We will have to give up some things, we will have to go forward on others at a slower pace.  But, so far as I am concerned, I do not think we can give up the things that are vital to our national strength.

I believe most people in this country will agree with me on that.

I think most farmers understand that soil conservation and rural electrification and agricultural research are not frills or luxuries, but real necessities in order to boost our farm production.

I think most workers understand that decent housing and good working conditions are not luxuries, but necessities if the working men and women of this country are to continue to out-produce the rest of the world.

I think our businessmen know that scientific research and transportation services and more steel mills and power projects are not luxuries, but necessities to keep our business and our industry in the forefront of industrial progress.

I think everybody knows that social insurance and better schools and health services are not frills, but necessities in helping all Americans to be useful and productive citizens, who can contribute their full share in the national effort to protect and advance our way of life.

We cannot do all we want to in times like these—­we have to choose the things that will contribute most to defense—­but we must continue to make progress if we are to be a strong nation in the years ahead.

Let me give you some examples.

We are going right ahead with the urgently needed work to develop our natural resources, to conserve our soil, and to prevent floods.  We are going to produce essential power and build the lines that are necessary and that we have to have to transmit it to our farms and factories.  We are going to encourage exploration for new mineral deposits.

We are going to keep on building essential highways and taking any other steps that will assure the Nation an adequate transportation system—­on land, on the sea, and in the air.

We must move right ahead this year to see that defense workers and soldiers’ families get decent housing at rents they can afford to pay.

We must begin our long deferred program of Federal aid to education—­to help the States meet the present crisis in the operation of our schools.  And we must help with the construction of schools in areas where they are critically needed because of the defense effort.

We urgently need to train more doctors and other health personnel, through aid to medical education.  We also urgently need to expand the basic public health services in our home communities—­especially in defense areas.  The Congress should go ahead with these two measures immediately.

I have set up an impartial commission to make a thorough study of the Nation’s health needs.  One of the things this commission is looking into is how to bring the cost of modern medical care within the reach of all the people.  I have repeatedly recommended national health insurance as the best way to do this.  So far as I know, it is still the best way.  If there are any better answers, I hope this commission will find them.  But of one thing I am sure:  something must be done, and done soon.