MORGAN STATE COLLEGE 533

of his, and say something that will make us all begin to think about
planning his next testimonial dinner.

There can be no blowing of taps for Theodore McKeldin. He has
been too long here for the gold watch. He has been too important here
for the parchment or plaque. He has been too much of what we are
and what Baltimore is to simply pat him on the back and casually
inscribe him into the rolls of Social Security.

Mayor McKeldin is our social security — we learned that this sum-
mer when cities with less heat and humidity than ours exploded into
fire. Mayor McKeldin is our social progress — every glass tower of
Charles Center is a monument and every restored human being a
witness to his tenacity for building lives as well as citadels.

Mayor McKeldin, more than anything else, is our social conscience;
he never lets us forget the good of our natures or the need to express
courage and stand fast by principle.

Theodore McKeldin is one man. In terms of leadership, a tall man.
In terms of vision, a man beyond. In terms of democracy in Baltimore
City, the uncommon man.

And if this man believes himself relieved of duty and deserving of
peace, he must soon perceive the folly of that. For should he rest, we
will rouse him. Should he depart, we will bring him back. Should he
speak softly, we will command his voice to rise. With him among us,
we can build a government worthy of his inspiration... a government
young and alive and enthusiastic... a government that works and
cares and communicates... a government that seeks its destiny in
earnest... a government reflective of the light his single and awesome
energy has given it.

I ask Mayor McKeldin to quit any thought of departure from the
involvement which has been his life. The people need you. I need you
and Tommy D'Alesandro needs you too. Let us go to work together —
and again.

REMARKS AT MORGAN STATE COLLEGE
CENTENNIAL BANQUET, BALTIMORE

November 27, 1967

Tonight, we celebrate a century of success. We honor explicit
achievement in the past and find implicit inspiration for the future.

As we view Morgan State College 1967 there is little in facility or
faculty, composition or curricula to bind us to or remind us of the