Evening star., 1950-06-24
Text of Presidents S Address

cient air transport system 10 help
meet our needs for rapid trans
portation.
II developing such a system.
the Federal Government has a
great part to play, Air transport
is of concern 10 the Nation as n
whole. II is growing element
in our interstate and foreign COM
merce. Like all our tranSporta-
ton systems. it is important 10
our national defense. Recogniz-
ing these facts. our Government
has provided various kinds of aid
in the development of our svia-
ton industry, Just as it has done
from time 10 time for other types
of transportation.
The grantS-in-aid which have
been made, under the Federal aid
airport program have done a great
deal TO give us the kind Of air
transport system We need. Fed
eral assistance has stimulated
State and local effort. AS in all
our grant in-aid programs. local
government has been strength
ened and given new responsibility
by virtue of the Federal interest.
Defends Aid Programs.
Nothing is quite so misleading
as the oft-repeated charge that
the Federal Government today, by
its various aid programs. is weak
ening or destroying State and To-
cal government. This is simply
political oratory. How false it is
should be obvious to any one who
has followed the steps taken by
local authorities in the creation OF
this airport. for example-or in
the construction OF roads. or low
cost public housing-or any other
projects financed in part from
Federal funds. In all these pro-
grams, the initiative must come
from local citizens; the planning
must be done in the locality:
State and local governments must
adopt the necessary laws and or
dinances, set up the necessary
boards or commissions. and, in
many cases. raise most of the
funds. BY the time the project
has been completed, the local gov
ernment has acquired new
strength and new assurance in
meeting the problems of its COM
munity.
This kind of cooperation be-
tween State and local governments
and the National Government Is
lone of the most constructive
aspects of our national life today.
1t is making people increasingly
aware Of their responsibilities as
citizens of their communities. 1t
rs making them more conscious OF
the needs and problems Of their
local Governments. 1t is helping
to strengthen the processes OF de-
mocracy throughout the country.
Example of Democracy.
Such a development is OF i'm
measurable Importance today.
when our country stands before
the world as one OF the leading
champions of the democratic way
of life. Our greatest strength. in
the conflict which shakes the
world today, iS'our ability to show
that democracy can solve the
problems Of the people, and pro-
vide them with greater opportuni-
ties. and fuller lives. This airport
is an example of democratic Gov
ernment in action. 1t demon
strates the way in which we ara
using our traditional forms of
Government to solve the problems
Of the air age.
This airport exemplifies the
spirit Of growth and confidence
with which our country faces the
future. We would not build so
elaborate a facility for our air
commerce if we did not have faith
in peaceful future. This airport
embodies our determination to de-
velop the marvels of science and
invention for peaceful purposes.
1t strengthens our economy to do
its part in maintaining a peaceful
world.
I dedicate the Friendship Inter-
national Airport to the growth and
development Of our country.
/ dedicate This airport to the
cause of peace In the world.