Tenure

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

Current Assignments

2002- Appropriations Committee

2002-Oversight Committee on Pensions of the Appropriations Committee

2003- Vice Chair, Capital Budget Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee

2007- Chair, Oversight Committee on Pensions of the Appropriations Committee

2007- Education and Economic Development Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee

2007- House Chair, Joint Committee on Pensions (Member, 2003-)

2009- House Emergency Medical Services System Workgroup

2008- Law Enforcement and State-Appointed Boards Committee of the Prince George's County Delegation

1999- Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc.

1999- Women Legislators of Maryland

Past House Service

Vice Chair, Capital Budget Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, 2003-2010; Joint Committee on the Selection of the State Treasurer, 2007; Transportation and the Environment Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, 2003-2006; Public Safety and Administration Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, 2002-2003; Joint Committee on Children, Youth, and Families, 1999-2003; Judiciary Committee, 1999-2002; County Affairs Committee, Prince George's County Delegation, 1999-2006; Civil Law and Procedure Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee, 1999-2002; Chair, Prince George's County House Delegation, 2008-2012; Chair, Bi-County Committee of the Prince George's County Delegation, 2007-2008.

Public Service

Co-Chair, Blue Ribbon Commission to Study Retiree Health-Care Funding Options, 2007-2009; Law Enforcement and State-Appointed Boards Committee, Prince George's County Delegation, 2008-; Director, Center for Healthy Lifestyle Initiatives, Prince George's County Health Dept., 2008-, 2004-2006; Chair, Bi-County Committee, Prince George's County Delegation, 2007-2008; Director, Office of Prevention and Community Outreach, Prince George's County Health Dept., 2006-2008; County Affairs Committee, Prince George's County Delegation, 1999-2006; Maryland State Arts Council, 2003-; Chair, Environmental Committee, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, 2000-; Education Committee, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, 2000-; Delegate, Democratic Party National Convention, 2000.

Biographical Information

Born, Abilene, Texas, June 5, 1963; Charles M. Russell High School, Great Falls, Montana; Eastern Montana College, B.S., Psychology, Criminology, and Rehabilitation, 1985; Howard University, M.S.W., 1987; Project Coordinator, National Basketball Players Association Health Education Project, The Johns Hopkins University, 1992-93; Senior Program Officer, Academy for Educational Development, Washington, DC, 1998-2004; Director, Center for Healthy Lifestyle Initiatives, Prince George's County Health Department, 2004-06, 08; Director, Office of Prevention and Community Outreach, Prince George's County Health Department, 2006-08; Vice President for Governmental and External Affairs, Greater Baden Medical Services, 2009-; Clinical Social Worker, Public Health Specialist and Workshop Facilitator; Two sons.