Governor Quinn Reminds Everyone in Illinois to Reflect on John F. Kennedy's Legacy this Friday, Nov. 22

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today encouraged people across Illinois to reflect on the legacy of President John F. Kennedy with a moment of silence at 1:00 p.m. CST, on Friday, Nov. 22, the 50th anniversary of Kennedy's assassination. The Governor also ordered flags at all state of Illinois facilities to be flown at half-staff on that day.

Governor Quinn released the following statement:

"In his inaugural address, President Kennedy said ‘ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.'

"In a short time, he steered humanity from the brink of nuclear war in the Cuban Missile Crisis, planted the seeds for an American flag on the moon, and ushered in a new era of service by creating the Peace Corps.

"All Americans alive on that day remember where they were on November 22, 1963, 50 years ago this week.

"Like every American family, mine spent that weekend in front of our TV, in shock and grief. President Kennedy was a trailblazer. We admired his strength in addressing civil rights injustices and his warm-hearted humor.

"President Kennedy had a faith in our country and in the power of the human spirit that invigorated a nation and inspired a new generation of Americans to believe that they, too, can have the moral courage to stand up for what's right.

"I invite everyone in Illinois to join me in a moment of silence at 1:00 p.m., to reflect on the hopeful vision and accomplishments of President John F. Kennedy. May his inspiring life and its tragic end keep us hopeful for the future and shun violence in any form."

John Fitzgerald Kennedy served as the 35th President of the United States. He was shot on Nov. 22, 1963 in Dallas, Texas, and pronounced dead at 1:00 p.m.