Evening star., 1961-02-02

I recommend that the Con.
gress enact an interim amend.
ment to the aid to dependent
children program to include thu
children Of the needy unem-
plOyed. Temporary action /,
recommended pending compile.
tion Of a study Of q permanent
program to aid needy children
and certain other groups now
excluded from the Federal
State public assistance pro-
grams.
6. DISTRESSED AREA
REDEVELOPMENT
PROGRAM
The Congress is considering
legislation designed to reinforce
the efforts Of areas Of heavy
chronic unemployment to i'm
prove their economic climate
Although State and local gov
ernments. as well as private
agencies. have been helpful in
many instances. the distressed
areas constitute a national
kproblem that is properly the
concern Of the Federal Govern
ment.
The subject has been studied
by standing and special COM
mittees Of the Congress, by
individual States. by groups OF
States, and by private study
groups. There is general agree
ment that we should enact
legislation providing the means
for loans for private projects,
technical assistance, loans and
grants for public facilities, and
programs for training and re-
training workers. I urge that
any area development program
be flexible enough to benefit
urban and rural areas alike
and to apply to regions of
economic distress which include
parts Of two or more States.
The immediate subsistence
needs Of the people of these
economically depressed areas
must be met, but 1t is equally
important that these areas be
enabled to acquire the basic
facilities. physical plant, and
trained labor force necessary
to secure their share of the
Nations economic expansion.
I have already advised the
Congress Of my interest in such
legislation by letters sent to
the Vice President and the
Speaker Of the House Of Rep
resentatives last week. / urge
that area redevelopment legis-
latiOn be enacted without de-
lay.
=. DISTRIBUTION OF SUR.
PLUS FOOD
We are committed to ex-
panding the variety and guam
tity Of surplus foods distributed
to persons who, In a Nation
of unparalleled agricultural
bounty, lack adequate diets.
(a) The first executive or
der issued in this administra-
ton directed the Secretary Of
Agriculture to take immediate
steps to expand and improve
the Government programs Of
distributing surplus food to
needy families"
tb) Further, I have In
Structed the Secretary Of Ag-
riculture, consistent with the
bill enacted by the Congress
last year authorizing esta blish-
ment Of pilot Food Stamp pro-
grams, to proceed as rapidly
az possible to establish pilot
programs for needy families
in localities in West Virginia,
Pennsylvania, Eastern Ken
lucky, Northern Minnesota,
Southern Illinois and the De-
trOit area. 1t is my hope that
this pilot program. while pro-
viding additional nutrition to
those now in need, will pave
the way for substantial i'm
provement in our present
method of distributing surplus
food.
(c) I have also asked the
Secretary Of Agriculture to
make recommendations to i'm
prove and strengthen our school
lunch program, to make the
best possible nutrition available
to every school child, regardless
of the economic condition of his
family or local school district.
8. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
OLD AGE, SURVIVORS,
AND DISABILITY INSUR-
ANCE PROGRAM
The current softness Of the
economy underscoreS the in