APPALACHIAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Governor Tawes saw his concept of a regional attack on
the economic problems of the Appalachian region brought to
fruition during his second term. The creation by Congress in
1965 of the Appalachian Regional Commission represented
the federal-state-regional approach advocated by the Governor
when he convened the first Conference of Appalachian Gover-
nors at Annapolis in May, 1960. During hearings on the pro-
posed legislation in 1964 and 1965, he appeared before Con-
gressional committees to offer strong supportive arguments.

The economic rehabilitation of Western Maryland's Ap-
palachian counties was a major objective of the State's eco-
nomic development programs. But the Governor was con-
vinced that only through the cooperation of all the states in
the region could real progress be made. Toward that end, he
urged a massive road-building program to open up the region
to commerce and travel as the first step. "Isolation, " he said,
was "the curse of Appalachia. "

After its first year of operation, observers were agreed that
the Appalachian program was proceeding successfully. In
recognition of his role as a leader in the development of this
unique program, his fellow Appalachian governors in 1966
elected Governor Tawes as State Co-Chairman of the Com-
mission.

REMARKS, PRESIDENT'S APPALACHIAN REGIONAL
COMMISSION CONFERENCE

HAGERSTOWN

November 22, 1963

Ladies and gentlemen, Secretary Roosevelt, Governor Lane, repre-
sentative of the federal and state governments and friends and neigh-
bors from Western Maryland:

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you here today to this con-
ference of the President's Appalachian Regional Commission. I know
from looking at Mr. Sweeney's memorandum and other documents,
that you have much to discuss and review here in this one-day session,
so I will make my remarks brief.

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