the State's employment practices have been brought to my attention,
and I have consulted with Mr. Russell Davis, our State Commissioner
of Personnel, and others about them. It appears that during the past
few years certain barriers to the hiring of older workers have been set up
in State government. These barriers, I have concluded, serve the best
interests of neither the State nor its citizens.

I am aware, also, that as more and more of our citizens are living
longer lives, their years of productivity in relation to their life span is
becoming shorter and shorter. This seriously affects the economic con-
dition of our State, and its impact will be felt increasingly as the years
go by. But entirely apart from the economic consideration is the human
consideration that active and useful people, of whatever age, are hap-
pier and more vital citizens.

It is beyond dispute now that older workers, experienced and reliable,
can learn new ideas readily, and if they are given the opportunity, they
can continue to make valuable contributions to the general well-being
of the State. These qualities are just as much needed in our society as
are the qualities of energy and imagination in youth.

It is a matter of great encouragement and of great personal pride to
me that you who represent the employers of the State, as well as you who
have its general welfare at heart in the consideration of the humanity
involved, have offered your time, your talent and your intelligence to a
cause such as this—the betterment of our older citizens. It is a pleasure
to me to observe that "Operation Joblift" has brought together repre-
sentatives of the Maryland State Conference of Social Welfare, the
Baltimore Association of Commerce, our Department of Employment
Security, our new Commission on the Aging, the United States Depart-
ment of Labor and the numerous professional and service organizations
which we find listed in the program. With such magnificent array of
diverse talent, I am sure that answers to many of our problems will be
found. Such display of cooperative effort is in the very best tradition of
this state which I have the honor to serve as Governor.

May I return now to a subject alluded to earlier.

I have studied carefully the recommendations made to me by the new
Commission on Aging, and after consultations with State officials and
others concerned, I am prepared today to make an announcement of a
change in the employment policy of the State regarding older citizens.
Under a new policy, age, as such, will be eliminated as a requirement for
eligibility in all State positions with the exception of the Maryland State
Police. I am directing the Commissioner of Personnel to alter his policies

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