That same year, when Stalin closed off Western access to Berlin, he ordered the heroic air lift to relieve the beleaguered city. And 50 years ago tomorrow, as Secretary Cohen has noted, Harry Truman made one of the best decisions any commander in chief ever made. He was sickened by stories of African American veterans fighting heroically for America in war, only to return to violence and hatred. I shall fight to end evils like this. Europe is thriving.
Berlin is united.
Greece and Turkey are vital NATO allies working with us to promote peace in the Balkans. Israel, Japan, South Korea are among our strong, democratic partners. International organizations like NATO, the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund are essential components of the architecture of peace and prosperity. Harry Truman knew that a president's ability to persuade others in the world is greatly enhanced when commanding the world's strongest military And on this day, our persuasiveness has been enhanced considerably. The very sight of the Harry S. Truman will summon our best ideals and recall the will and vision of a man who arrived when we needed him most.