[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 17798]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




INSPIRING A SENSE OF IDEALISM, SPIRIT OF PUBLIC SERVICE IN THE AMERICAN 
                                 PEOPLE

  (Mr. COHEN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because tomorrow is the 50th 
anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
  President Kennedy inspired me to get into government. I was only 14 
years old when he passed. His death left an indelible mark on me and 
everybody of my generation who experienced that national sharing of 
grief that went on that weekend.
  President Kennedy was a person who said that politics is an honorable 
profession. I believe it is, and I believe people should get involved 
in politics and public service.
  He founded the Peace Corps and asked people to ``ask not what your 
country can do for you, but what you can do for your country,'' which 
was a call for service.
  It was a great loss to our Nation. He gave a great deal to our 
country. I would ask everybody to watch the TV specials, to read as 
much as they can, and to learn what they can about an honorable 
gentleman who tried to inspire people to get into government and do the 
right thing.
  I thank his family for his coming along because it inspired me. I got 
to see him in Memphis when he campaigned. He is my hero.

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