![[photo, Joanne C. Benson, State Senator]](/msa/mdmanual/06hse/images/1198-1-3621c.jpg)
JOANNE CLAYBON BENSON
Member of House of Delegates, January 9, 1991 to January 12, 2011. 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). Member, Health and Government Operations Committee, 2003-11 (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, 2005-11; pharmaceuticals subcommittee, 2005-06; government operations subcommittee, 2007-11); Rules and Executive Nominations Committee, 2001-11; Joint Committee on Children, Youth, and Families, 2003-11. House Chair, Joint Committee on Access to Mental Health Services, 2005-11; Protocol Committee, 2007-11. Chair, Law Enforcement and State-Appointed Boards Committee, Prince George's County Delegation, 1999-2006 (member, 2007-11). Member, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland (formerly Maryland Legislative Black Caucus), 1991- (chair, 1995-96; chair, civil rights committee, 2000; chair, state budget committee, 2000; chair, education committee, 2001-; treasurer, 2004-10). 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, 2004-11; Maryland School-Based Health Care Policy Advisory Council, 2007-11; Commission to Study Campaign Finance Law, 2011-13. Co-Chair, Task Force on the Establishment of a Statewide Spay/Neuter Fund, 2011-13. Member, Task Force to Study the Impact of Adjunct Faculty on Graduation Rates at Historically Black Institutions, 2011-13; Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee, 2011-; Task Force to Study the Establishment of a Deaf Culture Digital Library, 2012-13; Task Force to Study Locating Businesses in Libraries in Prince George's County, 2013-.
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. Retired educator, 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, 2012. 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. Certificate of Appreciation, Maryland Municipal League, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. Member, First Baptist Church of Glenarden.
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