The Iowa Interscholastic Speech Association was organized in November, 1943. It was an outgrowth of a desire on the part of many people to enlarge and expand the very splendid work in the Iowa High School Declamatory Association had done since 1887. This organization is so designed that, as time goes on and the need is felt for other types of speech activities, they may be added. While visible work of the Association is carried on through a series of contests, the fundamental philosophy of the Association has a much deeper basis. The philosophy is built upon the belief that no form of activity is any more important than that of learning to speak effectively. All true Americans believe in educational enlightenment, but the effectiveness of each enlightenment may be lost through the inability of our people to express to others their ideas and beliefs. The perpetuation of the American way of life rests to no small extent in the hands of the American school. If it can teach its students to express and defend that democracy, we need have no fear for the future of our country.