ASSATEAGUE ISLAND

September 25, 1964

It is good to be with my good neighbors of Worcester County who
are marking an accomplishment made possible by a splendid example
of cooperation between State and county government.

It always has been the philosophy of this Administration that a
strong county helps make a strong State. In this instance, the As-
sateague Island Bridge, desired for many years by Worcester County
as a means of strengthening the county, was built with State and
county planning, with State and county administration and with State
and county funds. So, today we mark this accomplishment with pride
in what has been done and hope for what remains to be done.

Assateague Island is perhaps one of the finest ocean beaches in our
nation. It offers tremendous opportunity for seashore recreation and
living. In an effort to see how important this island is to the State of
Maryland, I would ask you to look at population figures. The Maryland-
District of Columbia complex is growing rapidly as are most urban
regions throughout the country. These urban regions have the jobs.
The beach and rural areas have the space for recreation, the recreation
that these millions seek.

Right now, Maryland has only eight miles of accessible ocean beach
front. Scarcely enough for the thousands upon thousands who seek
ocean recreation now and for the many more thousands upon thou-
sands who will seek it in the future. With Assateague Island adding
about 22 additional miles to our accessible beachfront, we are taking
full advantage of our potential. But, this island does little without
accessibility. In the past, it was possible to count the number of
people who came here on a summer's day on your fingers. Mile upon
mile of golden sand and furrowing surf was unaccessible to our people.
Today, that has changed. This 1, 640-foot bridge now makes Assa-
teague a part of Maryland.

To whatever use it is put, this island adds immeasurably to the
recreational potential of Maryland. It is an additional drawing card
for tourists, and with more and more leisure time available to the
workers in the urban regions, tourism is becoming a bigger and bigger
business. Maryland will be able to accommodate those thousands upon
thousands of future generations.

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