JFK-C-SPEECH

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

 

1963-06-06

 

 

This sound file begins with the conferral of an honorary Doctor of Laws degree on Kennedy. Following the hooding ceremony, San Diego State College President Malcolm A. Love introduces Kennedy. 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 changes in technology are 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." The transcript is at JFK-TRANSCRIPT.

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

5500 Campanile Drive

California - San Diego - San Diego State University

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

 

 

English

 

Audio

00:17:11

Yes

JFK-TRANSCRIPT; acu-vip-jfk-002; acu-vip-jfk-004; acu-vip-jfk-005; acu-vip-jfk-006; acu-vip-jfk-007; acu-vip-jfk-008; acu-vip-jfk-017; acu-vip-jfk-019; acu-vip-jfk-020

See JFK-TRANSCRIPT

 

Audio

WAV

188.80 MB