~OR RELEASE AT 12:00 NOON, TUES.DAY, JANUARY 14, 1958 (Address of Governor Marvin Griffin to the General Assembly of Georgia, meeting in joint session in the House of Representatives, State Capitol, Atlanta, Georgia, Tuesday, January 14, 1958. CONFIDENTIAL. REQUEST IS MADE THAT THE RELEASE TIME ABOVE BE STRICTLY OBSERVED BY ALL MEDIA.) LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR VANDIVER, SPEAKER MOATE, MEMBERS OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND MY FELLOW GEORGIANS: Another year has passed since we last met to review the steady and genuine progress the State of Georgia is making and to take a comprehensive look at the future with both its problems and its opportunities. In this annual "state of the State" message I am happy to reveal that our rate of improvement and expansion has been accelerated during the last twelve months. For the past three years, with the help of a cooperative and far-seeing General Assembly and with the support and the confidence of the masses of the people of Georgia, our state has made unprecedented progress in all fields of endeavor. As we approach the last year in my term of office as your Chief Executive, let me express my deep appreciation to each of you for your sincerity of purpose, your loyalty to Georgia and her great institutions and for the hours of labor which you expended unselfishly to promote progress and to develop our state's resources. I envision this year to be Georgia's greatest year of advancement in her history. All services of government are being carried on without interruption. Expansions have been made in the fields of education, highways, public health and public welfare. Industrial development has reached a riew and an all-time high in our state. More consideration has been given to providing parks and adequate recreational facilities. Thousands of acres in new recreati~nal areas have been created due to the construction of multi-purpose dams in Georgia by the Corps of Engineers, u. s. Army. These areas are being developed and improved for the enjoyment of Georgians as well as for attractions to tourists who are coming into our state in increasing numbers. More emphasis has been placed on public safety. The financial condition of your state government is sound. Georgia today is both solvent and sovereign and will remain so throughout my term as Governor. There is a comfortable reserve in the state treasury to guarantee continued expansion of essential services. This reserve will not be dissipated but will be kept for a "rainy day". I have called upon all department heads in state government to economize in every way possible without diminishing essential services, and I also call upon the distinguished members of the General Assembly to help me "hold the line" on all fronts, bearing in mind that as Georgia grows in population and in wealth so must our schools, our highways, our eleemosynary institutions, our public health services and the responsibility that we owe the unfortunate in this state. We must exercise every economy in state government, but a prudent administration of government must not overlook good sound business which may require some capital outlay to bring future benefits. To do so would be like disposing of seed corn on the farm. I do not advocate any additional or new taxes for the remainder of my term of office, nor do I believe that the demands upon state government will permit a reduction in any existing revenue laws. In conformity with the law, I shall address this distinguished body at a later date and make budget recommendations. EDUCATION In the field of education, this General Assembly and this administration can stand with pride on a progressive record of achievement. This is true in our common schools as well as in the University System. -2 - However, I call to your attention the challenges of a dynamic new era -- a scientific era where the frontiers extend infinitely. For instance, the predictable future for application of nuclear energy already is so large in scope that it staggers the imagination. We are meeting this challenge in Georgia today. Since this body met last year, we have made two great steps forward which are certain to rebound to the advantage of all our people in the near future. One was the establishment of a nuclear energy research program which includes the construction of a nuclear reactor at Georgia Tech. This entire program will represent a present investment of about 5 million dollars. It was my pleasure to allocate $2,500,000 for this Research Reactor facility with the understanding that a similar amount will be forthcoming from Federal government and other sources. The state also supplied an isotopes laboratory costing about $300,000, also located at Georgia Tech. This investment in nuclear science and engineering, specifically in research and education centered about a modern research facility, will pay large dividends to the State of Georgia and to the south. Support of the