basic principles which have always guided the United States of America.

Miss him? Yes, Mr. Speaker, those of us privileged to know John Fitzgerald Kennedy and to work with him in great causes will forever miss his bright smile and great gifts for leadership. Our country will miss him. The world will miss him. But there will always be joy in our hearts when we remember not how he died but how he lived, and what he accomplished, and how he loved the job in which he served with such magnificent skill.

ADDRESS BY

Hon. Willard S. Curtin

OF PENNSYLVANIA

Mr. Speaker, today we all join in remembrance of the memory of the late President John F. Kennedy, who was struck down by an assassin's bullet on November 22.

He was the fourth President of these United States whose term of office was cut short by such a despicable act.

The late President Kennedy served his country with ability and distinction both in the military service during World War II and later in the Halls of Congress and then in the Office of President.

This tragic assassination left this country in a state of shock, sorrow, and dismay which will be with us for a long time.

The sympathy of the world has gone out to the late President's family.

ADDRESS BY

Hon. Melvin Price

OF ILLINOIS

Mr. Speaker, the term our late President Kennedy was allowed to serve was short-2 years, 10 months, 2 days. I am sure it is the sense of this House that he crowded into this brief span so much activity, such urgency of purpose, such vitality of spirit, that he left a permanent imprint on our Nation.

Many of us in this House today served with John Kennedy when he was one of us, a Repre

sentative from Massachusetts. Many knew him when he moved to other fields of public activity. We have all known him in the Presidency to which he brought both zest and wisdom, both courage to act and patient resolution in seeking to persuade others to act.

It has been said by some, because he did not wear his emotions on his sleeve, that he failed to convey in his programs a sense of moral commitment that could warm other men's souls. The criticism, if that is what it is, has always seemed to me a dubious one. Here was a President who could talk about poverty in America and a stronger minimum wage law to a labor convention, where it would be expected, and then hit the same theme of poverty in America to an entirely different audience, such as the group of scholars and writers and intellectuals recently gathered at Amherst College for the groundbreaking ceremonies for a new library honoring the memory of the poet Robert Frost.

There was no political need, assuredly, for John Kennedy to curry favor with his academic audience by discussing the obligation of our best educated and most-favored citizens to play their part in meeting the problem of poverty. But that is precisely what he did. He was deeply disturbed by the discovery, in cold statistics, that we have vast quantities of "inherited poverty" as well as "inherited wealth" in this country, and he urged the young men of Amherst College in their future lives to help do something about it. To me, that spells a moral commitment to the achievement of a moral end.

The people, in any case, very often have a sure instinct for the style and the flavor of their leadership. Their estimate of John Fitzgerald Kennedy's leadership was measured in the outpouring of personal grief when he was senselessly and most savagely struck down. Men wept tears not only for his youth, for his lovely young wife and his children, for his family, but for the harsh fact that he was not allowed to finish his work. Men and women the world over wept in personal grief because they recognized in him a man of peace, a man worthy of trust even in other nations.

There were two incidents that, for many, spelled out John Kennedy's courage and integrity, and both of them are connected with the sorry situation in Cuba.

With one, we are still entirely familiar-how

he forced the removal of Soviet missiles and rocket launchers from Cuban bases with the utmost frankness to the American people and with the utmost candor to the Soviet Union, while pushing the deployment of our military strength to the exact point where it would produce the necessary results without leaving the potential enemy no way to pull back from the danger.

The other incident was, in its time, a disasterthe Bay of Pigs episode, which left us all ashamed and unhappy and with a feeling that our affairs were in disarray. I was never prouder of John Fitzgerald Kennedy than when he stood before his first press conference after that sad event and bluntly acknowledged that whatever blame attached to any officials should be laid at his door. He was our Chief Executive, he had allowed the plans to proceed, he had made other decisionsthe responsibility was his, as always it must be a President's ultimate responsibility for the decisions to go or to stop, and he took it, publicly and without hesitancy.

We shall be legislating in this Congress for years to come, I believe, in the area of proposals first urged on us by President Kennedy or perhaps renewed after a long lapse.

