North Reading High School - Golden Years Yearbook (North Reading, MA)

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from the Candidates United States Senate Washington, D. C. To the Class of 1961: Your generation of youth, I believe, is more aware of, more interested in, and more knowledgeable about the affairs of our nation and the world of nations than any other generation of young people in our history. And this is as it should be. For you will soon be the new generation of voters, the generation upon whom the responsibilities of representing and governing, the re- sponsibilities of determining issues and deciding this country ' s place in the councils of nations, will descend. In your history, civics and current events discussions, in your studies of world civilizations and the struggles of mankind to find the better — the free — life, you should be getting a solid background of man ' s slow but steady climb toward freedom for the individual. It is true that in this ascent there have been temporary stops and even descents. You see this setback for the individual in his loss of dignity and worth in the Communist countries to- day. But the comparatively short history of the United States shows a steadily growing appreciation of the value and dignity of the individual. And I am sure that much of our progress comes from good teaching in good schools, schools that must constantly be improving to keep pace with the accelerated times in which we live. I believe that from good schools, from inspiring teach- ers whose concepts of democracy fire a generation of youth eager to learn, will come our greatest national asset — a forward-looking generation of youth — and an even more informed electorate. John F. Kennedy Vice-President Nixon President-Elect Kennedy Office of the Vice President Washington, D. C. To the Class of 1961: This is just a note to thank you for your recent letter. I am delighted that so many young Americans like yourself are taking such an active interest in politics. Our free system of government can be sustained only so long as our people remain well informed and are thus able to exercise an intelligent choice of leaders and policies. You and your staff appear to be well on the way to- ward fulfilling the duties of citizenship. I am glad to send you my greetings and best wishes for success. Sincerely, 2