It was 28 years ago today that I took the oath of office for the first time.

            Fair to say I’m as excited today about what I can accomplish down here as I was at the beginning, I wrote a friend this morning.

             Unlike Washington, we get things done in Annapolis.  Because we make the difficult decisions to balance our budget, we find compromise on other tough issues.  And I’m not constantly raising money so that I can be reelected.

              This year, my new committee assignment means I’ll be intimately involved in a new set of issues. 

              Over the years, I’ve benefited from the advice and counsel of mentors.  One of those people is Ben Cardin, now a United States Senator but my Speaker and district mate in 1983, and still a mentor and friend. 

              Ben told the House today, “This is a great place.” 

               Over the years, several students from my law school Legislation class have come to work here, but a first this year.  A former student, now Senator Bill Ferguson, is now a colleague.  The first but not likely the last, a friend told me. 

                For the first time at the start of a term, my father was not with me.  My brother Stewart, his wife Bonnie, and my niece Rachel joined me for lunch.  My mother, brother Bruce, and nephew Elliot called or emailed.