyalty to our new President, the line of succession is known and accepted, and the necessary steps have been taken to prepare for any such transition in the future. The people of America today send up fervent prayers to God that our new captain be given the strength and wisdom he will need to carry on the great task that has so suddenly become his responsibility. In our prayers, we recall with mournful gratitude the great sacrifice made by our late captain, President John F. Kennedy, in his constant and strenuous efforts to keep our ship of state on a smooth and steadfast course. John F. Kennedy was a Democrat, and a great one. I am a Republican, but proud to recognize, in this standard bearer of the rival party, a sincere and stalwart American. I can say in all honesty that he lived up to the great American tradition of bipartisanship, whenever matters of great importance to our Nation were involved, and put the interests of America above any personal, regional, or partisan considerations. His love and his shining courage were at the service of his country, as much when he served in the Presidency as when he served in the Navy. John F. Kennedy was a practical idealist, a great statesman, and a brilliant world leader. This is not at all to say that he was not a politician, or that he was not a man devoted to his political party. He had a conviction of the rightness of a certain body of principles that he associated with that party, had developed personal and professional associations, and knew how to work in and with that party toward the attainment of national goals. He was a politician in the best sense of the word, and proud of it. He respected the two-party system, as I know every Member of this body does, and realized that as long as we have two thriving, competing, potent parties, this Nation and its liberties will be safe. His words and his actions made plain that he realized that politics is the science of government, and that good politics means good government. Partisan politics, for him, did not transcend, but served, the ideals of freedom, justice, brotherhood, and the dignity of man. From the very first moments of his Presidency, John F. Kennedy made of his youth a banner and a rallying cry. He took pride in being the first President born in this century, and issued a ringing call to the young people of America to join him in a vigorous, active response to the new challenges of today's world. Characteristic of this attitude of infectious courage were the words from his inaugural address that immediately preceded his well-known and often repeated peroration: Ask not what your country can do for you-ask what you can do for your country. We must not forget that preceding this call to duty, and underlying it, was John F. Kennedy's bold and clear-eyed vision of the dangers and difficulties that face America in the world of today. In the long history of the world- only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility-I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it—and the glow from that fire can truly light the world. President Kennedy brought to his office courage, vigor, high ideals, intelligence, and the charm and elasticity of youth. He brought into his administration young men with new ideas, and explosive energy. A spirit of hope and energy and activity emanated from the man, pervading not only his immediate surroundings, but the whole Nation. Young people were inspired by his example and exhortations to undertake their own tasks, to form their own decisions, to assume their rightful share of responsibility for America and for the world. And everywhere in the world was felt the impact of John F. Kennedy's character and personality. Men and women, great and small, recognized his qualities of essential goodness and trustworthiness, felt an affection for him and an identification with him, and responded to the appeal of his nature. As we participate, in the time ahead, with our |