appreciation I feel for the high honor you have paid me here this
evening. I accept this Menorah, this symbol of our creation, with
both elation and humility. I am elated because in a career that spans
seven decades I have never received recognition which I prize more
highly than this Simcha Award of Menorah Lodge of B'nai B'rith.
I am humble because in so many ways I feel unworthy of such a high
tribute. But I thank you nevertheless, gentlemen, from the bottom
of my heart for your kindness and your thoughtfulness, and I shall
cherish with pride this badge of honor throughout the remainder of
my life.

Anyone would be proud to be singled out for a recognition by an
organization such as B'nai B'rith, with its history of some 120 years
of selfless service to the betterment of mankind. I know of no other
service organization with a higher record of achievement. I have had
the good fortune of knowing intimately many members of your or-
ganization, and all of them I hold in the very highest respect and
esteem.

The inscription which you have placed on the award which I have
received here this evening very generously refers to my "long and
distinguished public service. " It has been a long one, certainly,
stretching back over nearly forty years. I can only hope that history
will be kind enough to me to record it as being also distinguished.
However that may be, it has been for me a pleasant and rewarding
service, and I thank my Creator for this, one of the richest of all
human blessings — the opportunity to serve my fellow man.

Some months ago, the author of a history of my home town asked
me to write a brief political autobiography, and its preparation
prompted me to indulge in reminiscences of the early days of my
political activities. Like many others, I suspect, my entry into the
arena of politics came almost by accident. It was the author of the
book I mentioned, Dr. C. E. Collins, a life-long friend, advisor and
confidant, who first stirred my interest in the political affairs of my
home city, Crisfield, and Somerset County. It was at his suggestion
that I took the post of clerk in my Crisfield polling place. That was
in 1926. Four years later, in 1930, a group of my friends in Somerset
County approached me with the suggestion that I could help the
Democratic ticket in the election of that year by becoming a candi-
date for clerk of court. I acceded to their request, entered the primary
and won and in the general election won over my Republican oppo-
nent by a narrow margin. This was the beginning of a career in the
public service that has continued until today.

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