Melvin A. Steinberg
MSA SC 3520-1494
Biography:
Born in Baltimore, October 4, 1933. Son of Irvin Steinberg and wife Julia Levenson. Jewish. Attended Baltimore public schools; University of Baltimore, A.A., 1952; University of Baltimore Law School, J.D., 1955. Admitted to the Maryland Bar, 1955. Married Anita Akman.
General Assembly:
Member of Senate, Baltimore County, 1967-87. Democract. Vice-Chair,
Judicial Proceedings Committee, 1975-78. Chair, Finance Committee,
1979-82. President of the Senate, 1983-87. Co-Chair, Legislative
Policy Committee. Chair, Rules Committee; Joint Committee on Ethics;
Committee on Narcotics, Subcommittee on Family Law; Joint Committee on
Racing. Vice-Chair, Commission to Revise the Annotated Code.
Member, Executive Committee, Southern Legislative Conference; Pensions
Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures; National Society
of State Legislators; Blue Ribbon Task Force on Health-Care Cost Containment.
Private Career and Other Public Service:
Served on active duty with the U.S. Navy, 1955-57. Private law
practice; partner, Levin and Gann, P.A. Lt. Governor of Maryland,
1987-1995. Elected by Voters for a Four-year Term under the
Constitution of 1867 as Amended in 1970. Counsel to Rifkin,
Livingston, Levitan & Silver, LLC. President and CEO of American
Oriental Group, Inc., an international trading company. Member, State
House Trust; State Commission on the Capital City; Maryland Historical
Trust; Maryland Environmental Trust. Board of Advisors, Maryland
Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program; Maryland Veterans Home Commission.
Chair, Governor's Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse; Maryland Executive
Helicopter Advisory Committee; Peabody Institute Oversight Committee.
Member, Governor's Employment and Training Council; Interstate Banking
Committee; Western Maryland Enterprise Study Commission; Commission on
Excellence in Higher Education; Eagle Square and Compass Club of Maryland;
Yedz Grotto; B'nai B'rith; Greenspring Valley Synagogue; American Lodge
No. 25, A.F. & A.M. Board of Directors, Beth El Congregation;
Jewish Museum of Maryland. Honorary degrees from Goucher College, Villa
Julie College, St. Mary's College of Maryland. Governing Board, Baltimore
Symphony. First Citizen Award, 1998. Member, Society of Senates Past.
Personal Comments and Observations:
"Although there were a number of controversial issues (e.g.., death penalty, abortion, critical area legislation, etc.), the most controversial was pension reform. The political pressure applied by special interest groups was tremendous. However, the Senate came through and we passed pension reform legislation that made the Pension Plan financially sound.
"...the most memorable moment was related to a non-legislative event. During my term as President of the Senate, a blizzard hit Annapolis on a Friday. Because many Senators had a long distance to travel, I opened the Session at 11:00 and, about a half hour later, recessed until Monday.
"A few Senators and I went to the Maryland Inn for lunch and to wait
for the snow to stop before traveling home. The Maryland Inn lost
its electricity, so we proceeded to Fran O'Brien's where we had lunch and
saw many friends. At six o'clock it was still snowing, so, still
seated at our same table since noon, we ordered dinner. It finally
stopped snowing around 8:00 p.m. and we all left to go home.
"Without a doubt, the most significant contribution to the State of
Maryland was my involvement in the 'savings and loan crisis.' The
entire State's financial structure was in jeopardy. As President
of the Senate, I was supported by the membership in my opposition to the
settlement accepted by the Governor and the House of Delegates. The
Senate successfully negotiated a more beneficial settlement for the State
and created a process that resolved the problem within a few years.
"In closing, service in the Maryland Senate was for me a very satisfying
and rewarding experience. Perhaps most gratifying was to have had
the opportunity to meet people from all over the State, develop lasting
friendships, and be a part of helping to make Maryland a better place to
live, work and do business."
Return to Melvin A. Steinberg's Introductory page
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