[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 155 (Wednesday, December 1, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H7823]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1630
AUTHORIZING USE OF CAPITOL ROTUNDA FOR 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF KENNEDY
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules
and concur in the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 75) authorizing
the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for an event marking the 50th
anniversary of the inaugural address of President John F. Kennedy.
The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:
S. Con. Res. 75
Whereas John Fitzgerald Kennedy was elected to the United
States House of Representatives and served from January 3,
1947, to January 3, 1953, until he was elected by the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts to the Senate where he served
from January 3, 1953, to December 22, 1960;
Whereas on November 8, 1960, John Fitzgerald Kennedy was
elected as the 35th President of the United States; and
Whereas on January 20, 1961, President Kennedy was sworn in
as President of the United States and delivered his inaugural
address at 12:51pm, a speech that served as a clarion call to
service for the Nation: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives
concurring),
SECTION 1. USE OF THE ROTUNDA OF THE CAPITOL FOR AN EVENT
HONORING PRESIDENT KENNEDY.
The rotunda of the United States Capitol is authorized to
be used on January 20, 2011, for a ceremony in honor of the
50th anniversary of the inaugural address of President John
F. Kennedy. Physical preparations for the conduct of the
ceremony shall be carried out in accordance with such
conditions as may be prescribed by the Architect of the
Capitol.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
California (Mrs. Davis) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Daniel
E. Lungren) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.
General Leave
Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend
their remarks and to include extraneous matter on the measure now under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from California?
There was no objection.
Mrs. DAVIS of California. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, this Senate concurrent resolution authorizes use of
the Capitol rotunda on January 20, 2011, for a ceremony commemorating
the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy's inaugural address. In that
speech half a century ago, the President urged our country forward with
words that still apply today, particularly as we close one session of
Congress and start another.
President Kennedy said, ``So let us begin anew--remembering on both
sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always
subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never
fear to negotiate. Let both sides explore what problems unite us
instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.''
Madam Speaker, I am sincerely looking forward to this commemorative
ceremony. I know of no controversy to this measure and urge my
colleagues to support Senate Concurrent Resolution 75.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Madam Speaker, I yield myself
such time as I may consume.
I rise today in support of S. Con. Res. 75, authorizing use of the
rotunda of the Capitol for an event in January marking the 50th
anniversary of the inaugural address of President John F. Kennedy.
Madam Speaker, Presidential inaugural addresses are always historic
and are often some of the most memorable events during different eras
of our country's history.
We can recall Abraham Lincoln's inaugural address in 1861, President
Franklin Roosevelt's inaugural address in 1933, and President Ronald
Reagan's inaugural address in 1981, among many others, as addresses
that inspired this Nation at particular moments of importance.
In 1961, President Kennedy's inaugural address rightly challenged us
to ask what we could do for our country and not what our country could
do for us. As people across this land did 50 years ago, so we must
continue to do now. We must ask ourselves how we can best contribute to
our society--by providing for our families, by participating in our
communities, in civil society, in our children's schools, and by
looking at the lives and needs intimately and immediately around us and
seeking to meet them.
Some were then, and some may now, be also called to use their skills
and services in our military, diplomatic, and public service sectors.
Self-government needs all these attributes and contributions, and
President Kennedy's address boldly challenged us to meet them.
Madam Speaker, I support this resolution authorizing use of the
rotunda. I, too, believe we should look for inspiration to President
Kennedy's eloquent address given some 50 years ago this coming January.
As I say, I hope all will join us in supporting this resolution.
I have no other speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. DAVIS of California. I thank the gentleman for his words. I ask
for an ``aye'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis) that the House suspend the
rules and concur in the concurrent resolution, S. Con. Res. 75.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was concurred in.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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