Tenure

First elected to the Maryland House of Delegates, 2002. Member of the House since 2002: appointed February 18 and sworn in February 21, 2002. First elected to the Maryland Senate in 2014. Member of the Senate since 2015.

Current Assignments

2019 Majority Whip

2015 Judicial Proceedings Committee

2019 Executive Nominations Committee

2020 Legislative Policy Committee

2015 Joint Committee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology and Biotechnology

2002- Women Legislators of Maryland

2015 Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus, Associate Member

2019 Chair Emerita, Maryland Legislative Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus, Inc. (Member, 2016, Chair 2016-2019,)

Past Senate Service

Deputy Majority Whip, 2016-2019; Reapportionment and Redistricting Committee, 2022; Workgroup to Study Child Custody Proceedings Involving Child Abuse or Domestic Violence Allegations, 2019-2020.

Past House Service

Deputy Majority Whip, 2013-2014, 2003-2008; Judiciary Committee, 2002-2014; Chair, Family Law Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee, 2011-2014; Chair, Juvenile Law Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee, 2007-2011; Civil Law and Procedure Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee, 2003-2006; Joint Committee on Access to Mental Health Services, 2011-2014; Gaming Law and Enforcement Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee, 2002-2003; Vice Chair, Montgomery County Delegation, 2007-2014.

Public Service

Council on Open Data, 2021-; Maryland Student Data Privacy Council, 2019-; State Advisory Board for Juvenile Services, 2019-; State Advisory Council on Administrative Hearings, 2017-; Task Force to Study Bicycle Safety on Maryland Highways, 2017-2018; Task Force to Study Recording Deeds for Victims of Domestic Violence, 2016-2017; Governor's Family Violence Council, 2016-; National Conference of State Legislatures Task Force on Cybersecurity, 2016-; National Conference of State Legislatures Task Force on Immigration, 2015; Maryland Cybersecurity Council, 2015-; Workgroup to Study Safe Harbor Policy for Youth Victims of Human Trafficking, 2015-2019; Co-Chair, Maryland Commission on Cybersecurity Innovation and Excellence, 2012-2014; Co-Chair, Task Force to Study Nanobiotechnology, 2010-2011; Land Use and Transportation Committee, Montgomery County Delegation, 2011-2015; County Affairs Committee, Montgomery County Delegation, 2007-2010; Maryland Council for New Americans, 2009-; Presidential Elector, Maryland, 2008; Delegate, Democratic Party National Convention, 2008, 2004, 2000; Co-Chair, Task Force to Study Identity Theft, 2005-2007; National Conference of State Legislatures( Communications, Technology & Interstate Commerce Committee, 07; Communications, Financial Services, 2005-; & Interstate Commerce Committee 2010- ).; Chair, County Affairs Committee, Montgomery County Delegation, 2003-2007; Steering Committee, Bi-County Task Force on Gang Activity, 2004; Women Legislators of Maryland (Executive Board, 2004-06; Secretary, 2006-08; 1st Vice President, 2008-10; President-elect, 2010-11;, 2002-; President, 2011 and - 2012).; U.S. Patent and Trademark Public Advisory Committee, U.S. Dept. of Commerce, 2000-2001.

Memberships

Maryland Bioscience Caucus, 2008-; Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Caucus, 2003-; Maryland Green Caucus, 2002-; Co-Chair, Multicultural Community Partnership, Montgomery County Chapter, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), 1999-2002; Board of Directors and Co-Founder, Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies, Washington, DC, 1995-2001; President, Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Greater Washington, 1985; Co-Founder, Coalition of Asian-Pacific-American Democrats of Maryland; National Asian Pacific American Bar Association; District of Columbia Bar Association (Intellectual Property Law Section); California State Bar Association (Intellectual Property Law Section); Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee; District 16 Democratic Club; Hispanic Democratic Club of Montgomery County; Montgomery County African-American Democratic Club; Women's Suburban Democratic Club; Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts; Organization of Chinese Americans; League of Korean Americans of Maryland; Dialogue on Diversity.

Awards

Legislative Champion Award, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2018; Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence Legislative Award, 2015; Inductee, Human Rights Hall of Fame, Montgomery County, 2014; Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women (MLAW) Legislative Leadership Award, 2014; Maryland's Top 100 Women, Daily Record, 2006; Leadership Recognition Award, Maryland Chapter, National Organization for Women, 2005; Out for Justice Award, Equality Maryland, 2003; Appreciation Award, U.S. Secret Service, 2003; Appreciation Award, Agis Center for Arts and Humanities, 2003; Public Service Award, League of Korean Americans, 2003; Senior Advocate Award, Korean-American Senior Citizens Association-Maryland, 2003; Progressive Leader Award, Progressive Maryland, 2002; Merit Award, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, 2002; Community Service Award, Korean American Senior Citizens Association, 2000; Governor's Citation for Noteworthy Community Service, 1999; Community Service Award, Global Mission Church, 1999; Community Service Award, League of Korean Americans.

Biographical Information

Born, San Antonio, Texas, May 14, 1954; Winston Churchill High School, Potomac, Maryland, 1972; University of Maryland College Park, B.A., Political Science, 1976; School of Law, University of San Francisco, J.D., 1982; Law Clerk, Judge Richard Figone, San Francisco Superior Court, 1981-82; Attorney, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 1983-86; Executive Director, National Democratic Council of Asian and Pacific Americans, 1986-88; Attorney, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, 1988-93; Attorney, Alexander, Bearden, Hairston, & Marks, L.L.P., 1993-97; Of Counsel, Pena & Associates, P.C., 1997-2001; Legislative Assistant to President, Montgomery County Council, 2000-01; Of Counsel, Gebhardt & Associates, Washington, D.C., 2001-; Married.