As the peoples of all the peace-loving nations of the world were mourning the sudden passing of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, thirty-first President of the United States, the Governing Board of the Pan American Union met in solemn and sorrowing session to pay him a final tribute of homage and respect.

The meeting took place in the Governing Board room of the Pan American Union at noon on April 14, Pan American Day. Ordinarily, on Pan American Day each year the flags of the twenty-one American Republics fly gaily from their standards at the edge of the plaza in front of the Union. This year only one flag flew the Stars and Stripes, at half mast, in honor of the man who gave name, impetus, and vigorous life to the Good Neighbor Policy that since 1933 has so firmly planted the seeds of friendship, understanding, good will, and cooperation. among the nations of America.

The Governing Board meeting, under the chairmanship of the Honorable Edward R. Stettinius, Jr., Secretary of State of the United States, was opened by the following remarks of His Excellency Carlos Martins, Ambassador of Brazil and Vice Chairman of the Board:

"For the Pan American Union this meeting is particularly tragic, since it is called to take official cognizance of the death of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

"The world has suffered an irreparable loss, but the passing of this great leader is especially tragic for us in the Americas. Under his influence the Pan American Union has had its most brilliant and most constructive days. We are all aware what an inestimable heritage was bestowed on the Union of American Republics by the declaration of the Good Neighbor Policy, of which Roosevelt was the originator and guiding spirit. Humanity has received from him the su

preme sacrifice; he has laid down his own life in the holocaust to approaching Victory and to the realization of his great dream of the universal peace that the United Nations, inspired by his magnificent example, will build at San Francisco.

"A citizen of the Americas, Franklin Delano Roosevelt leaves in this suffering world a chasm that we in the Americas are called upon to fill, with God's help, in order to create a world of justice, liberty, and harmony-his highest ideal."

The Ambassador then offered for the Board's consideration the following resolution, which was unanimously approved: WHEREAS:

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, through his notable contributions to the cause of inter-American understanding, was considered a citizen not only of the United States but of all the Americas;

His death is an irreparable loss to all the nations of the Continent; and

The Good Neighbor Policy, enunciated by President Roosevelt in his first inaugural address and effectively practiced throughout the twelve years of his administration, has become a basic principle of inter-American relations,

The Governing Board of the Pan American Union

RESOLVES:

1. To record the profound grief of the members of the Board at the death of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, humanitarian, statesman, internationalist.

2. To pay tribute to his memorable contributions to the cause of interAmerican understanding, which will ever remain a monument to his genius and a beacon to future generations.

3. To request the Director General to transmit a copy of this resolution to the Government of the United States and to the family of President Roosevelt.

Mr. Stettinius, in a voice tinged with the emotion which all present were feeling, responded in these words:

"The people of the United States will be grateful for this expression of tribute to Franklin Delano Roosevelt by the Representatives of the American Republics here assembled. They will be strengthened by this assurance that the people of all our neighbor republics share so intimately in their sorrow and their sense of loss.

"I now have the honor to read to you a message from President Truman.

MY DEAR MR. SECRETARY:

Will you please convey to the Governing Board of the Pan American Union my deep appreciation of the tribute being rendered to Franklin D. Roosevelt at the special session of the Board called in his memory and my regret that I cannot myself be present.

President Roosevelt had prepared a message to the Pan American Union on the occasion of Pan American Day. Since it was his intention that it be read on this day, I send it to you. To the purposes and beliefs which he stated in this message and to the Good Neighbor policy of which he was the author, I wholeheartedly subscribe.

I am certain that the bond of a cherished memory will give new strength to the friendship of the Americas.

Very sincerely yours,

HARRY S. TRUMAN

President of the United States

"This is the message which was prepared by President Roosevelt:

Once more the American Republics have demonstrated both their unity of purpose and their capacity for effec tive cooperation to maintain the se