SENATE

[photo, Joanne C. Benson, Maryland State Senator] JOANNE CLAYBON BENSON
Democrat, District 24, Prince George's County


Member of Senate since January 12, 2011. Majority Whip, 2023-. Member, Budget and Taxation Committee, 2023- (education, business & administration subcommittee, 2023-; pensions subcommittee, 2023-). Member, Joint Committee on Children, Youth, and Families, 2011-; Joint Committee on Ending Homelessness, 2015-; Joint Committee on Fair Practices and State Personnel Oversight, 2015-: Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee, 2023-; Special Joint Committee on Pensions, 2023-. Member, Senate Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting, 2011-12; Joint Committee on Welfare Reform, 2011-14; Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2011-15 (education subcommittee, 2011-15; health occupations subcommittee, 2011-15). Chair, Joint Committee on Access to Mental Health Services, 2013-14. Senate Co-Chair, Protocol Committee, 2015-18. Member, Finance Committee, 2015-22 (health subcommittee, 2015-19; health & long-term care subcommittee, 2019-22); Joint Committee on the Management of Public Funds, 2015-22. Assistant Deputy Majority Leader, 2017-18. Member, Joint Committee on Unemployment Insurance Oversight, 2017-22. Chair, Rules Committee, 2019-23. Deputy Majority Leader, 2020-23. Chair, Prince George's County Delegation, 2019-23. 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; chaplain, 2016-24). Member, Women Legislators of Maryland, 1991- (legislative committee, 2001-); Maryland Bicycle and Pedestrian Caucus, 2003-; Maryland Veterans Caucus, 2005-; Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus, 2024-.

Member, 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, 2013-14; Maryland Financial Consumer Protection Commission, 2017-19; Maryland Medicaid Advisory Committee, 2017-19; Affordable Housing Commission for Prince George's County, 2018-; State Council on Cancer Control, 2019-20; Prince George's Forward Task Force, 2020-21; Governor's Workforce Development Board, 2020-.

Member of House of Delegates, representing District 24, Prince George's County, 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, 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.

Born in Roanoke, Virginia, March 11, 1941. Attended South Hagerstown High School, Hagerstown, Maryland; 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. Phyllis Campbell Newsome Public Policy Leadership Award, Center for Nonprofit Advancement, 2009. Wayne K. Curry Award for Leadership in Public Service, Community Foundation of Prince George's County, 2019. Member, First Baptist Church of Glenarden.

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