The Prince George’s County Council has announced Dana-Marie Harris, M.P.A, as Executive Director of the Prince George’s County Youth Commission.  In this role, Harris will oversee the strategic and operational direction for all Youth Commission activities including commission meetings, community outreach events, seminars, forums, training and the 2012 Youth Summit.   

Established by Council Bill 19-2006, the Prince George’s County Youth Commission provides the youth of Prince George's County with a vehicle to learn about government, participate in the process, represent and articulate the needs of youth in the County, and advise the County Council on matters pertaining to the youth and teen population, especially as it relates to County programs.   

A product of Prince George’s County Public Schools and founder of local nonprofit SYNergyNPO, Inc., Harris has a long history of community service to Prince George’s County’s youth and young adults.  Harris is a former member of the Prince George’s County Youth Advisory Council; founder of the Summit Creek Teens organization; and has served as advisor to the Prince George’s County Youth Council of the NAACP.  Harris earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the University of Maryland and a Masters of Public Administration in Public Policy and Management from Bowie State University.  She is currently a second-year law student at the University of the District of Columbia. 

The Prince George's County Youth Commission is comprised of student representatives from the County’s public and private high schools. Youth Commissioners meet twice monthly and coordinate programming for youth constituents of the County.  To inquire about Youth Commission eligibility for appointment, please e-mail Dana-Marie Harris at dmharris@co.pg.md.us or contact the District 9 office at 301.952.4470. 

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All legislative powers of Prince George’s County are vested in the County Council.  The County Council sits as the District Council on zoning and land use policy, and as the Board of Health to govern and guide health policy.  The County Council meets as a legislative body on Tuesdays in the Council Hearing Room on the first floor of the County Administration Building in Upper Marlboro.  For more information on the Prince George’s County Council, please visit www.princegeorgescountymd.gov