1956 Platform of the Republican Party
President Eisenhower has given the world bold proposals for mutual
arms reduction.
We support his offer of United States participation in an international
fund for economic development financed from the savings brought by
true disarmament.
We shall continue vigorously to support the United Nations.
President Eisenhower has given us a statement of principles that is
neither partisan nor prejudiced, but warmly American:
The individual is of supreme importance.
The spirit of our people is the strength of our nation.
America does not prosper unless all Americans prosper.
Government must have a heart as well as a head.
Under the Republican Administration, as our country has prospered, so
have its people. This is as it should be, for as President Eisenhower said:
"Labor is the United States. The men and women, who with their minds,
their hearts and hands, create the wealth that is shared in this country—
they are America."
Labor
The Eisenhower Administration has brought to our people the highest
employment, the highest wages and the highest standard of living ever
enjoyed by any nation.

The Federal minimum wage has been raised for more than 2 million
workers. Social Security has been extended to an additional 10 million
workers and the benefits raised for 6 1/2 million. The protection of
unemployment insurance has been brought to 4 million additional
workers. There have been increased workmen's compensation benefits
for longshoremen and harbor workers, increased retirement benefits for
railroad employees, and wage increases and improved welfare and
pension plans for federal employees.
In addition, the Eisenhower Administration has enforced more
vigorously and effectively than ever before, the laws which protect the
working standards of our people.
All workers have gained and unions have grown in strength and
responsibility, and have increased their membership by 2 million.
Furthermore, the process of free collective bargaining has been
strengthened by the insistence of this Administration that labor and
management settle their differences at the bargaining table.
Health, Education and Welfare
The Republican Party believes that the physical, mental, and spiritual
well-being of the people is as important as their economic health.
Republican action created the Department of Health, Education and
Welfare as the first new Federal department in 40 years, to raise the
continuing consideration of these problems for the first time to the
highest council of Government, the President's Cabinet.
Through the White House Conference on Education, our Republican
Administration initiated the most comprehensive Community-State-
Federal attempt ever made to solve the pressing problems of primary and
secondary education.
Four thousand communities, studying their school populations and their
physical and financial resources, encouraged our Republican
Administration to urge a five-year program of Federal assistance in
building schools to relieve a critical classroom shortage.
Republican leadership has enlarged Federal assistance for construction
of hospitals, emphasizing low-cost care of chronic diseases and the
special problems of older persons, and increased Federal aid for medical
care of the needy.
We have asked the largest increase in research funds ever sought in one
year to intensify attacks on cancer, mental illness, heart disease and
other dread diseases.
District of Columbia
We favor self-government, national suffrage and representation in the
Congress of the United States for residents of the District of Columbia.
Equal Rights
We recommend to Congress the submission of a constitutional
amendment providing equal rights for men and women.
Civil Rights
The Republican Party points to an impressive record of accomplishment
in the field of civil rights and commits itself anew to advancing the
rights of all our people regardless of race, creed, color or national origin.
The Eisenhower Administration has eliminated discrimination in all
federal employment.
We concur in the conclusion of the Supreme Court that its decision
directing school desegregation should be accomplished with "all
deliberate speed" locally through Federal District Courts.
Immigration
The Republican Party supports an immigration policy which is in
keeping with the traditions of America in providing a haven for
oppressed peoples, and which is based on equality of treatment, freedom
from implications of discrimination between racial, nationality and
religious groups, and flexible enough to conform to changing needs and
conditions.
We believe that such a policy serves our self-interest, reflects our
responsibility for world leadership and develops maximum cooperation
with other nations in resolving problems in this area.
Guarding and Improving Our Resources
Policies of sound conservation and wise development—originally
advanced half a century ago under that preeminent Republican
conservation team of President Theodore Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot
and amplified by succeeding Republican Administrations—have been
pursued by the Eisenhower Administration.
While meeting the essential development needs of the people, this
Administration has conserved and safeguarded our natural resources for
the greatest good of all, now and in the future.
Our national parks, national forests and wildlife refuges are now more
adequately financed, better protected and more extensive than ever
before.
Declaration of Dedication
With utmost confidence in the future and with justifiable pride in our
achievements, the Republican Party warmly greets the dawn of our
second century of service in the cause of unity and progress in the
Nation.
As the Party of the Young and in glowing appreciation of his dynamic
leadership and inspiration, we respectfully dedicate this Platform of the
Party of the Future to our distinguished President Dwight D.
Eisenhower, and to the Youth of America.