Speech reflecting on the Thanksgiving holiday to audience in Lisner Auditorium ; EXCERPTS FROM REMARKS BY THE HONORABLE BROOKS HAYS, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE, AT THE "FESTIVAL OF THANKSGIVING" LISNER AUDITORIUM, WASHINGTON, D.C., NOVEMBER 22, 1961 Thanksgiving Day belongs to all faiths. Its religious motivation was so deep and its basic lesson was of such wide application that in due course it came to belong to all and is cherished by all. It presents an opportunity to voice our common faith. Unlike the two other great religious days, Easter and Christmas, it belongs exclusively to our own history. "Let us give thanks" - this is the summons we hear and we heed it. Without attempting to provide an inventory of national blessings I would like to suggest five blessings to contemplate. First our spiritual origin. The colonists who instituted Thanksgiving had a religious purpose which flowered in our national institutions. Their belief in freedom and justice had Biblical roots and it has persisted. There was an emphasis on individualism but our religious pluralism is also an element of strength in national life. The moral foundation for our political system was laid by sturdy forbears. Their belief in God and in human dignity is reflected in the early documents which constitute the basis of our political system. The principle of majority rule for example was firmly advanced in the Mayflower Compact. Hence Donald Peattie could say "Our eager soul was born before the body politic." A second
Brochure for Brooks Hays' gubernatorial campaign ; A PROGRAM FOR ALL THE PEOPLE "THE EDUCATION THEY DESERVE" Brooks Hays pledges to: Work to make salary scales for teachers competitive with the rest of the nation and with other lines of employment requiring similar levels of training. Encourage and support the efforts of the educa-tion profession to elevate the status and improve the competence of people within the profession. Make full and efficient use of Federal aid to education. Do everything possible to make a fully accredited elementary and secondary school education available to every Arkansas child. Support the Coordination Commission on Higher Education Finance as it proceeds toward establishing a wholly coordinated and non-political system of higher education in Arkansas. "WE HAVE JUST BEGUN TO GROW . . ." Brooks Hays pledges his efforts toward: A drive to secure the greatest economic expansion in Arkansas' history. He will work to attract new and sound industries in all parts of the state. A living wage for all Arkansas workers. Promotion of the state's recreational assets. Expansion of vocational and job retraining pro-grams for ail age groups. "SAFE TRAVEL FOR TOMORROW" Brooks Hays pledges here and now that priority will be given: To establish a highway safety commission to stop useless loss of human life. He would increase programs of driver education, car safety inspection and of elimination of highway hazards. To expedite the completion of interstate highways utilizing professional non-political planning. To see that highway funds are spent equitably and that both the spirit and letter of the Mack-Blackwell Amendment are carried out. STRONG ENOUGH, WISE ENOUGH . . . TO FULFILL OUR BASIC HOPES Brooks Hays pledges to: Work toward increasing Old Age pensions. Begin a program of more adequate care for juvenile offenders so that they will not be put in jail with long-term lawbreakers. Expand Medicare coverage by getting the state to take advantage of Federal aid for chronically ill patients beyond 100 days of nursing home care. Cooperate with the Federal government in the Ozarka program. "WE HAVE TALKED LONG ENOUGH . . ." Brooks Hays pledges: To abolish illegal gambling. To make it possible for Arkansans, by sending in the proper papers showing that they have assessed their personal property, to purchase their automobile license tags by mail. BROOKS HAYS for Governor Campaign Headquarters Marion Hotel, Little Rock, Arkansas FR 6-3071 -paid for by Steele Hays
Brochure for Brooks Hays' gubernatorial campaign ; BROOKS HAYS - A TRULY DEDICATED MAN BROOKS HAYS, A FRIEND OF PRESIDENTS, WILL BE A GREAT GOVERNOR OF ARKANSAS Born in Pope County, Arkansas, and a graduate of the University of Arkansas and the George Washington University School of Law, Brooks Hays has a record of public service matched by few men of his time. Holds honorary degrees from College of the Ozarks, John Brown University and nine other universities. BROOKS HAYS IS A DISTINGUISHED DEMOCRAT Here are the facts: Secretary, Democratic State Convention, 1922. Assistant State Attorney General, 1925-26. Served on Democratic National Committee, 1932-39. A member of the Democratic Party Convention's Platform Committee, 1952. Representative from the Fifth District of Arkansas to the United States Congress, 1942-58. Delegate, United Nations Assembly, 1955. Director, Tennessee Valley Authority, 1959-61. Assistant Secretary of State, 1961. Special Assistant to President John F. Kennedy, 1962-63. Consultant to President Lyndon B. Johnson, 1964-66. Personal friend and adviser to four Democratic Presidents: Kennedy, Johnson, Truman and Roosevelt. "Brooks Hays is one of the great Congressmen. I have always been his friend and admirer." -Harry S. Truman. A MAN OF STRONG CONVICTIONS Brooks Hays has given much of his time to church and civic causes. His varied contributions and accomplishments in these areas include: President, Southern Baptist Convention, 1957-59. Chosen as Churchman of the Year by Religious Heritage Foundation of America. Member of the Board of Religion in American Life. National Brotherhood Chairman, National Conference of Christians and Jews, 1964. Author of "This World: A Christian's Workshop." Co-author, "The Baptist Way of Life." Received Freedom Foundation Award for an address on religious liberty. President, Arkansas Conference of Social