(Annapolis, MD) Maryland has had a difficult time in rectifying
its brutal history with slavery, civil rights and school desegregation. Those
images are now relics of the pass as Attorney General Anthony G. Brown was sworn-in
as the 47th Attorney General. The historic moment came in the House
of Delegates Chambers. The presiding officer is the first American-American
Woman, Speaker Adrienne Jones,
A who’s in Maryland Politics was on hand. It included a
number of past Attorney Generals, Legislative Leaders and a sage of Maryland
Politics Professor Larry Gibson.
Attorney General Brown served in the House of Delegates
before being picked by Governor Martin O’Malley tapped him to become his Lieutenant
Governor.
Administering the oath was Governor Larry Hogan. Governor Hogan defeated Brown in his attempt to become Governor. In remarks A.G. Brown “I told ‘Larry’ you’re the reason why I am here.”
The pair have had mutual affection. The current Governor talked about how the pair walked in the chamber together following Hogan's victory during his first term, “it was incredible gracious thing to do.” The Governor knew the importance of the moment, because he had to leave to swear-in in his daughter in St. Mary’s County as the States Attorney.
To introduce the A.G. was the Governor-Elect Wes Moore. “I
think I like this guy,” says Moore. Twenty years ago Moore’s girlfriend/now his
wife Dawn, tells him, “He’s a yardy.” A Jamaican term "you already know."
Their combine Jamaican ancestry was just
one of several similarities. They both served in Afghanistan. Moore assessed what
kind of Attorney General he will be. The Governor opined the new state's attorney will be “someone, who everyday he wakes up
fighting for those who need and deserves a chance…Justice is a verb. It’s not just
a thing. It’s something we actively fight for. And progress is not an evitability.”
As Moore gave way to Brown, there were a lot of Thank Yous. He
noted the historic moment becoming the first African-American elected to be
Attorney General of Maryland. Brown pointed to the men and women in the balcony
and on the floor of the House Delegates. These were Brian Frosh’s (the previous Attorney Generals) minions who took on a
number of tough cases.
Brown knows he will have big shoes to fill. “Given the position of trust we hold, we
must provide advice not only on purely legal questions, but also on the
critical areas where law and policy intersect, which will have profound and
far-reaching effects on the lives of all Marylanders.”
He spoke of partnerships with law enforcement. “I reject the idea that keeping our
communities safe and pursuing ethical policing are somehow mutually exclusive,”
he said. “We can and we will do both.”
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| Zenith Wickham Hurley |
Brown talked a lot equity and inclusion. To make the point he reinforce he will put more resources into the newly created Office of Equity, Policy and Engagement to be headed by Zenith Wickham Hurley. It identifies and helps to execute innovative strategies to advance OEPE goals and priorities
“The bar has been raised,” according to the new Attorney
General, “and we must rise to the challenge.”
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