Congressional Record
Keenotes
EXTENSION OF REMARKS
Friday, August 15, 1958
Volume 104 - part 14, 17937
OF
HON. ELIZABETH KEE
OF WEST VIRGINIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Mrs. KEE. Mr. Speaker, under leave to extend my remarks in the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, I include copy of my weekly newsletter Keenotes for the week of August 3,1958.
KEENOTES
(By Representative ELIZABETH KEE)
The 2d session of the 85th Congress, which is rapidly drawing to a close, has been marked by three distinct moods:
1. Congress reconvened amid deep public concern over the tremendous Russian advances in science and technology as evidenced by the launching of two earth satellites.
2. Public concern shifted early in the spring from this grave national problem, to the growing threat of a serious economic recession.
3. In recent weeks, attention of official Washington and the public has shifted to foreign affairs and particularly to events in the Middle East which have created the most serious war threat since Korea.
This has, indeed, been a momentous session of Congress and, contrary to some who have tried to label this a do nothing Congress, I believe this session will go down in history as one of the most productive in recent years.
In many respects, Congress was ahead of the administration on matters relating to outer space. Congress demanded that positive action be taken so this country could overtake the lead which the Russians had taken in this vital field. Both Houses appointed special committees on space and astronautics and let it be known in no uncertain terms that they wanted a single new agency to direct United States activities in space. The result has been the creation of a new agency on space and astronautics, and in the future all activities will be closely coordinated. This should save money and, more importantly, save time in space developments.
I am sorry that the sense of urgency seems to have disappeared. We are still behind the Russians and constant driving and pushing will be needed to overtake them. I am sure that the Congress will not neglect this issue.
People are alarmed over the high level of unemployment and other indications of an economic downturn. .Recently, there have been signs of an upturn, which is good news to all of us. But here, too, I am afraid that the sense of urgency has gone out of this problem. We are not out of the economic woods despite the optimistic indications. A sound, prosperous America is absolutely essential if we are to maintain our freedom. An atmosphere of gloom was apparent when events in the Middle East assumed crisis proportions. There is no denying that the situation is extremely grave. As much as any of us might deplore the necessity for sending American troops into a danger area, we can agree, I am sure, that we all must support the stand taken by the President. Many people here believe the gravest dangers are now passed. This may be true, but the fact remains that this is a crisis that will be with us for a long time. We cannot afford to allow any temporary easing of the crisis to lull us into any feeling of false security.