JFK+50: Volume 5, No. 1914
CHURCHILL BECOMES HONORARY AMERICAN CITIZENWashington, D.C. (JFK+50) Fifty-three years ago today, April 9, 1963, Great Britain's Winston Spencer Churchill became an honorary citizen of the United States of America.
By signing Proclamation 3525, President John F. Kennedy made the then 88 year old former British prime minister an honorary American citizen. The Proclamation reads...
"Whereas Sir Winston Churchill, a son of America though a subject of Britain, has been throughout his life a firm and steadfast friend of the American people and the American nation...I, John F. Kennedy, President of the United States of America do hereby declare Sir Winston Churchill an honorary citizen of the United States..."
The President also called Churchill...
"the most honored and honorable man to walk the stage of human history in the time in which we live."
Although he could not be present for the ceremony, Mr. Churchill's son, Randolph, accepted the decree from President Kennedy in his father's behalf.
Reading from the text of a letter written by his father, the younger Churchill thanked the people of the United States for the, in his father's words, "unique distinction which will always be proudly remembered by my descendants."
Later, Winston Churchill himself said...
"I have received many kindnesses from the U.S.A. but the honour which you now accord me is without parallel. I accept it with deep gratitude and affection."
