Since World War II we have spent a hundred billion dollars trying to help other people. When I drove down the streets of Rome, people ran out and stopped my car and said, ‘Look at that skyline, that industrial activity back there. Except for the help of Americans, we would never have made it. Never before in the history of civilization had the victors treated the vanquished as you have treated us, and we want you to go back and thank Americans. So, regardless of what you hear and regardless of what some of the bellyachers say, we are a much beloved people throughout the world. We are respected and we appreciate it.
— Washington, D.C. February 11, 1964
One of the most stimulating and inspiring experiences of my entire public life recurred to me on the streets of Rome just a few months ago when I was Vice President and I was driving down the streets of that beautiful city. A priest came running from his schoolroom, followed by other teachers, and three or four hundred little boys. He had seen the American flag flying on the Vice President’s car. He threw himself in front of this car and the brakes had to take a screeching halt, and we came to a stop. He dashed up to the door and he said, ‘I just could not let the American flag go by, because never in the history of all mankind have any people demonstrated so much compassion and so much humaneness. Never have the victors treated the vanquished as the United States has treated us.’ And then he turned and looked at the Rome skyline that had been rebuilt since World War II, and he pointed to the magnificent buildings that towered that skyline, and to the smokestacks where industry was thriving, and he said, ‘There, together we rebuilt this land. I want you to go back and on behalf of the four hundred little children in my school, say thank you to all the people of the United States for the sacrifices they made in order that we could build again.
— El Paso, Texas September 25, 1964
When I drove down the streets of Rome just a few months ago, a priest ran out and threw himself in front of my car. And he had four hundred little boys following him. He said, ‘We want you to thank America—America. It is the only land in the world where the victors would treat the vanquished as you have treated us. You defeated us in war and then you came to help us rebuild. Look at that skyline and look at those people working, and look at the happiness on these children’s faces. That must make you feel mighty good, that you have that much Christianity in your country.’
— Manchester, New Hampshire September 28, 1964
Not long ago I was driving down the streets of Naples, and a young priest dashed and threw himself in front of my car. He had four hundred boys in his school. He said: ‘Please, Mr. Vice President, can I give you a message for America? Please tell the American people that never in all the history of the world has the victor treated the vanquished as America treated Italy. You extended the hand of friendship and helped to rebuild our cities. You look at that beautiful skyline of buildings,’ and he pointed to buildings like these. ‘You helped rebuild those buildings. Today our people are a prosperous people, and we honor and we revere and we love America.’
— San Francisco, California October 11, 1964
I have had many memorable visits in Italy.
— Washington, D.C. February 26, 1965