Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my great pleasure to welcome you today to the inauguration of the sixty-first Governor of the State of Maryland – Governor Martin O’Malley. In 1776, Maryland joined 12 other colonies in an heroic struggle for freedom and democracy on the American Continent. That year, the people cast aside colonial status and became a state – one governed of, for and by the people.
And so it was that 230 years ago – in February of 1777 – that the Maryland General Assembly elected a patriot named Thomas Johnson as our first State Governor.
As a member of the Continental Congress, a delegate to the state constitutional convention, a soldier in the Revolution, Governor, and finally as a Supreme Court Justice, Johnson believed – and argued passionately – that government exists to improve the circumstances of the people. He believed in independence from an unresponsive British Monarch. He believed in the inherent rights of all people, and he believed that the bonds of partnership could be stronger than the chains of oppression.
For more than two centuries, Marylanders have sought leaders who shared the ideals of our first governor, and who shared our founders’ faith in the goodness of the people of this great State. Today, Martin O’Malley becomes the latest keeper of this legacy. Elected leaders from around the state join him here, because he has pledged to join with us as a partner in the progress of our communities.
In each one of Maryland’s jurisdictions, there are unique challenges and unique opportunities, but we all share common challenges as well. We must all find a way to give our children the best schools. We must all find a way to give our families the safest neighborhoods. And we must all find a way to give future generations a State that can create opportunity for all.
Standing here today in the shadow of our state’s long and distinguished history, I know there is no challenge too great and no problem too complicated to be solved by our great people. We must work together, as citizens and legislators, local governments, state government and federal representatives.
We will, no doubt, ask a great deal of our new governor. I share the people’s faith in his talents and abilities. But Governor let me make you a promise as well. Your friends around the state will not ask more from you than we are willing to do ourselves. We will succeed as true partners, and we commit ourselves today to working with you to build a stronger Maryland for all of us.
Courthouse 