"I think we in Arizona can take special pride in this - is that among those that laid the foundations, the earliest foundations of this country, were men who came not to conquer, but to build. Men who were men of peace"

Address by Stewart L. Udall
U.S. Secretary of the Department of the Interior

Mr. JAMES M. MURPHY: At this time, Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to introduce a gentleman I believe most of you know. He is a high member of the Government of the United States, and is in the Cabinet of our President; but, I would rather introduce him today, not as Secretary of the Interior, but as an Arizonian. He comes from an old-time Arizona family, well known in our area; has been educated in our schools; has practiced law in Arizona. This gentleman has assured me he knows more about Father Kino than I do, and as you can well appreciate in our country, everybody claims to know something about the good Father, and it is my extreme pleasure to introduce to you­ Stewart L. Udall.  

Hon. STEWART L. UDALL: I think this is a rather emotional moment for all of us from Arizona.  

This hall, this place, is the great historic place of our country, and in this hall and nearby are statues placed here by the 50 States. There are many different types of works of arts; there are many individuals commemorated here. One finds statues of politicians; public men, both male and female; of generals, military leaders, of explorers, of conquerors; but the thought that I have to leave with you here today - I think we in Arizona can take special pride in this - is that among those that laid the founda­tions, the earliest foundations of this country, were men who came not to conquer, but to build. Men who were men of peace, and men who brought with them almost literally only the spirit and the civilization that they carried with them on their backs.And so we would remind the country in placing this statue here today that there were other builders, and that some of them laid foundations that will last longer perhaps than those of any others who are commemorated here. So this is, I think, a dayof honor, a day of commemoration for all of us from the Great Southwest; and I know that this symbolic statue here will say something to men and women from all over this country and from abroad for years to come about our area of the United States and about its own glory.  

Editor Note: Secretary Udall brushed away a tear or two from his eyes as he began his address.