nuclear energy program of education and research will permit the Georgia Institute of Technology to move towarrl an een higher position of leadership in the nation. SCIENCE CENTER The other program expected to bring benefits to every Georgia citizen in the future is the gigantic $12,000,000 Science Center now being constructed at the University of Georgia in Athens. This is the most ambitious building plan ever undertaken by the University in its long and distinguishe1 history. -3 - Recent allocation of almost $3,000,000 to this activity, which was made by me from contingent funds, makes a total of almost $8,000,000 made available for this purpose from these funds since 1956. Combined with $3,750,000 provided by the Board of Regents, we find we have made available nearly $12,000,000 for this mighty project. This science Center, the finest of its kind in the nation, will house in one location, the University 1 s work in the all-important scientific fields of chemistry, biology, geography and geology, animal sciences, physics and food technology plus facilities to provide for extensive nuclear research. The new center is another step forward in our efforts to provide for our young people the very best in educational opportunity. This is being done at a time when more and more emphasis is being placed upon the importance of the various sciences, making it almost mandatory that our future leaders be well prepared in this vital field. In scientific research, we have been doing in Georgia for the past several years what the Federal Government should have been doing five years ago. Much valuable information which aided in the inauguration of these two magnificent scientific programs came from the Southern Regional Education Board which has headqu2rters in Georgia and for which it was my pleasure to allocate $250,000 for the construction of an office building for the organization, this cost to be refunded to the State over a 25 year period. EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS Educators, teachers and laymen alike agree that progress has been phenomenal in the field of education since this administration came into office. People are amazed and proud when they drive through the 159 counties of this state and see the many new modern schools that l1ave -4 - been built to hduse our children. And with the raises in salaries there is a diminishing number of our teachers looking to other fields and other locations for employment. The appropriation for common school and higher education has increased from $116,524,738.72 in 1954-55 to $156,210,000 in 1957-58, or almost $40,000,000 more than any year before this administration came into office. Out of every dollar that comes in from revenue, 53 is used for education -- a larger percentage than any other state in the nation. COMMON SCHOOL EDUCATION The number of children attending schools in Georgia is increasing at a rate of 30,000 each year. Today there are nearly a million children enrolled in our public schools. This factor has necessitated hiring additional teachers, constructing new buildings and improving existing facilities. Since January 11, 1955, new school projects have been completed, authorized, let to contract or placed under construction in almost all of the 200 county and independent school sys,tems. We have added 1,748 new teachers to our county and city systems and plans are under way to add 1,000 more before the school year begins in 1958. EXPANDED PROGRAMS During this administration teachers have received a total of $500 a year each in across-the-board salary raises. This money increased the average salary of teachers from $2,888 in 1954-55 to $3,450 in the present fiscal year. Since this administration started, 629 new school busses have been added, bringing the total to 4,874 now in operation serving 410,500 children. A comprehensive and efficient program of distributing textbooks on a state level has been maintained efficiently and economically More than $100,000 additional money has been provided for modern school libraries. -5- The state allocation for vocational education has increased from $1,788,000 in 1955 to $3,567,000 last year. Expansions and improvements have been made at the trade schools located at Clarkesville and Americus costing an additional outlay of $1,270,000. In the vocational rehabilitation program, Georgia now leads the entire nation. SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAM The State School Building Authority, which was set up in 1951, has been making a steady advances throughout this administration. From January 1955, to July 1957, there were 314 new school plants completed and an astounding total of 6,527 classrooms added to our school systems. Also, there have been 363 additions and remodeling projects completed during the same period. These needed plants and additions were financed through the Building Authority by four bond issues totaling $157,909,000. NEGRO EDUCATION The need for improving Negro