JOANNE C. BENSON
Democrat, District 24, Prince George's County
House Office Building, Room 203
6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3692, (301) 858-3692
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3692 (toll free)
e-mail: joanne.benson@house.state.md.us
fax: (410) 841-3442, (301) 858-3442
Member of House of Delegates since January 9, 1991. Member, Health and Government Operations Committee, 2003- (health occupations subcommittee, 2003-04; long-term care subcommittee, 2003-04; public health subcommittee, 2003-04; government operations subcommittee, 2005; insurance subcommittee, 2005; minority health disparities subcommittee, 2005-; pharmaceuticals subcommittee, 2005-); Rules and Executive Nominations Committee, 2001-; Joint Committee on Children, Youth, and Families, 2003-. House Chair, Joint Committee on Access to Mental Health Services, 2005-; Protocol Committee, 2007-. Member, Constitutional and Administrative Law Committee, 1991-92; Environmental Matters Committee, 1992-93. Deputy Majority Leader, 1999-2001.Vice-Chair, Commerce and Government Matters Committee, 2001-03 (member, 1994-2003; chair, state government & civil rights subcommittee, 1995-98; member, procurement subcommittee, 1995-98; chair, state government & procurement subcommittee, 1999-2003). Chair, Law Enforcement and State-Appointed Boards Committee, Prince George's County Delegation, 1999-. Treasurer, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland (formerly Maryland Legislative Black Caucus), 2004- (member, 1991-; chair, 1995-96; chair, civil rights committee, 2000; chair, state budget committee, 2000; chair, education committee, 2001-). Member, Women Legislators of Maryland, 1991- (member, legislative committee, 2001-); Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Caucus, 2003-; Maryland Veterans Caucus, 2005-.
Member, Task Force to Study the History and Legacy of Slavery in Maryland, 1999; Task Force to Study Repealing the Disenfranchisement of Convicted Felons in Maryland, 2001; Maryland Commission on Disabilities, 2004-; Maryland School-Based Health Care Policy Advisory Council, 2007-.
Born in Roanoke, Virginia, March 11, 1941. Attended South Hagerstown High School; Bowie State College, B.S. (education), 1961; Catholic University of America, M.A. (curriculum instruction), 1972; George Washington University. Staff Administrator, Prince George's County Public School System. Board member, Coalition of Economic Development. Member, Coalition of 100 Black Women; Prince George's County Educators' Association (negotiations team); Maryland State Teachers Association (MTSA); National Education Association (NEA). Delegate, MSTA and NEA conventions. Chair, Faculty Advisory Council. Prince George's Bargaining Council. Board member, Black Democratic Council. Delegate, Democratic Party National Convention, 1996. Honorary life member, Girl Scouts of America, 1980. Outstanding Minority Leader Award; Outstanding and Dedicated Services to Children and Youth; Outstanding Minority Leadership Award; Outstanding Educator, Prince George's County Public Schools; For Love of Children Award, Kiwanis Club of Capitol Centre, 1985; Outstanding Community Service Award, Las Amigas; Citizen of Year, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity; Community Service Award, J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association, 1989; Outstanding Minority Educator, MSTA Minority Caucus. Member, Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church.
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