CARBONDALE - Lt. Governor Sheila Simon will celebrate the life and legacy of the late President John F. Kennedy by delivering the keynote address at "Remembering JFK."
"John F. Kennedy visited southern Illinois during a time in our nation when people hungered for change and as the fight for civil rights raged throughout the country. While there is still work to do before true equality can be realized, we are making amazing progress," said Simon. "It has been more than 50 years since JFK`s visit, but his legacy lives on."
The event takes place 53 years to the day that presidential candidate John F. Kennedy visited southern Illinois. On Oct. 3, 1960, thousands of residents flocked to see Kennedy at stops in Carbondale, Marion Harrisburg and later Venice, IL and Springfield. During his visit, Kennedy spoke to huge crowds about issues still being debated today: equality, jobs, and economic development and access to high-quality educations.
DATE: Thursday, Oct. 3
TIME: 7 p.m.
LOCATION: Ballroom B, SIU Student Center, 1255 Lincoln Dr., Carbondale
NOTE: Media availability to take place prior to the event.
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