3876

JOINT RESOLUTIONS

The young people of Maryland are this State's most
important human asset. We must not shortchange them by
failing to devote all the help that is humanly possible
for their development. If we do not devote this help to
them, we are in reality shortchanging ourselves, for the
problems of youth very often lead to their problems as
adults. We would be negligent in our duty to our State
if we did not take every step to ameliorate the
situation.

Although there has been much concern about the
problems that many young people are causing, including
the commission of criminal acts, it is also evident that
the present facilities and programs that this State
provides for young people are not meeting the challenge.
The current programs, departments, and facilities that
deal with young people are fragmented and are not
coordinated to their goal. This fragmentation results in
inefficiency, duplication of effort, unproductivity,
competition for funds, failure to establish priorities,
and a general ineffectiveness that permeates this State's
approach to the problem of the young.

A coordinated successful youth program would result
not only in the saving of money and manpower, but more
importantly, in the establishment of a viable and active
program that would directly attack the problems of young
people.

In order for this to be achieved, it may be
necessary that all programs relating to young people be
put under a single cabinet—level department, possessing
broad powers.

To do less than the best for the young people of
this State, would be a derogation of the duties of the
General Assembly; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That
the Legislative Council establish a Special Joint
Committee during the 1975 Legislative Council to study
the feasibility of establishing a cabinet—level
Department of Youth Affairs, and make recommendations to
the 1976 General Assembly concerning its establishment;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution be sent to
the Chairman and Vice—Chairman of the Legislative Council
and to Dr. Carl N. Everstine, Secretary to the Council.

Approved May 15, 1975.