Celebration of Life and Work of John F. Kennedy Jr. 27 Jul 1999 at un

Filed under Tributes and Expressions of appreciation

Sri Chinmoy: The Peace Meditation at the United Nations
and the UNSRC Society of Writers

Celebrated the life and work of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Jr. with musical and video tributes. 

Tuesday, 27 July 1999 1 p.m. at the Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium, United Nations

 

More photos and text of links to be added:

 

Excerpt from  Associated Press – AP Online
July 27, 1999; Tuesday 21:28 Eastern Time
 U.N. Pays Tribute to JFK Jr.
BYLINE: EDITH M. LEDERER
DATELINE: UNITED NATIONS

An Indian guru played the flute. A choral group sang a song he wrote that'” began “John, John, John Kennedy.” And tributes were read from around the world from Nelson Mandela, Elie Weisel and Carl Lewis, to name a few.

… to honor an American president’s son who made his own mark during his 38 years.

… organized by guru Sri Chinmoy, who runs The Peace
Meditation group at the United Nations, and the U.N. staff’s Society of Writers.

It included tributes from around the globe for John F. Kennedy Jr. ….

After Chinmoy spoke of every person being “a traveler on eternity’s road” and played a mournful flute solo, members of the meditation group read more than 20 tributes including one from

  • Mandela, who was described as a hero of Kennedy’s.
    “John F. Kennedy Jr. should be celebrated in death even as he was celebrated in life,” the recently retired South African leader said in a message from Johannesburg.
  • When Kennedy was a sophomore at Brown University, Andrew Young, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, recalled that the young Kennedy visited South
    Africa and led an effort at the college to end apartheid.
    “I was invited to be the keynote speaker and saw that, for his own speech, he wore his father’s sport coat. Here was this tall, skinny 19-year-old preparing himself to fill his father’s shoes,” said Young, a former Atlanta mayor.
  • U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he shared “the widespread admiration for John’s compassion, humanity and the fortitude which he showed from an early age.”
    Others spoke of Kennedy’s international impact.
  • Many tributes focused on Kennedy’s charitable works.
    “We all wish we could be like John to be in the spotlight and yet to lead a life that everyone is extremely proud of,” wrote Olympic runner Carl Lewis . …

sample message:

From Chameli Herdes, U.5. Mission to the United Nations
Remarks by Mr. Harry Cahill
Former U.S.Consul General – Bombay India
And former Deputy U.S. Representative on the United Nations
Economic and Social Council

One hundred years ago
A world-famous English writer,
Who was born in India and lived in America,
Wrote a poem
that describes John.

“If you can dream – and not make dreams your master,
If you can think – and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same …
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
If you can walk with kings – nor lose the common touch
… You’ll be a Man, my son.”

We remember John for his smile, his warmth,
His intelligence and humor,
His courage and joyous embrace of life,
His heritage from two great parents.

But there was far more.
There was a seriousness behind that sparkle.
And a steady, constructive effort to make this world a better place.

He worked hard to show us the real face of politics and how
Crucial it is to all of us. He pioneered a magazine that gave
Fresh political insight and awareness.
..
He worked hard in the Kennedy school at Harvard to strengthen our Knowledge and understanding of government and the needs of society.

He worked long and hard in charitable foundations to help
Underprivileged children, the mentally disabled, the needy and neglected.

He worked with citizens of many countries to understand and
Support their views and reinforce world peace.

He did this quietly, never calling attention to what he did.
But in all he did, one thought was dominant – the Brotherhood of Man.

He reached out to all people
Regardless of race, stature, background.

He wanted to do all he could to lift up all people to a better life.
He humbly, tirelessly did this in many ways.
John is his father’s son.
He is our son too .
. We can keep him close
By moving forward to the same goals –
To truly know and love mankind,
To truly try to make this world a better place.

THE HONORABLE KATHLEEN KENNEDY TOWNSEND
ANNAPOLIS, MD (July 19, 1999) – Maryland It. Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend today issued the following statement:

“My family and I thank all those who have held. John, Carolyn, and Lauren in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time the Kennedy and Bessette families. They were extraordinary people who brought joy and pride to all those who loved them. John was champion for the less fortunate and an accomplished man of great , imagination, and vision. He was kind, loving, and caring This is a terrible loss and they be missed. ”

For Programm – Offered by Sri Chinmoy: The Peace Mediation at the United Nations Dag Hammarskjöld Auditorium ~ July 27th, 1999
Sister Nirmala, Sister Superior of the Missionaries of Charity July 23rd, 1999 ~ Calcutta

“Esteemed Sri Chinmoy and distinguished guests,

“We are united in prayer with you. We are very, very sorry for what has happened. We are praying for peace for John F. Kennedy, Jr., as well as for his wife and sister-in-law. We also pray for God’s Comfort for their families.

“John Jr. was a great friend of Mother Teresa. His family has been dear friends of Mother and the Missionaries of Charity for many, many years. Here in Calcutta we have the Nirmala Kennedy Centre which the Kennedy family established. It always reminds us of Mother’s closeness with the entire Kennedy family and specially now with John Jr.”

gallery

background in pdf:  1999-07jul-27-j-kennedy-jr-un=prog-background-ocr

 

 

John Kennedy: the world-treasure-home

by Sri Chinmoy  First published by Agni Press in 1999.
JKW 1-38. These 38 poems in tribute to John F. Kennedy, Jr. — one for each year of his life — were written by Sri Chinmoy on 23 July 1999.

See complete book Part I: 38 poems at:      https://www.srichinmoylibrary.com/jkw

also included in Part II :  Poems and essay
JKW 39-44. These five poems and essay were written by Sri Chinmoy in India in 1962 and 1963 and published in his book Kennedy: The Universal Heart in 1973.

  • John-John
    Caroline
    Jacqueline
    Unique
    Senator Edward Kennedy
    John Fitzgerald Kennedy
    Photograph