Some of them are most certain to be acted on by us in the upcoming 2d session of the 88th Congress, including proposals of great sweep and significance in such fields as human rights and the education of our young people. Our actions, I have no doubt, will constitute in their way a kind of legislative memorial, and in the broadest possible sense they will be actions in the public interest, and for the general welfare.

As for the rest, John Fitzgerald Kennedy brought a style to the Presidency that emphasized those things that are finest in our traditions, those things that ennoble, the things that are good and wise. His term was short, he was most brutally cut down, and nevertheless he has most powerfully influenced the ongoing of our people.

ADDRESS BY

Hon. John L. Pilcher

OF GEORGIA

Mr. Speaker, it is my sad purpose today to speak of the loss of our late President, John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

When historians of the future look back on

this era, they will see throughout our land the indelible footprints of a relatively small band of giants who towered over their fellow men in ability, in leadership, in devotion to duty. Because of these men, our Nation has continued to grow and prosper. Yes, Mr. Speaker, giants have left their unmistakable marks on this, our present age, and among their number was the late John Fitzgerald Kennedy, our 35th President of the United States of America.

The shocking news of his death reached me at my home in Meigs, Ga., within just a few minutes after he expired at the hospital to which he had been rushed immediately after the assas sin's bullet felled him. My home county paper, the Thomasville Times-Enterprise, called me for a statement shortly thereafter, and I would like to quote my immediate reaction to his death as carried therein on November 22, 1963:

U.S. Representative J. L. Pilcher, of Meigs, today said the shooting of President John F. Kennedy and Gov. John Connally in Dallas today "was the most dastardly crime anyone could commit."

Congressman Pilcher, who was contacted at his home in Meigs, declared: "This was the most awful crime I can think of a tragic blow to our country.

"John Kennedy has been the most dedicated public official I have ever known. He loved his country with a passion. With his experience in both the House and Senate, he knew more about the Federal Government than any man who has been President in decades.

"Whether you agree or disagree with his philosophy, whether you are a Republican or Democrat, you know this crime constitutes irreparable damage to our country at a crucial time like this.

"The President's philosophies of government are the same as those of Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson-and I am sure those same philosophies will continue. "Lyndon Johnson is the protege of, and was carefully tutored by, the late Speaker Sam Rayburn, Mr. Democrat. "All of us should pray for our new President, for the family of John F. Kennedy, and for divine guidance for our country."

Our late President was a charming man. He was a sensible man and he was a dedicated man. Soon after his nomination, it was my pleasure to meet with him as I am sure did many of my Democratic colleagues.

I will never forget his response when I said I was a Democrat and planned to remain a Democrat and would support his candidacy. I assured him that while I intended to support him for the Presidency that as between all individuals there would be times when I would scrap him when I thought he was wrong, but that I would scrap for him just as hard when I felt he was right.

As with all big men, his attitude was that he did not expect anyone to agree with him all of the time and would have very little respect for any man who would compromise his convictions. He was a gentleman beyond question, and this mark of a great man is further amplified by his attitude that men could disagree without being disagreeable.

After 2 years, 10 months and 2 days of service to his Nation and to the world, as President of the United States, this fine young man came home for the last time on November 22, 1963.

The light created by this dynamic man toward which every eye in the free world had become focused and dependent for comfort and courageous leadership had gone out. It was broken by an assassin's bullet. Yes, broken by the hand of a person who was so out of tune with a free society in the most enlightened and moralistic nation of people who ever graced the face of the earth that he brought unto himself the will to substitute a bullet for a ballot. Men of good will, men who truly appreciate freedom, men who love the concepts of democracy do not react as savages.

We do not know what causes some people to act one way and yet others to act another way. But, I am sure that being the great and compassionate man he was, if John F. Kennedy could be returned and speak to the Nation here at this moment, he undoubtedly would, in the manner of all compassionate and understanding men, dismiss the tragedy by saying to those who would seem to forget or disregard the Biblical teachings that man should respect and honor the lives of others, that "hate is for those who are too weak to love."

