The aspirations of most of our people can best be fulfilled through their own enterprise and initiative, without government interference.  This Administration, therefore, follows two simple rules:  first, the Federal Government should perform an essential task only when it cannot otherwise be adequately performed; and second, in performing that task, our government must not impair the self-respect, freedom and incentive of the individual.  So long as these two rules are observed, the government can fully meet its obligation without creating a dependent population or a domineering bureaucracy.

During the past two years, notable advances were made in these functions of government.  Protection of old-age and survivors’ insurance was extended to an additional ten million of our people, and the benefits were substantially increased.  Legislation was enacted to provide unemployment insurance protection to some four million additional Americans.  Stabilization of living costs and the halting of inflation protected the value of pensions and savings.  A broad program now helps to bring good homes within the reach of the great majority of our people.  With the States, we are providing rehabilitation facilities and more clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes for patients with chronic illnesses.  Also with the States, we have begun a great and fruitful expansion in the restoration of disabled persons to employment and useful lives.  In the areas of Federal responsibility, we have made historic progress in eliminating from among our people demeaning practices based on race or color.

All of us may be proud of these achievements during the past two years.  Yet essential Federal tasks remain to be done.

As part of our efforts to provide decent, safe and sanitary housing for low-income families, we must carry forward the housing program authorized during the 83rd Congress.  We must also authorize contracts for a firm program of 35,000 additional public housing units in each of the next two fiscal years.  This program will meet the most pressing obligations of the Federal Government into the 1958 fiscal year for planning and building public housing.  By that time the private building industry, aided by the Housing Act of 1954, will have had the opportunity to assume its full role in providing adequate housing for our low income families.

The health of our people is one of our most precious assets.  Preventable sickness should be prevented; knowledge available to combat disease and disability should be fully used.  Otherwise, we as a people are guilty not only of neglect of human suffering but also of wasting our national strength.

Constant advances in medical care are not available to enough of our citizens.  Clearly our nation must do more to reduce the impact of accident and disease.  Two fundamental problems confront us:  first, high and ever-rising costs of health services; second, serious gaps and shortages in these services.