educational facilities was a matter of immediate concern when this administration came into office. Many negro children were attending one-room school houses and some of these schools had been condemned as fire hazards. Since January, 1955, 169 new schools and 3,447 classrooms have been constructed for Negroes. Plans are now completed for 86 more schools and 1,379 classrooms for Negroes by the end of 1958. TOTAL APPROPRIATION INCREASED The annual state appropriation for common school education has increased from $104,979,418.72 in 1954-55 to $134,610,000 in 1957-58, or almost $30 million dollars more during the first three years of this administration. -6 - TEACHER RETIREMENT One of the most important contributions of this administration toward teacher retirment is the provision for a minimum monthly pension of $100 for retired teachers with 35 or more years service. This amount doubles the previous minimum pension of $50 per month. The appropriation for the teacher retirement program is now $7,500,000 compared to $5,232,311.04, in 1954-55. Another improvement for the teacher retirement system was the Enabling Act which took effect in January 1956, and which provides for social security for school teachers. UNIVERSITY SYSTEM According to figures obtained from the office of the Board of Regents, the University System is in better condition than at any previous time in its history. The state appropriation for colleges and universities has increased from $11,545,320 in 1954-55 to $21,600,000 in 1957-58. In addition, this administration has made available funds totalling $23,289,560 for the erection of buildings and for various improvements within the University System since January, 1955. The average salary of all faculty members in the University System has increased from $4,624 in 1954-55 to $5,538 in 1957-58. The minimum salary has increased from $2,600 to $3,200 and the maximum is now $11,000 as compared to $9,230 in 1954-55. This increase has resulted in a marked improvement in the morale of faculty members. NEGRO FACILITIES IMPROVED This administration has made a concentrated effort to provide equal educational opportunities for all of our Negro citizens. Since January 1955, twelve buildings have been constructed or planned for construction at our three negro colleges at a total cost of $3,935,605. According to University officials the programs of work in the institutions for Negroes are now broader in scope and better in quality than at any time in the state's history. -7 - This genuine progress in education is an indication that we are providing all our children adequate tools to work with, but we certainly cannot stop here. We must make even greater provisions for future generations in order- that we can continue to provide "quality education" for our leaders of tomorrow, and I assure you that these advancements in the field of education will continue as long as I am your Governor. PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRESS In our public health department we have made notable advances particularly in the continuation of the hospital and health center construction program under the Hill-Burton Act in cooperation with the Federal and local governments. The Hill-Burton Program for hospital construction originally was set up as a five year project in 1947. Since 1952, it has been extended two years at a time. In 1954, Congress included an additional provisions which authorized construction of Diagnostic and Treatment Centers, Nursing Homes, Chronic Disease Facilities and Rehabilitation Centers. NEW HOSPITALS Since January 1955, there have been 18 new hospitals completed, placed under construction or approved at a total cost of $17,610,741.97 in State, Federal and local funds. Also, additions and alterations to existing hospitals have been completed, placed under construction or approved for a total cost of $18,573,720.89. These new hospitals, additions and alterations have added to our hospital system a total of 2,087 beds. HEALTH CENTERS Seventy-two health centers have been constructed in Georgia since the program was initiated in 1947. Fourteen of these have been completed since January 1955, thirteen are under construction and six additions are being made to existing centers. -8 - In addition to the centers, a nursing home at Moultrie, rehabilitation centers at Savannah and Warm Springs, diagnostic and treatment centers at Emory University and Albany, and a chronic disease hospital at Marietta have been approved or placed under construction since January 1955. The total construction program since January 1955, amounts to $42,728,592.69 and embraces 72 projects which have been completed, placed under construction or approved. MENTAL HEALTH Gratifying advancement and improvement has been made in the important established programs of the health department including veneral disease, heart disease, cancer and mental health. In May, 1957, this administration allocated $75,000 a quarter to begin a