All of the world will greatly miss this distinguished man. I join my colleagues in extending heartfelt condolence to President Kennedy's devoted wife, his children, and other members of the family. Their grief is shared by all of us who had the good fortune to know him.

ADDRESS BY

Hon. Frank M. Karsten

OF MISSOURI

Mr. Speaker, it was my privilege to know and work closely with our beloved late President,

John F. Kennedy, for many years. His untimely passing is a great personal loss to me, for I have lost a wonderful friend.

I recall our first meeting more than a decade and a half ago, at the beginning of the 80th Congress, when John Kennedy and I began our service as new Members of the House. We introduced ourselves to each other and as new Congressmen with very similar political philosophies we immediately became close personal friends.

Because of a back injury, he was accustomed to sitting on the first aisle and I spent many hours in the seat alongside of him. He served as a member of the Committee on Education and Labor, which was one of the most active committees of the 80th Congress, and I remember our long discussions and his outstanding work on complex labor legislation.

Later, the people of Massachusetts sent him to the other body and through the years we always kept in close touch with each other. After he became President, on occasions at the White House he would call me aside to talk for a moment or two of the days when we served together in the House.

John Kennedy was endowed with a gentle personality that attracted people to him. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a ready wit. The good natured twinkle in his eyes radiated friendship and understanding. Those who were his opposition, no less than those who were his intimate associates, always recognized in him a rare crusader for the human race. His ideals were inspired by his love of his fellow man and his absence is keenly felt by mankind all over the world.

About 3 years ago, he spoke in my home city in St. Louis and, as I reflect upon the things he said that day, I think of the ancient lines:

Men judge by the complexion of the sky The state and inclination of the day. He drew a parallel between 1860 and 1960 and this is what he said:

One hundred years ago Lincoln wrote a friend, “I know there is a God and He hates injustice. I see a storm coming, but if He has a place and a part for me, I am ready."

In 1960, we know there is a God, and we know He hates injustice, and we see the storm coming. But if He has a place and a part for us, I believe we are ready.

In our sadness we are heartened only in the knowledge that the courage of great men outlives

them, to become the heritage of our people. President Kennedy's courage still lives and upholds the high ideals and noble purposes for which he lived and died.

ADDRESS BY

Hon. Harold C. Ostertag

OF NEW YORK

Mr. Speaker, I desire to join you and the Members of this House of Representatives in tribute to a great man and great American. The assassination of President John F. Kennedy has been one of the most shocking and tragic experiences in our lifetime and in the history of our Nation. The sadness of the occasion will be with us for a long time to come. We all hope and pray that this catastrophe will never again be repeated and that our Nation will be able to dissolve the feelings and attitudes which could have nurtured such a tragic event.

To all of us, the assassination of our President was utterly unbelievable. We are a people who pride ourselves on selecting our political leaders through free elections by the people. Political assassination is completely alien to the traditions of freedom and liberty which we have developed over a period of 200 years. Only a madman could commit such a heinous crime in this day and age.

President Kennedy's death was a stunning and terrible blow to our country and to the world, to persons of all creeds and political beliefs, to those in all walks of life. He held the most powerful and responsible position in the world today, and yet all this might and power could not protect him. from the vengeance of a single sniper.

The President was an alert, vigorous, intelligent, searching leader. He dedicated himself to moving the country ahead with programs he felt were in the national interest. Though there are those who did not always agree with his proposals or policies, none of us failed to respect and admire him and his efforts for our country.

In addition to his predominant public role, the President was also a beloved husband, father, son, and brother. All Americans extended their deepest sympathy to the members of his family, and hopefully the burden of their sorrows was lightened in some small measure by the knowl

edge that millions of mourners shared their grief. Certainly, the members of the First Family revealed a strength and devotion during this period which was an inspiration for all of us.

We can take solace during this time at the inherent strength of our form of government which provided for the immediate accession of the Vice President to the Presidency. Continuity of Government was maintained, even in this tragic time, and confusion and doubt were held to a minimum.

