FORT WORTH, TX – The JFK Tribute Committee of Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, Inc. (DFWII) is proud to announce the unveiling – for the very first time to the general public – of the plans for the JFK Tribute in downtown’s General Worth Square.
“A tribute to the president’s visit and memorializing the history of the first half of November 22, 1963 has been too long in coming,” said Taylor Gandy, . “The JFK Tribute Committee, Shirlee and I are excited about bringing this part of Fort Worth’s history from the shadows and creating a beautiful and important addition to the downtown environment.”
“Taylor and I are proud to be a part of this historic effort. We look forward to increased momentum involving individuals, organizations and businesses from throughout our community as we work toward the construction and opening of the JFK Tribute in May, 2012,” said Shirlee Gandy, Tribute Committee Co-Chair.
The press is invited to join in this historic announcement:
Tuesday, January 25th
1:30 p.m.
Hilton Fort Worth Hotel – Lobby, 815 Main Street, 76102
HISTORY
On Thursday evening, November 21, 1963, Air Force One landed safely in Fort Worth. Greeted by thousands along his route to the Hotel Texas (now the Hilton Fort Worth Hotel) downtown, President Kennedy and his motorcade arrived in time for a good night’s sleep before his morning speech at the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce.
Despite Friday’s inclement weather and contrary to predictions of an unfriendly reception in Texas, a huge crowd gathered outside the hotel to see the President. At the urging of Fort Worth Congressman Jim Wright, President Kennedy – despite Secret Service objections – delivered a speech to the drenched, but appreciative audience, before addressing the Chamber’s originally scheduled breakfast meeting.
WHY
The JFK Tribute will tell the story of President Kennedy’s last morning in Fort Worth. The Tribute marks an important moment in history and provides an educational opportunity to share the spirit, optimism and challenges of the times. When complete (the estimated installation date is May 2012), participants will be able to view an eight-foot bronze sculpture of JFK, see larger than life images of his visit and read inscriptions describing his stay in Fort Worth. In addition, both audio and written downloads of his two Fort Worth speeches, and educational materials relevant to those speeches, will be available via mobile devices and the internet.
DFWII’s public art plan calls for the JFK sculpture to be located prominently in General Worth Square. The sculpture was created by the former Texas artist Lawrence M. Ludtke, a National Sculpture Society Fellow recognized for his portrait and figurative work. General Worth Square is located on the site where President Kennedy delivered his speech to thousands in the rain.
PUBLIC INPUT
A public meeting will be held regarding the JFK Tribute on Thursday, February 2 at 5:30 p.m. at the Hilton Fort Worth Hotel in Crystal Ballroom A. For more information, please contact Melissa Konur at Melissa@dfwi.org or 817.870.1692.
