Press Release - Remarks of the President at the Gallaudet Centennial Banquet

RECORD COPY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JUNE 6, 1964 OFFICE OF THE WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY THE WHITE HOUSE REMARKS OF THE PRESIDENT AT THE GALLAUDET CENTENNIAL BANQUET GALLAUDET COLLEGE, WASHINGTON, D.C. (AS ACTUALLY DELIVERED) Mr. Chairman, Mr. President, Senator Hill, Members of the Board of the Trustees of Gallaudet College, Ladies and Gentlemen: I am pleased to be able to join personally tonight in honoring Gallaudet College. Twenty years ago tonight, on distant shores, America's sons were engaged in a great battle in mankind's greatest war. One hundred years ago tonight on these shores America's sons were engaged in bitter battles of our own cruel civil war. How we are observing this historic day says much about America. In Europe, America's sons meet tonight in peace with yesterday's allies --and adversaries alike -- to plan the works of future unity instead of worrying about the wounds of past conflict. Here in Washington tonight we gather to honor an institution of higher learning which was established as an act of compassion in those times of callous strife 100 years ago. The character of our Nation is comprised of many traits. We honor courage. We value commonsense. But, across our 188 years, the great cementing influence has always been compassion. In our purpose abroad and at home, we have always heeded the injunction of the Apostle, who told us long ago, "Be ye of one mind, showing compassion one of another." Yet, our wealthy society is tolerating a worrisome burden of wasted human lives. Tonight, too many of our people are unschool, untrained and underemployed. Too many are physically handicapped. Too many are mentally handi- capped; too many more are handicapped for life by the environ- ments and the experiences of their childhoods. America needs these talents. We must not and we cannot let them go to waste. An ancient Hebrew proverb teaches that there are three pillars of society: education, charity, and piety. MORE