Association of Governing Boards of State Universities and Allied Institutions' 30th Annual Meeting

Thank you. Chairman, no word? President Edgar? Members of the Association? Yes. Last night, when I learned that no word since and was going to introduce me, I just slight misgivings. I know he's a distinguished attorney, and somewhat of a politician, I don't know just what range. Whether he's a Democrat or a Republican, I'm not sure. But I think he's been very, very charitable this morning in that in the course of his narration of my career, that he didn't do the rather usual thing that is being done in the last two or three weeks. He didn't expose my 10-year financial record or my income tax. Of course, I can understand that because having been a college professor for a good many

years, my income tax and my financial position would be mostly in the red anyway, and that's definitely the reason he didn't. It is with a deep sense of privilege and pleasure that I extend a sincere welcome. The members of the Association of Government Board on behalf of the Oregon State System of Higher Education, its component of institutions, and the State of Oregon. Governor McKay has asked me to extend to you his personal welcome for this year or thirty of annual convention. Governor McKay will be with us tonight, I'm sure. And we of course, here in Oregon, take particular pride that you are meeting in Oregon, at the same time that our only of your Smith respected has been honored by your association by electing him as your president for the current year.

But above and beyond this official welcome, it's of course particularly pleasing to me to extend a personal welcome to many that I consider old friends in this association. It's been my good fortune to become acquainted with many of you at previous meetings, and this becomes for me a renewal of friendships which have meant so much through the years. I often think that the accomplishments of this association grow out of this spirit of friendship, the camaraderie that has existed and has brought you people, distinguished people, men and women, interested in a single, and I thought I consider a noble cause, higher education for the use of the country. You are met in a state which is now in its period of its greatest development.

With its mild climate and abundance of natural resources, it is attracting more attention as a place to live and a place to do business. We like to think of our state as the Oregon Empire, with a thrilling history of pioneering that goes back to the early 16th century. You know after the organization of the Pacific Northwest Territory in about 1818, and following a rather spirited battle which you all learned in your history, a battle with our later ally, the Great Britain, the territory which constitutes Oregon and Washington and parts of Idaho, Montana, and Mr. Chairman, Wyoming, was once a part of Oregon. It became a possession of the United States, and in 1848 Oregon was split off as a definite governmental unit and was given territorial status.

Then in 1859 it became the 33rd state in the Union. This gives you just a little of the historical background of our Oregon Empire. Chancellor Byrne of the State System of Higher Education here in Oregon, followed his word of greeting with a very vivid description of the entire state of Oregon, making use of a huge map of the state. I highlighted the important geographical areas of Oregon and the regions of the state where the Oregon State System of Higher Education was active, either with campuses of the system or extension and experiment station activity. Later in the day, the Association of Governing Boards of State Universities and Allied Institutions heard another word of greeting. Greetings expressed to the members at their annual banquet by the governor of the state of Oregon, Douglas McKay.

Pleasure for me to be here tonight with you and welcome this Association of Governing Boards to State of Oregon. This is the first time you've ever met an Oregon. We're very, very happy to have you here. I want to say as you look at these beautiful pictures around the tables here, they're only half true. They're twice as beautiful as that. I wish you that time to see them all because we have 385 miles of the most gorgeous coastline that plays out of doors and I don't accept an institute. I understand you're going on a trip on Friday. That's the deluxe $2.5 tour they're taking you on with a whistle stop at Salem. Now, there's 30 minutes in Salem. I hope you get there on time and I'll have some guides available to show you around the capital.

We think we have one of the most beautiful capital set up to the entire United States. Not for large just because we're poor frugal people out here with only a million and a million and a half inhabitants. In 35, our capital burned down. The governor called us in a special session in the appointment of the capital planning commission. To that, they had a competition among the architects of the United States. This firm in New York wanted hands down. It's different than any other capital in the United States. At first, the natives didn't like it very well, but they had become accustomed to it now and so many people have heralded as well. The capital centers in the entire United States, so they all think it's wonderful now. So I'll be delighted to have a good guy and show you around. And also when you build a building like that, one plan, we're able to have some beautiful murals pointing out some of the historic things of the history of Oregon. And I'll show you through the back one and you can take a little squint at it. The oldest institution of higher learning west than Missouri River. This education institution was founded by Jason William F.

as missionary in 1842. It's a remarkable institution. It labels among its graduates, some of the outstanding citizens of America. Then you'll go on to the Oregon State College in the University of Oregon. And I can promise you that you'll have an enjoyable day. If the sun is shining like it is today, and I hope it isn't because of the deer hunters you're giving me an awful bad time. But I'm afraid that the sun will still be shining and the deer hunters will still be mad at the governor. If everybody in the state's mad at me some day or other, my problem is not to have more mad to say indeed. But I do think you'll have a delightful trip. We'll be very glad to do anything we can for you. The training echo doesn't do. Let me know when I'll see this done. Now we have a delightful speaker later to describe Oregon better than I can to you. But I want to point out to you that we in Oregon believe in education. Let's go.