Tenure

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

Current Assignments

2002- Chair, Finance Committee

2003- Rules Committee

2003- Executive Nominations Committee

1997- Legislative Policy Committee

2002- Management Subcommittee of the Legislative Policy Committee

1995- Senate Chair, Joint Subcommittee on Program Open Space/ Agricultural Land Preservation

2007- Senate Chair, Joint Committee on Unemployment Insurance Oversight

2002- Joint Committee on Spending Affordability

2011- Joint Committee on Transparency and Open Government

2013- Senate Co-Chair, Task Force to Study the Applicability of the Maryland Prevailing Wage Law

Past Senate Service

Standing Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting, 2011-2012; Joint Legislative Workgroup to Study State, County, and Municipal Fiscal Relationships, 2009-2010; Joint Committee on the Selection of the State Treasurer, 2002-2007; Senate Co-Chair, Agricultural Stewardship Commission, 2005-2006; Senate Chair, Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics, 2002-2004; Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics, 1997-2004; Co-Chair, Joint Committee on the Selection of the State Treasurer, 2003; Senate Committee on Redistricting, 2001-2002; Public Safety, Transportation, Economic Development and Natural Resources Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee, 2001-2002, 1999; Chair, Capital Budget Subcommittee, 1997-2002; Budget and Taxation Committee, 1995-2002; Special Committee on Gaming, 2001; Health and Human Services Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee, 2000; Health, Education and Human Resources Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee, 1995-1998.

Public Service

Co-Chair, Health Care Workforce Workgroup, Maryland Health Care Reform Coordinating Council, 2010-2011; Long-Term Care Reform Work Group, Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene, 2010-; Chair, Chesapeake Bay Commission, 2010; Vice Chair, Chesapeake Bay Commission, 2009; Co-Chair, Task Force to Review Physician Shortages in Rural Areas, 2008-2009; Agriculture and Energy Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures, 2008-; Environment Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures, 2008-; Energy and Environment Committee, Southern Legislative Conference, 2008-; Workforce Creation and Adult Education Transition Council, 2008; Agriculture, Environment and Energy Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures, 2007-2008; Task Force on Health Care Access and Reimbursement, 2007-2008; Commission to Study Southern Maryland Transportation Needs, 2006-2008; Southern States Energy Board, 2007-; Chesapeake Bay Commission, 2007-; Senate Chair, Joint Legislative Task Force on Small-Group Market Health Insurance, 2005-2007; Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures, 2005-2007; Senate Chair, Joint Legislative Task Force on Universal Access to Quality and Affordable Health Care, 2005-2007; Chair, Senate Special Commission on Electric Utility Deregulation Implementation, 2005-2006; Senate Co-Chair, Joint Commission on the Maryland Port Administration, 2005-2006; Co-Chair, Committee on Unemployment Insurance Oversight, 2005-2006; Task Force to Study the Dynamics of Elderly and Retiree Migration Into and Out of Maryland, 2004-2006; Chair, Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, Southern Legislative Conference, 2004-2006; Community Choice Advisory Group, 2004-2006; Task Force on Broadband Communications Deployment in Underserved Rural Areas, 2003-2006; Senate Chair, Joint Committee on the State's Emergency Medical Response System, 2003-2005; Task Force to Study the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation, 2002-2005, 2000-2001; Vice Chair, Senate Special Commission on Medical Malpractice Liability Insurance, 2004; Task Force on the Marketing of Grain and Other Agricultural Products, 2003-2004; Co-Chair, Unemployment Insurance Funding Task Force, 2003-2004; Vice Chair, Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, Southern Legislative Conference, 2002-2004; Maryland Tourism Development Board, 2002-2004; Advisory Committee on the Management and Protection of the State's Water Resources, 2002-2004; Chair, Division of Labor and Industry Sunset Evaluation Workgroup, Finance Committee, 2003; Special Commission on Legislative Prayer, 2003; Transportation Task Force, 2003; Commission on Maryland's Fiscal Structure, 2002-2003; Virginia-Maryland-District of Columbia Joint Legislative Commission on Interstate Transportation, 2000-2003; Forum for Rural Maryland, 1996-2003; Rebuild La Plata Task Force, 2002; Task Force on Upgrading Sewerage Systems, 2001-2002; Co-Chair, Task Force on Resource-Based Industry in Maryland, 2000-2002; Task Force to Study Adult Education Services in Maryland, 2001; Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, 2000-; Maryland Competitive Advantage Financing Fund Workgroup, 2000; Transit Policy Panel, 2000; Commission on Education Finance, Equity, and Excellence, 1999-2000; Commission on Transportation Investment, 1999; Co-Chair, Study Panel to Review Economic Development Financing Programs, 1999; Chair, Task Force on Driver's Education Programs in Maryland, 1999; Task Force on Tobacco Crop Conversion in Maryland, 1999; Task Force to Study the Governance, Coordination, and Funding of the University System of Maryland, 1998-1999; Board of Trustees, Maryland Historical Trust, 1997-1998; Partnership Policy Council on Block Grants, 1997-1998; Senate Chair, Task Force to Study County Property-Tax Setoffs and Related Fiscal Issues, 1997; Co-Chair, Joint Task Force on Payment Schedule of Property Taxes, 1995-1996; U.S. 301 South Corridor Transportation Study Task Force, 1994-1996; Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, 1992-1994; President, County Commissioners of Charles County, 1986-1994; Social Services Board, Charles County, 1986-1994; Vice Chair, Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, 1992-1993; Chair, Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland, 1990-1992; Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland, 1986-; Chair, Charles County Planning Commission, 1981-1985; Charles County Planning Commission, 1978-1985; Chair, Public Participation and Education Committee, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

Memberships

Board of Directors, Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology, 2005-; Maryland Veterans Caucus, 2004; Maryland Rural Caucus, 2002-; Board of Trustees, Physicians Memorial Hospital; Board Member, Tri-County Youth Service Bureau; Health Service Agency; Farm Bureau; 4-H.

Awards

First Citizen Award, Maryland Senate, 2011; Municipal Super Star, Maryland Municipal League, 2011; Certificate of Appreciation, Maryland Municipal League, 2007-2011; Legislative Leadership Award, Maryland Clean Energy Center, 2010; Distinguished Service Award, Maryland Municipal League, 2002; Legislator Recognition Award, Maryland Association of Counties, 1998-2002; Outstanding Rural Legislator Award, Rural Maryland Council, 2000; Distinguished Leadership Award, Maryland Chapter, American Planning Association, 1993.

Biographical Information

Born, La Plata, Maryland, September 1, 1945; Notre Dame High School, 1964; Charles County Community College, A.A., 1966; Mount St. Mary's College, B.S., Biology, 1968; Military Intelligence, U.S. Army, 1968-71; Owner and Operator, Cedar Hill Farm, near Waldorf; A founder of Charles County Christmas in April; Married, Three children.