JFK...the ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of ...

"But the educated citizen knows how much more there is to know. He knows that "knowledge is power," more so today than ever before. He knows that only an educated and informed people will be a free people, that the ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all, and that if we can, as Jefferson put it, "enlighten the people generally ... tyranny and the oppressions of mind and body will vanish, like evil spirits at the dawn of day." And, therefore, the educated citizen has a special obligation to encourage the pursuit of learning, to promote exploration of the unknown, to preserve the freedom of inquiry, to support the advancement of research, and to assist at every level of government the improvement of education for all Americans, from grade school to graduate school."

Accession Number: WH-185-001
Title: Remarks in Nashville, Tennessee, at the 90th anniversary convocation of Vanderbilt University, 18 May 1963
Date(s) of Materials: 18 May 1963
Physical Description: 1 audio tape/reel (20 minutes)
Copyright Status: Public Domain
Contributor(s): 
Kennedy, John F. (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963
Description: Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy's address at a convocation held in Nashville, Tennessee celebrating the 90th anniversary of Vanderbilt University and the 30th anniversary of the Tennessee Valley Authority. In his speech the President discusses the educated citizen's obligations to serve the public, uphold the law, and defend the pursuit of learning.
Series Name: 
White House Audio Recordings, 1961-1963.
Collection: 
White House Audio Collection
Subject(s): 
Education
Public service
Organization(s): 
Tennessee Valley Authority. , 1933 -
Vanderbilt University
Digital Identifier: JFKWHA-185-001