Transportation has always been the key to progress. Mary-
land's strategic location has enabled her to serve as the hub of
the transportation network linking north and south along the
Eastern Seaboard. The Port of Baltimore, one of the world's
busiest sea terminals, and Friendship International Airport
have given the State a prominent role in international com-
merce.

For the average citizen, however, transportation means high-
ways. And highway construction was a major undertaking of
Governor Tawes' Administration. During his eight years in
office, more than a half-billion dollars was expended on road
construction, and nearly 1, 500 miles of highways were built or
renovated. Some 350 miles of interstate highways either were
built or under construction, including beltways around Balti-
more and Washington. In Western Maryland, work was begun
on the Appalachian freeway designed to connect Washington,
Allegany and Garrett counties with the industrial Ohio River
Valley to the West. New highway construction in every part
of the State was tied to the Governor's program of future
economic development.

ADDRESS, MARYLAND HIGHWAYS
CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION

BALTIMORE

February 11, 1963

It is a genuine pleasure for me to be with the Maryland Highways
Contractors Association again this year. Indeed, this is a meeting I
have always looked forward to for many reasons, not the least of which
is the opportunity to be able to talk with you about Maryland's high-
ways. Through my years of public service, I have seen this group grow
from modest beginnings into the truly representative and active organ-
ization that it is today. Therefore, please accept my congratulations on
starting your thirty-first year of corporate activity.

I was genuinely pleased to note that you have honored the nine living
past presidents of the Maryland Highways Contractors Association. I
was pleased officially and I was pleased personally because of the number

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