insurance system would be an important and long-needed addition, especially to their present unequal and inadequate survivorship protection.  The military retirement pay system should remain separate and unchanged.  Certain adjustments in the present civilian personnel retirement systems will be needed to reflect the additional protection of old-age and survivors’ insurance.  However, these systems also are a basic part of a total compensation and should be separately and independently retained.

I also urge the Congress to approve a long overdue increase in the salaries of Members of the Congress and of the Federal judiciary to a level commensurate with their heavy responsibilities.

Our concern for the individual in our country requires that we consider several additional problems.

We must continue our program to help our Indian citizens improve their lot and make their full contribution to national life.  Two years ago I advised the Congress of injustices under existing immigration laws.  Through humane administration, the Department of Justice is doing what it legally can to alleviate hardships.  Clearance of aliens before arrival has been initiated, and except for criminal offenders, the imprisonment of aliens awaiting admission or deportation has been stopped.  Certain provisions of law, however, have the effect of compelling action in respect to aliens which are inequitable in some instances and discriminatory in others.  These provisions should be corrected in this session of the Congress.

As the complex problems of Alaska are resolved, that Territory should expect to achieve statehood.  In the meantime, there is no justification for deferring the admission to statehood of Hawaii.  I again urge approval of this measure.

We have three splendid opportunities to demonstrate the strength of our belief in the right of suffrage.  First, I again urge that a Constitutional amendment be submitted to the States to reduce the voting age for Federal elections.  Second, I renew my request that the principle of self-government be extended and the right of suffrage granted to the citizens of the District of Columbia.  Third, I again recommend that we work with the States to preserve the voting fights of citizens in the nation’s service overseas.

In our determination to keep faith with those who in the past have met the highest call of citizenship, we now have under study the system of benefits for veterans and for surviving dependents of deceased veterans and servicemen.  Studies will be undertaken to determine the need for measures to ease the readjustment to civilian life of men required to enter the armed forces for two years of service.

In the advancement of the various activities which will make our civilization endure and flourish, the Federal Government should do more to give official recognition to the importance of the arts and other cultural activities.  I shall recommend the establishment of a Federal Advisory Commission on the Arts within the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, to advise the Federal Government on ways to encourage artistic endeavor and appreciation.  I shall also propose that awards of merit be established whereby we can honor our fellow citizens who make great contribution to the advancement of our civilization.