Tenure

First elected to the Maryland House of Delegates, 1974. Member of the House since 1975.

Current Assignments

1993- Chair, Judiciary Committee (Member, 1975-)

1993- Committee on Rules and Executive Nominations

1993- Legislative Policy Committee

Past House Service

Joint Committee on the Selection of the State Treasurer, 2002, 1996; Special Committee on Gaming, 2001; Task Force to Study the Laws and Policies Relating to Representation of Indigent Criminal Defendants by the Office of the Public Defender, 2012-2014.

Public Service

Article 27 (crimes & punishments) Revision Committee, 2004-2008; Law and Criminal Justice Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures, 2005-; Co-Chair, Task Force to Examine Crime Victims' Rights Laws in Maryland, 1996-2003; Anti-Terrorism Workgroup, 2001-2002; Commission on Juvenile Justice Jurisdiction, 1998-2001; Council on Jury Use and Management, 1999-2000; State Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy, 1999-; Maryland Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy, 1996-1999; Sentencing Guidelines Advisory Board, 1993-1999; Criminal Justice Information Advisory Board, 1991-1996; Governor's Commission on Gun Violence, 1995-; Joint Executive-Legislative Task Force to Study Commercial Gaming Activities in Maryland, 1995; Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland, 1994-; Joint Task Force on Maryland's Procurement Law, 1993-1994; Court of Appeals Standing Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure, 1993-; Drunk and Drugged Driving Task Force, 1988-1990; Task Force on Crime, 1976-1977; Law Enforcement and State-Appointed Boards Committee, Prince George's County Delegation; Past Chair, Prince George's County Delegation.

Memberships

Maryland Rural Caucus, 2002-; Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus, 2001-; Order of Sons of Italy; American Bar Association; Maryland State Bar Association; Past President, Prince George's County Criminal Trial Lawyers Association; Inactive Member, Painters Local Union no. 1773.

Awards

Robert C. Heeney Award, Criminal Law Section, Maryland State Bar Association , 2010; Legacy of Excellence in Litigation, University of Baltimore School of Law , 2006; Legislative Award, Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence , 1999; Most Valuable Legislator Award, Stephanie Roper Committee , 1994.

Biographical Information

Born, Washington, DC, March 4, 1937; Washington, D.C. Parochial Schools; Benjamin Franklin University, B.C.S., Commercial Science and M.C.S., Commercial Science, 1959; Eastern College; Mt. Vernon School of Law, University of Baltimore, LL.B., J.D., 1963; Attorney; Married, Six children, Nineteen grandchildren.