484 ADDRESSES AND STATE PAPERS

merce in developing and sponsoring this program certainly is welcome
and merits our recognition and gratitude.

Finally, the opportunities in foreign trade command a special wel-
come. Expansion of our export business is lucrative for private in-
dustry, vital for our State and critical for our nation.

One popular and prevailing theory of history emphasizes the rela-
tionship of each civilization's evaluation and each community's de-
velopment to its particular geography. Certainly, Maryland's prog-
ress has been greatly due to its navigable waterways and fine harbors.
These are our finest natural economic resources, ones which can
serve twentieth century entrepreneurs even more profitably than they
did eighteenth and nineteenth century merchants.

Right now the port of Baltimore does a thriving business in inter-
national trade. Yet we, in Maryland, are both literally and figuratively
missing the boat when we let more goods flow in than out. Increased
economic activity resulting from increased foreign export trade will
provide more job opportunities for our workers. Our industry, our
agriculture, our mining, mills and factories will profit. Our ports,
steamship lines and airlines will benefit from handling increased ex-
port traffic.

Most important of all, this export emphasis will improve our na-
tional balance of payments. If we could increase our nation's exports
by ten percent, we would solve our balance of payments problem.
This is essential to sustain our defense commitments abroad and to
maintain our national security at home.

Thus, as representatives of Maryland's great enterprises, I bid you
welcome; and I urge you to welcome this opportunity to expand your
businesses through foreign trade. You will gain as individuals through
increased profits, you will gain as Marylanders by generating a more
viable State economy, and you will gain as Americans by simulta-
neously assuring national security and economic stability.

MESSAGE AT DEDICATION OF FORT MARTIN POWER

STATION, MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA
(Presented by Russell H. McCain of the Governor's Staff)

October 19, 1967

1 genuinely regret that I am unable to be with you today due to the
National Governors' Conference, but I have requested my personal
representative, Mr. Russell H. McCain, to convey my congratulations