Inspiring Call for Peace and Progress

Every thoughtful citizen

who despairs of war

and wishes to bring peace

should begin by looking inward,

by examining his own attitude

towards the possibilities of peace.

Too many of us think it is impossible.

Too many think it is unreal.

But that is a dangerous, defeatist belief.

It leads to the conclusion

that war is inevitable, that mankind is

doomed,

that we are gripped by forces we cannot control.

We need not accept that view.

Our problems are man-made,

therefore they can be solved by man,

and man can be as big as he wants.

No problem of human destiny

is beyond human beings.

Man's reason and spirit

have often solved the seemingly unsolvable, and we

believe they can do it again.

Surely the opening vistas of space

promise high cost and hardships,

as well as high reward.

So it is not surprising

that some would have us stay where we are a little longer to

rest, to wait. But this city of Houston,

this state of Texas, this country of the United States was

not built by those who waited and rested and wished to look

behind them.

This country was conquered by those who moved forward,

and so will space.

We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other

things, not because they are easy, but because they are

hard,

because that challenge is one that we're willing to accept.

The energy, the faith, the devotion which

we bring to this endeavor will light our country

and all who serve it. And so, my fellow Americans,

ask not what your country can do for you.

Ask what you can do for your country.