J. MILLARD TAWES, Governor                    2123

Department of the Patuxent Naval Air Station Annex property in
Calvert County and to initiate studies leading to a determination
of the best usage of the Annex property by the State of Maryland.

The United States Navy Department is scheduled to abandon in
June of 1963 the Patuxent Naval Air Station Annex located adjacent
to Route 2 and extending westerly to the Patuxent River several
miles above Solomons in Calvert County. Even though the Annex
is to be declared abandoned, it is possible that several years could
elapse before this property would be declared surplus and become
available for acquisition by the State of Maryland.

This property of approximately 229 acres is improved by a water
system, a fire department building and other public buildings, and
many residences and other permanent structures. There are many
readily apparent and desirable uses for improved property of this
size by the State of Maryland, and it is desirable to begin now to
initiate steps leading to its acquisition from the United States and
determination of its best use. Without any detailed investigation of
the property, it would, for example, seem to be desirable for use as a
higher education facility in conjunction with or as a branch of the
University of Maryland.

Utilization of the property by the State of Maryland would help
to alleviate the condition of business and employment in Calvert
County, which was declared last fall by the President of the United
States as a distressed area because of unemployment; now, therefore,
be it

Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That the General
Assembly urges the Board of Public Works to initiate discussions
with the United States Navy Department to determine the status
and availability of the Patuxent Naval Air Station Annex property
in Calvert County for use by the State of Maryland; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board of Public Works is further urged to
initiate studies by the State leading to a determination of the best
usage of this property by the State; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution are BE sent to the Governor
of Maryland, the Comptroller of Maryland and the Treasurer of
Maryland.

Approved March 14, 1963.

No. 9
(Senate Joint Resolution 4)

Senate Joint Resolution requesting the Governor to appoint a
special commission to study rising hospital costs in those private
hospitals which receive State appropriations.