Tenure

First elected to the Maryland House of Delegates, 1998. Member of the House since 1999.

Current Assignments

2013- Assistant Speaker Pro Tem

1999- Environmental Matters Committee

2003- Chair, Agriculture, Agriculture Preservation, and Open Space Subcommittee of the Environmental Matters Committee

2006- Natural Resources Subcommittee of the Environmental Matters Committee

2011- Local Government and Bi-County Agencies Subcommittee of the Environmental Matters Committee

2007- Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics

2003- House Chair, Joint Subcommittee on Program Open Space/ Agricultural Land Preservation

2003- Chair, Wicomico County House Delegation

2009- House Emergency Medical Services System Workgroup

2011- Secretary, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc.

Past House Service

Land Use and Ethics Subcommittee of the Environmental Matters Committee, 2007-2010; Vice Chair, House Committee on Rules and Executive Nominations, 2007-2013; Joint Committee on the Selection of the State Treasurer, 2007; Housing and Real Property Subcommittee of the Environmental Matters Committee, 2006-2007; Environment Subcommittee of the Environmental Matters Committee, 2005-2006; Agricultural Stewardship Commission, 2005-2006; Public and Private Fundraising for the Chesapeake Bay Workgroup of the Environmental Matters Committee, 2004; Ethics Subcommittee of the Environmental Matters Committee, 2003-2004; Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources Subcommittee of the Environmental Matters Committee, 1999-2003; Public Utilities Subcommittee of the Environmental Matters Committee, 1999-2003; Deputy Majority Whip, 2001-2002; Environmental and Natural Resources Subcommittee of the Environmental Matters Committee, 1999.

Public Service

Parliamentarian, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, 2008-2011; Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission, 2010-; Task Force on the Future for Growth and Development in Maryland, 2008-2010; Agriculture and Energy Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures, 2008-; Environment Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures, 2008-; Eastern Shore Task Force on Foster Care, 2007-2008; Agriculture, Environment and Energy Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures, 2007-2008; Task Force on Minority Participation in the Environmental Community, 2006-2007; Co-Chair, Incentives for Agriculture Task Force, 2006-2007; Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures, 2005-2007; Chair, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, 2004-2006; Chaplain, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, 2002-2006; Agricultural and Rural Policy Task Force, Council of State Governments, 2005-; Task Force to Study the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation, 2003-2005; Aquaculture Advisory Committee, 2003-2005; Chesapeake Forest Citizens Advisory Committee, 2002-2005; Task Force to Study the Economic Development of the Maryland Seafood and Aquaculture Industries: Seafood Industry Workgroup, 2002-2004; Poultry Issues Action Team, 2003; Commission on Responsible Fatherhood, 2001-2002; Chair, Task Force to Study Health Care Needs of Inmates in Transition from Correctional Institutions, 2000-2002; Maryland State Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 1970-2002; Mid-Shore Regional Council, 2001-; Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland, 2001-; Historically Black Colleges and Universities Committee, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, 2001-; Governor's Fatherhood Advisory Council, 2000-2001; Governor's Task Force on Eastern Shore Economic Development, 1999-2001; Chair, Membership Committee, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, 2000-; Health Care Committee, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, 2000-; Co-Chair, Redistricting Committee, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, 2000; Delegate, Democratic Party National Convention, 2000; Chair, Shore Erosion Task Force, 1999-2000; Delmarva Advisory Council, 1980-1998; Citizen's Advisory Board for Holly Center, 1976-1998; County Council, Wicomico County, District 1, 1990-1994; Board of Zoning Appeals, Wicomico County, 1980-1990; Chancellor's Advisory Committee, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, 1977-1980.

Memberships

Maryland Veterans Caucus, 2006-; Maryland Rural Caucus, 2002-; Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus, 2001-; Maryland Rural Development Corporation, 1987-1998; Maryland Association of Engineers, 1963-1984; Board of Directors, Shore Up, Inc., 1978-1983; Chair, New Directions for Political and Social Change, 1977; Lower Eastern Camp Committee/ Cooperative Area Manpower Planning System, 1975-1977; Vice President, Maryland State Conference of Branches, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), 1969; Coordinator of Special Projects, Maryland State Conference of Branches, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), 1968; Lamech Lodge 30, Prince Hall Affiliated Free and Ancient Masons; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10159; Queen City Lodge 1051, Elks; American Legion Post 145.

Awards

Casper R. Taylor, Jr., Founder's Award, House of Delegates, 2011; Legislative Leadership Award, Community Action Partnership, 2005; Outstanding Rural Legislator Award, Rural Maryland Council, 2004; Governor's Citation for Service, 1977; Outstanding Citizen Award for Community Service in Field of Human Rights, Kappa Alpha Psi, Salisbury State University, 1977; Award for Outstanding Work in Wicomico County, NAACP, 1974.

Biographical Information

Born, Marion Station, Maryland, May 23, 1934 ; Attended Carter G. Woodson High School, Crisfield, 1952 ; Maryland State College, 1956-57 ; Coppin State College, 1964-68 ; Radar Sergeant, U.S. Army, 1952-55 ; Vice President, Cane's Rentals, 1955- ; Evaluation Engineer, Bureau of Materials and Research, State Highway Administration,1957-68 ; Director of Administration, Eastern Regional Laboratory, State Highway Administration, 1968-84 ; Administrator of Housing and Community Development, SHORE UP! Inc., 1984- ; Member, Ebenezer United Methodist Church ; Married, Two children .