131

NEWS RELEASE AND STATEMENT ON QUALIFIED
CANDIDATES FOR CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

April 2, 1967

Governor Agnew called today on well qualified Maryland citizens
to offer themselves as candidates for the convention which will rewrite
the 100-year-old State Constitution this fall.

"This will be one of the most important public services that a
citizen of Maryland can perform in his lifetime, " the Governor said
in a statement.

"The opportunity sought for so long by so many to give the State
a modern, workable basic document of government has at last arrived.

"But the end result from the work that will start in Annapolis
September 12th can only be as good as the quality of the delegates
sent to achieve it.

"I urge all civic groups, professional associations, business and labor
organizations throughout Maryland to encourage their most outstand-
ing members to seek election as delegates in the special election to be
held June 13th.

"There is broad agreement among leaders of both major political
parties that this is a nonpartisan task. The convention is no place
for political hacks or hangers-on.

"It needs people who will be energetic, imaginative and devoted to
the work to be done.

"This will be a difficult, demanding, and, in some ways, a thankless
job. No one should consider serving unless he is prepared to make a
lot of sacrifices. The reward will be found in the achievement.

"Maryland has the brains and talent in communities throughout
this great State to fashion a constitution that can serve as a model for
our sister states.

"Let us see those best qualified to do the job come-forth and offer
themselves as candidates. "