John F. Kennedy: “The quality of American life must keep pace with the quantity of American goods.”

But as an institution, it should have in the future, as it has had in the past since its inception, no stronger or more faithful member than the United States of America.

A year ago, in assuming the tasks of the Presidency, I said that few generations, in all history, had been granted the role of being the great defender of freedom in its hour of maximum danger.

But today, were I to offer--after little more than a week in office--detailed legislation to remedy every national ill, the Congress would rightly wonder whether the desire for speed had replaced the duty of responsibility.

Members of the Congress: The United States did not rise to greatness by waiting for others to lead.