screening and short-term treatment program for the mentally ill of moderate means to relieve the patient load at Milledgeville State Hospital. HIGHWAY ACTIVITIES This administration, aware of the ever increasing demand for more and better roads, has embarked on a program of highway expansion and improvement never before equalled in this state. INCREASED APPROPRIATION The state appropriation for the Highway Department has ad- vanced from $55,738,883.91 in 1954-55 to $70,112,014.10 in 1957-58. The total program for all phases of the Highway Department, including federal and state funds has increased from $69,153,182.91 in 1954-55 to $129,448,918.10 in 1957-58. The vast increase is due to the additional federal funds and state matching funds under the 1956 Federal- Aid Highway Act. RURAL ROADS AUTHORITY Realizing the growing need for improved roads in our rural areas, the 1955 Legislature~ on my recommendation, enacted the Rural Roads Authority. -9 - The program was swiftly put into operation. By July, 1955, the first bond increment was set up to finance $14,500,000.00 for roads in 123 counties. In March, 1956, an additional $15,500,000.00 was set up for road construction in 114 counties. In December, 1956, an additional $17,500,000.00 was authorized by proclamation to cover the third bond increment which involved 120 counties. The fourth bond increment for $17,500,000.00 was sold in July, 1957, involving 121 counties. The amount of the four bond increments totals $65,000,000.00 for 3,124 miles of roads in all 159 counties in Georgia. Bonds for the fifth increment in the amount of $17,500,000 will be validated this week. The entire Rural Roads Program, involving $100,000,000.00 for rural roads construction is scheduled for completion by the end of 1958. JNTERSTATE SYSTEM The 1956 Federal-Aid Highway Act launched the biggest road building program in the nation's history. This collosal $50 billion project, slated for completion in 13 years, calls for the construction of 41,000 miles of superhighways in the nation. Georgia's share of these express-type highways will total 1,171 miles, and will be financed on a 10% state and 90% Federal matching basis. Engineers estimate that it will take almost one billion dollnrE to complete this network of modern highways in Georgia. PRIMARY, SECONDARY AND URBAN ROADS This same Act calls for the expansion and improvement of our system of primary, secondary and urban roads. State matching funds, on a 50-50 basis, are being provided to take advantage of this phase of the program. ENTIRE PROGRAM State and Federal funds for the entire Federal-Aid Program amounted to $40,000,000.00 in 1956, increased to $71,000,000.00 in 1957, - 10 - and will reach $83,250,000.00 in 1958 and $92,178,000.00 in 1959. It is expected that the program will be stabilized at $100 million annually in 1960 and remain at that figure until the program is completed. STATE-AID PROGRAM The State-Aid Program covers projects such as post roads and farm-to-market roads which are financed by 100 per cent state funds. Since January, 1955 funds totalling $24,169,516.90 have been spent to build some 3,000 miles of roads under this program. MAINTENANCE Maintenance of the State Highway System is one of the biggest jobs performed by the Highway Department. In 1956-57, state funds amounted to $11,298,ooo.oo for this operation. Since January, 1955, there have been approximately 270 miles of pavement widened, 1,450 miles of roads resurfaced and 212 miles of roads repaired. BRIDGE BUILDING AUTHORITY A total of 208 bridges, which were authorized under the original $30 million program of the state Bridge Building Authority, have been completed during this administration. In addition to this, 47 bridges located in 29 counties have been let to contract under this Authority since January, 1955. WELFARE DEPARTMENT In the Public Welfare Department we have made steady advancements, both in the expansion of benefits and in the construction of new buildings and additions in our important state institutions. MORE MATCHING FUNDS During the first fiscal year of this administration, 1955-56, more funds were available to match Federal funds and the Welfare Program swelled to an all-time high of $65,084,990.33. In 1957-58, it rose to a sum of $74,413,000,with the state providing a record $19,000,000. This compares to a total program of $62,247,685.98 in 1954-55. - 11 - INCREASING ENROLLMENT The number of persons receiving welfare aid has increased from 148,645 in 1954-55 to almost 157,000 last year. The average monthly payments for aid to the disabled, old age assistance, aid to the blind and aid to dependent or crippled children has seen a substantial increase in the last three years. MILLEDGEVILLE STATE HOSPITAL The state appropriation for operating Milledgeville State Hospital has increased from $7,943,548.52 in 1954-55 to over $9,900,000.00 in 1957-58. Numerous improvements have been made at the hospital during this administration. Construction