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DEDICA·TION OF NE.W ARIZONA
SENATE CHAl.ffiERS
ViARCH 7. 1960
(PROCEEDINGS]
REMARKS OF GOVERNOR PAUL FANNIN ON THE CONVENING OF THE ARIZONA HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES IN ITS NEW CHAMBERS, MARCH 7, 1960.
MR SPEAKER, MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE, STAFF MEMBERS, HONORED GUESTS:
There is much that could be said on your first meeting in this room.
One statement can be made, for it bears the burden of all else.
These new House and Senate halls are an expression of our abiding
faith in the principle of American representative government based upon free
local elections.
At the same time, we all know that the magnificence of material
surroundings has little to do with wisdom or liberty.
It is what is in men's hearts and minds that really counts.
The American principle of representative government is always in
danger. The greater the value, the greater the danger.
There are those who---through hatred and fear of our concept of
freedom---wish to destroy individual liberty which derives from free
government.
We all recognize this enemy from his open assertions.
It is more difficult to recognize him when he comes in disguise.
It is even more difficult to realize that in their own tiny ways
the demagogue and the conniver, who seek not to destroy but rather to
shape the pattern to their own selfish ends, are of equal danger to this
precious heritage of ours.
But down the years representative government has withstood these
enemies. Today it stands like a great rock, the hope of freedom-loving
people, everywhere.
I am deeply honored that you have invited me to be in the House
chambers on this historic occasion.
It will be a day to remember.
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May I congratulate all of you and wish you well.
In terms of modern history---as compared to that of the far older
states---Arizona as a state has really not too large a bulk of history.
After all, history is but people and their acts and thoughts seen in
perspective.
To Arizonans our history was but a short yesterday ago.
We can reach out and nearly touch it. Modern history has just begun
to apply its perspective upon Arizona.
Indeed, even the great, almost legendary figures of territorial days
have not been gone too long.
And it is but a handful of years since the first Governor of the
state died.
Nearly all of us here remember him. Some of you knew him very well.
So it is with other strong and leading personages in the short history
of our state and of this House itself---such as the great parliamentarian,
W. G. Rosenbaum, and the colorful Michael Hannon.
It is not our habit in Arizona to think in terms of state history.
Those who stood out in our forty-eight years of statehood are too near, too
familiar.
Last Wednesday you bade farewell to the old hall, the Hall of the
Arizona Constitution.
Today, in one sense, you have stepped into the future.
God willing---in this chamber and in the chamber across the way,
representative government of the people shall flourish in the days of our
children's children and of their children.
It is in that future sense---and not in the material term of a bare
date to be recorded in the history books---that today is one of lasting
significance in Arizona.
THANK YOU.
