sourcefulness of all segments of our society — of government at federal,
State and local levels; of private institutions and organizations; of
individual citizens. The privately owned and operated nursing homes
which are represented here this evening afford as good as example as
I know of the role private institutions can and do play in this common
undertaking. You have cooperated with us in State government mag-
nificently, and, on behalf of all the people of Maryland, let me ap-
plaud your fine sense of public responsibility.

It has been my pleasure this year to designate, by executive proc-
lamation, this week — the week of July 7-13 — as "Maryland Nursing
Home Week. " In this proclamation, I have noted that geriatric care
is of primary public significance — is a principal unsolved public issue
of concern to private groups and all levels of government. I have noted,
also, that our State, with its efficient and effective system of licensing
and supervision, has attained a position of leadership among the
states in the maintenance of high standards in nursing home care, and
that this Association, through its efforts to promote the very highest
ethical standards and practices, deserves much of the credit for this
achievement. And finally, I have asked that all individuals and groups
in the State make an effort to become better acquainted with the
ever-increasing importance of nursing homes in our society.

It was deeply gratifying to me to learn that this Association, in
conjunction with the National Association and the American Medical
Association, has established a system of nursing-home accreditation,
patterned after the system of hospital accreditation. This system not
only will provide the public with a yardstick to measure the merits
of these institutions, but in general will serve to upgrade the standards
of nursing-home care in our State. The inauguration of this program
of accreditation marks a significant step forward in our effort to en-
hance the happiness and well-being of our senior citizens, and your
organization merits the very highest praise for the accomplishment.

As I have said to this group before, it has been a source of profound
satisfaction to me to have been identified rather closely with the move-
ment in Maryland to embellish the "golden age" of so many of our
Maryland citizens. It is a source of great satisfaction to me to have
had a part in the creation of the first State agency whose function is
to co-ordinate the various programs for the betterment of our senior
citizens. I am pleased to report to you that this Commission on the
Problems of the Aging continues to make progress in this field.

As I suggested in the beginning, the problem of adequate care and
treatment of our older people is a continuing one. And though much

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