JFK'S STATEMENT READ AT LAUNCHING OF USS SAM HOUSTON
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On February 2, 1961, President John F. Kennedy released a letter addressed to Secretary of the Navy John B. Connally* which included a statement to be read at the launching ceremony of the Polaris submarine U.S.S. Sam Houston**.
The statement read...
"This historic occasion...signals our determination to strengthen our military tools--to demonstrate to the world that our seapower...is a power for peace...and...also allows us to do honor to a great American.
No Polaris submarine will be more appropriately named, for
SOURCE
"Letter to the Secretary of the Navy and Statement by the President on the Launching of the U.S.S. Sam Houston, February 2, 1961," Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, John F. Kennedy, January 20 to December 31, 1961, United States Government Printing Office, Washington, 1962.
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On February 2, 1961, President John F. Kennedy released a letter addressed to Secretary of the Navy John B. Connally* which included a statement to be read at the launching ceremony of the Polaris submarine U.S.S. Sam Houston**.
The statement read...
"This historic occasion...signals our determination to strengthen our military tools--to demonstrate to the world that our seapower...is a power for peace...and...also allows us to do honor to a great American.
No Polaris submarine will be more appropriately named, for
Sam Houston*** combined the moral courage to defend principle and physical courage to defy danger.
When Sam Houston left the...Senate, he said: 'I wish no prouder epitaph to mark...my tomb than this; he loved his country, he was a patriot; he was devoted to the Union.'"
*John Bowden Connally,(1917-1993) was born in Floresville, TX & earned his BA & LLB at the University of Texas, Austin. JBC severed as Sec of Navy (1961), Governor of Texas (1963-1969), & Sec of Treasury (1971-1972).
**USS Sam Houston, SSBN-609 (1961-1991), a ballistic missile submarine sponsored by Nellie Connally & commissioned March 6, 1962. Built at Newport News, VA, it had 12 officers & 128 enlisted men. The ballistic missile sub was scrapped in 1992.
***Samuel Houston (1793-1863) was born in Rockbridge County, VA & served in the War of 1812, US Army & Texas Army. SH was president of the Republic of Texas, US Senator & Governor of Texas.
SOURCE
"Letter to the Secretary of the Navy and Statement by the President on the Launching of the U.S.S. Sam Houston, February 2, 1961," Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, John F. Kennedy, January 20 to December 31, 1961, United States Government Printing Office, Washington, 1962.
U.S.S. Sam Houston
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
March 1, 1986
U.S. Navy Photo
