I am confident that it will render equally signal service to the defense of our two countries in the years ahead.

This was a time for action--a time for action to meet and to overcome the challenge of this great drought.

First, at the request of the Governors of the drought-stricken States, I am today writing to Governor Ellington, the Director of the Office of Emergency Planning, declaring certain portions of New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and…

There is universal agreement that we should proceed at once.

Finally, and in many ways most important, the Governors and the mayors of the drought stricken areas have agreed to increase their efforts to conserve their existing water supplies.

This administration hopes to provide the leadership for an environment that is free of the contamination which pollutes the water that we drink and the air that we breathe.

The faith and the will of millions do not take fire from the brands that are muffled in reluctance and fear.

And if we have not really reached the farthest limit of expectation, we have done much more, indeed, than many ever believed we could do.

Our continent is in ferment.

I have called for a major effort to beautify our highways and roadsides, and to construct scenic and recreational roads.

We would feed the hungry and we would shelter the homeless, and we would do all of this as free men making liberty the companion of progress.

If we follow these commands in all our lands, then progress will fulfill our dreams.

It was nothing less than to transform the life of an entire continent.

I urge all Americans to give recognition to the value of highway transportation to their own activities and to our national welfare.

My deep sympathy and that of the people of the United States goes out to you and the Chilean people as you move to relieve human suffering following in the wake of the second natural catastrophe which has struck your country this year.

We are anxious and our hearts are saddened this Sunday at the disaster which has struck your country but with God's help and fraternal assistance we are confident that the Chilean people will overcome these difficulties.

I urge the Governors of the States and mayors of cities to issue similar proclamations.

An initial shipment of blankets, clothes and medicines will be arriving in Chile on Tuesday to be followed by other supplies in the coming days.