Ort Convention Opens in Washington; Eisenhower, Nixon Laud Its Work

President Eisenhower, Vice President Nixon and Secretary of State Christian Herter today lauded the work of the ORT in messages sent to the opening session of the four-day national convention of the Women’s American ORT. Ambassadors and ministers of countries in which the ORT operates attended tonight’s convention dinner.

World ORT leaders who arrived here to address the convention reported at today’s session that in 1959, over 40,000 youths and adults received training in ORT centers. New information indicates that more than twice that number, although they pass qualifying exams, must be turned away because present facilities, budget limitations, and currency devaluations inhibit the operation of ORT centers and prevent expansion to meet growing demands.

A special resolution presented to the convention would provide for a new project of the Women’s American ORT expending ORT activities to provide additional training. World ORT leaders here for the convention are Dr. William Haber, president of the central board of the World ORT Union; Max A. Braude, director general of the Union; F. F. Schrager, director of ORT in France; Jacob Oleiski, director of Israeli ORT, and B. Wand-Polak, director of ORT in Morocco.

President Eisenhower expressing pleasure in greeting ORT, said in his message that “the achievements of your organization, based upon the sound philosophy of “helping man to help himself have been of direct benefit to many around the world. With a broad program of technical education and vocational training, you help to advance the welfare of mankind.”