Recommendations of the President's Committee on Mental Retardation to encourage collaboration among government, voluntary, individual, community, and private sector efforts are reported in this publication which presents a historical review of the Committee from 1966 through 1986. The background and establishment of the Committee are discussed in the first section, covering appointment of a panel (1961), a national advertising and awareness campaign (1963), a White House Conference (1963), and major legislation for mental retardation planning, program development, and construction (1963). The Committee's initial work (1966-1972) is described in the second section, including information on early leaders, major publications, concern for native Americans, goal setting, and the legal rights movement. The work of the Committee from 1973-1980 is discussed in the third section, covering such areas as White House activities, emphasis on community programs, and prevention of mental retardation. The Committee's current activities are discussed in the final section, including formation of a new committee, addressing rights of mentally retarded persons, and sponsoring activities concerned with the prevention of mental retardation. Appendices present: a list of members of the President's Panel on Mental Retardation; a list of vice chairpersons and executive directors; the executive order establishing the President's Committee on Mental Retardation; statement of goals and accomplishments; a list of committee members; and lists of annual reports and other publications of the committee. (CB)