is called nine promises which will enable us to become better citizens.
These were:

1. 1 promise that I will vote in all elections. I will inform myself
on all candidates and all issues and will use my greatest influence to
see that honest and capable officials are elected. I will accept public
office when I can serve my country or my community thereby.

2. 1 promise that I will serve on juries when asked.

3. I promise that I will pay taxes understandingly.

4. I promise that I will respect and obey the laws. 1 will assist
public officials in preventing crimes and the courts in giving evidence.

5. I promise that I will work for peace, but will dutifully accept
my responsibilities in time of war and will respect my flag.

6. In thought, expression and action — at home, in school and in
all my contacts — I promise that I will avoid any group prejudice
based on class, race or religion.

7. I promise that 1 will support our system of free public education
by doing everything I can to improve the schools of my community.

8. I promise that I will try to make my community a better place
in which to live.

9. I promise that I will practice and teach the principles of good
citizenship in my home.

There is every reason in the world why we Americans should
strive to be good citizens. For to carry Aristotle's point a step further,
we stand to lose our precious heritage — liberty, equality, justice, the
inherent dignity of man — unless we participate in government, as
he said, "to the utmost".

We know that there are forces abroad which threaten our liberties
and our way of life. We know that freedom is a thing we cannot keep
permanently without guarding it against the pressures which assault
it continuously. A democratic nation will not long survive without
good citizens. And if we expect to be good citizens, all of us must
dedicate our lives to public service and the general welfare of our
community, our State and our nation.

In a free society, there is no escape from social responsibilities, and
this is true for all of us, regardless of who we are and what we do.
It is our duty to cherish and practice good citizenship. And it is our
duty, too, to inspire and encourage good citizenship in others. Within
a very few years, you will become mature citizens in whose hands

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