Tenure

First elected to the Maryland House of Delegates, 1986. Member of the House 1987-1995. Next elected to the House in 1998. Member of the House since 1999.

Current Assignments

1999- Judiciary Committee

1999- Civil Law and Procedure Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee

Past House Service

Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review , 1993-1995; Judiciary Committee , 1987-1995.

Public Service

Youth Centers Advisory Board, Department of Juvenile Justice, 2002-; Governor's Flood Mitigation Task Force for Western Maryland, 1999-2002; Western Maryland Economic Development Task Force, 1999-2002; Tri-County Council for Western Maryland, 1999-; Citizens Advisory Board, Joseph D. Brandenburg Center, 1987-1991; Allegany County Task Force for Economic and Community Growth, 1987-1995.

Memberships

Maryland Rural Caucus, 2002-; Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus, 2001-; Maryland State Bar Association; Allegany County Bar Association; Former President and Former Member, Board of Directors, Cumberland Central YMCA; Former Member, Advisory Board, New Dominion School.

Awards

Board Proclamation, Allegany County Board of Education, 2012-; 2011, 2013 Legislator of the Year Award, Maryland Bail Bond Association; Legislator of the Year Award, Maryland Bail Bond Association, 2011; Appreciation Award by Medical Claim-Aid on behalf of their Maryland EMS Clients, 2011; Outstanding Service Award, Maryland Sheriffs' Association, 2010; Legislator of the Year Award, Maryland Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS), 2010; Outstanding Service Award, Maryland Sheriff's Association, 2010-; President's Award, Flintstone Volunteer Fire Department, 2009; President's Award, Bedford Road Volunteer Fire Department, 2004-; Honorary Member, Western Maryland Hunter Safety Instructors' Association, 2003-; Marylanders for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership Award, 2002; Historic Achievement Award, Westernport Elementary School, 2001; Honorary Member Award, Bedford Road Volunteer Fire Department, 2000-; Defender of Freedom Award, National Rifle Association of America, Inc., 2000; Legislator of the Year Award, Maryland and District of Columbia Professional Firefighters Association, 1993; Defender of Freedom Award, Maryland State Rifle and Pistol Association, 1993; Outstanding Young Marylander Award, Maryland Jaycees, 1992; Legislator of the Year Award, Maryland State's Attorneys' Association, 1991; 1991, 2009, 2012, 2014 Legislator of the Year Award, Maryland State Lodge, Fraternal Order of Police; Outstanding Maryland Public Official Award, Chemical Industry Council of Maryland, 1990.

Biographical Information

Born, Cumberland, Maryland, August 18, 1953; Bishop Walsh High School, Cumberland; Frostburg State College, B.S., Political Science, 1975; University of Baltimore School of Law, J.D., 1978; Administrative Hearing Officer, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; Western Maryland Community Relations Representative, Maryland Environmental Service, 1995-2003; Single.