Political Quotes

“A century ago, our predecessors in the U.S. Senate took a very bold step in ratifying the North Atlantic Treaty. It is easy for us today to forget what a break with the past that vote represented. For the first time, this country committed itself, in peacetime, to the defense of democratic Europe. The Senate recognized by its far-sighted action that our future--indeed our own freedom--is inextricably bound to Europe. The success of the fledgling NATO was by no means certain. Western Europe was made up of a jumble of nations, several of which had only recently been at each others' throats. Germany and France alone had fought each other three times in 74 years. The three western zones of Germany, which were not the Federal Republic and, in fact, were not invited to join NATO. The countries of Western Europe were economically weak, not yet having recovered nearly fully from the devastation of World War II. Several European NATO members had strong Communist parties whose loyalty and commitment to democracy were suspect. Mr. President, our predecessors took a gamble. Fortunately for us and our children--and I hope for our grandchildren--NATO succeeded beyond the Senate s fondest expectations. As we all know, for 40 years, it kept Soviet imperialism at bay, thereby providing the security umbrella under which democratic Western Europe could recover socially and economically, and thrive.”