projects total- ling $3,620,000 have been placed under construction or approved since January, 1955. SCHOOL FOR MENTAL DEFECTIVES Special attention has been given to expanding and improving the Training School for Mental Defectives at Gracewood. Since Jnnuary, 1955, a total of $2,608,500 has been provided for construction projects at this institution. These projects include an activities building, eight dormitories, a hospital building, warehouses, two infirmary buildings and improvements to the general plant such as equipment, farm improvements, water system extension and others. The appropriatlon for Gracewo .d has increased from $738,578,55 in 1954-55 to over $1,000,000.00 in 1957-58. Many needed improvements have been made at other institutions. The Factory for the Blind in .Atlanta which was destroyed by fire has been rebuilt. New buildings and substantial additions have been pro vided at the Training School for Boys at Milledgeville and the Training School for Girls at .Adamsville. SCHOOL FOR NEGRO CHILDREN Realizing the need for an institution for mentally defective Negro children, the 1956 General Assembly enacted a law providing $500,000 for this purpose. - 12 - ADVANCEMENT IN AGRICULTURE During this administration we have made steady and sustained progress in our general programs of agriculture for the benefit of the farmers of our state. One of the outstanding achievements we have made for the benefit of the farmers of Georgia was the installation ?fa series of agricultural research programs. The first of these will make possible the construction of a swine strain testing laboratory at the Coastal Plains Experiment Station at Tifton. Another is the erection of a swine nutrition laboratory at the same location. A Rural Arts Building is to be constructed at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College at Tifton. A beef sire testing laboratory is to be built. These agencies are designed, in part, to promote betterment of the swine industry, the gross returns of which amount to that of beef cattle and dairy cattle combined. We furnished funds to eradicate the deadly fire ant in Georgia. A far-reaching program to eradicate Bangs disease in cattle was launched. Additional facilities have been furnished to combat various diseases of poultry. We have installed and put into operation a modern Cobalt irradiation machine at the State College of Agriculture at Athens. This machine is designed to open new vistas in plant breeding. Expenditures for these programs will amount to about half a million dollars and there is no better way in which this money could be spent. MARKET IMPROVEMENTS Since January 1955, great emphasis has been placed on im- proving the physical facilities of the State Farmers Markets throughout Georgia. - 13 - One of the largest undertakings in the history of Georgia Agriculture is the construction of the new Atlanta Farmers Market. This market, which embraces some 146 acres on u. s. Highway 41 South of Atlanta, will cost over $10,000,000 and when completed this year, will be one of the finest of its kind in the world. EXTENSION SERVICE In recent years both the state and federal government have become increasingly aware of the value of the Extension Service Program and the need for expanding this work. During this administration, both State and Federal funds for this program have increased from $2,038,267 to $3,146,000. In addition, we have allocated $400,000 for the Rock Eagle 4-H Club Center and $200,000 for the Negro 4-H Club Center in Dublin. We have cooperated to the fullest extent with all major 4-H Club and Future Farmers of America programs. VOCATIONAL AGRICULTURE Georgia's program of Vocational Agriculture is the largest in the nation. During this administration the enrollment in this field of study has increased by 9,273 persons. PUBLIC SAFETY Safety on our public roads and highways has been one of our primary concerns. A conscientious and determined effort has been made to cut down the number of traffic deaths in Georgia. We have added 100 additional state troopers since this administration came into office, in a determined effort to reduce the tragic death toll upon Georgia's roads. DEATH DECREASED Our program of intensified enforcement is paying off in preventing deaths on our highways. - 14 - In the year 1957, total deaths on the highways amounted to 984 which has 154 less than the 1,138 deaths reported in 1956. These figures show that our improved facilities and enlarged patrol accomplished substantial results in reducing the death toll on our highways by a record 14% last year, which is one of the largest reduction percentages in the nation. The appropriation for this department has almost doubled during the last three years increasing from $2,444,000 in 1954-55 to $4,100,000 for 1956-57. A new headquarters was dedicated in February of last year costing nearly a million and a half dollars, which included a new crime laboratory that is the finest of its kind in the