Tenure

First elected to the Maryland House of Delegates, 1986. Member of the House since 1987.

Current Assignments

2007- Appropriations Committee

2007- Oversight Committee on Personnel of the Appropriations Committee

2013- Transportation and the Environment Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee

Past House Service

Vice Chair, Public Safety and Administration Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, 2011-2013; Public Safety and Administration Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, 2007-2013; Capital Budget Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, 2011; Economic Matters Committee, 2003-2006, 1987-1993; Alcoholic Beverages Workgroup of the Economic Matters Committee, 2003-2006; Banking, Economic Development, Science and Technology Subcommittee of the Economic Matters Committee, 2003-2006; Chair, Workers' Compensation Subcommittee of the Economic Matters Committee, 2003-2006; House Chair, Workers' Compensation Benefit and Insurance Oversight Committee, 2003-2006; Chair, Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review, 2003-2006; Rules and Executive Nominations Committee, 1993-2006; Joint Committee on the Selection of the State Treasurer, 2003, 2002; Chair, Commerce and Government Matters Committee, 1999-2003; Legislative Policy Committee, 1999-2003; Speaker's Advisory Committee on Legislative Redistricting, 2001-2002; Vice Chair, Commerce and Government Matters Committee, 1994-1998; Vice Chair, Rules and Executive Nominations Committee, 1993; Unemployment Insurance Subcommittee of the Economic Matters Committee, 1987-1993; Special Joint Committee on Energy Pricing, 1990-1991.

Public Service

Vice Chair, Chesapeake Bay Commission, 2008, 2005; Commission to Study Southern Maryland Transportation Needs, 2007-2008; Chair, Maryland Correctional Enterprises Management Council, 2006-2007; Chair, Southern Maryland Delegation, 2003-2006; Chair, State Use Industries Management Council, 1999-2005; Maryland Veterans Home Commission, 2004-, 1992-2003; Blue Crab Task Force, 2003-; Co-Chair, Study Panel on Funding Needs of Trauma Centers, 2001-2003; Co-Chair, Bi-State Blue Crab Advisory Committee, Chesapeake Bay Commission, 1996-2003; Forum for Rural Maryland, 1995-2003; Partnership for Workforce Quality Advisory Board, 1990-2003; Patuxent River Oil Spill Citizens Advisory Committee, 2000-2002; Chair, St. Mary's County Delegation, 1999-2002; Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, 2000-; Historic St. Mary's City Commission, 1999-; Task Force on Tobacco Crop Conversion in Maryland, 1999; Chair, State Use Industries Advisory Committee, 1999; State Use Industries Advisory Committee, 1998-1999; Task Force to Study Comprehensive Licensing of Automotive-Related Industries, 1998; Chair, Chesapeake Bay Commission, 1998; Task Force to Study Bank Charter Modernization, 1997-1998; Co-Chair, Task Force to Study Motor Vehicle Liens, Regulation of Towing Practices, and the Disposition of Unclaimed Vehicles, 1997; Task Force to Review the State's Election Law, 1995; U.S. 301 South Corridor Transportation Study Task Force, 1994-1995; Chesapeake Bay Commission, 1991-; Interdepartmental Committee on Mandated Health Insurance Benefits, 1990-1991; Subcommittee on Mandated Health Insurance Benefits of Governor's Commission on Health Care Policy and Financing, 1988-1989; Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland, 1987-; 7th Judicial Nominating Commission, 1980-1986; County Hospital Board, St. Mary's County, 1982-; Park and Recreation Board, St. Mary's County, 1979-.

Memberships

Maryland Veterans Caucus, 2005-; Chair, Maryland Rural Caucus, 2002-2004; Maryland Taxpayers Protection Caucus, 2003-; Maryland Rural Caucus, 2002-; Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus, 2001-; Board of Directors, Mid-Atlantic Food Dealers Association (President, 1980), 1976-1983; Rescue Squad, Mechanicsville Fire Department; Charles County Democratic Club; St. Mary's County Democratic Club; Mechanicsville Optimist Club; 7th District Optimist Club; Mechanicsville Moose.

Awards

Outstanding Legislator of the Year, Maryland Business for Responsive Government , 2008; Special Category Hall of Fame Inductee, Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen's Association , 2004; Legislator Recognition Award, Maryland Association of Counties , 1995.

Biographical Information

Born, Leonardtown, Maryland, January 13, 1936 ; Attended Charlotte Hall Military Academy ; Served in Maryland National Guard, Sergeant, 1952-60 ; Owner and Operator, Wood's Food Rite, 1962-93 ; Partner, Cross and Wood Insurance Brokers, 1993- ; Married, Nine children, Twenty-two grandchildren, Eight great-grandchildren .