Tenure

First elected to the Senate in 1998. Member of the Senate since 1999.

Current Assignments

2003- Budget and Taxation Committee

2003- Chair, Public Safety, Transportation, and Environment Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee

2007- Chair, Capital Budget Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee

2007- Vice Chair, Executive Nominations Committee

2008- Legislative Policy Committee

1999- Joint Committee on Protocol

2011- Senate Chair, Joint Committee on Spending Affordability

2013- Senate Chair, Special Joint Commission on Public Safety and Security in State and Local Correctional Facilities

2013- Joint Committee on Gaming Oversight

Past Senate Service

Standing Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting, 2011-2012; Joint Legislative and Executive Commission on Oversight of Public/Private Partnerships, 2011-2012; Joint Committee on Base Realignment and Closure, 2008-2011; Joint Legislative Work Group to Study State, County, and Municipal Fiscal Relationships, 2009-2010; Joint Committee on the Selection of the State Treasurer, 2007, 2003; Special Joint Committee on Pensions, 2004-2006; Majority Whip, 2003-2006; Pensions Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee, 2003-2006; Joint Subcommittee on Program Open Space and Agricultural Land Preservation, 1999-2006; Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review, 2002-2003; Joint Technology Oversight Committee, 2000-2003; Senate Committee on Redistricting, 2001-2002; Chair, Anne Arundel County Senate Delegation, 2001-2002; Finance Committee, 2000-2002; Special Committee on Gaming, 2001; Health, Education, and Human Resources Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee, 1999.

Public Service

Communications Tax Reform Commission, 2012-; Local Development Council, Anne Arundel County, 2012-; Co-Chair, Maryland Commission on Cybersecurity Innovation and Excellence, 2011-2012; State Center Executive Committee, 2009-; Economic Development, Transportation, and Cultural Affairs Committee, Southern Legislative Conference, 2008-; Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee, 2008-; Fiscal Affairs and Government Operations Committee, Southern Legislative Conference, 2008-; Budgets and Revenue Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures, 2007-; Transit Funding Study Steering Committee, 2006-2007; Joint Commission on the Maryland Port Administration, 2005-2006; Drug Treatment Court Commission, 2003-2006; Task Force on Lending Equity within Financial Institutions Providing State Depository Services, 2005; Task Force on the Exception of Law Enforcement Officers’ Pensions from Taxation, 2004-2005; Task Force on Missing Vulnerable Adults, 2004-2005; Transportation Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures, 2004-; Task Force on Parking for Individuals with Disabilities, 2004; Task Force to Evaluate the Development and Construction of a Magnetic Levitation (MAGLEV) Transportation System in Maryland Between Baltimore and the District of Columbia, 2002-2003; Council on Management and Productivity, 1999-2003; Task Force on Gasoline Zone-Pricing in Maryland, 2000-2001; Task Force to Ensure Utility Services, 1999-2000; State Lottery Commission, 1991-1999; Anne Arundel County Council, 1994-1998.

Memberships

Maryland Veterans Caucus, 2004-; Maryland Legislative Sportsman’s Caucus, 2001-; Anne Arundel Community College Foundation, 1996-2000; Advisory Board, Salvation Army, 1995-1998; Board of Directors, Baltimore-Washington Medical Center Foundation (formerly North Arundel Hospital Foundation Board), 1993-; Take Back Our Streets, Inc. (President, 1995- ), 1992-; Youth Baseball Coach, Glen Burnie Boys Baseball and Harundale Youth Sports League, 1976-1989; Board of Directors, Glen Burnie Mutual Savings Bank (Secretary-Treasurer, 1990-1995, President 1995- ), 1984-; Rotary Club of Glen Burnie (Board of Directors, 1987-1989, President, 1992-1993), 1984-; Glen Burnie Improvement Association (Board of Directors, 1985-89), 1970-.

Awards

Maryland PTA Presidential Champion of Education Award, 2013; Maryland Council for American Private Education (CAPE) Champion of Education Award, 2013; Significant Public Service Award, Rotary Club of Glen Burnie, 2012; Alumni Wall of Honor, Glen Burnie High School, 2011; Certificate of Appreciation, Maryland Municipal League, 2011, 2010, 2008; Outstanding Legislator of the Year, Maryland Business for Responsive Government, 2008-2011; Distinguished Legislator Award, Maryland Municipal League, 2009; Recognition Award, Maryland Association of Counties, 2007; Outstanding Employer Partner, Maryland Chamber of Commerce, 2005; Paul Harris Fellow Award, Rotary Club of Glen Burnie, 2000.

Biographical Information

Born, Baltimore, Maryland, September 24, 1949; Glen Burnie High School, 1968; Anne Arundel Community College; U.S. Army Reserve, 1968-1974; Vice President, DeGrange Lumber Co., Inc., 1968-1995; President, DeGrange Enterprises, Inc., 1996- 2000; Youth Baseball Coach, Glen Burnie Boys Baseball and Harundale Youth Sports League, 1976-1989; Member, Holy Trinity Catholic Church; Married, Three children, Nine grandchildren.