Commissioner Interview: Governor Parris Glendening
The Maryland Two Fifty Commission spoke with Commission Chair, former Governor Parris Glendening about his career in public service and what he’s looking forward to in the semiquincentennial year.
As a former Governor, Parris Glendening has a long history of public service. He began his career as a professor at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he taught for 27 years. He was first elected to the Hyattsville City Council and then to Prince George’s County Council and would continue to rise becoming Council Chair, County Executive, and then serving as Maryland’s governor from 1995-2003. Governor Glendening shared with MD Two Fifty that part of what makes him so proud of his political career is that it was all unanticipated; he grew up poor in Florida and was discouraged from attending college.
When Governor Glendening spoke about what made him the proudest during his career, there were so many highlights that he had a hard time narrowing it down. He noted a state assault weapons ban that was passed during his tenure as Governor, the strongest in the nation at the time. President Bill Clinton came to Annapolis for the bill signing. He also brought up the national Smart Growth movement, which he started when he was Governor.
Currently, Governor Glendening teaches a class on “Smart Growth, Infrastructure and Real Estate Development” at John Hopkins School of Business. His desire to teach this course comes from his belief that real estate professionals should understand the environmental impact of development. He aims to encourage students to build within existing communities and promote walkable
places.
Governor Glendening was appointed Maryland Two Fifty Commission Chair by Governor Wes Moore. He is excited about working with the Commissioners, Commission staff and Vice Chair Katie O’Malley. He says this role has inspired him to pay attention to the history that surrounds us every day. The experience has excited his pride in both Maryland’s role in history and place in the future.
The Governor recently spoke at Maryland Two Fifty’s Recognition Ceremony for
Maryland winners of America250’s America’s Field Trip, sharing optimism and a reinvigorated desire for positive change expressed by student winners.
Governor Glendening ended the interview by echoing the words of philosopher George Santayana, warning that “those who don’t learn history are doomed to repeat it.”