International Conference on the Quantum Interactions of the Free Electron: The electron as a symbol of progress

I am happy to bring to members of the conference the greetings of the National Science Foundation and to welcome you on behalf of the Foundation and other sponsors of the conference which include, in addition to the University of Maryland, the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics, the Office of Naval Research, the Air Research and Development Command, and the National Bureau of Standards. A conference with this basic theme has never before been held in the United States, and I know I speak for all the sponsors in saying that we are happy to have had a part in making it possible for distinguished scholars from some twelve nations to meet together and exchange ideas in one of the important areas of modern physics. We in the Foundation feel that the encouragement and support of such scientific gatherings is one of the most useful things we do.