The document presents remarks from a speech given by Russell W. Peterson, Governor of Delaware and National Chairman of the Education Commission of the States (ECS), at the 1970 meetings of the American Vocational Association. In his speech, he asserts that vocational education can be a powerful tool in curing some of our major social problems of today--poverty, crime, unemployment, and unrest. He suggests that finding solutions to our social problems is a shared responsibility that cannot be laid at the doorstep of public education alone but is the responsibility of governors and public officials as well as teachers, administrators, and other members of the community. Each youngster should be put on the road that will lead him to the happiest, most productive and rewarding life possible for him in our society. In summary, Governor Peterson discusses how we can establish a national priority for vocational education, and how we can meet our educational needs. He suggests that manpower or vocational education does not have to be an "either-or" proposition, and offers ways we can go about getting effective action. (Author/LH)