Tenure

First elected to the Senate in 1974. Member of the Senate since 1975. Longest Serving Maryland Senate President and Longest Serving President of the Senate in the United States, 1987-2020.

Current Assignments

2020 President Emeritus

2020 Budget and Taxation Committee

2020 Capital Budget Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee

2020 Public Safety, Transportation, and Environment Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee

2020 Legislative Policy Committee (Co-Chair 1987-2020)

1983- Senate Rules Committee

2001- Senate Executive Nominations Committee

1991- Joint Committee on Spending Affordability

Past Senate Service

President of the Senate, 1987-2020; Co-Chair, Management Subcommittee of the Legislative Policy Committee, 1987-2020; Senate Chair, Joint Committee on Investigation, 1997-2020; Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics, 1987-1989; Chair, Judicial Proceedings Committee, 1983-1986; Deputy Majority Leader, 1983-1986.

Past House Service 1971-1975

Judiciary Committee, 1971-1975.

Public Service

Advisory Board on After-School and Summer Opportunity Programs, 2012-2016; Governor's Redistricting Advisory Committee, 2011, 2001-2002; Maryland Access to Justice Commission, 2008-2014; Executive Committee, Southern Legislative Conference of Council of State Governments, 2008; Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, 2007-; Delegate, Democratic Party National Convention, 2004, 2000, 1992; Chair, Southern Legislative Conference of Council of State Governments, 2001-2002; Vice Chair, Southern Legislative Conference of Council of State Governments, 2000; Presidential Elector, Maryland, 2000; Southern Legislative Conference of Council of State Governments, 1999-; Task Force to Study Retail Electric Competition and the Restructuring of the Electric Utility Industry, 1997-1998; Hall of Records Commission, 1996-; Task Force on Affiliation Between Historic St. Mary's City Commission and St. Mary's College of Maryland, 1996; Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland, 1995-, 1975-1982; Maryland 1992 Commission, 1989-1994; State Commission on the Capital City, 1987-1992; Museum Assistance Review Panel, 1990-, 1990-; Governor's Task Force on Trees and Forests, 1990; State House Trust, 1987-; Advisory Council on Lead Poisoning, 1987; Maryland Veterans Home Commission, 1987; Chesapeake Bay Trust, 1987; Maryland Housing Policy Commission, 1987; Governor's Oversight Committee on Liability Insurance, 1986; Executive/Legislative Committee to Study the Feasibility of a Biennial Budget, 1985.

Memberships

President, Senate Presidents' Forum, 1997-1999; President, Southern States Senate Leaders Conference, 1988; Board of Directors, State Legislative Leaders Foundation, 1987-; Board of Directors, Accokeek Foundation; Chair, Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee; American Bar Association; Maryland State Bar Association (Special Committee on Citizenship and Law-Related Education, 2002- ); Prince George's County Bar Association; Calvert, Surratts, Brandywine, Nottingham, Fort Washington, and Upper Marlboro Democratic Clubs; Past Officer or Director of numerous boys and girls clubs, civic, fraternal, business, social and historical organizations.

Awards

Daily Record ICON Honors Award, 2019; Award, National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of Maryland, 2017; Civic Leadership Award, Community Foundation for the National Capital Region, 2015; Distinguished Legislator Award, Maryland Municipal League, 2014; Distinguished Service Award, Maryland Council for Social Studies, 2011; Outstanding Service Award, University of Maryland College Park Foundation, 2010; National Conservation Leadership Award, Accokeek Foundation, 2009; Marylander of the Year, Maryland Historical Society, 2007; Citation, Maryland Healthy Air Act Coalition, 2006; Alumni Hall of Fame, University of Maryland, 2005; Recognition Award, Maryland Association of Counties, 2004, 1993; John R. Hargreaves Distinguished Legislative Fellow Award, Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement, Salisbury University, 2002; Tyser Medallion, University of Maryland Alumni Association, 1999; Louis Goldstein Award for Public Service, Maryland AHEAD, 1999; William M. Bulger Excellence in State Legislative Leadership Award, State Legislative Leaders Foundation, 1997; Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, University of Maryland, 1988; William P. Coliton Community Service Award, The Johns Hopkins University, 1986; Public Service Award, AFL-CIO, Local 400; Outstanding Knight of Columbus; Outstanding Citizen, Prince George's County Board of Trade; Outstanding Legislator, Maryland Municipal League; Recipient of awards from Washington-area Boy Scouts, Prince George's County Volunteer Fire Departments, Maryland Med-Chi, Maryland and Prince George's County Police Departments, Sierra Club, and veterans groups.

Biographical Information

Born, Clinton, Maryland, December 3, 1942; Prince George's County Public Schools, Surrattsville High School; University of Maryland, B.S., Business Administration, 1964; University of Maryland School of Law, LL.B., J.D., 1967; Admitted to Maryland Bar, 1967; Attorney in Private Practice; Married; five children, fourteen grandchildren.