April 26 If all that Americans want is security, they can go to prison. Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th President, 1953-1961- From a speech to the Galveston Lunch groups December 8, 1949, as President of Columbia University.- Eisenhower speaks here to civic leaders as a post World War II hero and potential candidate for President of the United States. He was honored in Galveston as a great American and a great Texan. Eisenhower was born in Texas, but grew up in Abilene, Kansas, where his Presidential Library is located. Although, he was leader of the multinational war effort, in which mass production of weapons and equipment propelled the United States to great influence and prosperity, Eisenhower often warned of too much governmental authority and control..."If all that Americans want out of life is security, the easiest means to gain this end, is to commit some offense and go to prison. You will never have to worry, you will get enough to eat, you will have a pretty fair bed, and you will get along alright. But fundamentally if an American desires to preserve his freedom, his dignity and equality as a human being, he must not bow his neck to any centralized government." Eisenhower is not speaking about "bowing" to foreign governments, but to our own. He further states, "Vote in every election from school board or precinct chairman upward. In doing your duty as we understand it, with the determination to preserve your freedoms, the American people will never lose it". After the luncheon, he greeted the District champion Galveston Ball High School football team and then visited the new American Legion Hall and greeted the veterans there and subsequently went quail hunting at the end of his trip.