Dedicated to the purpose of appraising problems in the field of mental retardation, the Conference, held in Portland, Maine, July 27-31, 1959, marked the first of its type to be held in the world. As evidence of the widespread interest, representatives from 33 foreign countries and from 40 states of this country attended. Although the Conference was primarily directed to physicians, the final session was opened to related professions. Total Conference attendance was a little over 600. A permanent committee was organized and the decision made to hold the Second International Medical Conference on Mental Retardation in Vienna, Austria, in 1961. Dr. K. Kundratitz of that city was named chairman. Other committee members appointed were: J. D. Spillane, M.D., Cardiff, Wales; H. Bickel, M.D., Marburg, Germany; H. Asperger, M.D., Innsbruck, Austria; T. Arneus, M.D., Stockholm, Sweden; S. Nielson, M.D., Copenhagen, Denmark; G. Frontali, M.D., Rome, Italy; F. Groer, M.D., Warsaw, Poland; A. Minkowski, M.D., Paris, France; A. Chattas, M.D., Cordoba, Argentina; P. Bowman, M.D., and H. Mautner, M.D., Pownal, Maine, USA.