Rep. John Lewis on the Legacy of President John F. Kennedy

Rep. John Lewis made this comment while reflecting on the death and assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas on November 22, 1963.

                “When President Kennedy was assassinated, something died in those of us who knew him, and something died in America.  He was the first American president to say that the issue of civil rights and social justice was a moral issue.  He represented our hope, our idealism, our dreams about what America could become.  He made us believe that we could do anything, tackle any challenge, and that through our efforts we could help heal the problems of the world. 

“Many people, some who still serve in public office today, got involved with public service because they were inspired by President Kennedy.  People joined the Peace Corps, they ran for public office, they volunteered and gave their assistance not simply due to a mandate, but because his leadership made them believe they could make a difference.  When he died, a light went out in America and the nation has never quite been the same since. 

“The last time I saw President Kennedy alive was the day of the March on Washington.  He invited all the speakers to the White House after the march was over.  I can still see him standing in the door of the Oval House beaming, waiting to greet us.  He shook the hand of each person saying, “You did a good job.  You did a good job.” And when he got to Dr. King he said, “And you had a dream.”

“President John F. Kennedy represented the youth, the vigor, the intellect, the imagination and ingenuity of the American identity.  We lost a great leader in Dallas on November 22nd.  I am not so sure we will be so lucky or so blessed to ever see his likeness again.”

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