You will forgive me if, as I stand before you today, I take a moment
to look back with some pride and satisfaction on a date now three
and a half years in the past. It was on that date — May 20, 1960 —
that the first Conference of the Appalachian Governors was held in
Annapolis at my invitation. May I for a moment quote from the
remarks which — in my capacity as host — I used to open that Con-
ference.

I said at that time: "Efforts to help find a solution to the problems
of the Appalachian region have, up to now, come from one or an-
other of three different sources — the individual states, the federal
government, or private groups. All of these have been doing excellent
work, but it seems to me they would be able to function more effec-
tively if the states that comprise the entire Appalachian region get
together and give a visible and forceful demonstration of their
united concern.... "

"I believe, " — I went on to say — "that the time is ripe for the
launching of some forceful interstate action in regard to the pressing
problems of the Appalachian region, and I am most hopeful that this
Conference will be the seedbed out of which will grow a new aware-
ness of our obligations to the mountain areas of our states. "

That was three and a half years ago, and I think we are justified
in saying that the "new regional awareness' of which I then spoke has
indeed grown and developed to the point which has made today's
gathering possible. That "regional awareness" has been fostered first
through the establishment of the Conference of Appalachian Gover-
nors as a permanent body, and secondly through the interest which
President Kennedy has shown in the conference and his decision to
use the conference as a partner in the development of federal plans
for the Appalachian region.

In looking back over the period between today and that first meet-
ing at Annapolis I feel a deep sense of obligation and appreciation
for the devoted and dedicated efforts which so many have given to
this project. John Whisman of Kentucky, George Stevens of North
Carolina, Harlan Matthews of Tennessee, and Governor Barron of
West Virginia are some of the names that come to mind, I am grate-
ful, too, for the guidance and council that has been given to me and
to the Governor's Conference by Harry Boswell of our State who
served as the first chairman of the staff committee and who has
worked so hard on such Appalachian problems as Area Redevelop-
ment and highway planning. Lastly, I cannot forget the invaluable
contribution which has been made by Bert Combs, the brilliant

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