CITIZEN ACTION 563 



nity beauty conservation projects. Our problem is to capitalize on 

 this new momentum. 



How? I have two specific suggestions : 



First: Conduct a national competition for local television sta- 

 tions and give an award to the station producing the best docu- 

 mentary on a local beautification project. The winning producer 

 would receive "The President's Award" in the Rose Garden of the 

 White House. 



I have talked with several network officials who are convinced 

 that such a competition would be welcomed that at least one 

 station in each of the top 50 markets would participate; in smaller 

 markets, more would participate. Another official estimated that 

 at least 60 percent of the stations would probably enter, which would 

 be a very high percentage. The programs would create a dra- 

 matic wallop. I believe such a project is feasible. Perhaps the 

 easiest way to handle this competition would be through one of 

 the already existing award mechanisms such as the highly distin- 

 guished Peabody awards. 



Second: Establish a Mayor's Committee for Beautification in 

 each town. Its purposes would be to focus attention on glaring 

 needs and spearhead local projects to do something about the blight. 

 Then ask each State governor to appoint a panel of experts to select 

 the most outstanding project in the State. The winning mayor in 

 each State would be given the First Lady's Certificate of Distinc- 

 tion for Efforts To Make America Beautiful. 



This would involve governors, mayors, prominent local citizens, 

 and people who make news in all media. This is one of the best ways 

 to get the beautification story to the people. I believe the Depart- 

 ment of the Interior could handle such a nationwide, statewide 

 selection. 



I have been specific. I've tried to be practical. I hope we're 

 all successful. 



Mrs. BUSH-BROWN. Lewis Mumford, one of our most articulate 

 exponents of city planning, recently made the statement that "any 

 city planning worthy of being called organic must bring some meas- 

 ure of beauty and order into the poorest neighborhoods." 



Many towns and cities in Europe have achieved this goal. The 

 delightful use of flowers, even in the poorest sections, contributes 

 almost as much to the charm of European cities as does the pic- 

 turesque architecture. Most American cities have failed to rec- 