Our country lost an alert and energetic President at the apex of his service to the Nation. He made the supreme sacrifice in serving us all. Now we have taken a new President and he has moved swiftly and confidently to pick up the fallen reins of Government.

Mr. Speaker, as Representative of the 37th New York District, may I take this means to extend the heartfelt sympathy of the people of our area to the late President's family.

We will mourn the passing of President Kennedy for a long time to come; at the same time we extend our hands in cooperation and support to our new President to advance the best interests of our beloved country.

ADDRESS BY

Hon. Harold T. Johnson

OF CALIFORNIA

Mr. Speaker, I was deeply shocked and grieved about the great tragedy which has struck this Nation and the free world, the taking of the life of President John F. Kennedy. There is no doubt in my mind but what President Kennedy will go down in history as one of the greatest Presidents this Nation has ever known.

During his short time in office, he accomplished much for the benefit of all freedom-loving people. He was truly a world leader who was making great progress in furthering the true cause of peace through understanding among the people of the world; through personal leadership and imaginative programs which gave the people of this Nation an opportunity to express in person the true spirit of the United States of America.

Here at home he was a national leader with a

tremendous knowledge about the diverse problems of a vital, complex nation.

I, of course, representing an area in which natural resources play such a vital role in the welfare of our State and people, worked closely with the President in this field. He was a true leader in the wise utilization and management of our natural resources.

Mr. Speaker, President John F. Kennedy has set an example of sincere, unselfish service to his country and his fellow man for all of us, whether we be in private or public life, to follow.

The Nation and the world will sadly miss this. great man, and I extend my deepest sympathy to Mrs. Kennedy, her children, and all members of the Kennedy family.

ADDRESS BY

Hon. J. Arthur Younger

OF CALIFORNIA

Mr. Speaker, it is not given us, and fortunately so, to comprehend or foretell tragic events which occur daily, and all the more so such a catastrophic atrocity as took the life of our late President, John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Only the sustaining assurance in the existence of a Supreme Ruler of the universe supplies the spiritual consolation for such an unlooked for tragedy. Our deepest sympathy and prayers go to the bereaved family. It is well to remember in connection with this unbelievable occurrence God's word to Noah as recorded in Genesis 6: 9: Whoever sheds the blood of man by man shall his blood be shed for God made man in His own image.

ADDRESS BY

Hon. Ben F. Jensen

OF IOWA

Mr. Speaker, the brutal, tragic assassination of John F. Kennedy, our late President, was a grievous shock to all good Americans, and to millions of his admirers across the seven seas.

My heartfelt sympathy and that of my wife

and family is extended to Mrs. Kennedy, her children, and to the entire Kennedy family.

John F. Kennedy was a most sincere, deeply religious gentleman.

May the same God who called their loved one to his heavenly home, give the family strength to bear the great loss they have sustained. God rest his soul.

ADDRESS BY

Hon. Carl Elliott

OF ALABAMA

Mr. Speaker, John Fitzgerald Kennedy was mortal, and now he is no more. But the ideals and the ideas for which he labored and died are immortal. He stood for the dignity of man, for the freedom of the human spirit, for decency, for universal understanding.

These ideals, which are as old as civilization and as immediate as today, cannot be extinguished by a sniper's bullet even as they could not be stamped out by the hate-filled acts of other evil and irrational men who have befouled the pages of history.

For all his brilliance, for all his wisdom, John Kennedy could not have understood the twisted mind which caused him to be struck down in the summer of his life. There was less hate about John Kennedy than any other person I have ever known.

There was no room in his heart for hatred. He met hate with compassion; he turned aside virulence with sparkling wit; he loved the challenge of political debate, but his mind recoiled at the thought of vituperation.

One of the remarkable things about John Kennedy, I think, was his capacity to understand the other fellow's point of view. He was too big a man to let personal difference of opinion control his emotions. In my own meetings and conversations with him, I could detect no trace of vindictiveness against any individual, against any group or against any region. He freely recognized the right and, yes, the responsibility of his contemporaries to disagree and disagree strongly with some of his policies and programs.