INSURING LOSSES FROM DISORDERS 957

not be sitting in as Governor, as some of my critics seem to imply.
And, as I said earlier, I intend to return to the State on a regular
basis — as frequently as my schedule will permit and hopefully from
one to three days each week — to handle the matters that require my
personal attention on the scene. In no sense have I "removed" my-
self from the State.

Finally, I would like to tell you that I feel humble but proud of
the new role that your fellow Marylander has been asked to assume
in national affairs. 1 sat in a private conference yesterday with the
President of the United States, the Secretary of State, the head of the
CIA and Mr. Cyrus Vance, who flew home from the Paris peace talks
for this personal briefing for Mr. Nixon and me. I am aware of the
awesome problems and responsibilities this country faces at this hour,
abroad as well as at home. And I welcome the challenge and the
opportunity given a Marylander to articulate the views of a majority
of his State's citizens and to make his influence felt on these and other
problems.

NEWS RELEASE AND STATEMENT ON PROGRAM FOR
INSURING LOSSES FROM DISORDER

August 19, 1968

Governor Agnew today urged insurance companies doing business
in Maryland to participate in the Federal Re-insurance Program re-
cently enacted by Congress.

State legislation will be required at the next session of the General
Assembly to implement the Federal statute which is designed to pro-
tect the insurance companies from catastrophic losses resulting from
riots or civil disorders.

Many small businessmen in Baltimore found that their insurance
had been cancelled because of high risk following the April rioting.

"Although I am reluctant to see increased Federal participation
in the insurance industry, " the Governor said, "this Federal pro-
gram appears to be the only practical alternative to protect insurance
companies from tremendous losses in this situation. "

"Economic stability is of primary importance if we are to solve
the problems of the ghetto areas, " the Governor said. "It is an eco-
nomic fact of life that this stability cannot be achieved if the mer-