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- Spending Affordability Committee

2014 Chair, Joint Oversight Committee on the Maryland Health Beneft Exchange

2015 Joint Committee on Behavioral Health and Opioid Use Disorders

2015 Chair, Senate Select Committee No. 8, Charles, St. Mary's and Calvert Counties

2004 Maryland Veterans Caucus

Past Senate Service

Senate Co-Chair, Task Force to Study Methods to Reduce the Rate of Uninsured Drivers, 2014-2015; Senate Co-Chair, Task Force to Study the Applicability of the Maryland Prevailing Wage Law, 2013-2014; Joint Committee on Transparency and Open Government, 2011-2014; Senate Chair, Task Force to Study Maryland Insurance of Last Report Programs, 2012-2013; 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

Chair, Workgroup on Rural Health Care Delivery, 2016-; Maryland Water Quality Trading Advisory Committee, 2016-; Chair, Chesapeake Bay Commission (member 2007- , vice-chair, 2009, 2014; chair, 2010), 2016-; Phosphorus Management Tool Transition Advisory Committee, 2015-; Rural Maryland Council (Member 2006-2009), 2015-; Maryland Agricultural Nonpoint Trading Advisory Committee, 2012-; Health Care Reform Coordinating Council, 2011-2015; 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-; Co-Chair, Task Force to Review Physician Shortages in Rural Areas, 2008-2009; Agriculture and Energy 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-; 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 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.