And is not peace, in the last analysis, basically a matter of human rights -- the right to live out our lives without fear of devastation – the right to breathe air as nature provided it -- the right of future generations to a healthy existence?" (John F. Kennedy, June 10, 1963, American University speech)

To address fears that his being Catholic would impact his decision-making he famously told the Greater Houston Ministerial Association on September 12 1960 "I am not the Catholic candidate for President. Military service

In September 1941 after medical disqualification by the Army for his chronic lower back problems Kennedy joined the U. Lodge was instructed to try to get Diem and Nhu to step down and leave the country.

After military service as commander of the Motor Torpedo Boats PT-109 and PT-59 during World War II in the South Pacific Kennedy represented Massachusetts' 11th congressional district in the U. Senate from 1953 until 1960. Thereafter he served in the U.