STATEMENT AS GOVERNOR-ELECT 15

A. I wouldn't want to assign priorities to the other programs because,
honestly, I haven't really had a chance to sit down and make that
decision. One program may be more important than another one, and
yet may not lend itself to time scheduling for this year—which would
mean that it would take a lesser priority in the coming year.

STATEMENT AS GOVERNOR-ELECT ON ESTABLISHING

LEGISLATIVE-EXECUTIVE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

ON HUMAN RIGHTS

January 16, 1967

In the 1967 session of the Legislature opening Wednesday, we have
an obligation to take both remedial and forward looking steps to bring
about the fulfillment of freedom and opportunity for all of the citizens
of Maryland.

There remains a gap between the degree of freedom now possessed
by some of our citizens, and the attainment of freedom, equivalent to
that enjoyed by the rest of our citizens.

But there also remains the need to explore for new ideas that give
the concept of freedom meaning in terms of opportunity.

How we measure up to our opportunities is our individual re-
sponsibility, but in fulfilling our opportunities we all are entitled to
the same standing and to the same status.

It is, then, to reinforce our freedoms and broaden our opportunities
that I am establishing an Advisory Committee on Human Rights to
serve on a consultative basis to the legislative and executive branches
of our State government.

The function of this committee is to evaluate and analyze pending
legislation as well as to develop and recommend new legislation in the
field of human rights. It is to perform both an analytical and a cre-
ative role in its deliberations.

Not only should it focus on the rights of the individual in our
society, but it also should concentrate on his problems in our urban,
suburban and rural environments. It should encompass in its consid-
erations the questions of education, public accommodations, employ-
ment and housing.