1969]                                 OF THE SENATE                                    47

ing on January 7th, 1969, together with official ballots showing the individual ballots of Members of the Senate and House of Delegates.

C. F. Tucker,

Assistant Secretary of State.

The new Governor of Maryland, the Hon. Marvin Mandel, was escorted to the rostrum where he addressed the Joint Session in accepting the office of Governor of Maryland, as follows:

SPEECH BY GOVERNOR-ELECT MANDEL

I am humbled by the honor you have given me and am mindful of the responsibilities of my new office. It is most difficult for me to express to you my thoughts and emotions at this moment. I respect you too much to pretend I have suddenly become a different man from the one who has served with you over the years. For sixteen years I have served in the legislature and for the past six years presided as Speaker of the House. Suddenly, I shall govern alone and apart—and I admit I am stirred by the improbability of this moment.

To my fellow citizens, I say I fully recognize that the unusual circumstances of my election place me under special obligation to the people of Maryland. I realize that the voters did not have a direct voice in this election and so I pledge to you a redoubled effort to achieve an administration which is responsive to your will and dedicated to your needs. I had no opportunity to win your vote but, in the two years ahead, I hope that by my actions as Governor I shall win your confidence.

Some have referred to the person who assumes the Office of Governor as one who will merely be a caretaker. Let there be no mistake in any one's mind, I shall govern.

The State of Maryland cannot mark time; and I do not accept this office in that spirit.

To you my fellow legislators who know me best I ask your continued support. I have always looked to your counsel and advice and shall continue to do so.

There has been a good deal of questioning in the minds of many as to what sort of man is Marvin Mandel. You know me as a quiet man more inclined to solve problems than talk them to death. I do not expect that I shall change this basic philosophy over the years ahead.

There are so many facets of government which need our attention that to attempt to enumerate all of them would occupy hours if not days.

In the days and weeks ahead I shall be presenting to you my views and recommendations on fiscal matters, on health, on education, law enforcement, pollution, transportation and many other subjects.

There are, however, some thoughts I wish to call to your attention at this time about the government of our state.

Maryland is a State which has enjoyed almost unparalleled growth since the early 'fifties. We have been one of the fastest growing states in the nation in terms of industrial and population growth. To meet the challenges this healthy growth has created, government must be modernized.