pursue our own destinies, indeed, our very lives, are dependent upon
our system of law and administration of justice. The theme of the
1966 celebration is "Respect the Law — It Respects You".

We all hope and pray that the young men and young women who
will study in these halls in the years to come will be inspired to
strive for the preservation of freedom and of justice under law.

REMARKS, DEDICATION OF BALTIMORE JUNIOR
COLLEGE, BALTIMORE

May 4, 1966

Dr. Bard, Mayor McKeldin, members of the faculty and of the ad-
ministration and students of Baltimore Junior College, distinguished
guests, ladies and gentlemen:

I want to express my thanks, at the outset, to Dr. Bard and to
the administrative officers and faculty of the Baltimore Junior College
for inviting me to attend this ceremony at which we dedicate this
imposing new center of learning. Observing die progress we have
made in Maryland in the education of our youth has been one of
the most satisfying experiences I have had as Governor, and this
splendid new campus affords an excellent example of the advances
we have made in the area of public higher education.

The community college movement is one of the most significant
developments in education that has occurred in our country since
World War II, in Maryland and elsewhere in the nation, and Bal-
timore Junior College is one of the pioneers of the movement here
in our State. The junior college programs were begun in Maryland
as early as 1935, but it was not until 1961 that the General Assem-
bly, in a bill passed that year, recognized the community college as
a legal entity, provide for its administrative structure, clarified the
basis for the State's contribution to financing it and set forth its
purposes.

From the office of chief executive of the State, I have had the good
fortune of observing the community college movement in Maryland
in the period of its greatest growth. In 1961, the year of the enact-
ment of the community college measure which I referred to, the
appropriation of the State for the support of the community colleges
totaled $431, 550. In the budget which I submitted, and which the

252