JFK-TRANSCRIPT

Transcript of President John F. Kennedy's Commencement Address at San Diego State College, 1963

 

1963-06-06

 

 

After the conferral of an honorary doctor of laws degree, Kennedy addresses the officials to whom he was introduced as well as to spectators. He expresses his thanks for becoming "an instant graduate" and calls attention to California's recognition of the importance of education in the making of a citizen. He points out that such education is in a long tradition of responsible Americans, and that all should have equal opportunity to get it, then cites figures to prove that such equal opportunity does not exist for two primary reasons: "economic" and "racial." He mentions both de facto and "proclaimed" segregation and the need to keep the country as a whole in mind. As for the quality of education, he predicts "millions of people out of work who are unskilled" because of changes in technology not being reflected in schools. Kennedy claims, "Our educational system is not expanding fast enough," and that "the National Government must play its role in stimulating a system of excellence...." He calls for a "massive attack upon illiteracy" and improvement in libraries. Although this is a "difficult assignment," it is essential, and it belongs to the privileged like himself to "expand that privilege so that all of our countrymen and women share it. There is an audio file of this occasion that includes the degree conferral and San Diego State College President Malcolm A. Love's introduction, at JFK-C-SPEECH, as well as media coverage video at JFK-KFMB-1963, and a movie from still photographs at JFKMOVIE.

John F. Kennedy; Presidents of the United States; Commencement speakers; San Diego State College; Speeches; Commencement addresses

 

 

This speech is probably in the public domain and is on the web elsewhere as part of the American Presidency Project.

 

 

English

 

Text

4 pages

Yes

JFK-C-SPEECH; JFK-KFMB-1963; JFKMOVIE

 

 

Document

PDF

68.00 KB