John Fitzgerald Kennedy

I think that in the summer of 1961-and of course this all may come again--we were calling up reserves in preparation for what might be a collision of major proportions between the Soviet Union and the United States in Berlin.

The fact of the matter is the Congress last year appropriated half a billion dollars more than we had requested for national security. Now they are talking about cutting it $3 billion or $5 billion.

I believe that the men that have been appointed to judgeships in the South, sharing perhaps as they do the general outlook of the South, have done a remarkable job in fulfilling their oath of office.

I believe that we will insist upon a test ban treaty which gives us assurance that if any country conducted a series of clandestine underground tests that that series would be detected.

Upon their judgment, in many cases of crisis, will the future independence of that country rest and the security of the United States.

They were serving their country.

No, that isn't what I said.

So we want to express our thanks to you.

We have indicated that we would keep our commitments to Europe, and we have indicated that our atomic strength is sufficient to defend Europe and the United States and our other interests.

I would say that the agreement is an equitable agreement.

There is a rhythm to personal and national and international life and it flows and ebbs.

Now, this idea that there are three services and therefore you can save $3 billion by cutting $1 billion out of each and at the same time when a good many members make speeches which are very militant, which would suggest that the solution…

I feel that this is really the Golden Age of the State Department.

I don't think, if I may say so--in my opinion that is not what is the administration's position.

In spite of what you read, we love the State Department.

I remember there is a picture of Abraham Lincoln welcoming your predecessors to the East Room and I am delighted to welcome you to the Rose Garden 100 years later.

The American Indians hold a romantic grip on our imaginations, but I hope that they also hold a practical grip upon our efforts.

In my message to the Congress last year, I pointed out that the basic objective of our transportation system must be to assure the availability of fast, safe and economical transportation services needed in a growing and changing economy…

This is, obviously, the most important road to progress--secondary, primary, and higher education.

I am transmitting herewith, for the consideration of the Congress, draft legislation carrying out these principles, providing equality of opportunity among carriers, removing artificial barriers to the realization of the inherent…

If action is not taken to establish a transportation policy consistent with the new demands upon the economy, we face serious problems of dislocation and deterioration in both the transportation industry and the economic life of the nation…

You have been very generous and we appreciate all the presents and we will try to make sure that your visit to Washington brings useful results.

There must be equality of opportunity for all modes and for all passengers and shippers, without any special preferences.

I, therefore, renew my request that, in the interest of equality, one of these solutions be adopted.

I urge that action be taken to establish such a policy.