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I also would like to comment on the ques-
tion of draftsmanship. It would seem to
me more appropriate that section 1 would
be a general statement of educational policy
throughout the State, and that sections 4
and 5 would be held to more specific areas;
and for that reason, and on the substantive
questions presented, I would respectfully
urge the Committee to reject this amend-
ment.
THE CHAIRMAN: We now enter the
period of uncontrolled but limited debate.
Are there any amendments to the amend-
ment to be submitted? It Delegate Kirk-
land in the room?
Does any other delegate desire to speak
in favor of the amendment? Delegate
Kirkland, did you have an amendment to
the amendment to submit?
DELEGATE KIRKLAND: The next one.
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate Key, do
you desire to speak in favor of the amend-
ment?
DELEGATE KEY: Yes.
THE CHAIRMAN: You may proceed.
DELEGATE KEY: Mr. Chairman and
fellow delegates, I would like to set the
record straight a little bit. I think I have
enough children in the school system to
make up for all of the other members on
the Minority Report, and to go a step fur-
ther, I think my children are more de-
pendent on this public school system than
anybody else's children in this room, defy-
ing any of you to say otherwise. There
are three things that a parent wants to
give his children: financial security, a good
education, and social contacts. My kids
have two strikes against them. I haven't
any money, and I do not have any social
background, and I am dependent on you to
give them a good education.
Now, getting to this Majority Report,
Mr. Kirkland made the statement that the
burden of proof is on those who do not
urge change. Well, he is not urging change
when he states in the first sentence on
page 2, "composed of members represent-
ing geographic areas."
In the personal rights section of this
constitution we just erased not recognizing
the needs of all people of our State, and
yet we are going to come back in general
provisions 6 and limit recognition for edu-
cational need to people in geographic areas.
I say to you that the diversity in Mary-
land is far beyond Appalachia and the
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shore, but it goes to economic differences,
racial differences, occupational and profes-
sional differences. There are many things
that a governor who wants to have a good
school board must consider that far more
outweight geography and land area. We
are talking about people. We are talking
about that educational system that my five
children, ages one to eight, are dependent
on, and I do not want any inflexible system
to education them. Thank you.
(Applause.)
THE CHAIRMAN: Does any other dele-
gate desire to speak in opposition to the
amendment?
(There was no response.)
Does any other delegate desire to speak
in favor of the amendment?
(There was no response.)
Are you ready for the question?
(Call for the question.)
The Clerk will ring the quorum bell.
The question arises on the adoption of
Amendment No. 1 to Committee Recommen-
dation GP-6.
A vote Aye is a vote in favor of Amend-
ment No. 1. A vote No is a vote against.
Cast your votes.
Has every delegate voted? Does any dele-
gate desire to change his vote?
(There was no response.)
The Clerk will record the vote.
There being 107 votes in the affirmative
and 16 in the negative, the motion carries.
The amendment is adopted.
Are there any further amendments to
section 1? The Chair has none.
Are there any further amendments?
Delegate Wheatley.
DELEGATE WHEATLEY: Mr. Chair-
man, I believe there are amendments being
prepared. May we move to section 2?
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate Wheatley,
I have just received an amendment, BQ. Is
this the one you are speaking of?
DELEGATE KIRKLAND: This is the
one.
THE CHAIRMAN: Is amendment BQ
the one you are speaking of?
DELEGATE WHEATLEY: Yes, Mr.
Chairman.
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