President Truman Introduces Winston Churchill
Westminster College, Fulton, MO
March 5, 1946

President McCluer, Govenor Donelly, ladies and gentlemen:

You know this is one of the greatest pleasures and privileges I have had since I've been President of the United States.

[applause]

I appreciate most highly Governor Donelly's welcome to Mr. Churchill and myself, and I'm very thankful that Dr. McCluer suggested to me that Mr. Churchil be invited to deliver this lecture today.

[applause]

I had a letter from Mr. Churchill, oh, six months ago or more, in which he said that he was considering a vacation in the United States, or in North Africa [laughter]. I sent him Dr. McCluer's invitation and made a long-hand note on the bottom of it, telling him that if he would spend his vacation in the United States, at whatever point he chose to pick, and then would deliver this lecture, I would make it a point to come to Missouri, and personally welcome him and introduce him for that lecture.

[applause]

I had never met Mr. Churchill personally, until the Berlin conference [Potsdam] between Mr. Stalin, Mr.Churchill and myself. I became very fond of both of them. They are men and they are leaders in this world today when we need leadership.