Blogger's Note: The following is a reprint from last year's edition of our publication Ethiopian Calendar with primary source materials 2004 E.C. (2012/'13). This year's edition is on sale now and it contains more rarely seen documents, speeches and narratives related to Ethiopian history. Those interested in getting this year's edition, please contact us by e-mail at genaledc@gmail.com; lesyaan@yahoo.com or by phone: 202-277-2098
John F. Kennedy, 35th
President of the United States of America (1961-1963)
Remarks of Welcome at Union Station
to Haile Selassie, Emperor of Ethiopia.
October 1, 1963
Ladies and gentlemen:
I know I speak on behalf of all of
my fellow Americans in welcoming His Imperial Majesty back to the United
States.
In welcoming His Majesty, we honor
not only a distinguished leader of his country and a distinguished world
figure, but we also welcome a man whose place in history is already assured.
His memorable and distinctive appearance before the League of Nations in the
mid-thirties which so stirred the conscience of the world was supported prior
to that by action, and has been supported in its high hopes, by the consistent
support which His Imperial Majesty has given to those efforts since the end of
the Second War to associate free nations together in common enterprises,
support to the effort in Korea, his support of the most recent effort in the Congo,
the strong support he has given to the United Nations and, perhaps most
celebrated of all, his leadership in building a community of free and
independent states in Africa.
Since His Majesty visited the United
States nearly a decade ago, we have seen one of the most extraordinary
revolutions in history, and that has been the appearance on the world scene of
29 independent countries in the short space of less than 10 years including
over 150 million people.
The conference recently held in His
Majesty's capital served, I think, to bring together in a great, cooperative
movement the people of most of these countries. And the success of that
conference was due in no small part to the leadership of our distinguished
guest.
Therefore, for what he has done in
his own country, his efforts to move his country forward and provide a better
life for its people and his efforts throughout the world, which stretch back
over 30 or 40 years--for all of this, Your Majesty, we take the greatest pride
in welcoming you here. You do us honor, and I can assure you that there is no
guest that we will receive in this country that will give a greater sense of
livelier pride and satisfaction to the American people than your presence here
today.
Your Majesty, you are most welcome.
Your Majesty, you are most welcome.