unanimously adopted a resolution expressing appreciation
of his patriotic and faithful service, which has been of such
benefit to the Governors of all the States and to the Nation
—during one of the most important years in the history of
the Governors' Conference."

In July 1945 Governor O'Conor was selected as the Chair-
man of the Committee of State and Local Relations of the
Council of State Governments.

The Governor has received honorary degrees of Doctor
of Laws from the University of Maryland, Loyola College
of Baltimore, Villanova College of Pennsylvania, George-
town University of Washington, D. C. and Washington
College at Chestertown. He is a member of the American
Bar Association, the Maryland State and the Baltimore
City Bar Associations; he is also a member of the Elks,
Moose, Eagles, Knights of Columbus, Veterans of Foreign
Wars, American Legion, Phi Kappa Sigma, and holds mem-
bership in other clubs.

Secretary of State: WILLIAM J. MCWILLIAMS (Democrat),
Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland.

William J. McWilliams, son of William F. and Mary C.
McWilliams, was born in Hudson, New York, February 28,
1904. He received his early education in St. Mary's School,
Annapolis, and Loyola High School, Baltimore. In 1926
he was graduated from Loyola' College in Baltimore, with
the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and in 1930, from the Law
School of the University of Maryland, where he was award-
ed the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He was admitted to the
Maryland Bar in 1931, and, for a short time was associated
with the firm of France, McLanahan & Rouzer in Balti-
more. He is now the senior partner in the firm of McWil-
liams, Duckett & Haley, Annapolis.

From 1924 to 1937, he was a member of the Maryland
National Guard, rising from the rank of private to Cap-
tain. He served with the 104th Observation Squadron, the
1st Maryland Infantry, the 110th Field Artillery and on
the staffs of General Washington Bowie and General Amos
W. W. Woodcock.

In 1935 he was appointed Counselor for the City of
Annapolis, and in July of the same year was elected to fill