cal materials—art objects, memorabilia, manu
scripts, photographs, and other articles of sigrufi
cance to African American history and culture
For the community at large and the educational
systems and institutions within the State, Ae Corn
mission provides exhibits, programs, and resource
materials The Commission also participates in a con
tmumg statewide survey to locate and identify sites
and buildings of historical and cultural importance to
the African American experience in Maryland
The State's annual observance of Dr Martin
Luther King, Jr 's birthday in January is planned
and coordinated by the Commission Any available
federal or private funds for the planning and execu-
tion of commemorative and educational activities
in connection with that observance are received and
administered by the Commission
The Commission's nine members are appointed
to four year terms by the Governor with Senate advice
and consent Subject to the approval of the Secretary
of Housing and Community Development, the Corn
mission appoints the Director (Code 1957, Art 83B,
sees 5 301 through 5 306) The Commission is aided
by an Advisory Committee

COMMISSION ON INDIAN AFFAIRS

Terrence Peter Lowe, Ph D , Cha?r, 1996
Elaine Eff, Acting Director

100 Community Place
Crownsville, MD 21032 (410) 514 7650

The Commission began in 1974 as part of the
Commission on Afro American and Indian History
and Culture Within the Department of Economic
and Community Development, it became a separate
agency m 1976 (Chapter 148,Acts of 1976) In 1987,
the Commission on Indian Affairs was made part of
the Department of Housing and Community Devel
opment (Chapter 311,Acts of 1987) Formerly under
the Division's Office of Cultural and Educational
Services, the Commission in 1992 was placed under
the Office of Research, Survey, and Registration
The Commission coordinates programs and
projects to further the cultural, educational, eco-
nomic and social development of Maryland's di
verse Indian communities The Commission also
works to increase public awareness and appreciation
of the rich contributions that Indians have made to
life in the State Petitions from Native American
groups are reviewed by the Commission for recog-
nition by the Governor as Maryland Indian tribes
The Commission also reviews requests to the Mary
land Historical Trust for transfer to Native Amen
cans of human remains and associated funerary
objects in the custody of the Trust
The Commission consists of nine members, a
majority of whom must be members of the Native
American communities of Maryland Appointed by
the Governor with Senate advice and consent,

members serve three year terms Subject to the
approval of the Secretary of Housing and Commu
mty Development, the Commission appoints the
Director (Code 1957, Art 83B, sees 5 401
through 5 406)

DIVISION OF INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY & PORTFOLIO
MANAGEMENT

Paul E German, Director

100 Community Place
Crownsville, MD 21032 (410) 514 7355

The Division of Information Technology and
Portfolio Management originated in 1994 as the
Office of Information Systems under the Division
of Finance and Administration The Office was
reorganized as a division in 1996 The Division
oversees three offices Information Systems, Port
folio Management, and Research

OFFICE OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Helene P Topping, Director
(410)514 7177

The Office of Information Systems was formed in
1996 within the Division of Information Technology
and Portfolio Management The Office creates and
maintains an information systems infrastructure that
provides access to data for Department staff and
customers, including citizens, local government,
lenders, developers, lawyers, and investment bankers
The Office supports the hardware and software of the
Local Area Network (LAN) and provides the Depart-
ment with Wide Area Network capabilities In addi
tion, the Office enhances customer service through
data systems management

OFFICE OF PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
Vacancy, Director
(410)514 7355

Portfolio Management began m 1994 under the
Maryland Housing Fund and became part of the Drvi
sion oflnformanon Technology and Portfolio Manage
ment m 1996 For the Maryland Housing Fund, the
Office focuses on nsk management, and analysis and
planning to better position the Fund's portfolio for the
future The Office has helped mcrease reserve funds
through loan and mortgage insurance initiatives

OFFICE OF RESEARCH
Robert P Goodman, Director
(410)514 7171

The Office of Research began m 1970 when the
Department of Economic and Community Devel
opment was formed The Office joined the Depart
ment of Housing and Community Development in