176 ADDRESSES AND STATE PAPERS

Q. For the first time in my memory, you are putting yourself in the
area of national and international politics by going to see Governor
Rockefeller Sunday. Would you be interested in becoming Vice-Presi-
dent on the Republican ticket?

A. No, I have no ambitions to move into the national picture. As I
pointed out several times, I'm just a freshman governor trying to learn
my way around in a new area. I went into the national picture because
I think it was responsive to outlining why I felt the way I did about
the State matter that was raised.

REMARKS IN ACCEPTING NEW SPACE SCIENCES
BUILDING, UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK

April 26, 1967

Dr. Elkins, Mr. Smith, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is with the greatest honor — and most sincere humility — that
I accept the Space Sciences Building on behalf of the State of Mary-
land. I am honored that our State University has been chosen by the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration to merit this signifi-
cant investment. I am humble before this assembly of scholars and
scientists whose knowledge and skills enable us to ascend the barriers
of the earth's atmosphere and reach toward a more complete com-
prehension of the universe itself. The discipline and scope of their
mission symbolize our generation's contribution to world history and
our nation's commitment to the future.

The United States itself is but the realization of a past civilization's
faith in the future, adventuresome knowledge, and confidence that
exploration of the unknown balanced the tremendous risk and in-
vestment with commensurate reward. The outcome of the explorations
of Columbus and de Soto, Magellan and Coronado, Drake and Hudson
brought not only new knowledge and new wealth to the Old World
but stimulated the growth of new thought and philosophy, which be-
came the foundation of a new world and our democratic society.

America has been a nation of frontiersmen. Our history reflects
the challenges of conquering new frontiers, taming natural resources
and civilizing vast spaces. The research which will be pursued in the
new Space Sciences Building is but another link in this great tradition.