151 Remarks Upon Arrival in Texas With Latin American Congressman Gonzalez, Mr. Mayor, Your We have had a very delightful trip from Washington coming to this beautiful city of San Antonio. We have visited individually with most of our neighbors in this hemisphere. We have talked about our problems and our future. Now we are going to enjoy a wonderful Texas weekend here as your guests to visit with you and exchange views about what is to come. We thank you so much for all the time and talent that has gone into this planning. We are so grateful to you for giving us this wonderful welcome. Thank you very much. NOTE: The President spoke at 9:10 a.m. at Randolph 152 Proclamation 3774, Pan American Day and Pan American Week, 1967. April 1, 1967 [ Released April 1, 1967. Dated March 31, 1967 ] By the President of the United States of There is special meaning this year in the hemispheric tradition of Pan American Day. On April twelfth, for the first time in a decade and the second time in history, the Presidents and Heads of Government of the American nations will meet to fortify the foundation of the house of the Americas. Seventy-seven years ago we first joined our hearts and hands as brothers in a hopeful hemisphere. We pledged a common pledge-we dreamed a common dream. We have since translated that pledge into progress. And we have founded the Organization of American States as a firm framework for the fulfillment of that dream. We have recently strengthened that Organization by amending its Charter to meet the challenge that our changing times. demand. We have extended our unique experiment in international living by welcoming into our membership the new nation of Trinidad and Tobago. We have enhanced the meaning of that experiment by forging within it an Alliance for Progress in which our goals for the good life are matched only by our desire to achieve them. And the impressive accomplishments of these last six years trace that desire's growing satisfaction. When the Alliance was formed in 1961, it was estimated that our Latin American neighbors could supply about 80% of the capital required. In fact, they have done better than this. By the end of this year, the gross investment in Latin America will have totaled over $100 billion-and 95% of it will have been from domestic sources. This ability of our neighbors to save and invest in their own future is a most striking indication that Latin America can, with relatively modest external help, mobilize the resources needed for its own development-and th strengthen the foundations of the house e share in this hemisphere. The cooperative spirit of the Alliance is bringing new-found confidence and hope into this house. -Per capita growth rates show that more and more countries are breaking the economic stagnation of earlier years. -Men, women and children are alive today who would otherwise have died. In ten countries, deaths caused by malaria dropped from 10,810 to 2,280 in three years' time. Smallpox cases declined almost as sharply. And new health centers and hospitals are growing everywhere. -Men whose fathers for generations toiled on land owned by others are now working it as their own. With U.S. assistance, 1.1 million acres have been irrigated and 106,000 acres reclaimed. 15,000 miles of road have been built or improved, many of them farm-to-market access roads. -For tens of thousands of families, the most fundamental conditions of life are improving. 350,000 housing units have been, or are now being, constructed. New and modernized water supply systems have been built to benefit some 20 million people. So as we assemble under the banner of the Alliance for Progress, we are cheered by success and encouraged in the task that lies ahead. With the confidence born of achievement, we know that we can prepare a better world for the new generation of Americans who will come after us. We look to the 60% of Latin America's 245 million people who are now under the age of 25, and we know that the task of meeting their aspirations is great. But we also know that we have forged the tools to do the task. And there is promise in what we see. The sustaining arm of education is reaching out to more and more of this strategic 60% of Latin Americans. -Since the Alliance was formed, school enrollments have increased at an average annual rate of over 6%. This rate represents more than twice the rate of increase in the total population. -For each 1,000 inhabitants, there were 124 students enrolled in schools in 1960, 170 in 1965, and 174 in 1966. -28,000 new classrooms have been built. -160,000 teachers have been trained or given additional training. -More than 14 million textbooks have been distributed. -13 million school children and 3 million pre-schoolers participate in school lunch programs. And more than this, what statistics cannot adequately relay is the emergence of a generation of vigorous, confident and responsible leaders throughout Latin Americaleaders who are ready to help their countries help themselves. These leaders are beginning to include more and more women doers in their ranks. And since women comprise over half the population of Latin America, there is new potential in this leadership. The successes scored by the Alliance have been aided by the United States-but they have been realized by the cooperative spirit that resides in the commitment and dedication of the Latin American nations themselves. Their unrelenting perseverance has been a keystone in the firm foundation of our house of hemispheric progress. So as together we seek to strengthen-we seek a realistic goal. As together we build to better-we build on solid ground. Bound by geography, born of a common revolutionary heritage, nurtured by common ideals, committed to the dignity of man, and sustained by the youth and vigor that have been our common strength, we will project our traditions into a promising future-and we will prevail. Now, THEREFORE, I, LYNDON B. JOHNSON, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Friday, April 14, 1967, as Pan American Day, and the week beginning April 9 and ending April 15 as Pan American Week; and I call upon the Governors of the fifty States of the Union, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the officials of all other areas under the flag of the United States to issue similar proclamations. Further, I call upon this Nation to rededicate itself to the fundamental goal of 153 Statement by the President Upon Signing Resolution Providing Additional Emergency Food for India. April 1, THE WAR on hunger is the work of the entire world. H.J. Res. 267-supporting emergency food assistance to India-is a new expression of America's commitment. to that humane task. In passing the resolution by an overwhelming vote, the Congress has once again responded compassionately to India's critical food needs. We will provide her people with up to three million additional tons of food grain. An additional $25 million worth of food is authorized for distribution by CARE and other voluntary agencies to families in drought-stricken areas. The joint resolution demonstrates our faith in India's own drive to achieve selfsufficiency in food grains. We believe that her ambitious program of agricultural development will be rewarded with steadily 1967 increasing food grain production. What we and the other more fortunate nations do to help India through a crisis will enable her to push forward with an economic development