[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 6 (Tuesday, January 18, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H206-H207]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
AUTHORIZING USE OF CAPITOL ROTUNDA FOR 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF KENNEDY
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in
the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 2) 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. 2
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 gentleman from
Mississippi (Mr. Harper) and the gentlewoman from California (Mrs.
Davis) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Mississippi.
General Leave
Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Mississippi?
There was no objection.
Mr. HARPER. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Senate Concurrent Resolution
2, authorizing the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for an event on
January 20, marking the 50th anniversary of the inaugural address of
President John F. Kennedy.
[[Page H207]]
Mr. 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, of course,
President Ronald Reagan's inaugural address in 1981, among many others,
as addresses that inspired this Nation at particular moments of
importance to our country.
In 1961 President Kennedy's inaugural address rightly challenged us
to ask what we can do for our country and not what our country can do
for us. As people across this land did 50 years ago, so we must
continue to do so now.
Mr. Speaker, I too believe we should look for inspiration to
President Kennedy's eloquent address given 50 years ago. I support this
resolution authorizing use of the rotunda and urge all my colleagues to
support it.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. DAVIS of California. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this concurrent resolution to
allow for the use of the rotunda in recognition of the 50th anniversary
of President Kennedy's inaugural address.
You may have read this morning's Washington Post front page story,
declaring that 82 percent of Americans think the tone of our Nation's
political discourse is negative. At a time when the majority of
Americans holds our political discourse in such low regard, there
couldn't be a more timely or necessary opportunity to revisit the
inaugural address that inspired our country 50 years ago.
The speech called for unity, for respect of opposing views and for
commitment to public service, all at a time of great change and
challenge for the United States. It was a call for everyone to work
together, to do their part in making America and the world a better
place.
The words that were spoken on January 20, 1961, still ring true to
this day.
In the words of President Kennedy: ``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.''
Mr. Speaker, 50 years ago, the President's inaugural address sought
to challenge our country and its leaders, and it set standards that
still must guide our political discourse and ourselves, particularly
with its closing lines:
``Ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice
which we ask of you.
``With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final
judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love.''
I hope all of my colleagues will continue to work together to answer
President Kennedy's call, and I urge all Members to support this
resolution.
Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Congressman
Brady and the Democratic leadership, and especially our new Speaker and
his staff for their help with this bill and their support for holding
this historic event in the rotunda.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. Con. Res. 2, authorizing the use
of the rotunda for a ceremony to honor the 50th anniversary of the
inauguration of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy.
President Kennedy came to us during difficult times. In 1961, America
was a very different place. In the South, Jim Crow and racial
segregation were a part of everyday life--a part of my life.
Around the world, the possibility of nuclear war and the spread of
communism were clouds that hung over every country. Tensions were
rising. The danger was real. The world, once again, looked to us.
For me, and for millions of Americans, the young man from
Massachusetts looked like the future.
As a young activist, I know that I challenged him to ensure that the
future included civil rights. But on inauguration day, just outside
this very building, he challenged me. He called me to serve in a new
way.
He reminded me that the principles upon which this country was
founded must live within each of us; inspire and guide each of us; and
be sacred to each of us.
President Kennedy came to us during difficult times. And he was taken
from us during difficult times. He never saw the success in civil
rights, the fall of the Berlin Wall or men on the moon. But on his
first day--his very first day--he gave to us a new hymn. One that
seemed to express what we had been struggling to put into words. His
inaugural address gave us a hymn of hope, a hymn of optimism, a hymn of
service.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this resolution, and I think it is
appropriate and fitting that Congress honor this important anniversary
in the rotunda of the United States Capitol.
Mrs. DAVIS of California. I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. HARPER. I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Harper) that the House suspend the
rules and concur in the concurrent resolution, S. Con. Res. 2.
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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