, 1959-06-29

grpped the country when the news that the first sputnik was
launched and placed into orbit We were shocked into the re-
lalization that the Russians had caught up to us and passed us
in the field Of Science and Technology. It was a rude awaken
ing, one which would not go unnoticed if we are to survive as
2 FREE NATION and a leader Of the FREE PEOPLES o.
THE WORLD.
These facts that have just outlined to you which have
taken place during your school life have had 4 profund effect
lon the Government Of the United States at Federal, State and
Local levels. They have lead to the re-examination Of our en-
tire educational system. The full impact Of all the changes in
IEducaton that are to take place during the next few years
will have their effects mainly on the undergraduate students
and to some extent on those Of this Graduating Glass who viii
continue. their studies in Colleges in the United States or
elsewhere.
It is no exaggeration to say that the progress Of America
an its many fields Of endeavor in the years ahead-in fact, the
very s~urv1valof our free country-may depdnd in large part
upon the education we provide for our young people now 1t is
clearly stated in the National Defense Education Act of 1858
that the primary responsibility for education iii the future as
in the past rests with local communities and educational insti-
tutions The Nation looks primarily to citizens and parents
acting in their own communities, to school boards, CITY coun-
ellis and State Legislatures, to teachers and school administra-
tors, to the trustees and faculties Of our colleges and univer-
sites, to develop the support and the educational effectiveness
needed to bring our education system more abreast Of today's
needs. One Of the greatest needs in American education to-
day is a new respect for the crucial Importance Of education.
This can only be achieved from a sense Of values developed
within the people themselves.
IN the light Of this Soviet threat it has been necessary to
re-examine our entire educational system and to place greater
emphasis on scientific subjects. The army of tomorrow will
consists of SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS. TO develop the
scientists of tomorrow we have to start with training from
the lower schools through high school and then colleges. We
must teach and emphasize to a greater degree Mathematics
and Sciences. We must also understand that the problem IS
not a simple one. It involves a series of steps to achieve this
goal. In order to- understand what is involved it may be well
to examine the declaration Of policy as stated in the National
Defense Education Act Of 1858:
THE Congress hereby finds and declares that the security
Of the Nation requires the fullest development Of the mental
resources and technical skills Of its young men and women.
The present emergency demands that additional and more
adequate educational opportunities be made available. The
defense Of this Nation depends upon the mastery of modern
t~echniques developed from complex scientific principles. It
depends as well upon the discovery and development Of new
principles, new techniques, and NV knowledge.
We must increase our efforts to Identity and educate
more Of the talent Of our Nation. This requires programs that