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Letter to Secretary Weaver on the Need for International Exchange of Housing Information and Technology.

August 09, 1968

Dear Mr. Secretary:

Several months ago, I asked the Director of the Office of Science and Technology to focus on this question: Is the United States making effective use of the experience of other modern nations in the design, construction and procurement of housing?

The study has concluded that we can-and should--do much better in sharing our knowledge and in drawing upon the experience of other nations in the field of housing construction and technology.

A pooling of knowledge and the exchange of ideas can have these important benefits for our nation. It can:

--Result in more efficient and less expensive construction of housing.

--Develop and identify additional export markets for building materials and components.

--Hasten the advancement in technology of the U.S.. building industry.

--Improve the flow of basic and innovative information to universities that are training the next generation of city planners, engineers, and designers.

Accordingly, I believe we must increase our participation in international organizations such as the Housing, Building, and Planning Committee of the Economic Commission For Europe.

I also believe that we should take every opportunity to encourage the exchange of housing research and development reports with other nations and to provide a flow of technical information to housing agencies at all levels of government, to the construction industry, to universities, and to engineers and architects.

I am therefore directing you to take every necessary step to promote the exchange of information and housing technology with other nations. I have asked the Secretary of State to assist you in every possible way.

This program will benefit the international community. It can be of prime importance in reaching our ten-year housing goal here in America--a decent home for every family.

Sincerely,

LYNDON B. JOHNSON

[Honorable Robert Weaver, Secretary, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Washington, D.C.]

Note: The letter was released at Austin, Texas.

Lyndon B. Johnson, Letter to Secretary Weaver on the Need for International Exchange of Housing Information and Technology. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/237734

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