Senator Ben Cardin (D-Maryland) was the Key Note Speaker on January 19, 2023 in Annapolis for the Legislative Dinner of the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland. He was introduced by executive director of the newly designated Southern Maryland National Heritage Area, Lucille Walker, who said “It was the Senator’s legislation in conjunction with Congressman Hoyer’s legislation, and with the support of Senator Van Hollen, that accomplished in two years what normally takes well over a decade, if at all. This unique designation not only shines a national light on the region and establishes further funding, but it brings to all of us the story of the region, and why that story matters.”
Senator Cardin in his key note address noted the significance of Southern Maryland to the nation’s history, highlighted Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary, and said that the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area designation “comes with $10 million dollars for the region.” Senator Cardin stressed the need for “unity” as the country moves forward with important objectives. Lucille Walker noted the bipartisan nature of the national heritage area legislation, and said that “the earliest supporter from the Maryland General Assembly was Senator Jack Bailey (R), followed quickly by the support of Senator Michael Jackson (D), as well as many others, both Republican and Democrat.”
In attendance at the dinner were members of the Maryland General Assembly including Senator Michael Jackson, Senator Jack Bailey, Senator Arthur Ellis, Senator James Rosapepe, Delegate Edith Patterson, Delegate Mark Fisher, Delegate Matt Morgan, Delegate Todd Morgan. County Commissioners included Commissioner Ralph Patterson, Commissioner Mike Alderson, Commissioner Gilbert Murphy, Commissioner Buddy Hance, Commissioner Amanda Stewart, former Commissioner Steve Weems. Also in attendance: the executive director of the Rural Maryland Council, Charlotte Davis, members and staff of the Tri-County Council including executive director John Hartline, mayor of the Town of La Plata, Jeannine James, director of the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, Shelby Watson, representative from Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland), Stefanie Barone, and representative from Senator Cardin’s office, Roderick Lewis, as well as the Patuxent River Keeper, Fred Tutman, the director of the Calvert Marine Museum, Jeffrey Murray, the chair of the Charles County Historic Preservation Commission, Franklin A. Robinson, Jr., chief of Cultural Resources for the Maryland Department of Transportation, Dr. Julie Schablitsky, representatives from the Maryland Department of Commerce, as well as many others in support of the region.
A launch event of the newly designated Southern Maryland National Heritage Area is being planned for the summer, with a date and location to be determined soon.
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Destination Southern Maryland is the public face of the Southern Maryland Heritage Area. This state-based heritage area is one of the 13 Heritage Areas in Maryland and was founded in 2003. This organization represents Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties. Destination Southern Maryland is the heritage tourism entity for Southern Maryland with a mission to enhance the region through innovative heritage tourism experiences, comprehensive cultural and natural resource conservation, and excellence in educational opportunities. This organization assists Southern Maryland with economic development and works directly with the tourism entities in each of the three counties, as well as providing grants, building partnerships, and promoting regional identity. To learn more about Destination Southern Maryland, visit our website.
