Let me say once again that it is both a pleasure and an honor to be
with you on this occasion. Let me express my gratification to you for the
help you have given me, and those around me, in the efforts we have
been making to modernize and develop to the highest standards our
highway system. And finally, let me say that I hope that the friendly
relations I have enjoyed with you will continue in the years ahead.

STATEMENT ON SIGNING SENATE BILLS 153 AND 359

ANNAPOLIS

May 6, 1966

Last Monday I received final clearance from the Attorney General
and special counsel that the bill authorizing the construction of a second
bridge across the Chesapeake Bay between Sandy Point and Kent Island
and the bill authorizing the construction of a second harbor tunnel were
valid and constitutional. I am, therefore, today signing these two bills
into law.

Perhaps no other proposed law has generated so much dissension,
misinformation and conscious distortions of the truth during my Admin-
istration as has the parallel bridge bill. This unhappy situation compels
me to attempt once again to place this matter in its proper perspective.

Many people still do not understand that there was no legal necessity
for this bill. I was advised more than two years ago both by local and
New York counsel that my Administration had ample legal authority
to begin the parallel bridge without any additional legislation. How-
ever, because I felt that such an important undertaking should be sub-
mitted to the people, I placed this matter before the people's elected
representatives in the General Assembly more than a year ago. Now,
regarding the recent outcry for submission of this bill to referendum,
I fully recognize that the referendum is an integral part of the legis-
lative process. But, to state that I invoke a part of that process—by
having the bill introduced into the General Assembly—while at the
same time attempt to block another part of that process—by delaying

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