More adequate training programs to equip career employees of the government to render improved public service will be recommended, as will improvements in the laws affecting employees serving on foreign assignments.

Needed improvements in survivor, disability, and retirement benefits for Federal civilian and military personnel have been extensively considered by the Committee on Retirement Policy for Federal personnel.  The Committee’s proposals would strengthen and improve benefits for our career people in government, and I endorse their broad objectives.  Full contributory coverage under old-age and survivors’ insurance should be made available to all Federal personnel, just as in private industry.  For career military personnel, the protection of the old-age and survivors’ 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.