John F. Kennedy

We have become more and more not a nation of athletes but a nation of spectators.

Every dollar released from taxation that is spared or invested will help create a new job and a new salary.

Now let me make it clear that I believe there can only be one defense policy for the United States and that is summed up in the word 'first.' I do not mean first, but. I do not mean first, when. I do not mean first, if. I mean first - period.

For one true measure of a nation is its success in fulfilling the promise of a better life for each of its members. Let this be the measure of our nation.

Whatever one's religion in his private life may be, for the officeholder, nothing takes precedence over his oath to uphold the Constitution and all its parts - including the First Amendment and the strict separation of church and state.

If all of you had voted the other way - there's about 5500 of you here tonight - I would not be the President of the United States.

When I ran for Presidency of the United States, I knew that this country faced serious challenges, but I could not realize - nor could any man realize who does not bear the burdens of this office - how heavy and constant would be those burdens

What we seek to advance, what we seek to develop in all of our colleges and universities, are educated men and women who can bear the burdens of responsible citizenship, who can make judgments about life as it is, and as it must be, and encourage the people to make those decisions which can bring not only prosperity and security, but happiness to the people of the United Sates and those who depend upon it.

The labor movement is people. Our unions have brought millions of men and women together, made them members one of another, and given them common tools for common goals. Their goals are goals for all America - and their enemies are the enemies for progress. The two cannot be separated.

It is insane that two men, sitting on opposite sides of the world, should be able to decide to bring an end to civilization.

With all of the history of war, and the human race's history unfortunately has been a good deal more war than peace, with nuclear weapons distributed all through the world, and available, and the strong reluctance of any people to accept defeat, I see the possibility in the 1970's of the President of the United States having to face a world in which 15 or 20 or 25 nations may have these weapons.

Economic growth without social progress lets the great majority of the people remain in poverty, while a privileged few reap the benefits of rising abundance.

Here on earth, God's work must surely be our own.

We cannot expect that all nations will adopt like systems, for conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth.

I will splinter the CIA into a thousand pieces and scatter it into the winds.

For time and the world do not stand still. Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or the present are certain to miss the future.

War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today.

An economy hampered by restrictive tax rates will never produce enough jobs or enough profits

Not everyone has equal abilities, but everyone should have equal opportunity for education.

Those who do nothing are inviting shame as well as violence. Those who act boldly are recognizing right as well as reality.

'The green beret' is again becoming a symbol of excellence, a badge of courage, a mark of distinction in the fight for freedom. I know the United States Army will live up to its reputation for imagination, resourcefulness, and spirit as we meet this challenge.