this beautiful resort park and the charming cottages to which we have
been assigned, all overlooking vast and scenic Kentucky Lake, our
brief stay here is sure to be delightful and rewarding.

May I say, for myself, that it is a great pleasure and a high honor to
serve as Chairman of the Southern Governor's Conference in its thirty-
second year. As you may know, I am the oldest Governor, not only of
this group but of all the states of our union. And I consider this to
be the capstone, both to my eight years of enjoyable and rewarding
association with the Governors of our Southland, and also to my long
career in politics and public service — a career which, incidentally,
stretches back over nearly four decades. With some of the others of
you here, I shall be leaving the Office of Governor within a few
months, having concluded my second and final four-year term as the
Chief Executive of the State of Maryland. As much as anything else,
I shall miss the close association I have enjoyed with the Governors of
these seventeen southern states. I have a feeling that we have accom-
plished much in our joint undertakings. It certainly has been one of
the most pleasurable experiences of my life.

I am told that when Vice-President Humphrey was here a few weeks
ago, he referred to this area of Western Kentucky as "Barkley Country, "
expressing his delight at being back here. I think we are all conscious
of being in "Barkley Country" and are moved by the thought that
this beautiful land produced one of Kentucky's greatest sons and one
of the most eminent of the American statesmen of this century.

I know I speak for this entire assemblage of Governors in compli-
menting Governor Breathitt in the selection of this spectacular setting
for our meetings. For me and my family, it is always a rich experience
to return to Kentucky. With each visit, I observe the giant strides that
are being taken in the development of the great commonwealth,
especially in the growth of tourism and the building of new industry.

Kentucky's State Park System has gained the spotlight of national
attention, and its resort parks have been described by renowned travel
writers and editors as the best in the Nation. If Kentucky Dam Village
State Park is representative of others in the park system, then truly it
must be said that Kentucky has earned the plaudits it has received.
As you know, we are scheduled to see, while we are here, another of
Kentucky's "showcase parks"—Kenland State Park—and to tour the
vast and famed "land between the lakes" national recreation area—
between Kentucky Lake and its twin Lake Barkley.

Kentucky, I am advised, has doubled its tourist business in a single