Hoyer Celebrates Maryland Day at St. Clement's Island, the 'Birthplace of Maryland'

COLTON'S POINT, MD - Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) today joined a festive gathering of Maryland citizens, elected officials and historical scholars in commemorating the 374^th anniversary of Maryland's founding at the site of the State's first colonial landing at St. Clement's Island.  The annual Maryland Day observance took place on the riverside lawn of St. Clement's Island Museum in Colton's Point, Maryland.

Rep. Hoyer's remarks below. As prepared for delivery.

"Let me begin by commending you for honoring our great State on her 374^th birthday!  It's not always warm on this day and today's no exception out here on the water, overlooking this beautiful island. 

"I've often wondered why the arriving colonists didn't stay down in Barbadoes for an extra month or two until the weather got warmer! 

"We gather today across from the very location where Father Andrew White celebrated a mass of thanksgiving, with the early settlers after their difficult and dangerous journey. 

"You can just imagine how difficult it must have been aboard the Ark and the Dove, crossing the Atlantic, to seek a new life in the settlement that would become a colony and today have become the great State of Maryland. 

"Again, I want to commend each of you for the important role you are playing to honor these brave souls and the early foundations of our State.  Maryland has given so much to our nation.   Today, our great State continues to be a leader. 

"We have become one of the wealthiest in the nation and have one of the best educated workforces in America.   

"Despite a sagging national economy, Maryland continues to chug along - consistently outperforming the nation in economic performance. 

"I really want to commend each of you for the important sacrifices and role that you have played in placing this museum here and, as we look out at the island, we can see the lighthouse coming to life again. 

"Your efforts to keep build on our history and make it more accessible for our youth is so important, and I hope that others will continue to build on the strong foundation you have laid in this community to commemorate your important role in history."

For more information about the event call the St. Clement's Island Museum at 301-769-2222. For more information about St. Clement's Island Museum and Maryland history, log on to www.stmarysmd.com/recreate/museums.