Repository: UIHistories Project: SWE - Proceedings of the First International Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists [PAGE 9]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

-**%r~

S T A T E OF N E W YORK EXECUTIVE

NELSON A.ROCKEFELLER GOVERNOR

CHAMBER

ALBANY

I am happy to have the privilege of sending a hearty welcome to all present at the International Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists. We are delighted to be host to so distinguished a gathering of women engineers and scientists from all over the world — and are proud of our New York Chapter for initiating and "engineering" this First International Conference. We are well aware of the contributions which members of that chapter are making — they work in every scientific area from undersea to outer space. And we are particularly happy about what they — and all of you — are doing in those engineering areas that make for better living for our citizens. In fact, the program of this Conference impresses me above all by one dominating attribute — its concern with the people of this earth. Your program indicates that each of you has come — not primarily to increase your own knowhow or improve your own situation — but to help humanity in general. In this connection, I have a few figures -- and since, being in the profession you are, you are not dismayed by figures — I will mention them: In 1961, 2,999 young New Yorkers took BS degrees in engineering -- and 1,171 took their engineering masters. Even better, presently, in New York State colleges, 19,806 students are enrolled in courses leading to an engineering degree — and 6,147 more are studying for engineering masters. This is the largest number of any state in the country. I like to think, too, that some of it has been made possible by an expanded educational opportunity system inaugurated here a few years ago -- a system which insures that any New York girl or boy who has talent and ambition need not be prevented by lack of funds from the full development of that talent — even through graduate studies. This state is keenly aware of the crucial part that science and engineering play in today's progress and tomorrow's economy — and we devote considerable attention to fostering a climate encouraging to them. Eighty-eight thousand engineers and scientists are now exercising their know-how in the industries of this state and in the 1,007 research laboratories that serve our business. Incidentally, more laboratories than any other state in our nation, I am proud to report. I am delighted that this First International Conference of yours takes place in New York City while our great World's Fair is in progress. I also hope that as many of you as possible will take advantage of the opportunity to see some of the historic landmarks and superlative scenes of beauty throughout the Empire State. With best wishes for a happy and a fruitful conference, Sincerely,