US Presidency
1962

The annual cost per student is skyrocketing to astronomical levels -now averaging $ 1,650 a year, although almost half of our families earn less than $ 5,000. They can not afford such costs -but this Nation can not afford to maintain its military power and neglect its brainpower. But excellence in education must begin at the elementary level. I sent to the Congress last year a proposal for Federal aid to public school construction and teachers ' salaries. I believe that bill, which passed the Senate and received House Committee approval, offered the minimum amount required by our needs and in terms of across the-board aid the maximum scope permitted by our Constitution. I therefore see no reason to weaken or withdraw that bill: and I urge its passage at this session. Civilization, said H. G. Wells, is a race between education and catastrophe. It is up to you in this Congress to determine the winner of that race. These are not unrelated measures addressed to specific gaps or grievances in our national life.