Governor Martin O'Malley Delivers Keynote Address Before Baltimore Jewish Council
ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 22, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley delivered the keynote address before the Baltimore Jewish Council’s Annual Meeting tonight, an occasion where the organization will install its newest president, Jon Laria. As the community relations and advocacy arm of THE ASSOCIATED: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore, the Baltimore Jewish Council (BJC) is responsible for securing public funding to support their programs and needs. By developing policies and guidelines for action, through education and advocacy, the Council provides a forum for member organizations and individuals to respond to issues of interest and concern. Governor O’Malley focused his remarks on his long history with BJC, and his deep respect for its new president.
In tribute to his friend, Jon Laria, Governor O’Malley said, “Jon has dedicated his life to tikkun olam, and in so doing, he’s embodied the notion that every individual can make a difference, and all of us must try. Among the many ways Jon gives back to his community, he chairs the Public Policy Board at the University of Maryland; he serves on Mayor Dixon’s Blue Ribbon Committee on Taxes and Fees; he’s the immediate past-president of the Live Baltimore Home Center; he’s a former president of the Hopkins’ Alumni Association in Baltimore, and as of today, he’s the President of the Baltimore Jewish Council. Back in 2002, the Baltimore Business Journal named Jon one of Baltimore’s ‘40 Under 40’ identifying him at the time as an ‘emerging leader.’ I think it’s fair to say that Jon has ‘emerged.’”
Governor O’Malley also addressed the progress that has been made on issues close to the Jewish community. “Towards the end of last year, we met with members of the Maryland Jewish Alliance who identified some clear, shared priorities and goals for the upcoming session – healthcare, housing, protecting our environment, quality of life for our seniors, Iranian divestment. And working together, we’ve made real progress for senior housing on the Owings Mills Jewish Community Center campus, additional investments in Sinai Hospital, $75,000 for refugee resettlement, as we were all once ‘strangers in a strange land,’ a 50 percent increase in funding for the Maryland/Israel Development Center, and additional funding for the Jewish Museum of Maryland, the Gordon Center for Performing Arts and Baltimore Hebrew University.
“Last week, I signed what this Council has referred to as the strongest Iranian divestiture legislation anywhere in the country. So many of us grew up in the shadow of the Cold War. We don’t want our children and grandchildren – or Israeli children – to grow up in the shadow of a nuclear Iran. Prime Minister Olmert told me personally about the importance of this legislation when I met with him at Government House this past fall.”
Governor O’Malley will depart next week for a trade mission to Israel, where his focus will be to promote business relations with Israeli companies in Maryland.
Established in 1939, The Baltimore Jewish Council is the community relations and political arm of THE ASSOCIATED: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore. It represents Greater Baltimore area Jewish organizations & congregations on social, political, quality of life & humanitarian issues locally, nationally, and worldwide.
