A concurrent resolution 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.

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.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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.

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.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

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.

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.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Con. Res. 2.

Mr. President, we run through these resolutions, and sometimes don't understand the importance of what we do to individuals. I just read about a half an hour ago one of the nicest letters I have ever received from Caroline Kennedy regarding this. When I think of Ted Kennedy, when I came to the Senate he was somebody I could never believe I would be working with. As you come into my Capitol office, as you walk in the door, I have a letter that was sent to me by President Kennedy between the time he was elected and before he was inaugurated. Ted used to come in to my office and many times he would look at that letter from his brother. He said, ``And that's his real signature.'' It was a letter to me congratulating me on establishing the first Young Democrat Club at Utah State University. And then to have this wonderful letter from Caroline.

These things we do affect people and there is no better example than that nice letter I got from Caroline today regarding her father and saying thanks for doing this for my father.

I further ask that the concurrent resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and any statements related to this measure be printed in the Record.