nation. FORESTRY Georgia's largest and one of the most valuable natural resources is her 24 million acres of forest lands. Production of forest industries, forest employment and the marketing of forest products and related industries account for moN, than $750 million a year of the state's annual income. Some 200,000 Georgians are directly employed in the more than 3,000 wood-using industries throughout the state. LEADS THE SOUTH AND NATION Georgia leads the South in pulpwood production, harvesting in excess of three million cords annually. South Georgia is the worlds naval stores capital. And Georgia stands first in the nation in the amount of forest acreage under organized protection. Symbolic of the genuine progress made in Georgia's rapidly expanding forestry program is the national award which Georgia received last month from the United states Forest Service that named Georgia the "number one" state in the entire nation in the production of pine seedlings. In recognition of this distinct honor, the 11 billionth 11 pine seedling was awarded to Georgia by the government and was planted just prior to Christmas at Macon. - 15 - The seedling production of the Forestry Department has been doubled during this administration and production at the state's six seedling nurseries produced well over 175 million seedlings last year and the Forestry Department is preparing to plant 300 million trees in 1958. More than $1,000,000 was made available for construction of a new State Headquarters near Macon. The fire protection program has been extended to 147 counties and has been offered to the remaining 12 counties. More fire towers, fire fighting vehicles and radio units as well as more employees gave been added. PARKS AND RECREATION Ten state parks have been established during this administration, and Georgia now has more state parks than any state in the Southeast, with a total of 41. Titles to all state park property have been cleared and many improvements have been added to all parks, $334,000 additional funds having been furnished since January, 1955. GAME AND FISH COMMISSION Many improvements have been made in the State Game and Fish Department during this administration and new and expanded services have been added. During last year the sale of hunting and fishing licenses reached the one-millionth mark for the first time. Revenue from such sales have virtually doubled during the past three years. Two new fish hatcheries have been added and the work of stocking the many lakes and private ponds of the state has sh0wn steady progress. Notable strides have been made in game management. The department has shown special cooperation with industries o~ Georgia in conserving wildlife resources. CORRECTIONS Today, Georgia's penal system is looked upon as one of the best and most efficient in the nation becai.,;_se of the many improvements we have made. - 16 - There are now 15 state-operated prison units in Georgia, Seven of these were constructed since January, 1955, at a cost of $420,000, In addition to these newly constructed units, many of the other units have been renovated and plans are under way to construct several more units by the end of 1958. STATE WIDE PROBATION PROGRAM INAUGURATED One of the most progressive steps Georgia has inaugurated in the general field of corrections in recent years is the state-wide probation program, enacted by the General Assembly during the 1956 session. Prior to that, only five counties in the state operated a probation program. Our Pardon and Parole system is today operating at a greater degree of efficiency than ever before in our history. MILITARY AND CIVIL DEFENSE The Georgia National Guard now has units located in 66 dif- ferent coummunities throughout the state. This compares with 57 com- munities in December, 1954. We have added 22 Army and Air National Guard Units since January, 1955, The total strength of our National Guard has increased from 10,297 officers and enlisted men in 1954 to 13,529 in 1957. CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM Since the Armory Construction Program began in 1953, there have been 36 armories completed in this state. Thirty-four of these have been completed since January, 1955, and three more are under construct ion. VETERANS SERVICE We have consistently followed a policy of providing every possible means of support and encouragement for the veterans of this state. Since January, 1955, Georgia veterans have received benefits totalling $121,804,183, Over $23 million of this amount can be - 17 - attributed directly to the actions initiated by the State Department of Veterans service. Records indicate that personnel from this De- partment have filed 127,815 claims since January, 1955, to obtain benefits for Georgia veterans. NEW INDUSTRIES The movement to bring new industries to Georgia and to encourage construction of new factories with local capital has been accelerated during this administration. By invitation, I appeared at imp~rtant