This week will mark an event that occurred fifty years ago, that event was the loss of our President, John F. Kennedy. I have always been intrigued by this President and his life in large part due to the fact that our lives passed each other, I was born November 21, 1963 and he died November 22. When I was younger I was fascinated by his life and legacy and know that this was, in large part, what motivated me to want to go into public service.
It is hard to imagine fifty years have passed. For me a good portion of my life. We have changed so much since then and even though much of our national innocence died alongside that president I think it is a good time to remember some of the ideals he set for us. I believe that this nation is truly a "city on a hill" and a light to other nations. I believe we stand on the edge of a "new frontier" in difficult and troubled times. I believe that we do challenging things in this country not because they are hard but because they are right. And I believe that our strength will always lie in what we do for our country and others and not what they does for us. These are also great ideals to remember as a city.
So it is not only a good time for reflection on where we have come as a country and city over the last fifty years but more importantly to reflect upon where we are going, and if these ideals will guide us into the future.
In this spirit, I feel privileged to be a part of a city that bears the name of another great leader of our country and am grateful to be in the public service of such a wonderful community.
