Roger Manno for State Delegate (District 19)

Name:	Roger Manno for State Delegate (District 19)
Office:	State Delegate (District 19)
Website:	RogerManno.com

Background:

Having lived without health insurance as a child, I understand the health care hardships facing our families - many of whom make tough choices between adequate health care and other critical needs, such as food.

At an early age, my family was struck with several serious health challenges without health insurance - one of which took my father's life, while my Mom struggled to get treatment for my own serious health challenges. For us, affordable and accessible health care was not an option, and the government failed us. Entering a low-income public clinic, I was scheduled for an unnecessary heart surgery as a "teaching case." Were it not for the goodness of a community doctor who avoided that surgery, and treated me during that period without ever charging my Mom, I'd probably not be here today. So I know what it's like to go through the public health system in this country, and nobody should have to go through what my family went through.

That experience shaped my life and my belief about public service, and the many challenges that people face in this country. That was more than three decades ago, but I remain committed to breaking down the barriers to accessible, affordable health care.

I chose to dedicate my life to social progress through legislative, legal, and public policy.

Today, I am an attorney and Legislative Director in Congress to Congressman Bishop, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. Prior to my current position, I served as Senior Counsel to Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee, the Ranking Member on the Immigration Subcommittee, and the founding member and Chair of the Congressional Children's Caucus.
The thrust of my work has been in funding critical needs, and fighting for social justice.

Immediately following the attacks on September 11, 2001, I served as a principal staff member on the House of Representatives Homeland Security Task Force, drafting Homeland Security and major civil liberties amendments and alternatives to The Patriot Act.

In 2004, I was appointed to Montgomery County's Criminal Justice Coordinating Commission by County Executive Douglas Duncan. Now in my second appointed term, I help oversee the county criminal justice and law enforcement agencies, and advise the County Executive on criminal justice policy.

I earned my law degree from Franklin Pierce Law Center, and was Chair of the Democratic Law Caucus. In addition, I earned a Masters in Intellectual Property Law, an area of the law dealing with prescription drug patents and obtaining prescription drugs from Canada, Mexico, and other countries. I am admitted to practice law before several courts.

During law school, I served as a legal extern for Congressman Jerrold Nadler, the Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, where I worked on the Judiciary Committee hearings on President Clinton's presidential pardons. I also worked through law school as a law clerk for the New Hampshire Attorney General (Charitable Trusts Division).

The son of a public school teacher and high school principal, prior to law school I worked in public schools as a para-educator, working with academically, emotionally, and socially challenged special-needs students.

I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Hunter College with a degree in Political Science / Black & Puerto Rican Studies, and was an active member of the Hunter Senate. As a student Senator, I was particularly active and outspoken against administration cuts to higher education and onerous admission requirements. During college I was an intern in the White House (Clinton Administration), the New York State Supreme Court, and the New York State Senate.

I am a frequent guest speaker and issues forum organizer within Montgomery County, including forums at: the Leisure World Democratic Club; the Roosmore Kiwanis Club; the Hispanic Democratic Club; and Jewish Residents of Leisure World. Some of the important issues addressed include: the crisis in health care coverage; analysis and critique of the President's Federal Budget; the war in Iraq; and Israel's recent "Disengagement" from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank.

I serve as Parliamentarian and as an At-Large Board Member of the District 19 Democratic Club. I also serve as Area Coordinator for the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee (MCDCC) overseeing Leisure World and four other important precincts within District 19, am a Liaison for the MCDCC Dollars Drive, and served as a 2004 MCDCC Spring Ball Chair.
I'm an active member of Committee for Montgomery, the Roosmore Kiwanis Club, B'nai B'rith International (Argo Lodge), and the Congressional Jewish Staff Association. I also belong to several federal and state bar associations.

I am a member of Temple Emanuel in Kensington. I am married to my childhood sweetheart, Marjorie Anne Miller.

Goals:

I've spent much of my life in public service, working to make government work for families, retirees, small businesses, and hard-working people. I am running for public office because I know how to make government work, and I want to make it work for all of our residents.

