Smyrna times., 1959-10-08
Fuller Life Is
Sought For Child
In Dover Farley

OIl Odtulu udy, NOVeInDeT 4, an
estimated 1000 Delawareans-I
representing a nearly equal
number of the states many pri-
vate organizations and public
agencies-will meet in Dover to
ponder the problems of prepar-
ing today's children for life in
tomorrow's world. 1t is not a
school conference and it is not a
conference about juvenile de-
linquency, although both are
among the subjects that will
come up for thoughtful consid-
This conference con-
Germs instead the urgent across
the-board needs of all our child
ren-from infancy through the
school years and whoever and
wherever they may be in Della
ware. Objective of the confer
ence is to find new, better, and
more ways to improve the op-
portunities for each child to
reach his full potential for sat-
isfying and creative life. The
name of this earnest undertake
ing is the 1860 Delaware White
House Conference on Children
and Youth, usually shortened to
"The Delaware Conference" or
"The White House Conference"
Behind the name is story that
goes back so years. Delaware's
conference is preliminary to the
week-long Sixth White House
Conference which begins next
March 27 in Washington. The
state conference, however, is a
complete project in itself, plan
ned with the specific needs of
Delaware's children in mind.
Since last April, over 200 men,
women, and young people from
throughout the state-represent-
ing schools, health services,
welfare agencies, religious
groups, youth groups, and many
civic and service organizations
interested in young people
have been working on confer
ence preparations. This task
force, divided into six survey
teams, has concentrated its
studies on various aspects of
two basic questions concerning
children and youth: What has
happened in the 10 years since
Delaware participated in the
1850 White House Conference
IN progress, changing needs, and
needs still unmet? And what are
he urgent actions to be taken
n behalf of children and youth |
n the next 10 years? 1t will be
he prerogative of those attend
ng the Dover conference to dis
,uss and evaluate these prelim-
nary reports, to make recon-
for future activity,
md to help translate these re-
concentrations into action dur
ng the months and years to
,Ome.
1t Takes Leadership
George Ehinger, Dover, chair
nan of the Delaware Commits
lion on Children and Youth, is
chairman of the conference.
Mrs. Thomas Herlihy, Jr., Will
nington, is co-chairman. Coord-
mating all conference activities
is executive secretary is Miss
Marguerite H. Burnett, director
If adult education, State De-
)artment of Public Instruction.
Among those working with
hese three is a 100-member
state committee, serving on in
yitation from Gov. J. Caleb
3oggs, honorary chairman, plus
1t least 100 others on subcom-
nittees. Represented are lead
,rs from both professional and
voluntary groups.
National Participation
Delaware has a part in plan
hing the Washington conference
also. Mrs. Herlihy and DR.. AL
red R. Stands, Jr., director of
he Alfred l. dupont Institute,
are members of a 93-member
national committee named byl
he President. Since members
Are not chosen on a strict state
basis, more than one represent
alive from Delaware is a tribute
70 the ability of these two as
we'll as to the vigor with which
the First State has participated
in past White House Confer
ences. An estimated 5000 dele
gates from the 54 states and
territories and the District of
Columbia will take part in the
Washington meeting. At least
"a of those delegates will be