President Kennedy Calls for a Frontal Attack on Mental Retardation

TlHE President of the United States, 7John F. Kennedy, has called upon the American people to make "a "ontal attack on the problems of Rental retardation". In October last "e announced the appointment of a Panel of 27 distinguished persons and asked them to assume leadership in developing plans for a co-ordinated National approach to the problems of research, professional training and services to the retarded. During the month of April, 1962, teams of experts have visited England, Holland, Scandinavia and the U.S.S.R. to study services for the mentally handicapped. The group visiting Great Britain included Dr. Robert E. Cooke 'Professor of paediatrics), Dr. Louis Hellman (obstetrician), Dr. Maurice G. Kott (psychologist), Dr. ^_nne M. Ritter (psychologist), Mrs. Margaret Wright (nurse) and Dr. H. Jannet (medical and research director). . Last year a brochure was published the U.S.A. written by President Kennedy under the title: "A National ^an to Combat Mental Retardation". **e publish extracts below: