INAUGURAL ADDRESS 31

community, promotes a productive atmosphere for progressive legisla-
tion and effective programs.

There is little question that Maryland needs fiscal reform. There is
little question that the executive branch of Maryland's State govern-
ment needs to reevaluate, revise and reform many of its administrative
functions and programs. There is no question that such reevaluation,
revision and reform will make our government more efficient and
economical. We must encourage this procedure by employing the
soundest thinking of our most creative minds. And, above all, we must
generate an atmosphere in which that creativity can flourish. For it is
the attitude that we bring to our labors that will determine the quality
of our accomplishments. It is the way we think that must always deter-
mine the way we act. Once we are successful in improving the state of
mind, we will surely be successful in improving the State of Maryland.

I speak of a new state of mind, my fellow citizens, and if it should
be given a name — let us call it the PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE.
The PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE does not promise the achievement
of perfection — but does pledge the pursuit of it. It provides a disci-
pline and a direction.

It shall be the resolve of this administration to pursue a course of
excellence in its exercise of the duties of government. Each program,
each statute, each appropriation will be measured to see that it
achieves high standards of excellence. It shall be the hallmark of the
new administration to exact excellence in program and service...
through leadership and direction.

But the pursuit of excellence cannot be the goal of the Governor
and not the Legislature, nor can it be limited to the considerations of
the General Assembly and exclude the private conscience of the in-
dividual citizen.

We have seen great decisions of state become mired in the struggles
of men to preserve personal power. And we are paying the price. Our
cities, our air and our waters reflect the price. And what tax paying
citizen will not willingly acknowledge that he, too, is paying the price?

We pay for crime when we pay too little attention to its cures. We
pay for pollution when we pay too little attention to its prevention.
We pay for overcrowded schools when we fail to build new ones; for
slums when we choose to ignore the onset of blight; for desperate and
disillusioned human beings when we fail to encourage, educate, house
and employ them.