Archives of Maryland
(Biographical Series)

Adelaide C. Eckardt
MSA SC 3520-12216

Biography:

Born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, September 8, 1943.  Attended Bryn Mawr Hospital School of Nursing; University of Maryland School of Nursing, B.S., 1978, M.S., 1981.  Married; three sons.

General Assembly:
Maryland Senate, Legislative District 37 (R), Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot, and Wicomico counties, January 14, 2015 to January 11, 2023. Member, Budget and Taxation Committee, 2015-23 (health & human services subcommittee, 2015-23; pensions subcommittee, 2015-23; capital budget subcommittee, 2021-23). Member, Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review, 2015-23; Joint Committee on Children, Youth and Families, 2015-23; Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee, 2019-23; Executive Nominations Committee, 2020-23; Senate Vaccine Oversight Work Group, 2021-23. Member, Joint Committee on the Selection of the State Treasurer, 2015, 2019; Joint Audit Committee, 2015-19; Senate President’s Advisory Work Group on Equity and Inclusion, 2020-21. Chair, Dorchester, Talbot and Wicomico Senate County Delegations. Member, Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Caucus, 2015-23; Maryland Rural Caucus, 2015-23; Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus, 2015-23; Taxpayers Protection Caucus, 2015-23; Maryland Veterans Caucus, 2015-23. Secretary, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2021-23 (member, 2015-23; executive board, at large, 2017-19; treasurer, 2019-21).

House of Delegates, Legislative District 37B (R), Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot, Wicomico counties, January 11, 1995-January 14, 2015. Member, Appropriations Committee, 2003-15 (capital budget subcommittee, 2004-15; health & human resources subcommittee, 2003-15; oversight committee on pensions, 2003-15); Special Committee on Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 1995-2015; Joint Committee on Children, Youth, and Families, 1999-2015; Spending Affordability Committee, 2003-15; Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review, 2007-15; Joint Committee on Fair Practices and State Personnel Oversight, 2009-15. Member, Economic Matters Committee, 1995-2003 (health insurance subcommittee, 1995-2003; real estate & housing subcommittee, 1999-2003; science & technology subcommittee, 1999-2003); Special Joint Committee on Competitive Taxation and Economic Development, 1996-97. Deputy Minority Whip, 1999-2003. Member, Joint Technology Oversight Committee, 2000-03; Special Committee on Gaming, 2001; Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics, 2003-06; Joint Committee on Fair Practices, 2003-09; Joint Committee on Health Care Delivery and Financing, 2003-11; Joint Committee on Welfare Reform, 2003-14; Joint Committee on Access to Mental Health Services, 2005-14. House Chair, Caroline County Delegation, 1995-2007; Dorchester County Delegation, 1995-; Eastern Shore Delegation, 2011-15 (acting chair, 2003). Member, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus, 2001-15; Maryland Rural Caucus, 2002-15; Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Caucus, 2003-15; Taxpayers Protection Caucus, 2003-15. President, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2007-08 (member, 1995-; secretary, 1998-99, 2000-01, 2003-04; 2nd vice-president, 2004-05; 1st vice-president, 2005-06; president-elect, 2006-07; endorsement committee, 2001-15, finance committee, 2001-15, legislative committee, 2001-15). Member, Maryland Veterans Caucus, 2006-15. Chair, Republican Party Caucus, 2007-13. Member, National Conference of State Legislatures (human services & welfare committee).

Private Career and Other Public Service:
Board of Directors, Maryland Environmental Trust, 2015-23. Member, Behavioral Health Advisory Council, 2015-23; Executive Board, Mid-Shore Regional Council, 2016, 2018-19, 2021-23. Co-Chair, Task Force to Study Tax Sales in Maryland, 2017-18. Member, Two-Generation Family Economic Security Commission, 2017-18, 2021-23; Task Force on Rural Internet, Broadband, Wireless, and Cellular Service, 2017-19; Maryland Commission on Suicide Prevention, 2017-21; Governor's Commission to Study Mental and Behavioral Health in Maryland, 2019-23; Maryland Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Policy and Funding Committee, 2019-23; State Transparency and Accountability Reform Commission, 2020-21; Oversight Committee on Quality Care in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities, 2020-23. Member, Availability Committee of Task Force to Study Increasing the Availability of Substance Abuse Programs, 1998-2001; Governor's Task Force on Eastern Shore Economic Development, 1999-2001; Mid-Shore Regional Council, 2001-23 (executive board, 2012); Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland, 2001-23; Advisory Board, Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement, Salisbury University, 2002-23; Task Force to Study the Maryland Heritage Structure Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program, 2003; Mental Health Transformation Working Group, 2005-11; Work Group on Cultural Competency and Workforce Development for Mental Health Professionals, 2007-08; Rural Maryland Council, 2009-15; Girls' Services Strategic Plan Task Force, Dept. of Juvenile Services, 2010.

Registered Nurse-Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist. Regional Team, Mental Hygiene Administration, 1983-85. Adjunct faculty, Salisbury State University, 1985. Psychiatric Nurse Clinical Specialist, Eastern Shore Hospital Center, 1985-2003. Adjunct faculty, University of Maryland School of Nursing, 1991-99. Member, Dorchester County Republican Central Committee, 1986-1994. Board of Directors, Dorchester General Hospital, 1988-. President, Maryland Nurses Association, 1989-91 (legislative chair, 1986-89, 1993-94). Executive Committee, Maryland Hospital Association, 1993-. Board of Directors, Leadership Maryland, Inc., 2001-. Maryland Public Policy Conflict Resolution Fellow, Center for Dispute Resolution, University of Maryland School of Law, 2010. Delegate, Republican Party National Convention, 2004, 2012. Dorchester County Chair, Mitt Romney Campaign, 2012. Board of Directors, Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology, Inc., 2018-. Board of Directors, Chesapeake Health Planning Systems (past president & vice-president); Maryland Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children. Member, Maryland Nurses Association; American Nurses Association; American Ortho-Psychiatric Association; Sigma Theta Tau. Psychiatric Nursing Award, University of Maryland Graduate School of Nursing, 1981. Nurse of the Year, District 4, Maryland Nurses Association, 1986, 1991. Rosalie S. Abrams Legislative Award, Maryland Nurses Association, 1988. Outstanding Board Member Award, Maryland Nurses Association, 1992. Outstanding Rural Legislator Award, Rural Maryland Council, 2003. Recognition for ongoing commitment to and support for children, youth, and families, Local Management Board, 2003. Maryland's Top 100 Women, Daily Record, 2003, 2005, 2007 (Circle of Excellence). Certificate of Appreciation, Maryland Municipal League, 2008. John R. Hargreaves Distinguished Legislative Fellow Award, Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement, Salisbury University, 2009. Recognition Award (school funding & public health legislation), Maryland Association of Counties, 2015. President's Award, Community Development Network of Maryland, 2017. Outstanding Rural Health Legislator Award, Maryland Rural Health Association, 2018. Legislative Champion Award, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2018. First Citizen Award, Maryland Senate, 2023.

 

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