Evening star., 1961-01-12

state OF the Union:
To the Congress Of the
United States:
Once again it Is my con-
Stitutional duty to assess the
state of the Union.
On each such previous oc-
casion during these past eight
years I have outlined o for
ward course designed to achieve
our mutual Objective better
America in a world Of peace.
This time my function is diff
ferent.
The American people. in free
election, have selected new
leadership which soon will be
entrusted with the manage
ment of our Government. A
new President shortly will lay
before you his proposals to
shape the future of our great
land. To him, every citizen,
whatever his political beliefs,
prayerfully extends best wishes
for good health and for wisdom
and success in coping with the
problems that confront our
Nation.
For my part. I should like.
first, to express to you Of the
Congress, my appreciation Of
your devotion to the common
good and your friendship over
these difficult years. I will
carry with me pleasant memo
ries of this association in en-
deavors profoundly significant
to all our people.
Divided Control
We have been through q
lengthy period in which the
control over the executive and
legislative branches Of Govern
ment has been divided between
our two great political parties.
But in a united determination
to keep this Nation strong and
free and to utilize our vast re-
sources for the advancement
Of all mankind, we have carried
America to unpre ce d e n ted
heights.
For this cooperative
achievement I thank the Amer
.ican people and those in the
Congress Of both parties who
have supported programs in
the interest Of our country.
I should also like to give
special thanks for the devoted
service of my associates in the
executive branch and the hum
dreds of thousands Of career
employees who have imple-
mented our diverse Govern
ment programs.
My second purpose Is to re-
view briefly the record Of these
past eight years in the hope
that. out of the sum of these
experiences. lessons will emerge
that are useful to our Nation.
Supporting this review are de-
tailed reports from the several
agencies and departments, all
of which are now or will short
ly be available to the Congress.
Period Of Change
Throughout the world the
years since 1858 have been a
period of profound change.
The human problems in the
world grow more acute hour by
hour; yet new gains in science
and technology continually ex-
tend the promise Of q better
life. People yearn to be free.
to govern themselves; yet q
third of the people Of the world
have no freedom, do not govern
themselves. The world recog-
sfaizes the catastrophe nature Of
nuclear war; yet it sees the
wondrous potential Of nuclear
peace.
During the period. the United
States has forged ahead under
o constructive foreign policy.
The continuing goal is peace.
liberty, and well-being - for
others as well as ourselves. The
Aspirations Of all peoples are
-one-peace with justice in free
dom. Peace can only be at
tanned collectively as peoples
everywhere unite in their de-
termination that liberty and
well-being come to all man
kind.
Yet while we have worked to
advance national aspirations
for freedom, a divisive force
has been at work to divert that
aspiration into dangerous
channels. The Communist
movement throughout the world
exploits the natural striving Of
all to be free and attempts to
subjugate men rather than
free them. These activities
have caused and are continuing
to cause grave troubles in the
world.
Careful Adjustment
Here at home these have
been times for careful adjust
ment of our economy from
the artificial impetus of a hot
war to constructive growth in
q precarious peace. While
building a new economic vital
ity without initiation. we have
also increased public expend-
itures to keep abreast Of the
needs of a growing population
and its attendant new prob
lens, as well as our added
international responsibilities.
We have worked toward these
ends in a context of shared
acknowledgements of the
need for maximum scope to
private effort and for State
and local, as well as Federal,
governmental action.
Success in designing and
executing national purposes,
domestically and abroad, can
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