I believe deeply that government exists, first and foremost, to improve the lives of all people. Under the current Republican president and governor, we face an ongoing attack on a variety of programs that help people - such health care, civil rights, education, environment, and public safety. We need leaders who we trust, who understand our needs, and who have demonstrated a commitment to progress and the ideals and values of our community. Most importantly, we deserve leaders who have a record of leadership, and who we can call upon at any time to roll up their sleeves and get things done. That's what I have done in the community, that's what I expect from our elected officials, and that's the kind of leadership that I hope to provide in Annapolis.

TESTIMONIALS

1. "Roger Manno is an outstanding leader in our community, and he has the legislative experience that will make him an effective advocate for Montgomery County in the House of Delegates. I look forward to working with him." - Ike Leggett, Candidate for Montgomery County Executive

2. "Roger Manno will be an outstanding addition to the House of Delegates. He's an experienced community leader who is passionately committed to providing quality, affordable health care for all Marylanders -- and he is someone who we can trust to get things done. Let's send him to Annapolis!" - Congressman Ben Cardin, Candidate for U.S. Senate

3. "Our choices are… smart newcomer Roger Manno" -The Washington Post (primary endorsement)

4. "For the House of Delegates, we believe Roger Manno is the most impressive political newcomer. He is intelligent, thoughtful and has workable plans and ideas for helping the county and state." - The Gazette (Primary endorsement)

5. "Roger Manno understands the challenges facing our working families and seniors - especially finding quality, affordable health care. And he has the energy and experience to make a difference. We need his dedicated leadership and fresh ideas in the General Assembly." - Maryland Senator Thomas "Mac" Middleton, Chair of the Senate Finance Committee

6. "Roger Manno is a strong leader for Montgomery County families. He's got the courage to do what's right and the experience to get things done in Annapolis. Maryland's Professional Fire Fighters and Paramedics are proud to support him." - John Sparks, President the Montgomery County Career Firefighters, IAFF Local 1664

7. "Roger Manno is a strong voice for public safety in our community. His work as a Commissioner on the county Criminal Justice Commission, in addition to his work in Congress on issues important to working police officers make him the choice of our members." - Marc Zifcak, President of Montgomery County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 35

8. "I know Roger Manno through his work with the community. He is a man who truly cares about family, a man of true integrity. Roger Manno will be a Delegate we can truly count on" - Marilyn Teitelbaum, wife of Senator Leonard Teitelbaum.

5. "Roger Manno is an experienced leader who is committed to families in our county. Educators recognize and respect his passion for public education as fundamental to individual success. His work in public school classrooms and his legislative work in Congress make him uniquely qualified to serve our community. The Montgomery County Education Association is proud to support him." - Bonnie Cullison, President of the Montgomery County Teachers Association

6. "Because Roger Manno is committed to bringing universal health care to the State of Maryland, promotes civil rights, and consistently advocates progressive principals, he is a much-needed voice in the state legislature. With an exemplary tenure advising members of Congress, Roger is ready to bring his legislative experience to Annapolis." - Congressman John Conyers, Jr.

7. "Roger Manno will bring a unique body of expertise and experience to Annapolis. His passion and his commitment for access to quality, affordable health insurance is life long. His understanding of the issues that impact working men and women make him an easy choice for our union in the District 19 Delegate race" - Merle Cuttitta, President of SEIU Local 500, CTW

8. "Roger Manno has spent his life working for social justice and the social progress of all people. A skilled legislative attorney and activist, he is a strong emerging leader in the struggle for affordable and accessible health care, wages, civil rights, world class education, among many other issues. He's got a rare passion and vision to be a major force in the Maryland General Assembly. Progressive Maryland strongly supports him." - Sean Dodson, Acting Director of Progressive Maryland

9. "Roger Manno is an experienced leader and a fighter for working men and women, We need him in Annapolis. He understands the struggles that we face because he's been there and he's lived many of them. The AFL-CIO and the 150,000 workers represented by the Metro Washington DC's Central Labor Council wholeheartedly support him!" - Joslyn N. Williams, President of the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO

10. "UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO members need more than just somebody filling a chair in Annapolis. We need strong leadership in Annapolis on working family issues. We believe that Roger Manno can provide that kind of leadership." - Gino Renne, President, Municipal and County Government Employees Organization (UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO)

11. "We know Roger and his commitment to our community!! Roger has the experience in the appropriations process to ensure that we will the necessary funding for health, transportation, and education for all the families in our community. Roger truly cares. Let's send him to Annapolis to fight for us and our families." - Jose Vasquez, President, Montgomery County Hispanic Democratic Club

