Notwithstanding his support, Kemp underlined a semantic problem about the use of the word football which, in the United States, most commonly referred to the American collegiate (and professional) game. He wished that “[FIFA] would change their name and stop confusing all of those young boys and maybe some young girls who think of football as football.” In stepped Democratic representative from Texas, Abraham Chick Kazen who reminded his congressional colleagues that the football being discussed was “spelled ‘fut,’ futball [sic] and that is the name in all Latin America.” Despite some hopeful words from Florio who was trying to win over support for the resolution, Kazen felt otherwise. The Texas Democrat went on to note how “we are newcomers” to the sport and that he did not believe “we as a government and as a Congress ought to come in and…bring that tournament to the United States. I think it rightfully belongs in Mexico.” So, after the opening minutes of debate, the right-leaning Kemp had expressed initial support for a US-hosted World Cup all while highlighting definitional problems around the word “football.” In opposition was the south Texan Democrat Kazen, who argued unabashedly against supporting the US bid.
It was in response to Kazen’s comments that Kemp uttered his famous words, words that have not only been taken out context but twisted towards a different conclusion. As the subsequent lines in the archival record reveal, the New York Republican—and former star American footballer himself—was in fact supporting Florio’s resolution about the World Cup. What Kemp took issue with was the use of the word football instead of soccer. Football in his mind was the American sport, his American sport. It was in making this point, that he articulated his famous words: “football is democratic, capitalism, whereas soccer is a European socialist—I am going to have to revise and extend my remarks.” The congressional transcript indicates that even Florio was confused as to whether Kemp was in fact in support. But Kemp’s final words were unmistakable: “So I am going to support it [the resolution]. But I want to do so with the full understanding that someday I hope to see a full distinction in this country between football and soccer.” So, Kemp ultimately affirmed that he could welcome the world’s game to America, but he did not want to encourage the use of its internationally recognized name.