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1961 - Speech, President Kennedy: Special Message To Congress, TRACK ONLY R2 of 2 Pt. 2 of 4

Reel Number: H2027-04-P2

Color: Black and White

Sound: SD

Year / Date: 1961

Country: USA

Location: DC,Washington

TC Begins: 19:47:08

TC Ends: 19:51:29

Duration: 00:04:21

1961 - Speech, President Kennedy: Special Message To Congress, TRACK ONLY R2 of 2 Pt. 2 of 4 Continued... Recognizing the head start obtained by the Soviets w/ their large rocket engines, which gives them many months of lead-time, & recognizing the likelihood that they will exploit this lead for some time to come in still more impressive successes, we nevertheless are required to make new efforts on our own. For while we cannot guarantee that we shall one day be first, we can guarantee that any failure to make this effort will make us last. We take an additional risk by making it in full view of the world, but as shown by the feat of astronaut Shepard, this very risk enhances our stature when we are successful. But this is not merely a race. Space is open to us now; & our eagerness to share its meaning is not governed by the efforts of others. We go into space because whatever mankind must undertake, free men must fully share. (applause) 19:48:19 I therefore ask the Congress, above & beyond the increases I have earlier requested for space activities, to provide the funds which are needed to meet the following national goals: 19:48:35 First, I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon & returning him safely to the earth. No single space project in this period will be more impressive to mankind, or more important for the long-range exploration of space; & none will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish. We propose to accelerate the development of the appropriate lunar space craft. We propose to develop alternate liquid & solid fuel boosters, much larger than any now being developed, until certain which is superior. We propose additional funds for other engine development & for unmanned explorations--explorations which are particularly important for one purpose which this nation will never overlook: the survival of the man who first makes this daring flight. But in a very real sense, it will not be one man going to the moon--if we make this judgment affirmatively, it will be an entire nation. For all of us must work to put him there. 19:49:48 Secondly, an additional 23 million dollars, together w/ 7 million dollars already available, will accelerate development of the Rover nuclear rocket. This gives promise of some day providing a means for even more exciting & ambitious exploration of space, perhaps beyond the moon, perhaps to the very end of the solar system itself. 19:50:15 Third, an additional 50 million dollars will make the most of our present leadership, by accelerating the use of space satellites for world-wide communications. 19:50:27 Fourth, an additional 75 million dollars-of which 53 million dollars is for the Weather Bureau--will help give us at the earliest possible time a satellite system for world-wide weather observation. 19:50:41 Let it be clear--& this is a judgment which the Members of the Congress must finally make--let it be clear that I am asking the Congress & the country to accept a firm commitment to a new course of action-a course which will last for many years & carry very heavy costs: 531 million dollars in fiscal '62--an estimated seven to nine billion dollars additional over the next five years. If we are to go only half way, or reduce our sights in the face of difficulty, in my judgment it would be better not to go at all. 19:51:18 Now this is a choice which this country must make, & I am confident that under the leadership of the Space Committees of the Congress, & the Appropriating Committees, that you will consider the matter carefully. Continued... 25May61; Presidential Speeches; Cold War; NOTE: Any continuous ten minutes of 19:42:15 - 20:00:35 sold at per reel rate.

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