meetings of business leaders held in Pittsburgh, New York, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland and other cities. On these occasions the vast natural resources and advantages possessed by Georgia for industrial operations were outlined. As a result of these meetings, the activity to increase the number of new industries was greatly stimulated. In 1957, Georgia maintained her position as one of the two or three top industry-gaining states of the nation. During the year, Georgia added more than 200 new manufacturing firms. These plants, large and small, represent investment of approximately $165,000,000 in new capital. They provide some 7,200 new, regular jobs for workers. There aggregate annual payroll amounts to about $21,000,000. In addition, more than 100 established manufactures announced plant expansions and the installati6n of new machinery or equipment. The cost of these enlargements and improvements easily totals $75,000,000 and each and every one of them represents an increase in the number of gainfully employed workers. RECOMMENDATIONS To promote future progress in our state, to develop further our great resources, to assume the responsibility which rests upon our shoulders in this generation, and to provide for the general welfare of all Georgians, I submit for your tllouglltf'ul and narer111 co1rnideration the following recommendations: - 18 - I. RURAL ROADS. I recommend that the total capitalization available for rural roads construction be increased by 50 million dollars. This will make these valuable roads available to many additional areas which badly need them. It also means that the present program of rural road construction throughout the State can be carried on in the future without any serious curtailment. II. STONE MOUN'l'AIN. I am convinced that the purchase of Stone Mountain and adjacent property by the State, and completion of the Confederate Memorial by a competent authority will be of everlasting benefit to the present generation and all future citizens of this State, and the entire Southland. I recommend that this General Assembly authorize and direct that the Stone Mountain property be purchased by the State immediately for public use, and that if necessary, the right of eminent domain be exercised. III. ELECTION LAWS. To maintain the high standards of require~ents for voting in Georgia's elections, I recommend that you give careful consideration to the report of the Election Law Study Committee of this General Assembly. IV. MENTAL HEALTH, A Joint Committee of this GeneralAssembly has been working diligently for several months to prepare important and far-reaching recommendations which are designed to bring about sweeping improvements in the field of mental health. One of the greatest problems facing the people of of Georgia and this General Assembly, is the enactment of remedial legislature in this important field of public health. We should strive to make - 19 - our eleemosynary institutions centers of treatment and cure instead of looking upon them as merely custodial institutions. Of the many recommendations that your Mental Health Study Committee has made which affect the field of mental health, I direct your special attention to the recommendations which would provide for additional psychiatrists in Georgia; which would revamp the present antiquated commitment laws; and which provides that the Division of Mental Health, established by me last year by Executive Order, shall in the future function by law. I commend the members of the Joint Mental Health Committee for their careful, pain-staking, and time-consuming study of this problem. I recommend that you give sympathetic understanding and consideration to the recommendations of this Joint Committee. v. MARRIAGE LAW. Georgia does not desire the dubious honor of being called a "Gretna Green" state. This ad- ministration has prepared legislation to prevent "quickie marriages" in our state. I recommend that you give thoughtful consideration to this proposal when it is presented to you. VI. PUBLIC SAFETY. While gratifying progress was made in reducing the number of fatalities on Georgia's roads, streets, and highways, a great deal more must be accomplished in this all-important field. Those who use our streets and roads must have more security against the thoughtless, reckless, and incompetent, vehicle driver. I recommend rigid enforcement of traffic laws and a more uniform method of enforcement. I heartily endorse the - 20 - recommendntion of your Traffic Safety study Committee that the Department of Public Safety be given the responsibility of administering a driver education program in the schools of Georgia. The Board of the Department of Public Safety has recommended and I have approved the installation of a longevity pay raise schedule for certain members of the Georgia State Patrol and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and I recommend that this Legislature give careful consideration to this