it is homecoming to us wherever we travel and whatever community we
visit on this delightful peninsula. All of us who were born, brought up
or who have lived for any great length of time in this section of our State
know what a feeling of elation it gives us to contemplate its rich tradi-
tions, the glorious role it has played in the history of our State and our
nation and the abundant contribution it has made to the civilization
we enjoy.

I am particularly gratified to have this opportunity today to come
here to salute the citizens of the town of Hurlock and to congratulate
them on the accomplishment of a splendid community project. This
medical center which we are dedicating here today, brought to fruition
by neighbors working hand-in-hand in a joint enterprise, is a monument
to the spirit of community responsibility which is so characteristic of
the people of the Eastern shore.

It is a mark, too, of the progressive, forward-looking attitude of the
people of this town who, proud of their own heritage, have shown a
determination to enrich further the heritage of their children and their
children's children. As responsible citizens, you were concerned with
the health of your community. And so, you erected this building for the
care of the sick and the healing of the wounded. I can think of no
better measure, no fairer yardstick, of a community's enlightenment
than the efforts it expends for the health of its citizens....

This medical center was conceived, planned and executed by the
people of Hurlock. It is the people's project and the people are proud
of it. Your mayor and your town council saw a great need for a facility
such as this for the protection of the health of the community. As
devoted and energetic public officials, they took the initiative and pro-
posed that a medical center be built, financed by funds of the com-
munity. The people of Hurlock accepted the challenge, rallied to the
cause and voted in a referendum to finance the project....

The Center's growth, expansion and improvement as time goes on is
a foregone conclusion. I predict that it will become the very center of
the community life of this town. I know it is, and will continue to be,
one of the finest of your community assets. You are proud of your
handiwork, and, as your Governor and your friend, I am proud of you
for having achieved it.

Benjamin Disraeli, the illustrious British Prime Minister who directed
the great empire for Queen Victoria, had this to say of public health:
"The health of the people, " he said, "is really the foundation upon
which all their happiness and all their powers as a state depend. "....

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