White House Press Release, Address of President Harry S. Truman

HOLD FOR RELEASE HOLD FOR RELEASE HOLD FOR RELEASE 444 3 JANUARY 3, 1946 CAUTION: The following address of the President, to be broadcast from the White House, MUST BE HELD IN CONFIDENCE until released. NOTE: Release to editions of all newspapers appearing on the streets NOT EARLIER THAN 10:00 P.M. E.S.T., THURSDAY, January 3, 1946. The same release also applies to radio announcers and news commentators. CARE MUST BE EXERCISED TO PREVENT PREMATURE PUBLICATION. CHARLES G. ROSS Secretary to the President FELLOW-AMERICANS: As you all know, it is the constitutional duty of the President to report to the Congress annually on the state of the union. That regular report will be made to the Congress soon after it reconvenes. Tonight, I am speaking directly to you -- the American people -- on issues which will be the subject of debate when the Congress reconvenes. 1946 is our year of decision. This year we lay the foundation of our economic structure which will have to serve for generations. This year we must decide whether or not we shall NARA devote our strength to reaching the goal of full production and full employment. This year we shall have to make the decisions which will determine whether or not we gain that great future at home and abroad which we fought SO valiantly to achieve. I wish I could say to you that everything is in perfect order -- that we are on the way to eternal prosperity. I cannot. The months ahead will be difficult. We are well along the road toward our goal, but at every turn we run the risk of coming upon a barrier which can stop us. In the message to the Congress on September sixth, 1945, and in other messages, I have outlined legislative) proposals to meet the problems which lie ahead. Many of these proposals are pending before the Congress. A few have been adopted. Progress on most of them has been distressingly slow. Now, at the beginning of this new year, is a good time to take stock. First, I can say with emphasis that the legislative branch of our government has done its full share toward carrying out its responsibility in foreign affairs. The Congress has approved the Charter of the United Nations Organization. It has provided for full participation by the United States. It has continued the program of reciprocal trade agreements. It has approved participation in the United Nations Food Organiza- tion. It has passed legislation carrying out the Bretton Woods Agreement. It has provided support to the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration. The Congress is indeed to be congratulated by the people on all that it has contributed toward cooperation among the nations of the world in their search for peace and security. I shall have more to say about the foreign policy of the United States in the annual message to the Congress. When we turn to our domestic problems, we do not find a similar record of achievement and progress in the Congress. (OVER)