Blumberg Elevated to Commission Chair; Klima to Elevated Vice-Chair
ANNAPOLIS – Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., on July 2nd, appointed Delegate Carmen M. Amedori to the Maryland Parole Commission. She will serve the balance of a six-year term that expires December 31, 2009. This is a recess appointment subject to confirmation by the Senate in the 2005 legislative session. In addition, David R. Blumberg and Martha S. Klima, both commission members since October 2003, have been designated Commission Chair and Vice Chair, respectively.
“Delegate Amedori brings a strong record of experience to her new role with the Maryland Parole Commission,” said Governor Ehrlich. “She has worked for many years in the legal environment, including serving as a District Court Commissioner. As a member of the House Judiciary Committee, she has acquired a keen understanding of issues faced by our judicial and correction systems. I know she will take a thoughtful and objective approach to the evaluation of parole cases. Carmen will be an excellent addition and I look forward to working with her.”
Amedori has been a member of the House of Delegates since January 13, 1999, representing District 5A in Carroll County. She is Assistant Minority Leader and a member of the House Judiciary Committee, where she serves on the Juvenile Law Subcommittee. She is also a Member of the Task Force to Study the Mentoring and Monitoring of Children in the custody of or under the Supervision of the Department of Juvenile Services. A resident of Westminster, Amedori also served as a paralegal for the law firm Morrow and Hassani in Towson from 1996 to 1997.
The Parole Commission considers pardons for persons sentenced for a term of six months or more for violations of State criminal laws, when the prisoner has served one-fourth of the term or consecutive terms in confinement. Commission jurisdiction extends to persons sentenced under State law to any penal or correctional institution, including local jails and detention centers.
The Commission is composed of eight members. All are appointed for six-year terms by the Secretary of Public Safety & Correctional Services with the Governor's approval and Senate advice and consent. Each member must be a State resident with training and experience in law, sociology, psychology, psychiatry, education, social work, or criminology. With the approval of the Governor, the Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services designates the chairperson.