plan which will, we hope, bring sufficient food within the reach of her 500 million people. The resolution also underlines the fact that success depends on other nations' help. The United States is not able to supply all the assistance that India needs. This offer endorsed by the Congress of up to 3 million tons of food grain in this resolution is contingent on appropriate matching from other countries. Other nations have responded in the past. We hope and trust they can and will meet these new and compelling needs. The World Bank is already playing an important role in mobilizing the worldwide effort to assist India. It has called a meeting of the nations belonging to the India consortium in early April to discuss this and other economic problems which India faces. We will carefully follow these deliberations and decisions. I urge the nations attending that meeting to continue and to expand their food aid and general economic aid. I hope that nations which have not been associated with this effort in the past will join with us now, either formally or informally. Hunger transcends national borders and ideologies. It is a condition that all understand and none can countenance. This resolution reaffirms America's intention to do its part to help India meet the threat of hunger that confronts her today. NOTE: As enacted, H.J. Res. 267 is Public Law 90-7 (81 Stat. 7). 154 Message to the Congress Transmitting Annual Report of National To the Congress of the United States: I am pleased to transmit the second annual report of the National Capital Transportation Agency for calendar year 1966. Significant steps were taken during 1966 by the Congress, the Executive Branch, and the State and local governments of the National Capital Region toward solving the transportation problems of the Washington Metropolitan Area. During the year evidence of progress first became visible to Washington commuters. Survey markers and boring equipment on streets and sidewalks show that we are finally beginning to move. In October, the Congress approved the interstate compact between Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia creating the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit April 3, 1967 Authority. That Authority will assume responsibility for the Washington rapid transit system and plan its extension into the Maryland and Virginia suburbs. At year's end, with the assistance of the experienced staff of the Transportation Agency, the new Authority had already embarked upon the preparation of a regional mass transit plan. Progress has been made. We have the authority to attack the severe traffic problems plaguing the Nation's Capital and its suburbs. Now we must, and will, make every effort to implement that authority—wisely, rapidly and efficiently. The White House April 3, 1967 LYNDON B. JOHNSON NOTE: The second annual report of the National Capital Transportation Agency (25 pp., processed) is dated January 1, 1967. 155 Remarks of Welcome at the White House to President Sunay of Turkey. April 3, 1967 Mr. President, Mrs. Sunay, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: Mrs. Johnson and I are especially happy to see you, Mr. President. Your presence in America will give us a chance to return some of the warmth and the friendliness that we received from the people of Turkey on our visit to your country almost 5 years ago. Your people won our hearts, as they had already earned the respect and the admira tion of all the American people. Our century has been greatly enriched by the goals and the achievements of the Turkish nation. More than four decades ago, the emergence of modern Turkey, under the guiding genius of Kemal Ataturk, was one of the great revolutions of our age. It remains an inspiration to all who have since won their independence or who still seek to unshackle the fetters of the past. You have proved, by your example, that free men can create strong and independent institutions. Inscribed as a reminder to all who enter the halls of your parliament are the words: "Sovereignty belongs to the people." Your citizens have demonstrated repeatedly their commitment to constitutional government. Your vigorous parliamentary democracy is a tribute to that dedication. You have jealously guarded your freedom of conscience and protected your independence. Free men are also natural allies. Turkey has been one of the most active members of the United Nations. It has served on the Security Council as well as on other United Nations bodies. A member of the Council of Europe and of the United Nations Palestine Conciliation Commission, Turkey was one of the first countries to answer the United Nations' call for troops for Korea. In 1952 Turkey joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, officially committing its strength to the cause of preserving peace. Between Turkey and the United States there is a bond, a special sense of fellowship which can be known only to those who belong to the strong fraternity of free men. It is in this spirit that we meet here today, Mr. President. I am looking forward to exploring with you the great issues of the day and the paths we might together follow to bring greater harmony among all of the nations of the world. And, too, I am looking forward to learning more about the impressive and the exciting progress that is being made in Turkey towards a more abundant and creative life for your people. There is a vigor and a momentum in Turkey today which your friends in America have long and enthusiastically applauded. We know that the future belongs not merely to the strong, but to those who will labor hardest at the constructive works of peace. And, as so often in this century, Mr. President, we see Turkey leading the way. Mr. President, we are delighted to have you and your gracious lady with us today. NOTE: The President spoke at 11:45 a.m. on the South Lawn at the White House, where President Cevdet Sunay was given a formal welcome with full military honors. The Turkish President responded as follows: Mr. President, Mrs. Johnson, ladies and gentlemen: I am very grateful for this most cordial and warm welcome. As I come to Washington to pay a state visit to the United States upon your kind invitation, my memory goes back to 1962 when we had the pleasure and the privilege of greeting you and Mrs. Johnson in Turkey. We were all, at that time, very much impressed by your powerful personality, your statesmanship, your dedication to the cause of peace and human progress. As the President of the United States you have devoted all your boundless energy to the ideals which are dear to you. My visit coincides with a very happy anniversary. That anniversary is the anniversary of the Truman Doctrine, under which the United States undertook for the first time a commitment towards the free world. The implementation of this doctrine opened the way for a lasting solidarity and partnership between Turkey and the United States. We have so much in common with you. We share the same love of freedom and the same dedication to democracy. We are equally attached to the objective of a just peace and to the building of a community of free and equal nations. Our nations have proved throughout history how much they are determined to safeguard their liberties and how much they can meet with courage and determination any challenge. The cooperation we inaugurated 20 years ago is as strong as ever. This association has been sealed |