This is How WE Do it

 One Maryland...

The Maryland Democratic Party’s
2007 Annual Gala Celebration Exceeds Expectations

Nearly 900 Friends and Supporters Raise $500,000

Greenbelt, MD -  Under the banner of “One Maryland” nearly 900 friends and supports of the Maryland Democratic Party packed Martin’s Crosswinds in Greenbelt Monday evening to celebrate the party’s strength and success. The joyous celebration included vigorous crowd responses to Governor Martin O’Malley’s call for continued “progress by consensus” at home. Several speakers drew deafening cheers for prospects of taking back the White House and expanding Democratic control of Congress in 2008.
 
“We are very grateful to all who attended and showed their support for the party and our state’s great leadership at every level,” says Michael Cryor, Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party. “We were delighted to see the room filled to capacity, and we raised more financial resources than at any single event in party history. I think both achievements reflect confidence in the governor, our Party's impressive leadership team and the future of our state. As we tackle the difficult issues of budget reform, the success of the event encourages us to believe that Democrats will hold to the strengths of working together and the value of consensus.”
 
The party announced its First Annual Volunteers of the Year Awards to three deserving Democrats whose energy and efforts went well beyond the 2006 elections and continue to this day. The winners are:
 
Ina Taylor – Democrat of the Year Award. Ina is a 73 year-old semi-retired activist from Harford County who travels the state working for her party and its candidates when she isn’t producing the party’s DemClips (electronic news clips) for statewide distribution.
 
Adam Scholl – Youth Activist of the Year Award.  Adam is a junior at Montgomery County’s Walt Whitman High school. A member of his school’s Democratic Club, Adam became known for his tireless voter contact, door-knocking and voter registration.
 
Carolyn Turner – Union Activist of the Year Award.  A member of 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, this nursing home attendant from Baltimore was part of a group of 1199 members who took leave of absence from their job to knock on over 100,000 doors during the 2006 campaign. She’s still knocking in 2007 and promises more in 2008 and beyond.
 
“It’s great to raise a lot of money and it’s great to grow our party’s success at the polls, but these are the activists and volunteers who truly make this party great,” says Cryor. “We have so many proud Democrats who work tirelessly because they believe in what they do. It’s a real honor to work with them, making our party stronger and achieving real progress for everyone. That’s what we mean by One Maryland.”