John Fitzgerald Kennedy

I want to express my warm thanks to Mayor Brandt for his generous welcome.

Freedom has many difficulties and democracy is not perfect, but we have never had to put a wall up to keep our people in, to prevent them from leaving us.

We come to a city which is 3,500 miles from the United States, but we come to a city which we feel to be part of us.

I am proud to have this association, on behalf of my fellow countrymen, with this great center of learning.

In the end, it requires liberty.

I leave and the United States stays.

The legendary morale and spirit of the people of West Berlin has lit a fire throughout the world.

Your presence here, your lives, in fact, commit the United States of America.

I said yesterday that I was going to leave a note for my successor which would say, 'To be opened at a time of some discouragement,' and in it would be written three words: 'Go to Germany.'

I know the American people naturally wonder on occasions whether all that they have done since the end of 1945, all the responsibilities and burdens that they have accepted, whether any of this effort is recognized and appreciated.

It was mostly the citizens of Germany and of Frankfurt who came to our country because of their desire in the mid-19th century for political freedom, and therefore they have been among the most independent, the most responsible, and the…

What I hope remains between the United States and Germany is not only a strong feeling of sympathy and friendship, but also a recognition in this great struggle in which we now exist, this great struggle to which we have devoted our lives…

I think the people of this city have proved not only their character and their courage, but also their commitment to freedom and opportunity to live together with their fellow Germans in a free and peaceful society.

No one can tell in the future whether there is a storm coming for all of us, but what we can be sure of is that no matter what happens, we believe in God and we are ready.

Coming as I do from the oldest major city in the United States, I am proud to come to this city.

I am also indebted to you for the generous gift, which is a letter from Major Donelson who, of course, was related to one of our great Presidents, intimately served with him, Andrew Jackson.

Political leaders come and go.

Even though I have been here for almost 3 days, I am yet unable to make the distinction or see the difference.

The last 2 days have been among the most heartwarming days that I have spent since I have been in public service, and particularly the warm welcome we received coming into your city.

Your ability to sustain yourselves insures the peace.

It is my hope that this country and my own will work in partnership and harmony in the years ahead.

So I am proud to be in this very ancient city, in this hall, which is connected with so much that was distinguished in history many years ago with lost causes like the one in 1848.

My grandfather was Mayor of the city of Boston.

I want to express my very warm appreciation to you, Mr. Mayor, for your generous welcome.

I want to express my special thanks to my countrymen who serve the United States over 3,500 miles from our own shores.