[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 82 (Friday, June 24, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       JACQUELINE KENNEDY ONASSIS

  Mr. ROTH. Mr. President, there is not a lot that can be said about 
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis that has not already been said in these past 
few weeks. Certainly the place this woman held in the consciousness of 
America was--and remains--somewhere very near our heart. Those who knew 
her cared deeply for her. We have heard many of their heart-warming 
remembrances. Those who did not know her personally admired from afar 
as she brought grace and elegance to a period Americans came to know as 
Camelot.
  Indeed, she was a fitting Guenivere, a beautiful and noble woman who 
enriched the lives of those around her; a woman who believed in her 
husband and his vision--and who supported that vision in a quiet, regal 
way. In the process, she forever changed the role of First Lady and 
even the character of Washington.
  About the same time America's political story was beginning, the 
German poet, Friedrich von Schiller was writing about the importance of 
art, beauty, and aesthetic education on democracy. A part of his 
conclusion was that, ``Art is the daughter of Freedom * * *. If man is 
ever to solve the problem of politics in practice, he will have to 
approach it through the problem of the aesthetic, because it is only 
through Beauty that man makes his way to Freedom.''
  In a profound yet subtle way, Jacqueline Kennedy understood this, 
that ``it is aesthetic culture that leads to moral nobility, and moral 
nobility is the precondition of a truly free society.'' Her successful 
efforts to bring art and culture to Washington forever bless our 
Nation. Not only was it ennobling, but at a very critical time in our 
history, it eased the realpolitiks of the tense cold war with softness, 
beauty, and joy.
  It would be a grave mistake, however, to appreciate Jacqueline 
Kennedy Onassis only for the artistic contributions she made. Indeed, 
she did so much more. In fact, I believe it was in crisis that 
Americans fell in love with their First Lady. None who were alive and 
old enough to understand, will ever forget the courage of this woman as 
she stood beside Lyndon Johnson aboard Air Force One as he took the 
oath of office only hours after the assassination of her husband. At 
that moment, Jackie became a legend. And the life she led thereafter as 
a mother, concerned about living, nurturing, and raising her children 
beneath the stark glare of media light, only confirmed what we had 
already come to understand: This was an exceptional woman.

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