John Fitzgerald Kennedy: “I direct the appropriate agencies of the Federal Government, and I invite State and local governments and organizations…”

I congratulate you, the people of Delaware, the people of Maryland, and the people of the United States.

I regard it as serious.

I know who they are going to blame.

It symbolizes, I believe, this highway, first of all, the partnership between the Federal Government and the States, which is essential to the progress of all of our people.