The Prince George’s County Council reelected Council Member Andrea C. Harrison (D) – District 5, to serve a second consecutive term as Chair in Legislative Year 2013. Council Member Obie Patterson (D) – District 8, was elected to serve as Vice Chair.  The newly confirmed Council leadership team presided over the first session of Legislative Year 2013 on Tuesday, December 4, 2012.

In remarks summing up the 2012 Legislative Year, Council Chair Harrison praised her colleagues for their exceptional work. 

“It is important for us to tell our story in Prince George’s County.  The members of this County Council have been great storytellers for our County, and skilled authors of a wonderful new chapter in our rich history--one that has moved Prince George's County forward.   We can be proud of all we have achieved together in this Legislative Year to enhance the quality of life for our residents, and position this County to meet the challenges that remain.  Our Council and our County are moving in the right direction.”

A Council Chair has not served two consecutive terms in leadership since Legislative Years 2002 and 2003 when Peter Shapiro chaired the County Council.  Chair Harrison thanked her colleagues for their confidence in her leadership.

“I am profoundly grateful and humbled to have been again entrusted with the Gavel of Leadership for a second term, and I am honored by the faith my distinguished colleagues have placed in me and my leadership ability.  Please know I have that same confidence, respect and admiration for each of you, and for the people of this great County, where I have lived, learned and served my entire life.”

County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III, present for the Gavel Exchange ceremony, thanked the Council for their collective leadership during Legislative Year 2012. 

“We are taking Prince George’s County where it needs to go and this could not happen without the leadership represented on the Council.  We are in this together, we are a family, and we will continue to move Prince George’s County forward.”

Council Chair Harrison, a resident of Springdale, served the remaining two years of her predecessor’s unfinished term, before being elected in November 2010 to serve her first term in office as the District 5 Council Member.   Council Vice Chair Patterson was elected to his first four-year term on the Prince George’s County Council in the November 2010 General Election.  The new Council leadership team will serve from December 4, 2012 until December 3, 2013.

To access Gavel Exchange photographs, visit www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/Council. The Gavel Exchange Ceremony will also be cablecast on Prince George’s Community Television (CTV), channel 41 (Verizon FIOS) and channel 70, (Comcast).  For air dates and times, please visit www.pgctv.org or contact CTV at 301.773.0900. 

-0-

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.