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(Whereupon, the motion was duly
seconded.)
THE PRESIDENT: The amendment is
seconded.
The Chair recognizes Delegate Key to
speak to the motion to reconsider. Please
keep in mind this is a motion to reconsider
the vote by which Amendment No. 1 was
adopted by a vote of fifty-nine to fifty-
six. On the motion you are privileged to
speak not only on the motion to reconsider,
but on the main question. We have been
following the policy of doing so in order
to save time.
Delegate Key.
DELEGATE KEY: Mr. President and
ladies and gentlemen, I would like to recon-
sider the vote by which the words "eco-
nomic opportunity" were added to the pre-
amble of the constitution that we are now
drafting for two reasons.
First of all, let me say that I guess I am
more in need of economic opportunity than
anybody else. I hate to keen reminding you
of that, but I do represent the most eco-
nomically deprived area in Baltimore City
stated statistically by the Department of
Health.
But, first of all, we have not in this Con-
vention been willing to put in the body of
the constitution any reference to economic
opportunity and this is where it has
meaning.
My second reason for wanting to recon-
sider is because it has already been stated
in the preamble, and I see no reason to re-
state what has already been stated. If you
refer to your preamble, we have here
stated that all government is instituted to
secure peoples' right to life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness. Now, according to
my dictionary which I keep over here be-
cause not being a lawyer I have to refer
to it quite often, it says:
Life is defined as livelihood and liveli-
hood is means of support or subsistence
which, I think, we all would consider eco-
nomic opportunity.
Liberty is defined as the positive enjoy-
ment of various social, political, or eco-
nomic rights and privileges.
Happiness, in pursuit of happiness, is
defined as a state of well being and con-
tentment, good fortune, and prosperity. I
think the words "economic opportunity"
are aiming at all of these, but I think the
phrase "right to life, liberty, and pursuit
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of happiness" says it more adequately than
"economic opportunity" ever could.
THE PRESIDENT: Any other delegate
desire to speak?
Delegate Kiefer.
DELEGATE KIEFER: Mr. President, I
think I ought to yield to Delegate Roger.
It was his amendment.
THE PRESIDENT: Delegate Gill.
DELEGATE GILL: Mr. President and
fellow delegates, of course, Delegate Key's
amendment to reconsider comes as a sur-
prise to me. When the original proposal
came to include it in the main body of
rights, it seemed to me then even though
I voted for it, it would be something hard
to attain, but worthwhile if it were pos-
sible, so I voted for it.
After talking with Delegate Koger for
several days, we decided that it really
would fit well in the preamble because it is
an ideal philosophy of life. It is something
that all of the people in Maryland need,
whether they are white or black or yellow
or any other color or whether they are rich
or poor or whether they are advantaged or
disadvantaged. It is an equal opportunity
whether you live in the mountains, whether
you live in the city, whether you live on
the seashore, or whether you live in south-
ern Maryland.
Let us all aim to have that equal chance
whether we can actually attain it or not,
and that is why I believe it should be in
the preamble. I was very proud when it
won out by three or four votes. I did note
that three negroes did not vote for it, and
I was wondering why. Of course, I know
why when I see Delegate Key did not vote
for it. I hope those who voted for it will
not vote against it now because it is being
reconsidered. It is an ideal that I think
belongs in the preamble, and it certainly
does not duplicate what is already in there
so I hope that it will be voted on favorably
to go into the preamble.
THE PRESIDENT: Any other delegate
desire to speak on the motion to reconsider?
Delegate Beatrice Miller.
DELEGATE B. MILLER: Mr. Chair-
man and fellow delegates, I rise to support
the amendment to reconsider and to state
that although I was one of the people who
voted reluctantly this morning to include
the words, I would now vote with far less
reluctance to take them out.
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