1969 — MR 69: Toward Progress: The Story of a Decade

The President
The White House 
Washington, D.C.

Dear Mr. President:

I have the honor to transmit the 1969 report of the President's Committee on Mental Retardation.

This report assesses the nation's present mental retardation programs and recommends directions that federal, state, and local agencies, both public and private, should take in building and improving those programs during the 1970’s decade.

Charting of much of the need in this long-neglected area remains incomplete, however. The Committee therefore has in progress an extensive group of activities aimed for the formulation of action recommendations.

Among those on which reports will be ready for your consideration during the coming months are a survey of research into malnutrition-mental retardation links, a study of mental retardation incidence in poverty areas, and an exploration of needs in vocational education and employment for the retarded. Committee work conferences this summer and fall will discuss education needs of inner city children, manpower resources for mental retardation programs, and residential services for the retarded. Also in progress are a study of the costs and economic impact of mental retardation and studies of special, often overlooked groups of the retarded—the retarded living in rural areas, those with multiple handicaps, the teenaged and adult retarded.

The Committee is deeply grateful for your interest in its work and asks your continuing guidance and encouragement.

Respectfully yours,

Robert H. Finch
Chairman