In seven countries, NRECA specialists actually have helped construct 23 cooperative electric systems: 12 in Brazil, three each in Costa Rica and Vietnam, two in Ecuador, and one each in Colombia, Nicaragua and Peru.

Sixteen existing rural electric co-ops-15 in Chile and one in the Philippines-also have had technicians assigned to help them.

Five nations have received special-project assistance from the U.S. rural electric personnel. In Iran, Korea and the Philippines, experts assisted with National Power Surveys. In Afghanistan, three U.S. technicians are teaching construction and safety techniques to Afghan line crews. In Argen

tina, U.S. authorities are working with the government to expand their national rural electrification program.

U.S. rural electrification veterans also have completed:

Country survey assignments in the Do-
minican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Honduras, Laos, Morocco and Sierra Leone.
Preliminary engineering studies and co-op
organization assignments in Bolivia, India,
Panama, Paraguay, Thailand, Uruguay, and
Venezuela.

Periodic consultation assignments in Brazil,
Chile, Ecuador and Nicaragua.

now are serving either as co-op managers or in key government positions.

The course includes classes at the International Cooperative Training Center at the University of Wisconsin, institutes at NRECA, orientations at REA, tours of multi-purpose public power developments such as the Tennessee Valley Authority, and week-long consultations with electric co-op people directors, managers, engineers and others.

When participants in the course come to the United States, they can see how electricity actually is put to use to irrigate once barren soil, to power machines for small industries, or to produce light in a home.

Where there is light, darkness steps back, and where there is no poverty, no communism is possible. Once the rural electrification program in Tuyen Duc is realized, we will eliminate the Communists.

Petition with signatures or thumb prints of 1,200 residents of Tung Nghĩa village in Tuyen Duc Province, Vietnam

... programs such as this are tremendously important if we are going to win over the rural people of all of these underdeveloped countries. This is where we made our biggest mistake in many countries in not placing enough emphasis on assistance to rural people. In countries such as South Vietnam, for example, they are the dominant force.

Senator Milton R. Young, N. D.

It is good to know that you are having success in such countries as Vietnam where the citizenry can benefit so much from electrical Improvements.

Senator Wallace F. Bennett, Utah

Good news, the people have been complaining about not having electricity.

Village Chief at Maenon, Thailand

What People Say...

I certainly was impressed with the progress you are making toward adapting the U.S. rural electric cooperative concept in the developing countries.

Congressman Carl Albert, Okla.

As one who has advocated the greater participation of private and local initiative in overseas aid, I want to commend your association for its work in this field.

Senator Frank Church, Idaho

I know from first-hand experience what rural electric cooperatives are doing in Latin America. Technical assistance like this provides real opportunities for self-help and is the kind of foreign aid I favor.

Senator Karl Mundt, S. D.

Although I oppose Foreign Aid generally, I certainly agree that our sponsorship of rural electrification in undeveloped nations is a worthy undertaking.

Congressman David N. Henderson, N. C.

I have been a strong supporter of AID programs in developIng nations, and your activities are certainly a sign of the soundness of that program.

Senator Walter F. Mondale, Minn.

I have seen some of the rural electric cooperatives in underdeveloped countries of the world and they appear to have worked well. In the instances where the local governments want that kind of assistance, I believe we should provide it In the areas of our aid program that will fit.

Congressman William L. Springer, III.

The assistance that members of the NRECA have provided under the AID contracts... is indeed impressive. This is the type of assistance that I have long advocated. In some of my travels I have learned that we have tried to overwhelm some of our friends with aid beyond their capabilities. | know this program can be made worthwhile if handled properly. Senator Allen J. Ellender, La.

No program will benefit the development of our country more than rural electrification... It touches the people and gives them a stake in the future.

Senator Emanuel Pelaez, The Philippines

I am particularly pleased at the leadership role the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association has taken in stimulating local democratic forces through the Improvement of rural living conditions in many of the most troubled areas of the world. It is a difficult, often unnoticed, but very necessary task in the struggle against poverty, Ignorance and oppression.

Senator Birch Bayh, Ind.

Locally owned rural electric cooperatives appear to be a sound way of improving, socially and economically, the underdeveloped areas of the world.

Senator Howard H. Baker, Jr., Tenn.

...I am deeply interested in... the participation of cooperative organizations in promoting economic growth and stability in underdeveloped and troubled nations of the world... Congressman John E. Moss, Calif.

I recognize the important contributions being made by organizations such as yours in Improving the rural communities of our developing countries.

Senator Mark O. Hatfield, Ore.

... the Minister places very great stress on the development of rural electricity if this can be achieved, as although farmers as yet are unused to electricity and its many uses, Government considers that there could be great advances in rural development if a cheap source of small Industrial and farm power could be provided...

Ministry of Trade and Industry, Sierra Leone, Africa

It appears that you are, indeed, making progress in bringing Initial or improved electric service to thousands of people. ... Work of this nature should go a long way toward not only improving the lot of the people, but also insuring their support of our efforts in their behalf.

Congressman John Paul Hammerschmidt,

Ark.

Your program strikes me as a particularly useful and encouraging one...

Senator Charles H. Percy, III.

... they will come up in large numbers to join the co-operative to make their contribution and to make this programme a resounding success. Its effect on food production will also be considerable...

S. T. Raja, Electricity Board, Baroda, India