Dinner with Kennedy ~ An Evening in Camelot

The Sandra Day O'Connor Institute honored President John F. Kennedy at the Annual History Dinner on Friday, November 9, 2018, at the Phoenician Resort. Dinner with Kennedy ~ An Evening In Camelot featured Ambassador Caroline Kennedy.

Ambassador Kennedy spoke of her father's iconic message, "ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." Ambassador Kennedy inspired all present with her speech on the important topics of civil discourse, civics education, and civic engagement. She shared stories from her childhood and discussed President Kennedy's vision for our country and his renowned space challenge. The evening concluded with a "Fireside Chat" between Ambassador Kennedy, conducted by Ambassador Barbara Barrett.

Co-chaired by Jacquie Dorrance and Penny Gunning, the elegant evening was attended by 950 guests and generated over $800,000 in support for the Sandra Day O'Connor Institute and its educational programs.

"So let us begin anew ~ remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate. Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us."                         ~  President John F. Kennedy

When President Kennedy uttered these words on January 20, 1961, he challenged all citizens to serve our nation. To that end, he established the Peace Corps on March 1, 1961. On September 12, 1962, President Kennedy asked our nation to reach the Moon within a decade, accomplishing that mission on July 20, 1969. The John F. Kennedy inauguration was chaired by Senator Carl Hayden of Arizona, Senator John Sparkman, and U.S. Representatives Sam Rayburn, Charles A. Halleck, and John William McCormack.

The Sandra Day O'Connor Institute established its acclaimed annual History Dinner to honor statesmen and our democracy.  Past History Dinners include Dinner With Churchill, Dinner With Jefferson, and Dinner With Lincoln.  As part of the occasion, the O'Connor Institute has presented leaders, luminaries, and authors such as Pulitzer Prize winners Jon Meacham and Doris Kearns Goodwin to shed further insight and enrich our audience.