[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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