Member of Senate, January 1992 to January 12, 2011. Member, Economic and Environmental Affairs Committee, 1992-98 (environment subcommittee); Joint Committee on Chesapeake Bay Critical Areas, 1992-2003; Joint Committee on Federal Relations, 1993-95; Executive Nominations Committee, 1995-98, 2003-06. Minority Whip, 1998-2001. Member, Joint Audit Committee, 1999-2004; Rules Committee, 1999-2006; Legislative Policy Committee, 1999-2006; Budget and Taxation Committee, 1999-2011 (public safety, transportation, economic development & natural resources subcommittee, 1999; public safety, transportation & environment subcommittee, 2000; education, business & administration subcommittee, 2001-07; health, education & human resources subcommittee, 2008-11). Minority Leader, September 27, 2001 to December 18, 2006. Member, Senate Committee on Redistricting, 2002; Joint Committee on the Selection of the State Treasurer, 2002, 2003; Department of Natural Resources Special Funds Work Group, 2002-04; Special Commission on Legislative Prayer, 2003; Joint Committee on the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area, 2003-06; Spending Affordability Committee, 2003-06; Special Committee on State Employee Rights and Protections, 2005-07. Chair, Eastern Shore Delegation, 1995-98. Member, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus, 2001-11; Maryland Rural Caucus, 2002-11; Taxpayers Protection Caucus, 2003-11. Member, Conference of State Legislatures (agriculture & rural development committee).
Chair, Planning and Zoning Commission, Somerset County, 1984-85 (member, 1980-84). Chair, Board of Zoning Appeals, Somerset County, 1985-90. Past member, Area Agency on Aging. Member, Commission to Save the Lighthouses, 1992-96; Governor's Pesticide Council, 1992-2003; Maryland Tourism Development Board, 1995-99; Forvm for Rural Maryland, 1996-2003; Special Committee to Study Issues Related to Class-Size Reduction, 1998-99; Study Panel to Review Economic Development Financing Programs, 1999; Task Force on Tobacco Crop Conversion in Maryland, 1999; Governor's Task Force on Eastern Shore Economic Development, 1999-2001; Aquaculture Advisory Committee, 1999-2005; Task Force on Resource-Based Industry in Maryland, 2000-02; Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland, 2001-; Governor-elect's Transition Team, 2002-03; Chesapeake Forest Citizens Advisory Committee, 2002-05; Transportation Task Force, 2003; Blue Crab Task Force, 2003-; Chesapeake Executive Council, 2004; State Planning Committee for Higher Education, 2004. Chair, Chesapeake Bay Commission, 2004 (member, 1997-2007; vice-chair, 2003). Co-Chair, Task Force on Traffic Capacity across the Chesapeake Bay, 2004-06. Member, Pesticide Advisory Committee, 2004-; Working Waterfront Commission, 2007-08; Local [Video Lottery] Development Council, Worcester County, 2009-10.
Born in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, July 15, 1949. Salisbury State College, B.A. (English & sociology), 1973; Eastern Mennonite Seminary. Plant nursery proprietor, farmer, and parochial school principal. Delegate, Republican Party National Convention, 2004. Member, Association of Christian Schools International. Member, Somerset County Farm Bureau; National Kraut Packers Association; Rehobeth Ruritan Club. John R. Hargreaves Distinguished Legislative Fellow Award, Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement, Salisbury University, 2005. First Citizen Award, Maryland Senate, 2009. Member, Holly Grove Mennonite Church, Westover, Maryland. Married; four children.
© Copyright Maryland State Archives