The 1959 Gordon Photonuclear Conference is the first Gordon Conference that has been devoted mainly to problems of photonuclear physics. Although the ultimate success of this conference depends on the participants and the speakers, much credit should be given to the groups which through their support have made this conference possible.

Of course, the Gordon Research Conferences under the direction of Professor W. George Parks deserves a large share of the credit for organizing the conference facilities, handling applications, and administering funds. The Gordon Research Conferences provided a fund from which some of the participants could be supported.

Because the Photonuclear Conference involves mostly academic people and because many foreign participants attend, additional financial support was required. We were fortunate in obtaining aid from the office of Ordnance Research, the National Science Foundation, and the Office of Naval Research. The Office of Ordnance Research provided overseas transportation for about 10 participants and helped pay other expenses of these participants if requested. The National Science Foundation provided a fund which was used to pay for travel expenses of about 10 other overseas visitors. The Office of Naval Research provided requested overseas transportation for several additional visitors.

All of the conference participants, including those who did not require additional aid as well as those who did, benefit from this generous support which unquestionably improves the quality of the conference. It is a pleasure to acknowledge the role played in the Photonuclear Conference by these three government agencies, the Office of Ordnance Research, the National Science Foundation, and the Office of Naval Research.

Peter Axel & A.O. Hanson, Co-Chairs