ABSTRACT
In President John F. Kennedy’s Proles in Courage (1956), he described events surrounding acts of courage by legislators who found themselves at signicant moments in history, unpopular with the constituents who had voted them into oce. In each case, Kennedy illustrated how these individuals rose above partisan politics and the prevailing social practices of the day to act on principles fundamental to a better society. Not all of them had been true to the public trust throughout their careers, quite the contrary. On the other hand, several faced certain defeat and potential bodily harm if they acted counter to the popular opinion. When they did speak out, for example, against slavery, all of the negative consequences one would expect befell them. Kennedy believed that everyone has such opportunities in their lives when they must look into their own souls to determine how they shall act.
