It is a manifest right of our Government to limit the number of immigrants our Nation can absorb.  It is also a manifest right of our Government to set reasonable requirements on the character and the numbers of the people who come to share our land and our freedom.

It is well for us, however, to remind ourselves occasionally of an equally manifest fact:  we are—­one and all—­immigrants or sons and daughters of immigrants.

Existing legislation contains injustices.  It does, in fact, discriminate.  I am informed by Members of the Congress that it was realized, at the time of its enactment, that future study of the basis of determining quotas would be necessary.

I am therefore requesting the Congress to review this legislation and to enact a statute that will at one and the same time guard our legitimate national interests and be faithful to our basic ideas of freedom and fairness to all.

In another but related area—­that of social rights—­we see most clearly the new application of old ideas of freedom.

This administration is profoundly aware of two great needs born of our living in a complex industrial economy.  First, the individual citizen must have safeguards against personal disaster inflicted by forces beyond his control; second, the welfare of the people demands effective and economical performance by the Government of certain indispensable social services.

In the light of this responsibility, certain general purposes and certain concrete measures are plainly indicated now.

There is urgent need for greater effectiveness in our programs, both public and private, offering safeguards against the privations that too often come with unemployment, old age, illness, and accident.  The provisions of the old-age and survivors insurance law should promptly be extended to cover millions of citizens who have been left out of the social-security system.  No less important is the encouragement of privately sponsored pension plans.  Most important of all, of course, is renewed effort to check the inflation which destroys so much of the value of all social-security payments.

Our school system demands some prompt, effective help.  During each of the last 9 years, more than 1 1/2 million children have swelled the elementary and secondary school population of the country.  Generally, the school population is proportionately higher in States with low per capita income.  This whole situation calls for careful congressional study and action.  I am sure that you share my conviction that the firm conditions of Federal aid must be proved need and proved lack of local income.

One phase of the school problem demands special action.  The school population of many districts has been greatly increased by the swift growth of defense activities.  These activities have added little or nothing to the tax resources of the communities affected.  Legislation aiding construction of schools in the districts expires on June 30.  This law should be renewed; and likewise, the partial payments for current operating expenses for these particular school districts should be made, including the deficiency requirement of the current fiscal year.