3804

JOINT RESOLUTIONS

The mark of Theodore Roosevelt McKeldin perhaps was
best told in the spontaneous tributes made to him at the
title of his passing.

The Governor of Maryland, for example, described him
as "a giant of his era" and said that his loss would be
felt by "all those who shared his belief in decency and
in the dignity of the individual."

Mayor William Donald Schaefer of Baltimore City
spoke of Mr. McKeldin as "a man who scaled the tallest
heights but never lost the common touch." Mayor Schaefer
pointed out how Mr. McKeldin loved people and continued
that "in a way, he belonged to each of us."

In the words of U. S. Senator Mathias, "Ted McKeldin
was a Baltimore original. His style has been imitated
but never duplicated. He had a monopoly on charisma
before we knew what the term was. He had a personal
appeal that transcended party lines and cut across all
class and ethnic barriers. We are richer for having
known him. We are poorer now that we have lost him."

U. S. Representative Paul S. Sarbanes described Mr.
McKeldin as "a leader of extraordinary humanity and
decency." He said that Mr. McKeldin's actions were
"marked by a deep and uncompromising commitment to the
brotherhood of man and to the American ideals of equality
and justice."

One of the highlights of Ted McKeldin's career was
the nominating speech on behalf of Dwight D. Eisenhower
in the Republican National Convention of 1952.

Perhaps an outstanding facet of his career was his
deep religious nature. He has been described as a man
who could be completely sincere in presenting a rosary to
a Catholic and a King James New Testament to a Protestant
before donning a skullcap to enter a synagogue for Rosh
Hashanah service.

In the passing of Theodore Roosevelt McKeldin, the
State of Maryland, the City of Baltimore, and the entire
country have lost an appealing and an outstanding figure
of rare stature. He will be remembered by a great host
of friends and co-workers as a foremost citizen of his
state and nation; as a man with ideals and commitments
which were a part of his life. The General Assembly of
Maryland is proud to join in the universal acclaim of the
life of a great Marylander; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That
on behalf of the entire State of Maryland, this Body