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Convention closes and the Constitution is signed, the State

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of Maryland moves closer to its goal of a more effective

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and responsible government to serve her citizens.

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Today's ceremony, however, represents more than

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the culmination of this Convention's work. The signing of

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this document is the most significant step yet made in a

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series of steps toward a new Constitution for Maryland. I

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am pleased indeed that as Governor of this State, in June

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of 1965, I had the foresignt to appoint a non-partisan

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study commission whose duty it was, as stated, "to conduct

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an inquiry into the necessity for, and extent and nature

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of, any amendment, modification or revision of the Consti-

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tution of Maryland, with particular respect to whether a

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Constitutional Convention should be held, the procedures

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for calling such a Convention, the basis for representation

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at the Convention and the procedures for the election of

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delegates thereto."

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As I have previously said, I am pleased to have

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played a part in the establishment of the Commission, and

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may I add that I consider the acceptance of the Chairmanship

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of that Commission by the distinguished Baltimore lawyer,