Tenure

First elected to the Senate in 1994. Member of the Senate since 1995.

Current Assignments

1995- Budget and Taxation Committee

1995- Capital Budget Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee

2011- Education, Business, and Administration Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee

1995- Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc.

Past Senate Service

Pensions Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee, 2000-2013, 2000-2012; Joint Legislative Work Group to Study State, County, and Municipal Fiscal Relationships, 2009-2012; Joint Information and Biotechnology Committee, 2009-2012; Joint Committee on the Management of Public Funds, 2007-2012; Joint Audit Committee, 2003-2012; Executive Nominations Committee, 2003-2012; Chair, Budget and Taxation Committee, 2002-2012; Legislative Policy Committee, 2002-2012; Management Subcommittee of the Legislative Policy Committee, 2002-2012; Spending Affordability Committee, 2001-2012; Rules Committee, 1999-2012; Chair, Spending Affordability Committee, 2007-2010; Joint Technology Oversight Committee, 2009, 2000-2008; Joint Committee on the Selection of the State Treasurer, 2007, 2003, 2002; Special Committee on State Employee Rights and Protections, 2005-2007; Special Joint Committee on Pensions, 1999-2006; Senate Special Commission on Medical Malpractice Liability Insurance, 2004; Chair, Special Committee on Legislative Prayer, 2003; Chair, Public Safety, Transportation, and Environment Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee, 2001-2002; Senate Committee on Redistricting, 2001-2002; Deputy Majority Whip, 1999-2002; Co-Chair, Special Committee on Gaming, 2001; Chair, Rules Committee, 1999-2000; Chair, Prince George’s County Delegation, 1997-2000; Senate Chair, Joint Audit Committee, 1997-2000; Joint Committee on Welfare Reform, 1996-2000; Senate Chair, Joint Committee on the Management of Public Funds, 1995-2000; Assistant Deputy Majority Whip, 1996-1998; Joint Committee to Study Mandates on Local Government, 1995-1997.

Past House Service 1987-1995

Rules and Executive Nominations Committee, 1992-1994; Joint Subcommittee on Program Open Space and Agricultural Land Preservation, 1991-1994; Joint Budget and Audit Committee, 1991-1994; Legislative Policy Committee, 1991-1994; Majority Whip, 1991-1994; Appropriations Committee (Vice Chair, Human Resources and Public Safety Subcommittee), 1990-1994; Ways and Means Committee, 1987-1989.

Public Service

College Success Task Force, P-20 Leadership Council of Maryland, 2009-2010; Commission to Develop the Maryland Model for Funding Higher Education, 2006-2009; Fiscal Affairs and Government Operations Committee, Southern Legislative Conference, 2008-; Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities, 2001-2008; Task Force on Minority Participation in the Environmental Community, 2006-2007; Joint Commission on the Maryland Port Administration, 2005-2006; Senate Special Commission on Electric Utility Deregulation Implementation, 2005-2006; Interagency Steering Committee for Managing for Results, 2005-; Governor’s Workforce Investment Board, 2005-; Budgets and Revenue Committee, National Conference of Legislatures, 2005-; Auto Insurance Task Force to Study Rates in Urban Areas, 2005; Subcommittee on Global Best-Practices in Education, Governor’s Commission on Quality Education in Maryland, 2004-2005; Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, 1995-2004; Task Force to Study the Maryland Heritage Structure Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program, 2003; Transportation Task Force, 2003; Commission on Maryland’s Fiscal Structure, 2002-2003; Prince George’s Hospital System Improvement Task Force, 2002-2003; Virginia-Maryland-District of Columbia Joint Legislative Commission on Interstate Transportation, 2000-2003; Vice Chair, Redistricting Committee, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc., 2001-; Co-Chair, Task Force on the Prince George’s County Transfer Tax Rate, 2000-2001; Co-Chair, Education Committee, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc., 2000; Transit Policy Panel, 2000; Maryland Childcare Business Partnership, 1998-2000; Delegate, Democratic Party National Convention, 1996-2000; Commission on Transportation Investment, 1999; Maryland Comprehensive Transit Plan Transit Advisory Panel, 1998-1999; Chair, Task Force to Study School Construction Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeship Programs, 1998-1999; Child Care Administration Advisory Council, 1995-1998; Task Force on the Loss of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for Legal Immigrants in Maryland, 1996-1997; Task Force on Education Funding in Prince George’s County, 1995-1996; Task Force on Law Enforcement of Cabinet Council on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, 1995-1996; Governor’s Commission on Black Males, 1990-1996; National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board of Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

Memberships

Board of Directors, Economic Development Corporation, Prince George’s County, 2008-2009; Board of Directors, Capital Area Food Bank, 2007; Maryland Veterans Caucus, 2004-; Board of Directors, University of Maryland Medical System Corporation, 2003-; Association of School-Based Administrators and Supervisors of Prince George’s County, Maryland; Charter Member, Coalition for Handicapped Children; Board Member, First Generation College Bound; Mental Health Association of Prince George’s County, Inc..

Biographical Information

Born, Whiteville, North Carolina, July 10, 1937; North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State College, B.S., Social Studies and History, 1959; Served in U.S. Army, 1960-63; The American University, M..A., Education, 1968; Former School Principal, Educator, Prince George’s County, over 30 years; Married, two sons, two grandchildren.