It frustrates the mind and rends the heart to know that during this
year—this year 1964—some 300, 000 Americans will have died of cancer,
in one form or another. This is an appalling figure to contemplate.
But it is gratifying to know, as has been reported recently, that more
than 1, 300, 000 Americans alive today have been cured of cancer and
that it is expected that another 183, 000 Americans will be saved in 1965.
This means that the seeds which have been sown, by organizations such
as yours and many others, are producing a harvest. And although we
are a long way from any satisfactory achievement in the prevention
and cure of cancer, enough progress has been made to give us the
hope that in the not too distant future a way will be found to wipe
out this terrible scourge. But until that day is at hand, we cannot
for a moment, in any good conscience, slacken our pace or relax our
effort. To do so would be a shameful neglect of our responsibility.

The great national organization, of which this chapter is an affiliate,
performs a valuable service to the people by treating and curing the
victims of cancer. With other agencies and institutions, it also has
recognized the vital importance of research in our overall effort to
determine the causes of cancer and to devise a cure for the disease.

We are all deeply indebted to the American Medical Center for the
splendid work it has done in all the areas of cancer prevention and
cancer cure. May I encourage you to continue in your efforts to reach
this important goal.

In conclusion, let me say once more that it is a pleasure to be your
guest at this dinner. And may I repeat that I am deeply grateful for
the high honor you have conferred upon me.

REMARKS IN HONOR OF DR. PERRY F. PRATHER
BALTIMORE

November 5, 1964

I am honored tonight to have this privilege of joining with you in
paying tribute to one of the most dedicated, unselfish and inspiring
public servants it has been my pleasure to know for many years, Dr.
Perry F. Prather.

I can well understand why the members of the State Board of Health
and Mental Hygiene, the staff of the State Department of Health and
the many friends and associates of Dr. Prather were so anxious to

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