300/Maryland Manual

Commission was renamed in 1974 as the Commis-
sion on Afro-American and Indian History and
Culture and made part of the Department of Eco-
nomic and Community Development (Chapter
386, Acts of 1974). The Commission received its
present name in 1976 (Chapter 120, Acts of 1976).
It became part of the Department of Housing and
Community Development in 1987 (Chapter 311,
Acts of 1987).

The Commission serves as statewide coordina-
tor and clearinghouse for preserving and docu-
menting evidence of the black experience in
Maryland. It specializes in research assistance and
collecting historical materials—art objects, memo-
rabilia, manuscripts, photographs, and other arti-
cles of significance to black history and culture.

The Commission provides exhibits, programs,
and resource materials to the community at large
and to educational systems and institutions within
the State. The Commission also participates in a
continuing statewide survey to locate and identify
sites and buildings of historical and cultural signifi-
cance to the black experience in Maryland. In addi-
tion, the Commission plans, coordinates, and
implements the State's annual official observance of
the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Any available
federal or private funds for the planning and execu-
tion of commemorative and educational activities in
connection with that observance are received and
administered by the Commission.

The Commission's nine members are appointed
to four-year terms by the Governor with Senate
advice and consent. Subject to the approval of the
Secretary of Housing and Community Develop-
ment, the Commissioners appoint the Director. The
Commission also includes an Advisory Committee
consisting of a maximum of twenty-one members
(Code 1957, Art. 83B,secs. 5-301 through 5-306).

MARYLAND ETHNIC HERITAGE
COMMISSION

Chairperson: Hardev S. Palta, 1990

Appointed by Governor with Senate advice &:
consent: Stephen Basarab, 1989; Sol del Ande
Eaton, 1989; Mary Louise Jones, 1989; Pete N.
Nickolas, D.D.S., 1989; Lea Kiik, 1990; Morgan
H. Pritchett, 1990; Judith C. Toth, 1990; Marsha
Weinberg, 1990; Mohyee E. Eldefrawi, Ph.D.,
1991; Stephen J. Ferrandi, 1991; Andree M.
Leath, 1991; Hiroshi Nakazawa, M.D., 1991;
Tuan Quoc Pham, 1991; Eva Slezak, 1991.

Maria B. Galindo, Director

45 Calvert St.
Annapolis, MD 21401 974-2534

The Maryland Ethnic Heritage Commission
began as the Commission on Ethnic Affairs, created

by Executive Order in 1977. It received its present
name in 1984 when it was established within the
Department of Economic and Community Devel-
opment (Chapter 116, Acts of 1984). In 1987, the
Commission became part of the Department of
Housing and Community Development (Chapter
311, Acts of 1987).

The Commission advises the Governor on State
programs and activities relating to Maryland's eth-
nic heritage. The Commission sponsors and pro-
motes cultural and educational programs;
publishes a newsletter and a directory; and serves
as a clearinghouse for the State's ethnic communi-
ties, as well as for county State and federal entities.
It recommends and encourages the commemora-
tion of historical events (Statue of Liberty, 1990
Census, Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution), the
official recognition of ethnic achievements, and re-
search and preservation of the traditions of
Maryland's ethnic cultures.

The Commission promotes understanding
among ethnic groups and between ethnic groups
and the community at large. It provides technical
assistance and programs to over 300 ethnic organi-
zations in Maryland and serves as liaison between
those organizations and State government.

With Senate advice and consent, the Governor
appoints the Commission's fifteen members to
three-year terms. The Commission appoints the
Director with the approval of the Secretary of
Housing and Community Development (Code
1957, Art. 83B, secs. 5-501 through 5-509).

COMMISSION ON INDIAN AFFAIRS
Chairperson: George M. Foster, Jr., 1990

Appointed by Governor with Senate advice &
consent: Joseph Strickel, 1989; Chief Billy
Redwing Tayac, 1989: Sewell Edward Fitzhugh,
1990; Kevin Harley, 1990; Mervin Savoy, 1990;
Paul B. Cissna, Ph.D., 1991; Barry McCray
Richardson, 1991; Rebecca Seib, 1991.

Patricia L. King, Director

45 Calvert St.
Annapolis, MD 21401 974-2531

The Commission originated in 1974 as part of
the Commission on Afro-American and Indian His-
tory and Culture. It became a separate agency
within the Department of Economic and Commu-
nity Development in 1976 (Chapter 148, Acts of
1976). In 1987, the Commission on Indian Affairs
was made part of the Department of Housing and
Community Development (Chapter 311, Acts of
1987).

The Commission coordinates programs and
projects to further the cultural, educational,
economic, and social development of Maryland's