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Senator Carraway, Governor Burns,
Chief Justice Drew, Member of the Cabinet, the Legislature and the Judiciary, other distinguished platform guests, my fellow Floridians -- my friends.
It is good to come once more to this inaugural platform -- this historic ground -- to keep my appointment with the people of this beloved State. It is good to begin a race. It is good, also, to finish the course.
Four years ago in my Inaugural ),ddress I said that "we take the baton in this administration where it was handed to us by the last. The blocks we lay are placed upon those that have been laid, and to expect these new blocks to reach new heights is praise of the past, not criticism."
14. The Industrial Commission has become a more active force in the drive for industry ial progress and safety.
In the past four years I have been granted the great privilege of coming to know Florida, her citizens, and the problems that both must face, in a way and to a degree shared by few. I am proud of Florida, humble before the majesty of her citizens, and awed by the richness and the beauty of her land. There is no corner so remote that I have not been there; there is no group of people of whose presence and character I have not been made aware. I have met wth you in schoolrooms, and hotel rooms, an crowded beaches and isolated farms, at ball games and production lines.
-10-
Thanks to you I know that there is nothing to which we as a people aspire of which we are not capable. You have given me an unlimited faith in your capacity as citizens of Florida, and as individuals, to govern yourselves. That you demand, and rightly so, is what we have sought in this administration to provide; the freedom to do those things which you can best do for purselves, and the tools with which to do together those things best done collectively.
I take with pride this opportunity to pay tribute to my family. They have been patient, understanding, an inspiration nd a joy. I have found in their company always surcease from the problems of ctate, and a refuge from my own fears. hj man could have been more blessed nor core grateful.
-11-
May I say with Lincoln that I have done the very best I know how -the very best t could. And with Paul: I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith.
Now a new leader, with a fresh mandate, assumes the powers and responsibilities of this office. I relincuish them to him gladly, grateful for the courtesies he has extended to me over the difficult months of transition, confident that under his leadership Florida will continue its progress.
is
That is still true. It is not for me to forecast the verdict of history, but I hand the baton to Governor Burns wvith a deep inner assurance that we have advanced it far and fast -- that in the never-ending race with time and circumstance Florida in these four years has surged to the front.
There are so many cc-workers in
this great adventure to whom I am indebt I gratefully acknowledge that what has been done for Florida has been the sork of many hands -- of many minds. \.e have tried to make this administration a union of the best talents from all sources public and private, political foe and political friend. The mistakes r my responsibility; for te progress, the performance, many ore due the credit.
I want publicly to acknowledge the vast assistance of the host of officials and employees of Florida who constitute o magnificent corps in the service of this state. The story has never been told or vidoly understood of their ability and dedication. No Governor could hove been more fortunate in this respect ton I.
The Cabinet of Florida especially is due my gratitude. They have been both strength and inspiration. .e have differed sometimes in our methods, but never differed in our goals.
The Road Department, from its chairman to its lease employee, has done all that I re-sonably asked. I can be no more eloquent than to quote the comments of the Engineer of the U. S. Bureau of public heads dated December 22, 1964, when he
,r-te:
"I aish to take this opportunity
to congratulate you, the State koad board and all members of the State Rad department for outatonding acc mplishmante in
plan ing, construct ing and
ma ita inning Flor idea's highways
dur ing the post four years.
"Under your leadership the Interstate program has been
accelerated so that Florida now
lead all the States in the
obligation of Interstate funds." This is a far cry from the report of the Blatnik Committee and the Florida State Legislative Cmmittee. The sta in hoe been washed avoy, and I am confident as the people of Florida ride the magn ifiaen highvoys you have built they hare our pride. -4-
The bitter sectional strife that so long marked Florida no longer dominates our Legislature. This great state has found a neo unity, and in that unity greater strength. In our Legislature, in our work vith Florida's Congressmen, wmong
-ter resources and a thousand others the people of Florida have worked together withoutt regard for old div iding linen.
