Tenure

First elected to the Maryland House of Delegates, 1994. Member of the House since 1995.

Current Assignments

2013- Vice Chair, Ways and Means Committee (Member, 2007-)

2013- Chair, Vice Chair's Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee (Member, 2013-)

2015 Chair, Election Law Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee

2013- House Committee on Rules and Executive Nominations

1995- Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc.

Past House Service

Chair, Howard County Delegation, 2015-2016; Chair, Finance Resources Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee, 2007-2013; Acting Chair, Education and Economic Development Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, 2006; Chair, Oversight Committee on Personnel of the Appropriations Committee, 2004-2006; Capital Budget Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, 2002-2006; Vice Chair, Education and Economic Development Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, 2002-2006; Appropriations Committee, 1999-2006; Oversight Committee on Personnel of the Appropriations Committee, 1999-2006; Juvenile Justice Workgroup of the Appropriations Committee, 2005; Special Committee on Higher Education Affordability and Accessibility, 2003-2004; Joint Committee on Investigation, 1995-2004; Joint Committee on the Selection of the State Treasurer, 2003; Oversight Committee on Program Open Space and Agricultural Land Preservation of the Appropriations Committee, 1999-2002; Gaming [gambling] Law and Regulation Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee, 1995-1998.

Public Service

State Planning Committee for Higher Education, 2004; Chair, Howard County Delegation, 2001-2004; Study Panel on Funding Needs of Trauma Centers, 2001-2003; Judicial Nominating Committee, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, 2000-; Redistricting Committee, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, 2000-; Task Force on Youth Citizenship and Violence Prevention of Cabinet Council on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, 1995-1996; Explosives Advisory Council, 1984-1989; Industrial Development Authority, Howard County, 1984.

Memberships

Maryland Green Caucus, 1996-; American Business Law Association.

Awards

Appreciation Award, Maryland Classified Employees Association , 2005; Senator James Clark, Jr. Award for Distinguished Public Service, Howard County Democratic Central Committee , 2004; Outstanding Conservationist, Audubon Society of Central Maryland , 2004; Citizen of the Year Award, Tau Pi Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. , 2003; Legislative Appreciation Award, Maryland Association of Community Services , 2002; Conservationist of the Year Award, Audubon Society of Central Maryland , 2001; Certificate of Appreciation, Howard County Center of African-American Culture, Inc. , 2001; Achievement Award, Association of Retarded Citizens of Howard County , 2000; Distinguished Legislator Award, University of Maryland University College Alumni Association , 2000; Environmental Leadership Award, Maryland League of Conservation Voters , 2000; Adoption Visionary Award, Department of Human Resources , 1999; Outstanding Legislative Leadership Award, Association of Retarded Citizens of Maryland , 1996; Award, National Black Women's Consciousness-Raising Association , 1996; Recognition of High Scholastic Achievement, Sigma Beta Delta , 1994; Educator of the Year, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity , 1991.

Biographical Information

Born, Mt. Pleasant, New York, July 6, 1947; North Carolina Central University, B.A., Social Science, 1964; University of North Carolina School of Law and North Carolina Central University, J.D., 1973; Associate Professor, Business Law and Legal Environment, Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management, Morgan State University, 1974; Administrative Aide to former North Carolina Governor Dan K. Moore; Deputy Campaign Manager for U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski, 1986; Special Assistant (small business) to U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski, 1987-93; Judge, Orphans' Court, Howard County, 1990; Married, Four children.