Even Though This Is Late In An

The Declaration [of Independence] Was Not A Protest Against Government, But Against The Excess Of Government. It Prescribed The Proper Role Of Government, To Secure The Rights Of Individuals And To Effect Their Safety And Happiness. In Modern Society, No Individual Can Do This Alone. So Government Is Not A Necessary Evil But A Necessary Good.

A Strong Defense Is The Surest Way To Peace. Strength Makes Detente Attainable. Weakness Invites War, As My Generation - My Generation - Knows From Four Very Bitter Experiences. Just As America's Will For Peace Is Second To None, So Will America's Strength Be Second To None. We Cannot Rely On The Forbearance Of Others To Protect This Nation. The Power And Diversity Of The Armed Forces, Active Guard And Reserve, The Resolve Of Our Fellow Citizens, The Flexibility In Our Command To Navigate International Waters That Remain Troubled Are All Essential To Our Security.

The United States ... Has Been Proud Of Its Association With The State Of Israel. We Shall Continue To Stand With Israel. We Are Committed To Israel's Survival And Security. The United States For A Quarter Of A Century Has Had An Excellent Relationship With The State Of Israel. We Have Cooperated In Many, Many Fields - In Your Security, In The Well-being Of The Middle East, And In Leading What We All Hope Is A Lasting Peace Throughout The World.

My Fellow Americans, Our Long National Nightmare Is Over. Our Constitution Works; Our Great Republic Is A Government Of Laws And Not Of Men. Here The People Rule. But There Is A Higher Power, By Whatever Name We Honor Him, Who Ordains Not Only Righteousness But Love, Not Only Justice But Mercy.

To Know John Kennedy, As I Did, Was To Understand The True Meaning Of The Word. He Understood That Courage Is Not Something To Be Gauged In A Poll Or Located In A Focus Group. No Adviser Can Spin It. No Historian Can Backdate It. For, In The Age Old Contest Between Popularity And Principle, Only Those Willing To Lose For Their Convictions Are Deserving Of Posterity's Approval.