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This folder contains materials collected by the office of President John F. Kennedy's secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, concerning President Kennedy's Special Message to Congress on mental illness and mental retardation delivered from the White House Fish Room. In his speech the President discusses his plans for a national mental health program, which includes comprehensive community mental health centers, improved care in state mental institutions, and increased research. To combat mental retardation, he recommends emphasizing preventative lifestyle measures, improved community services, increased research, and comprehensive maternity and child health care assistance programs. Materials in this folder include a draft by Special Counsel and speechwriter Theodore Sorensen with handwritten notations by the President and a press copy of the speech, in addition to a press release of an abridged version of the President's remarks.