Wednesday; May 29
John F. Kennedy is one of the most recognizable figures in our nation’s recent history. Not only did he look different (more like a leading man) he also had the ability to compel people with his words. You have a lot to choose from if you want to reference JFK, but on this anniversary of his birth I want to cite a segment of “The City Upon A Hill” Speech. This speech delivered in The State House in Boston on January 9, 1961 discussed his perspective on creating a new national government. Interestingly for a man who would become known for being forward-looking he looked back for his inspiration – all the way back to John Winthrop. When President Kennedy thought about his administration’s future he drew on Winthrop’s example and quoted him, “We must consider,” he said, “that we shall be as a city upon a hill – the eyes of all people are upon us.”. Kennedy went on to observe, “Today the eyes of all people are truly upon us – and our governments, in every branch, at every level, nati