OCEAN CITY CONVENTION HALL 849

days ago that amount was decreased by somewhere to the tune of
$35 million. This is a sudden reduction of the magnitude that makes
it very doubtful that the proper degree of expertness was exercised
by those who were putting those figures together. You can draw your
own conclusions about who's at fault.

REMARKS AT GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONIES FOR
OCEAN CITY CONVENTION HALL

(Read by C. Stanley Blair, Secretary of State of Maryland)
June 7, 1968

I regret that I am unable to be here today to participate personally
in this historic ceremony and to join in the applause for the many
dedicated leaders who have brought reality to the long-dreamed-of
Ocean City Convention Hall. Today marks the culmination of a great
effort by a community whose dedication translated desire into deed.
I send my congratulations to all responsible for this moment. A de-
cade of persistence of thought, energy and imaginative involvement
by many individuals has brought us to this ceremony and this is
really what we celebrate today.

With the turning of the soil, a multimillion dollar Convention Hall
is under way. This symbolizes the success of one great effort and the
beginning of an even greater one. This Convention Hall can be the
catalyst to change Ocean City into a year-round resort, to make Ocean
City a truly national tourist mecca. The Hall can hold a convention
crowd numbering 3500. It can serve a banquet dinner to 1500 guests.
It can be a concert hall or sports arena. Its potential for attracting new
business and enriching community recreation is boundless.

Now as the structure rises, the Ocean City community and its lead-
ers must go to work again. This time, the challenge is using the
Convention Hall wisely and well; winning increased convention busi-
ness and bringing the performing arts and spectator sports to Ocean
City.

The State of Maryland wishes you well. We, too, share your in-
terest and your objectives. We, too, are at work planning another
bridge to bring your consumer closer. We, too, are confident of
Ocean City's future.