The gre-t strides in elementary, secondary, and higher education have borne no sectional label. The increased support for public schools from the state, the improved teacher salaries, the adequate funding of textbook purchases, have touched every school room. Junior colleges are as far flung as our
-5-
population and the capital outlay for heir improvement has been rationally nd equitably distributed. Florida tlantic University, \est Florida Universit he planned institution for East Central lorida, FICUS, GENESYS, are designs in n educational tapestry that covers us all.
I cm not unmindful that for these hings we have had to pay a price. To ccomplish them has demanded extra ensures of support, but when the lternative was lower standards and essened opportunity for our children, nd certain defeat in the never-ending ace for economic advance, the decision would not be avoided. I have not shrunk ram the responsibility of leadership, nd Floridians have not shrunk from making he hard choice.
It would be pleasant to call the roll of honor of those who, in public and private life, have added so much to the efforts of these years. They are unnumbered thousands:
1. They built the turnpike that couldn't be built.
2. They are digging the CrossFlorida Canal that couldn't he dug.
3. They are creating an Intermerican Center that foundered for years.
4. They have laid the foundation for a recreational program that is peerless in the nation.
5. They have advanced the administration and conservation of our natural resource.
6. They have made our prisons, our hospitals, our institutions for the unfortunate and retarded among our youth,
models for the nation.
7. They have made compassion and self-reliance the watchwords of our public health and welfare programs.
S. They have brought our tourist industry from the brink of bankruptcy to a pinnacle of prosperity.
9. The encephalitis-carrying
mosquito, the fire ant, the screw worm, the burrowing nematode, the fruit fly, have all felt the force of their attack.
10. They have faced the Communist threat from Cuba and the world with a strong National Guard, Civil Defense, and Cold icr Education. Dra and Cleo have found them ready. The tragic freeze of '62 has been used as an opportunity.
-8-
11. They have administered our financial affairs so that at the end of this fiscal year surpluses in general revenue, E6 million, will be the largest in history; the cead Department has 9 million in unencumbered primary funds, 30 million in secondary funds, and adequate cash reserves to meet all legal requirements.
12. The Highway Patrol, Beverage Department, iator Vehicle Commission, Hatel Commission, and otherlaw enforcement agencies, the regulatory boards, the Milk Commission have discharged their responsibilities with vigor and integrity.
13. The cultural interests,
represented by libraries, museum, and historic sites, have been advanced.
PAGE 1
Senator Carraway, Governor Burns, Chief Justice Drew, Member of the Cabinet, the Legislature and the Judiciary, other distinguished platform guests, my fellow Floridians -my friends. It is good to come once more to this inaugural platform -this historic ground -to keep my appointment with the people of this beloved State. It is good to begin a race. It is good, also, to finish the course. Four years ago in my Inaugural ),ddress I said that "we take the baton in this administration where it was handed to us by the last. The blocks we lay are placed upon those that have been laid, and to expect these new blocks to reach new heights is praise of the past, not criticism."
PAGE 2
14. The Industrial Commission has become a more active force in the drive for industry ial progress and safety. In the past four years I have been granted the great privilege of coming to know Florida, her citizens, and the problems that both must face, in a way and to a degree shared by few. I am proud of Florida, humble before the majesty of her citizens, and awed by the richness and the beauty of her land. There is no corner so remote that I have not been there; there is no group of people of whose presence and character I have not been made aware. I have met wth you in schoolrooms, and hotel rooms, an crowded beaches and isolated farms, at ball games and production lines. -10-
PAGE 3
Thanks to you I know that there is nothing to which we as a people aspire of which we are not capable. You have given me an unlimited faith in your capacity as citizens of Florida, and as individuals, to govern yourselves. That you demand, and rightly so, is what we have sought in this administration to provide; the freedom to do those things which you can best do for purselves, and the tools with which to do together those things best done collectively. I take with pride this opportunity to pay tribute to my family. They have been patient, understanding, an inspiration nd a joy. I have found in their company always surcease from the problems of ctate, and a refuge from my own fears. hj man could have been more blessed nor core grateful. -11-
PAGE 4
May I say with Lincoln that I have done the very best I know how -the very best t could. And with Paul: I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith. Now a new leader, with a fresh mandate, assumes the powers and responsibilities of this office. I relincuish them to him gladly, grateful for the courtesies he has extended to me over the difficult months of transition, confident that under his leadership Florida will continue its progress. is
PAGE 5
That is still true. It is not for me to forecast the verdict of history, but I hand the baton to Governor Burns wvith a deep inner assurance that we have advanced it far and fast -that in the never-ending race with time and circumstance Florida in these four years has surged to the front. There are so many cc-workers in this great adventure to whom I am indebt I gratefully acknowledge that what has been done for Florida has been the sork of many hands -of many minds. \.e have tried to make this administration a union of the best talents from all sources public and private, political foe and political friend. The mistakes r my responsibility; for te progress, the performance, many ore due the credit.
