noted for its production and distribution of seafood, including oysters,
clams and crabmeat. It is also a major producer of milk and dairy
products and agricultural commodities and has one of the largest
canning industries in the country. And so, we in Maryland have a deep
appreciation of the value of the food and drug laws and of the agency
which enforces them—the Food and Drug Administration.

The vigilance the Agency exercises to assure the purity of the food
we consume and the drugs we use is a service of great value not only
to the consuming public but to the producers as well. None of us
could conceive of a society in which the processing and distribution of
food and drugs is left unregulated and uncontrolled.

The Food and Drug Administration, which is now a part of the
United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare, has
worked very closely over the years with departments and agencies of
the State and local governments in protecting our people against
adulterated or misbranded food, drugs, cosmetics and devices. For
example, our State Department of Health is also concerned with the
adequate protection of the public from the sale of impure or mis-
branded foods. From all the accounts I have received, our Department
and the Food and Drug Administration enjoy the very closest relation-
ship in their joint undertaking. Likewise, in the examination of farm
products for quality and purity, the Food and Drug Administration
works closely with our State agricultural authorities. And in a joint
effort to curb the illegal sale of dangerous and habit forming drugs,
this district of the Food and Drug Administration operates in concert
with our State Police and with the police in the local communities.

There are many other examples of the active cooperation of federal,
State and local agencies for the public protection, such as providing
training in laboratory techniques for the determination of pesticide
residue and food additives and in maintaining joint training schools
for sanitarians. And the Food and Drug Administration also maintains
a close cooperation with State and local Civil Defense agencies in pre-
paring plans and taking part in exercises for public protection in case
of emergency attacks or natural disasters. Following the devastating
storm of March, 1962, I recall having received a report of the coopera-
tion of agents of the Food and Drug Administration in the efforts of
State and Local authorities to clean up the damage to food stocks in
the coastal areas of Maryland.

We of Maryland of course are most grateful for the assistance and
the advice we have received in the past from the Food and Drug

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