Work, 1932-34. District Governor, Lions Clubs, 1925-27. Member, National Council, Boy Scouts of America. Received Silver Buffalo, highest award of the Boy Scouts of America. Thirty-third Degree Mason. Life member, Elks. A RECORD OF STATESMANLIKE LEADERSHIP While a Member of Congress from the Fifth District of Arkansas, Brooks Hays was: Speaker Sam Rayburn's appointee to the House Personnel Committee. Also a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Banking and Currency Committee, the Select Committee to Investigate Tax-Exempt Foundations and the Select Committee on Space Exploration and Astronautics. "I do not know of a man in the House of Representatives in whom I have more confidence than I do in Brooks Hays . . . his counsel and advice are constantly sought by me." -Speaker Sam Rayburn. Arkansas' Man of Achievement, Brooks Hays was: One of the leaders of the bill in Congress in promoting the development of the Arkansas River. One of the four sponsors of the amendment to give priority to the Dardanelle Dam. Instrumental in getting the Little Rock Air Force Base established in Arkansas. Active in securing funds for a large expansion program at Fort Roots Veterans Administration Hospital. A proponent of rural electrification. A pioneer in the fight for the repeal of the poll tax. The Congressman who introduced the Rural Development Bill to establish industries in small communities. An advocate of strengthening the responsibility given to states and cities by periodic checks of Federal grants in aid. A Man Who Can Get Things Done in Washington, he was: One of the authors of the bill for Federal aid for schools. A member of the Education Committee said: "There would have been no National Defense Education Act without Brooks Hays." Besides supporting Federal aid to education, Hays was active in early phases of legislation for Federal aid to libraries, hospitals and the interstate highway system. Fought for sound anti-inflationary measures as a member of the House Banking and Currency committee. "Brooks Hays has been a tower of strength in Congress, a friend and valued advisor . a great public servant." -John F. Kennedy.
Brochure about Brooks Hays from his congressional campaign in North Carolina's Fifth District ; BROOKS HAYS for Congress ENVIRONMENT Current conflicts between economic growth and environmental protection must be resolved in the public interest, and BROOKS HAYS has the ability to bring both sides together. Hays' early stand against the damming of the New River before it became popular to do so proves his foresight. THE CHURCH With the world in its present shape, we need more than just a "nice guy" to help preserve our moral values, but a man with great religious power. BROOKS HAYS is that man. THE HAYS RECORD 16 years Member of Congress Chairman, North Carolina State Human Relations Commission President, Southern Baptist Convention, 1958 & 1959 Director, Tenn. Valley Authority Professor, Wake Forest University Advisor, John F. Kennedy Assistant Secretary of State "Any politician who would take the time to come meet me and find out what's botherin' me is my kind of guy." BROOKS HAYS is doing just that by walking the entire 150 mile length of our district. He's not the kind of man you see every two years when he needs your vote. He knows how to get things done in Washington but he also knows how to listen to the folks here at home. Hays IS LISTENING to ALL the people, and that's not just a politician's promise. "Brooks Hays has been a tower of strength in Congress, a friend and valued advisor, a great public servant." -President Kennedy EDUCATION As visiting professor at four colleges and sponsor of the National Defense Education Act, which gives grants and loans for higher education, HAYS' experience is both practical and legislative.
Brochure about Brooks Hays from his congressional campaign in North Carolina's Fifth District ; A WALK FOR YOUR FUTURE STEP UP TO BROOKS HAYS ECONOMY - Bring back businesses and better living conditions to the district. TAXES - Equalize taxes, close loopholes for tax-dodgers, redistribute property taxes. AGRICULTURE - Increased federal subsidies to small farmers and a ceiling on those to large farmers. HEALTH Restore government grants to area hospitals, provide food stamps to deserving middle and low EDUCATION - Increased Federal funds for elementary and secondary CITIZENSHIP - Ensure equal rights for all citizens and involvement by young citizens in governnent. HAYS IS THE MAN FOR YOUR FUTURE
Speech reflecting on the Thanksgiving holiday to audience in Lisner Auditorium ; -2- A second blessing derived from the dreams and energies of earlier generations is our free society and it has economic as well as political implications. Even from the standpoint of material and physical measurements the free way is the best way. Without national character, however, our incomparable prosperity would lack the gratifications we are acknowledging. Capitalism is free enterprise with a conscience. If the conscience is sensitized the system will remain unimpaired. Without conscience no technical skill or managerial proficiency can prevent the interjection of forms of statism which limit freedom. Thus the dual blessing of religious origin and economic freedom are tied together. A third item in this brief inventory is a stable government. This is essential in a period of world danger for it supplies the cohesiveness that is necessary for the nation's defense. The national community must have a well ordered political life. Governmental powers must be adequate for defense. Our federal system represented remarkable craftsmanship and it is working. Our spirit of thanksgiving does not obscure the feeling that it can be made to work better. Giving thanks for the national government's stability might indeed focus attention upon the necessity of allaying fears regarding the moral solvency of the government.
