Trade Mart speech (undelivered) Quotes
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Source: Trade Mart speech (undelivered)
Speaker: John F. Kennedy
"Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other."
It is fitting that these two symbols of Dallas progress are united in the sponsorship of this meeting. For they represent the best qualities, I am told, of leadership and learning in this city—and leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.
Context
This line was scheduled to be spoken by John F. Kennedy at the Dallas Citizens Council, the day he was assassinated (Nov. 22, 1963).
On November 22, 1963, John F. Kennedy traveled in a motorcade through the streets of Dallas, Texas. His destination was the Dallas Trade Mart. But Kennedy never arrived, because he was assassinated on Elm Street by the sniper Lee Harvey Oswald.
The text of the speech he was scheduled to deliver still remains. In his speech, he wrote about the connection between leadership and learning, and their importance in both local affairs and on the world stage.
Sadly, in the days following his assassination, Americans had to learn to live without a leader. They could take these words to heart and continue to be inspired by his example even if President Kennedy was no longer with them.
Where you've heard it
You've heard this if someone is remembering where they were the day Kennedy was shot, or if someone is discussing the importance of education in developing leadership qualities.
Pretentious Factor
If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.
This line is actually super unpretentious. A Big Deal world leader humbly recognizing the importance of continuing to learn while in power? You da man, JKF.