ANNAPOLIS

August 13, 1964

Dr. Tatum, Admiral Minter, Dr. Hornig, distinguished guests, ladies
and gentlemen:

It is a pleasure to me to welcome to Maryland and to our capital
city, Annapolis, all of you who have come here to attend this Con-
ference on the National Oceanographic Program. Last June when I
issued the invitations to this Conference, I had high hopes that a
meeting at which the leaders of government and industry could discuss
problems and exchange views on the programs of oceanography would
attract many people not only from my State but those of our neighbor-
ing states on the Atlantic Coast and those on the Pacific Coast as well.
It is needless for me to say that I am most gratified by the response
to these invitations. The size of this gathering this morning, together
with the knowledge that I have of the long distances some of you have
traveled to come here, is auspicious and reassuring. There is every
reason to believe that the plans of our Conference Committee to make
this an annual affair at which scientists, industrialists and government
officials will have a forum for the discussion of a national oceanog-
raphic program will be fulfilled. And so, it is a delight to me, as
the Governor of Maryland, to greet you, to extend to you the hospitality
of our State and to wish you every success in your deliberations here
today.

It is always a little perilous to attempt to single out for recognition
individuals or groups in an undertaking such as this that requires the
cooperation of so many individuals and groups. Nevertheless, I would
feel remiss if I did not acknowledge the strong obligation we owe to
Dr. Tatum and his committee, and in particular to Mr. Abel, Dr.
Pritchard and Mr. Cunningham, for the splendid work they have done
in making the arrangements for this Conference. It is not too much to
say that the Conference never would have materialized without the
hours of effort they spent on it. I wish to express my appreciation, too,
to Admiral Minter, the Superintendent of the Naval Academy; to
Commander Bowler and to Mr. Stolley, who have made the resources
of the United States Naval Institute a major part in the arrangements
for this Conference.

I am particularly gratified by the fine response and the participation

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