John Kerry - 2004 Democratic National Convention (Part 1 of 3)

[angrydemocrat]

I'm John Kerry and I'm reporting for duty. (major applause)
We are here tonight because we love our country.
We are proud of what America is and what it can become.

My fellow Americans, we are here tonight united in one simple purpose: to make America stronger at home and respected in the world.
(major applause)

A great American novelist wrote that you can't go home again. He could not imagined this evening. Tonight, I am home. Home where my public life began and those who made it possible live. Home where our nation's history was written in blood, idealism, and hope. Home where my parents showed me the values of family, faith, and country.

Thank you, all of you, for a welcome home I will never forget.
(major applause)

I wish my parents could share this moment. They went to their rest in the last few years, but their example, their inspiration, their gift of open eyes, open mind, and endless world are bigger and more lasting than any words.

I was born in Colorado, in Fitzsimons Army Hospital, when my dad was a pilot in World War II. Now, I'm not one to read into things, but guess which wing of the hospital the maternity was in? I'm not making this up. I was born in the West Wing!

My mother was the rock of our family as so many mothers are. She stayed up late to help me do my homework. She sat by the bed when I was sick, and she answered the questions of a child who, like many children, found the world full of wonders and mysteries.

She was my den mother when I was a Cub Scout and she was so proud of her fifty year pin as a Girl Scout leader. She gave me her compassion for the environment. She taught me to see tree's as cathedrals of nature. And by the power of her example, she showed me that we can and must finish the march toward full equality for all women in our country.

My dad did the things that a boy remembers. He gave me my first model airplane, my first baseball mitt, and my first bicycle. He also taught me that we are here for something bigger than ourselves; he lived out the responsibilities and sacrifices of the greatest generation to whom we owe so much.

When I was a young man, he was in the State Department, stationed in Berlin when it and the world were divided between democracy and communism. I have unforgettable memories of being a kid mesmerized by the British, French, and the American troops, each of them guarding their own part of the city, and Russians standing guard on the stark line separating East from West. On one occasion, I rode my bike into the Soviet East Berlin. And when I proudly told my dad, he promptly grounded me.

But what I learned has stayed with me for a lifetime. I saw how different life was on different sides of the same city. I saw the fear in the eyes of people who were not free. I saw the gratitude of people towards the United States for all we had done. I felt goose bumps as I got off a military train and heard the Army band strike up the "Stars and Stripes Forever." I learned what it meant to be America at our best. I learned the pride of our freedom. And I am determined now to restore that pride to all who look to America.

Mine were greatest generation parents. And as I thank them, we all join together to thank that whole generation for making America strong, for winning World War II, winning the Cold War, and the great gift of service which brought America fifty years of peace and prosperity.

My parents inspired me to serve, and when I was a junior in high school, John Kennedy called my generation to service. It was the beginning of a great journey a time to march for civil rights, for voting rights, for the environment, for women, and for peace. We believed we could change the world. And you know what? We did.

But we're not finished. The journey isn't complete. The march isn't over. The promise isn't perfected. Tonight, we're setting out again. And together, we're going to write the next great chapter of America's history.

We have it in our power to change the world again. But only if we're true to our ideals-- and that starts by telling the truth to the American people. That is my first pledge to you tonight. As President, I will restore credibility to the White House.

I ask you to judge me by my record: As a young prosecutor, I fought for victim's rights and made prosecuting violence against women a priority. When I came to the Senate, I broke with my party to vote for a balanced budget, because I thought it was the right thing to do. I fought to put 100,000 cops on the street.

And I reached across the aisle to work with John McCain, to find the truth about our POW's missing in action, and to finally make peace with Vietnam.

I will be a commander in chief who will never mislead us into war. I will have a Vice President who will not conduct secret meetings polluters to rewrite our environmental laws. I will have a Secretary of Defense who will listen to the best advice of our military leaders. And I will appoint an Attorney General who actually upholds the Constitution of the United States.

My fellow Americans, this is the most important election of our lifetime. The stakes are high. We are a nation at war-- a global war on terror against a enemy unlike any we have ever known before. And here at home, wages are falling, health care cost are rising, and our middle class is shrinking. People are working two weekends, they are working two jobs, three jobs, and they are still not getting ahead.

We're told that outsourcing jobs is good for America. We are told that new jobs that pay $9,000 less than the jobs that have been lost is the best we can do. They say this is the best economy we've ever had. And they say that anyone who thinks otherwise is a pessimist. Well here is your answer: There is nothing more pessimistic than saying America can't do better.

We can do better and we will. We're the optimists. For us, this is a country of the future. We're the can-do people. and lets not forget the 1990's. We balanced the budget. We paid down the debt. We created 23 million new jobs. We lifted millions out of poverty and we lifted the standard of living for the middle class. We just need to believe in ourselves-- and we can do it again.

So tonight, in the city where America's freedom began, only a few blocks from where the sons and daughters of liberty gave birth to our nation-- here tonight, on behalf of a middle class who deserves a champion, and those struggling to join it who deserve a fair shot-- for the brave men and women in uniform who risk their lives every day and the families who pray for their return-- for all those who believe our best days are ahead of us-- for all of you-- with great faith in the American people, I accept your nomination for President of the United States. (major applause)

[Forever Free]

1. Great stuff...keep 'em coming!

Its fantastic to read about some important milestones in John Kerry's life. BTW, I think we should post all this biographical information for Kerry in the Demopedia. I haven't checked, but do you think this is a good idea angrydemocrat?

[angrydemocrat]

2. Sure That Is Fine By Me

I don't know how to do it. Faye set up the biograghy thread so all of it can be located in one place. So everytime I write something new she adds it for me. I'm not the computer whiz LOL. But it will take me a while to do everything I plan on doing. I think it is good to have all of this imformation at the click of a button for people. And even better having it all in one spot so people don't have to worry about hunting up this imformation to show others. And i enjoy doing it as well. I guess it is pretty obvious that I have been a supporter of his long before he ran for president. He is my hero LOL! And I have my daughter hooked also.