1560                                          LAWS OF MARYLAND                        [Ch. 386

role and contributions of our black citizens. The
activities of the Maryland Commission on Negro History
and Culture in areas of research, collection and
preservation of artifacts, sites and buildings associated
with Negro history has begun to create a sound academic
basis for the study of this history and culture by
scholars, students and the general citizenry throughout
the State. Moreover, the Commission's activities have
not only vital academic implications, but play a
significant role in the area of human relations.

Beginning in 1971 the Commission has made a
concerted effort to initiate and encourage cooperative
efforts among other agencies and educational and cultural
groups in Maryland to fulfill its charge of working to
insure the integration of this history and culture into
the mainstream of Maryland life. While significant
progress toward achieving that objective has been made
during the past three years, such recent efforts in
Maryland are still in an early stage of development.
However, the Final Report of the Commission, dated
February, 1974, reflects the wide range of the
Commission's research, preservation and cultural
activities.

The keystone of the Commission's efforts in research
will be the publication of a research guide on the Negro
in Maryland from the earliest time to the present.

As the nation approaches its 200th Anniversary as a
republic, the Maryland Commission on Negro History and
Culture is working cooperatively with other state and
local groups to insure the active participation of
minority citizens in the bicentennial observance. During
the bicentennial years (1976 - 1983) the task of
achieving minority inclusion into the mainstream of the
State's life and history will be monumental. As the
chief agency charged with initiating, coordinating and
generally encouraging such statewide participation, the
Commission has already initiated appropriate planning and
research for the attraction of resources to accomplish
this goal. The permanent benefit of these activities
should result in gaining for the citizens of Maryland a
greater appreciation and understanding of the diverse
heritage of the Free State.

In addition to its existing functions, the
Commission is being requested by the American Indian
Studies Center of Baltimore City and other Indian tribal
groups in Maryland to include Indian culture and history
within the scope of the Commission's work and activities.
The inclusion of historical and cultural materials of
such diverse tribal groups as the Choptanks, Delawares,
Lumbees, Piscataways, Potomacs, Susquehannas,