His daughter, Caroline, remains a dear friend as well, along with countless Kennedy family members whom Jill and I have been privileged to know, and to whom we send our love and affection on this day of remembrance. His brother, Robert, was one of my greatest political heroes and Teddy was one of my closest friends. We saw that most clearly with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, whose grace and resilience still hold the hearts of the American people, as they did during that most challenging time in the life of her family and of our nation. But what stuck with me most was President Kennedy’s courage, his heroic sense of duty, and his family’s capacity to absorb profound suffering. His ideas rhymed with the lessons I’d learned from the nuns at school and around my father’s kitchen table – that we are each called to do good works on this earth, to try to make our world a better place in the service of others. Like millions, I deeply felt his conviction and dreams for America. He inspired a nation to see public service as a calling. And at the dawn of a new decade, he called us forward to a new frontier, propelling us to the moon and beyond. He led with calm resolve through the most dangerous moments of the Cold War. He set our nation’s compass firmly on many of the most consequential issues of the 20 th century, from civil rights, to voting rights, to equal pay for women. President Kennedy had been a war hero, senator, and statesman. The weeks and months that followed awakened a generation. I was in college and had just left class, joining other students glued to the news in silence along with the entire country. Millions of Americans still remember exactly where we were when it happened. Kennedy was assassinated, a defining moment of deep trauma and loss that shocked the soul of our nation. Get Involved Show submenu for “Get Involved””.The White House Show submenu for “The White House””.Office of the United States Trade Representative.Office of Science and Technology Policy.Executive Offices Show submenu for “Executive Offices””. Administration Show submenu for “Administration””.
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