John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Congress has now enacted legislation ... to provide pay scales more nearly to the level of those prevailing in the private economy.

A vital expanding economy in the free world is a strong counter to the threat of the world Communist movement.

As Congress recognized in enacting this legislation, a number of items now require further attention and I am instructing the executive agencies to pursue these matters promptly.

I am delighted to approve H.R. 7927, which is a bill adjusting postal rates, reforming Federal white-collar statutory salary systems, and establishing a standard for adjusting annuities under the Civil Service Retirement Act.

And our world, that this generation may experience the fruits of peace and may know the real meaning of brotherhood under God.

Employment needs are decreased as productivity rises and as ongoing programs can be reduced or terminated.

I want to express my appreciation to all the Members of the House and Senate who were involved.

I have asked to be kept informed of the findings and recommendations that are made, and the action taken.

Our homes, that this integral unit of society may nurture our youth and give to them the needed faith in God, in our Nation, and in their future.

I regard the program outlined in this memorandum as of the highest importance to good management in the executive branch.

The best utilization of manpower is therefore important not only to keep budget costs down but to maximize our national security and our economic growth.

I expect each department and agency head to give personal attention to this matter.

It is essential that employment plans be scrutinized at every level to make sure that every opportunity for decreases is seized and increases, where necessary, are held to an absolute minimum.

It is most important to recognize that responsibility for manpower control and utilization in the Federal Government rests squarely on the top management of each agency.

It furnishes a foundation for adjusting and continuously maintaining Federal salaries comparable to levels of equal difficulty and responsibility in private enterprise.

Central research to assist in this effort will be conducted by the Bureau of the Budget and the Civil Service Commission.

The new postal rates will yield on an annual basis about $600 million of new postal revenues.

Our citizens, that they may increase in the desire to promote mercy and justice, peace and freedom, good will and brotherhood;

If we carry it out firmly, I am confident that productivity in the Federal Government can continue to keep pace with the growth of productivity in the private sector of the economy.

I have emphasized the importance of actions to limit the number of Federal employees to the absolute minimum necessary to get the public business done.

An added obligation is therefore placed on the executive branch to make certain that essential programs are carried out with the minimum of personnel.

As I said, as these salaries become more in keeping with the salaries in private industry, it is also important that we maintain a comparable rate of productivity increase possible to the extent that Government work permits.

While every agency cannot be reviewed each year, it may be desirable to review certain agencies annually or more frequently.

The Civil Service Commission is hereby designated and authorized to exercise the authority conferred upon the President by the provisions of Subsections (a) and (b) of Section 504 of the Federal Salary Reform Act of 1962

Our Nation, that each new achievement may add to our heritage of faith;