measure when it appears before you. VII. JUVENILE DETENTION HOMES - PROBATION. I recommend the prompt construction of juvenile detention homes in those areas not now having such facilities, as part of our continuing fight against our ever increasing problem of juvenile delinquency. I further favor the broadening and strengthening of the state-wide probation act, which has been effective in rehabilitating offenders and a strong deterrent to increasing our prison population. VIII. PORT DEVELOPMENT. Since Georgia is attaining new levels in water transportation ben~~lts both in our Atlantic sea ports and inland waterways, I recommend that the State cooperate in every way possible with the Ports Authority in expanding and broadening the facilities under its jurisdiction. This includes enlargement of facilities at Savannah, increased cooperation for Brunswick, and preparing means for development on such rivers as have been deepened for euccessful na vi gat ion. - 21 - JUNIOR COLLEGE PROGRAM. In order to prepare for the forthcoming increase in student population in our institutions of higher learning, I recommend that this General Assembly give consideration to the proposal to provide for the establishment of intermediate or junior college level institutions in urban areas of the state. The establishment of such institutions would provide educational opportunities to countless thousands of Georgia's young people who would not otherwise have the benefit of college training. x. PEACE OFFICERS BENEFIT FUND. The Act creating the Peace Officers Annuity and Benefit Fund was passed while I was serving as Lieutenant Governor. It was my privilege to assist in the passage of this legislation and it has always been my desire to assist the peace officers of this State in every way possible. A joint committee of the House and Senate has made a study of the Annuity and Benefit Fund, and along with a committee of peace officers, has recommended some changes in the Act creating the Fund, which will go towards making the Fund more actuarially sound. I wholeheartedly endorse these recommendations as your Governor and as a member of the Board of Commissioners which administers the Fund. XI. PROVTSION FOR AGED AND AGING. Inasmuch as I feel it is incumbent upon this administration to make full utilization of the aged in Georgia, and in an effort to further the study and provide for the welfare of the aged and aging, I recommend that you give consideration to the establishment of a Gerontology Commission to be established to serve for a period not to exceed two years in order that this social problem can be solved successfullyQ SEGREGATION My friends, we are facing, in the integration fight, one of the most serious situations that has arisen since the foundation of this nation. - 22 - It is a matter of satisfaction to all good citizens of Georgia that we have thus far successfully resisted, by legal means, all efforts to integrate the public schools of this state. Since the illegal decision of the United States Supreme Court was handed down in 1954, there has been nothing but turmoil, storm and strife following in its wake. We have witnessed the unwise, ill-advised, and precedent-shattering decision of the President of this nation to send armed troops of the United States to subdue, with fixed bayonets, a peaceful people living in the capitol of Arkansas who passively resisted the attempt now in progress to integrate the Central High School in that city. The act of sending these troops to Little Rock has been denounced by leading newspapers, magazines, government, state and local officials and outstanding thinkers in all parts of this country. That one act crystallized sentiment in the nation against the efforts of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to force social equality between the races on the people of the United States through the aid of brow-beaten nmodern Republicans" and fanatically inclined Democrats. This movement definitely has been checked. It is significant that a rising tide of adverse criticism of the Supreme Court because of the decision in the segregation case and in other recent decisions is rolling over the country. Among those opposing the usurpation of power by this court are the American Bar Association, the Attorney Generals Association and other important groups. The vast majority of the loyal and patriotic citizens of Georgia are backing us in this fight. We are determined not to accept any usurpation of power reserved to the states of this union and through legal means we will fight this battle with all our resources. - 23 - We will not bow the knee ~o tyranny nor will we submit meekly to the persecutions of 5 despotic gang of political fortune hunters who seek this power for their own personal advancement. With stout hearts and resolute unity we will win this struggle in the long run and, God willing, preserve all our traditions of freedom and liberty in our beloved State of Georgia. # # # - 24 -