CIVIL DEFENSE

In keeping with his interest in all aspects of public safety,
Governor Tawes worked toward making Maryland's civil
defense program one of the nation's best. He gave consider-
able time and attention to the problem of survival of the
State's people and their government in the event of an
enemy attack.

During his first term, the State Constitution was amended
to provide for the orderly succession of government; the
State Civil Defense Control Center was opened at Pikesville,
and additional State funds were made available to assist
local communities in the construction of fall-out shelters
and in other civil defense activities. In addition, the State
Civil Defense Agency was reorganized and its role as con-
sultant to local civil defense groups was strengthened.

ADDRESS, DEDICATION OF STATE CIVIL DEFENSE
CONTROL CENTER

PIKESVILLE
March 29, 1960

First let me tell you how happy I am to meet with the Maryland
civil defense family. In this family I include all our city and county
civil defense officials, the staff of the Maryland Civil Defense Agency
and the officials of the Maryland State departments who also play a
vital role in civil defense planning and operation.

To Governor Hoegh and the officialdom of the Office of Civil and
Defense Mobilization a warm welcome to Maryland and to the Mary-
land Civil Defense Control Center which we dedicate tonight with
great pride. If you will allow a pun, I would like to say that this is
one concrete example of civil defense progress in our great State.
When I say concrete I know whereof I speak, for some 2, 370 cubic
yards of concrete were used in the construction of this building.

All of you, I am sure, are aware of my great interest in die public
safety. As a matter of fact, one of my principal aims since taking
office is to improve the safety forces of our State. But even long before
I became Governor I think most of you knew of my interest in the
fire service of our State.

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