"Former Sen. Mathias faints at ceremony," The Baltimore Sun, July 3, 2004

The Baltimore Sun July 3, 2004 Saturday

July 3, 2004 Saturday FINAL Edition

SECTION: LOCAL, Pg. 2B
HEADLINE: Former Sen. Mathias faints at ceremony
SOURCE: BY A SUN STAFF WRITER

Former U.S. Sen. Charles McC. Mathias was treated and released at an Annapolis-area hospital yesterday after collapsing at an outdoor ceremony commemorating the 40th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

Mathias, 81, took the lectern outside the State House just after 10:30 a.m. and said, "Let me start with a moment of advice based on personal experience ..." and then was silent for several moments before fainting.

He was caught by several people, including actor Charles S. Dutton, and then transported to Anne Arundel Medical Center.

Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele told the crowd that Mathias was just "a little heat exhausted." He was released from the hospital late yesterday afternoon.