PAGE 6
I want publicly to acknowledge the vast assistance of the host of officials and employees of Florida who constitute o magnificent corps in the service of this state. The story has never been told or vidoly understood of their ability and dedication. No Governor could hove been more fortunate in this respect ton I. The Cabinet of Florida especially is due my gratitude. They have been both strength and inspiration. .e have differed sometimes in our methods, but never differed in our goals. The Road Department, from its chairman to its lease employee, has done all that I re-sonably asked. I can be no more eloquent than to quote the comments of the Engineer of the U. S. Bureau of public heads dated December 22, 1964, when he ,r-te:
PAGE 7
"I aish to take this opportunity to congratulate you, the State koad board and all members of the State Rad department for outatonding acc mplishmante in plan ing, construct ing and ma ita inning Flor idea's highways dur ing the post four years. "Under your leadership the Interstate program has been accelerated so that Florida now lead all the States in the obligation of Interstate funds." This is a far cry from the report of the Blatnik Committee and the Florida State Legislative Cmmittee. The sta in hoe been washed avoy, and I am confident as the people of Florida ride the magn ifiaen highvoys you have built they hare our pride. -4-
PAGE 8
The bitter sectional strife that so long marked Florida no longer dominates our Legislature. This great state has found a neo unity, and in that unity greater strength. In our Legislature, in our work vith Florida's Congressmen, wmong
PAGE 9
population and the capital outlay for heir improvement has been rationally nd equitably distributed. Florida tlantic University, \est Florida Universit he planned institution for East Central lorida, FICUS, GENESYS, are designs in n educational tapestry that covers us all. I cm not unmindful that for these hings we have had to pay a price. To ccomplish them has demanded extra ensures of support, but when the lternative was lower standards and essened opportunity for our children, nd certain defeat in the never-ending ace for economic advance, the decision would not be avoided. I have not shrunk ram the responsibility of leadership, nd Floridians have not shrunk from making he hard choice.
PAGE 10
It would be pleasant to call the roll of honor of those who, in public and private life, have added so much to the efforts of these years. They are unnumbered thousands: 1. They built the turnpike that couldn't be built. 2. They are digging the CrossFlorida Canal that couldn't he dug. 3. They are creating an Intermerican Center that foundered for years. 4. They have laid the foundation for a recreational program that is peerless in the nation. 5. They have advanced the administration and conservation of our natural resource. 6. They have made our prisons, our hospitals, our institutions for the unfortunate and retarded among our youth,
PAGE 11
models for the nation. 7. They have made compassion and self-reliance the watchwords of our public health and welfare programs. S. They have brought our tourist industry from the brink of bankruptcy to a pinnacle of prosperity. 9. The encephalitis-carrying mosquito, the fire ant, the screw worm, the burrowing nematode, the fruit fly, have all felt the force of their attack. 10. They have faced the Communist threat from Cuba and the world with a strong National Guard, Civil Defense, and Cold icr Education. Dra and Cleo have found them ready. The tragic freeze of '62 has been used as an opportunity. -8-
PAGE 12
11. They have administered our financial affairs so that at the end of this fiscal year surpluses in general revenue, E6 million, will be the largest in history; the cead Department has 9 million in unencumbered primary funds, 30 million in secondary funds, and adequate cash reserves to meet all legal requirements. 12. The Highway Patrol, Beverage Department, iator Vehicle Commission, Hatel Commission, and otherlaw enforcement agencies, the regulatory boards, the Milk Commission have discharged their responsibilities with vigor and integrity. 13. The cultural interests, represented by libraries, museum, and historic sites, have been advanced.
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