Speech reflecting on the Thanksgiving holiday to audience in Lisner Auditorium ; -3- government. The waves of fear which produce tension and suspicion are of a recurring nature. Fear of witches, of Jacobins, of aliens, even of internationalists has produced occasional aberations in the past. They vanished and the present tensions growing out of such fears will also pass. The good judgment of the American people can be counted on to accomplish that. Many who have been swept into these movements will come to view the problems in a truer perspective. I am young in the State Department's service. Most of my public service has been in the legislative department and perhaps because I have been "on the other side", so to speak, I am able to appraise the State Department personnel and its performance. I say to you tonight and I wish I could say convincingly to the frightened victims of the fear movements that a solid group of dedicated men and women are serving our nation in the State Department. They serve without stint in far away places, and they serve by the thousands here in Washington trying faithfully to follow the directives of the Congress. Fourth we are thankful for a national mission. If it seems strange to suggest thankfulness for a mission which involves exertions and taxes I can make my case I believe merely by calling attention to the fact that America having created hopes among hundreds of millions of people that our leadership as a compassionate and imaginative nation would help
Speech reflecting on the Thanksgiving holiday to audience in Lisner Auditorium ; -4- help solve their problems we would feel disconsolate if not propelled by a sense of mission to fulfil [sic] such hopes, I know that the discovery of a mission is not always easy even if the people be fully disciplined and informed. Its ascertainment may be made difficult by a chosen people concept. So-called holy wars have been fought in the name of a national mission but our country does not fight holy wars. Our consciousness of mission, though impressed with a sense of providential leading, still is a result of popular judgment and collective pride in our exalted position. Perhaps God invites all nations, great and small, to determine their mission and purpose in the world. Some good examples of a national mission's fulfillment are available from modern experiences. Denmark, a little country, resolved to convert her farm tenure system into individual ownership patterns with stability and prosperity as her goals. Within one generation it was accomplished. Here were international implications as well as domestic, for her dairy products in abundance moved into the eager markets of western Europe and England. Can anyone question that great expectations of our beloved country fill the hearts of hundreds of millions in the great continents of Africa, Asia and South America? Still, material aid, vital though it is, is not our only mission. We must point
Speech reflecting on the Thanksgiving holiday to audience in Lisner Auditorium ; -5- point the way to justice and peace in world relations and by practicing the arts of democratic government exhibit the ideals that underlie our own society. Compassion through practical aids in building standards of living for the new nations is a quality that fits our national character. It is obvious that our civic duties extend beyond our nation's borders though the activities beyond the seas are serving a national interest. As Senator Fulbright phrased it - "the world has in reality moved in upon us." Now there is never any danger of the awakened concern for the world's needs dulling our responsiveness to those of our own people. Every recurring tragedy affecting America finds instant aids from Washington. The same instrumentalities, on a cooperative basis with other nations, having had legislative sanction, make friends for us among the victims of tragedy elsewhere. This is the essence of our civilization. It is as A.N. Whitehead put it, "an offensive against the repetitive mechanisms of the universe." This is not a plea for any particular form of foreign aid but since it is an Integral part of our foreign policy with a bipartisan history beginning with the Marshall Plan under a Democratic President and Republican Congress, I may appropriately refer to it as a symbol of our world leadership. Finally
Speech reflecting on the Thanksgiving holiday to audience in Lisner Auditorium ; -6- Finally, there is the bright hope for the future to make us thankful. There are great unfinished tasks for the American people but the guiding principle for true progress we have already discovered so our onward march seems assured. We can understand the paradox of William E. Barton describing us as optimists in these words "Optimism Is such sorrowful discontent with the good we have achieved as to give us joy in the pursuit of something better." For these reasons we are thankful for Thanksgiving.
Brochure about Brooks Hays from his congressional campaign in North Carolina's Fifth District ; 5th District North Carolina BROOKS HAYS for Congress Brooks Hays Democratic Candidate for Congress Fifth District North Carolina
Brochure about Brooks Hays from his congressional campaign in North Carolina's Fifth District ; HOW TO WALK WITH HAYS STEP 1 -STEP 2 - CONTRIBUTE to Brooks Hays VOTE FOR Brooks Hays Contributions are tax deductible up to $50 single or $100 joint. MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: CITIZENS FOR BROOKS HAYS BOX 1001 WINSTON-SALEM NORTH CAROLINA 27102 A copy of our report is (or will be) available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. BULK RATE U.S. Postage PAID PERMIT NO. 161 Winston-Salem, N.C.
