of the State, and particularly to the people who live and work in that
area, and therefore of significance to our whole economy. It merits
your support. I am sure it will receive it.

ADDRESS, NURSES' COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, BALTIMORE

September 15, 1964

Dr. Elkins, Dean Gipe, members of the graduating class of practical
nurses, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:

I am highly honored, I assure you, to be here with you this after-
noon at this commencement ceremony for the largest graduating class
of practical nurses in the history of the School of Nursing of the Uni-
versity of Maryland. Since I have been Governor of the State, I have
watched with great pride and satisfaction the growth and improvement
of the University of Maryland, and it is always a pleasure to me to
take part in its activities. To you young ladies who have completed
the course in practical nursing which the University offers I extend
my hearty congratulations and my sincere best wishes for happiness
and success in the careers you have chosen.

The field of endeavor which you have selected is not only an inter-
esting one but it is also a highly important one. You have been trained
in one of the finest schools of nursing in the entire country and there-
fore you have the satisfaction of knowing you are well prepared to
perform the important duties of a practical nurse. I have observed
the continuing development of this School of Nursing, and I am in-
tensely pleased that the University of Maryland has assumed the
leadership in this State in giving recognition to the need for training
practical nurses to rehabilitate patients with long-term and chronic
diseases.

My concern with the problems of elderly people, and my efforts to
develop a State program for the solution of these problems, I consider
a high point of my Administration. The very first bill that I signed
into law, at the 1959 session of the General Assembly, was a measure
creating a State agency to coordinate the activities of various organi-
zations which are working to enhance the lives of our older citizens.
In my own lifetime, I have seen the world move forward from the
horse and buggy to high-speed travel over land and in the air, and

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