What America Means to Me

HERBERT CLARK HOOVER


President of the United States


My Country owes me nothing. It gave
me, as it does every boy and girl, a chance.
It gave me schooling, independence of ac-
tion, opportunity for service and honor. In
no other land could a boy from a country
village, without inheritance or influential
friends, look forward with unbounded hope.

My whole life has taught me what Amer-
ica means. I am indebted to my country
beyond any human power to repay. It con-
ferred upon me the mission to administer
America's response to the appeal of afflicted
nations during the war. It has called me
into the cabinets of two Presidents. By
these experiences I have observed the bur-
dens and responsibilities of the greatest
office in the world. That office touches the
happiness of every home. It deals with
the peace of nations. No man could think
of it except in terms of solemn consecration.






Previous pageTable of ContentsEnd Page