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I am willing to pledge myself that if the time should ever come that the voluntary agencies of the country together with the local and state governments are unable to find resources with which to prevent hunger and suffering ... I will ask the aid of every resource of the Federal Government.... I have the faith in the American people that such a day will not come.

Herbert Hoover#40

PoliticsHooverFaithSafety

About this quote

What does it mean?
Federal aid is a last resort after local and voluntary agencies fail to prevent suffering.
In plain terms
The federal government will help only if local groups and charities cannot stop suffering.
What can you take from it?
Use federal aid only as a final backup for relief.

Where it applies

  • national emergencies
  • famine
  • mass unemployment

Putting it to work

  • strengthen local capacity
  • plan federal backups
  • trust communities

Questions to consider

  • When is the line crossed for federal help?
  • Do we trust communities too much?

Another view

Waiting for total failure might delay necessary help.

More from Herbert Hoover

  1. The basis of successful relief in national distress is to mobilize and organize the infinite number of agencies of self help in the community. That has been th…

    Permalink to quote #39
  2. Our tasks are definite. The first to see that no man, woman, or child shall go hungry or unsheltered through the approaching winter. The second is to see that …

    Permalink to quote #41
  3. As a nation we must prevent hunger and cold to those of our people who are in honest difficulties.

    Permalink to quote #38

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