The American people, in free election, have selected new leadership which soon will be entrusted with the management of our government.  A new President shortly will lay before you his proposals to shape the future of our great land.  To him, every citizen, whatever his political beliefs, prayerfully extends best wishes for good health and for wisdom and success in coping with the problems that confront our Nation.

For my part, I should like, first, to express to you of the Congress, my appreciation of your devotion to the common good and your friendship over these difficult years.  I will carry with me pleasant memories of this association in endeavors profoundly significant to all our people.

We have been through a lengthy period in which the control over the executive and legislative branches of government has been divided between our two great political parties.  Differences, of course, we have had, particularly in domestic affairs.  But in a united determination to keep this Nation strong and free and to utilize our vast resources for the advancement of all mankind, we have carried America to unprecedented heights.

For this cooperative achievement I thank the American people and those in the Congress of both parties who have supported programs in the interest of our country.

I should also like to give special thanks for the devoted service of my associates in the Executive Branch and the hundreds of thousands of career employees who have implemented our diverse government programs.

My second purpose is to review briefly the record of these past eight years in the hope that, out of the sum of these experiences, lessons will emerge that are useful to our Nation.  Supporting this review are detailed reports from the several agencies and departments, all of which are now or will shortly be available to the Congress.

Throughout the world the years since 1953 have been a period of profound change.  The human problems in the world grow more acute hour by hour; yet new gains in science and technology continually extend the promise of a better life.  People yearn to be free, to govern themselves; yet a third of the people of the world have no freedom, do not govern themselves.  The world recognizes the catastrophic nature of nuclear war; yet it sees the wondrous potential of nuclear peace.

During the period, the United States has forged ahead under a constructive foreign policy.  The continuing goal is peace, liberty, and well-being—­for others as well as ourselves.  The aspirations of all peoples are one—­peace with justice in freedom.  Peace can only be attained collectively as peoples everywhere unite in their determination that liberty and well-being come to all mankind.

Yet while we have worked to advance national aspirations for freedom, a divisive force has been at work to divert that aspiration into dangerous channels.  The Communist movement throughout the world exploits the natural striving of all to be free and attempts to subjugate men rather than free them.  These activities have caused and are continuing to cause grave troubles in the world.