Statehood, supported by the repeatedly expressed desire of the Islands’ people and by our traditions, would be a shining example of the American way to the entire earth.  Consequently, I urgently request this Congress to grant statehood for Hawaii.  Also, in harmony with the provisions I last year communicated to the Senate and House Committees on Interior and Insular Affairs, I trust that progress toward statehood for Alaska can be made in this Session.

Progress is constant toward full integration of our Indian citizens into normal community life.  During the past two years the Administration has provided school facilities for thousands of Indian children previously denied this opportunity.  We must continue to meet the needs of increased numbers of Indian children.  Provision should also be made for the education of adult Indians whose schooling in earlier years was neglected.

In keeping with our responsibility of world leadership and in our own self interest, I again point out to the Congress the urgent need for revision of the immigration and nationality laws.  Our nation has always welcomed immigrants to our shores.  The wisdom of such a policy is clearly shown by the fact that America has been built by immigrants and the descendants of immigrants.  That policy must be continued realistically with present day conditions in mind.

I recommend that the number of persons admitted to this country annually be based not on the 1920 census but on the latest, the 1950 census.  Provision should be made to allow for greater flexibility in the use of quotas so if one country does not use its share, the vacancies may be made available for the use of qualified individuals from other countries.

The law should be amended to permit the Secretary of State and the Attorney General to waive the requirements of fingerprinting on a reciprocal basis for persons coming to this country for temporary visits.  This and other changes in the law are long overdue and should be taken care of promptly.  Detailed recommendations for revision of the immigration laws will be submitted to the Congress.

I am happy to report substantial progress in the flow of immigrants under the Refugee Relief Act of 1953; however, I again request this Congress to approve without further delay the urgently needed amendments to that act which I submitted in the last Session.  Because of the high prosperity in Germany and Austria, the number of immigrants from those countries will be reduced.  This will make available thousands of unfilled openings which I recommend be distributed to Greece and Italy and to escapees from behind the Iron Curtain.

Once again I ask the Congress to join with me in demonstrating our belief in the right of suffrage.  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.

To conclude:  the vista before us is bright.  The march of science, the expanding economy, the advance in collective security toward a just peace—­in this threefold movement our people are creating new standards by which the future of the Republic may be judged.