12. "Sierra Club needs Roger Manno in Annapolis. He's passionate about environmental progress and committed to policies that preserve our quality of life. A great choice for the House of Delegates!" - Betsy Johnson, Chair, Maryland Sierra Club

13. "I believe Roger Manno understands the importance of the diversity and ranging issues facing the residents in District 19. He is the logical choice for responsible and forthright leadership in District 19" - Neal Carter, Montgomery County Political Activist

14. "Roger is a strong, progressive leader with experience and ability to represent District 19" - Mike Hersh, Progressive Activist

15. "Coalition of Asian Pacific American Democrats in MD enthusiastically endorse Roger Manno for District 19 Delegate. Roger has helped to push through progressive legislation as a congressional aide, and has a history of supporting the empowerment of racial and ethnic minorities. We think that he will be a strong advocate for the APA community in Annapolis." - Coalition of Asian Pacific American Democrats (CAPAD-MD)

16. "Roger Manno has the personal experiences and working experience that make him a dedicated and effective advocate in the fields of health and education. And he has an understanding of the need for planned, controlled land development and for provision of an adequate and equitable tax system." - Neal Potter, former Montgomery County Executive

17. "Roger is exactly the kind of voice we need in Annapolis, not only to lead in the legislature, but to lead in the Democratic Party. I look to him to be a strong voice for the District, a champion of health-care reform so that no Marylander does without, and a champion for our schools and our children. He not only has a compassionate voice, but you can believe what he says." - Marc Elrich, Candidate for County Council

18. "Roger is a smart, progressive leader for Montgomery County. I know Roger's commitment to progress and social justice. His heart beats for the people." - Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee


ENDORSEMENTS (partial list)

1. The Washington Post (Primary)
2. The Gazette (Primary)
3. Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA)
4. Montgomery County Career Firefighters, IAFF Local 1664
5. Montgomery County Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Lodge 35
6. Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce
7. Maryland State Teachers Association (MSTA)
8. The Montgomery County Public Schools Retirees Association (MCPSRA)
9. Municipal and County Government Employees Organization (UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO)
10. Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 500, CTW
11. Maryland State & D.C. AFL-CIO
12. Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO
13. Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU), Local 2
14. United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW), Local 400
15. National Organization for Women (NOW), Montgomery County
16. Progressive Maryland
17. Sierra Club
18. NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland
19. Equality Maryland
20. Coalition of Asian Pacific American Democrats (CAPAD)
21. Montgomery County Hispanic Democratic Club (HDC)
22. Montgomery County Progressive Alliance
23. Progressive Democrats of America (Maryland 8th District Chapter)
24. Sen. Thomas "Mac" Middleton, Chairman of the Maryland Senate Finance Committee
25. Montgomery County Executive (Ret.) Neal Potter
26. Congressman John Conyers, Jr., Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee
27. Congressman Tim Ryan, Member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and the House Armed Services Committee
28. Congressman Sanford Bishop, Jr., Member of the House Appropriations Committee
29. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee, Chair of the Congressional Children's Caucus, Member of the House Judiciary Committee and House Committee on Homeland Security

Issues:

1. Affordable and accessible health care
2. World-class education for every child
3. Safe and secure communities

Grassroots Support:

My campaign is built on grass roots, community support. I'm extremely proud of that, and I hope that it continues to grow.

DFA Values:

I support progressive social policies, including universal health care, voting rights reforms, world-class education for every child, and a progressive tax structure. I also have the legislative experience with budgets and appropriations to find adequate and realistic funding solutions to meet the demands of our critical needs. Clearly, many of our problems stem from funding shortfalls -- and we need leaders who have legislative and appropriations experience in funding our critical needs without mounting long-term debt and jeopardizing our AAA bond rating. I've done this in Congress on the federal level, having worked as Senior Counsel and Legislative Director, and for several years, as a principal drafter of the Congressional Black Caucus (alternative) U.S. Budget, which increases critical needs funding in areas such as heath, education, public safety, and environment, while also maintaining fiscal discipline. At the end of the day, it's about priorities. My priorities are in the right place, and I want to bring progressive values and seasoned budget and funding experience to the General Assembly.