2 State Papers and Addresses

In May 1943, when, following four regional conferences, the Council of
State Governments established the Interstate Committee on Post-War Recon-
struction and Development, Governor O'Conor became its National Chairman,
ex-officio.

Breaking a precedent of 35 years' standing the Governors' Conference, at
its 35th annual meeting, in Columbus, Ohio, June 20-24, 1943 retained Governor
O'Conor as a member of the Executive Committee, and 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' Con-
ference. " At the 1944 Governors' Conference, he again was named to the
Executive Committee.

The Governor has received honorary degrees of Doctor of Laws from the
University of Maryland, Loyola" College of Baltimore, Villanova College of
Pennsylvania, Georgetown 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, as well as of other clubs.

INAUGURAL ADDRESS

January 11, 1939
Annapolis

Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the General
Assembly of Maryland, of the Court of Appeals,
Fellow-Citizens:

IN the presence of members of the General Assembly, of the Judiciary, of
State officials, and of such a number of fellow-citizens, it is my pleasure
to make known to you at this time, plainly and sincerely, the thoughts, intent-
ions, and aspirations that occupy my mind and heart today as I become the
Governor of Maryland. My gratitude to the people who have given me this
mandate is both deep and abiding. I am determined to live up to their ex-
pectations.

Under the prevailing system of government, our elected officials are
chosen by parties but, once chosen, they become servants of all the people.
Accordingly, at the very outset, I wish to make it clear that I consider myself
the Governor of all the people of the State and that, with the election a thing of
the past, I will be guided by what I conceive to be best for Maryland and not by
partisan or political considerations. In return, it is my hope to receive co-
operation, counsel, and assistance from all interests that place the welfare of
the State uppermost. And so, I address myself to all the people of the State,
whose future, so far as that future is affected by the State government, is en-
trusted to our hands.

In this, to me a most solemn hour, I have no inclination to look backward
but only to look ahead. I do not intend to criticize or to condemn those who