Repository: UIHistories Project: SWE - Proceedings of the First International Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists [PAGE 59]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

WELCOME FROM THE CITY OF NEW YORK By Bradford N. Clark ; New York City Commissioner of Public Works (Presented at the Welcome Luncheon, Wednesday, June 17, 1964) The origin of engineers is that they were men of war. How fortunate that times have changed! And for international flavor, I'd like to add a hearty "Vive la difference!" Those original men of war, through the development of formal education In the humanities and the arts, found refinements, initiated conveniences, and have been joined with other professions in cultural and scientific advances that make our modern society and our mode of living, and this at the national and International level, as well as at the level of the community and in our own homes and offices. Ad Adam was joined by Eve, it is natural that distaff engineers and scientists should emerge as helpmates in the profession, as well as being housewives in our homes. And I find that the woman's touch in many fields of engineering has been a terrific boost in the accomplishment of our mutual aims, to make our world a far better place in which to live. And while we have common aims, we face the common problem of a shortage of qualified engineers, and, of course, scientists. Our educational institutions are aware of the dearth of qualified graduates eagerly sought by industry, consulting firms and municipal agencies in the field of public works; yet they have been unable to come up with a formula to swell the ranks of undergraduates whose numbers have been declining steadily these past ten years or more. Studies sponsored by professional service groups such as the A.P.W.A., as well as college service groups, have failed to hit upon a solution to this growing problem. Here we are, engineers and scientists, unable to resolve one of our own most critical problems. Perhaps we need, again, the woman's touch: that infinite patience in planning, tinged, I'm inclined to add, with some degree of scheming or call it what you will - providing that it produces results. More seriously, however, let me say that society is suffering in part from drop-outs at the secondary school level, but the drop in professional school enrollments is one of our principal problems. I am hopeful that you here at your first international conference will accept the challenge of aiding-us In industry, in engineering-consulting and in the public works program—on a world-wide scale, for that matter—to replenish the professional reserves on which the future of our society so largely relies. As Commissioner of Public Works you might properly assume that I am more accustomed to dealing with engineers and other consultants of the male variety. Therefore I find it a particular pleasure to have been designated by Mayor Wagner to welcome you here today, in the city of the United Nations, the city of the World's Fair, and the city at the crosswalk of the world. In furtherance of the Mayor's wishes, I take this opportunity to read to you his proclamation— 1-47