IN THIS VOLUME are gathered most of the public messages and statements of the President of the United States that were released by the White House during the period January 20 - December 31, 1961. Similar volumes covering the administration of President Eisenhower and the first year of President Truman are also available. Volumes covering the period January 1, 1946 - January 20, 1953, and the year 1962 are under preparation.
     This series was begun in 1957 in response to a recommendation of the National Historical Publications Commission (44 U.S.C. 393). An extensive compilation of the messages and papers of the Presidents, covering the period 1789 to 1897, was assembled by James D. Richardson and published under congressional authority between 1896 and 1899. Since that time various private compilations were issued, but there was no uniform, systematic publication comparable to the Congressional Record or the United States Supreme Court Reports. Many Presidential papers could be found only in mimeographed White House releases or as reported in the press. The National Historical Publications Commission therefore recommended the establishment of an official series in which Presidential writings and utterances of a public nature could be made promptly available.
     The Commission's recommendation was incorporated in regulations of the Administrative Committee of the Federal Register issued under section 6 of the Federal Register Act (44 U.S.C. 306). The Committee's regulations, establishing the series and providing for the coverage of prior years, are reprinted at page 845 as "Appendix D."

     The text of this book is based on Presidential materials issued during 1961 as White House releases and on transcripts of news conferences. Original source materials, where available, have been used to protect against errors in transcription. A list of White House releases from which final selections were made is published at page 821 as "Appendix A."
     Addresses and speeches have been printed as actually delivered. In a few instances the White House issued advance releases, based on the prepared text of addresses or remarks, which differ from the text as actually delivered.  Such releases have been appropriately noted. In Item 499, the note includes quotations from the prepared text because of substantial differences as delivered.
     Proclamations, Executive orders, and similar documents required by law to be published in the Federal Register and Code of Federal Regulations are not repeated. Instead, they are listed by number and subject under the heading "Appendix B" at page 839.
     The President is required by statute to transmit numerous reports to Congress. Those transmitted during the period covered by this volume are listed at page 844 as "Appendix C."
     The items published in this volume are presented in chronological order, rather than being grouped in classes. Most needs for a classified arrangement are met by the subject index.  For example, a reader interested in veto messages will find them listed in the index under the heading "veto messages.
     The dates shown at the end of item headings are White House release dates. In instances where the date of the document differs from the release date that fact is shown in brackets immediately following the heading.  Other editorial devices, such as text notes, footnotes, and cross references, have been held to a minimum.
     Remarks or addresses were delivered in Washington, D.C., unless otherwise indicated. Similarly, statements, messages, and letters were issued from the White House in Washington unless otherwise indicated.
     The planning and publication of this series is under the direction of David C. Eberhart of the Office of the Federal Register. The editor of the present volume was Warren R. Reid, assisted by Mildred B. Berry. Frederick L. Holborn, Special Assistant in the White House Office, provided aid and counsel in the selection and annotation of the materials. Frank H. Mortimer of the Government Printing Office developed the typography and design.

BERNARD L. BOUTIN
Administrator of General Services

April 23, 1962