Obie Patterson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Obie Patterson
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| Member of the Maryland Senate from the 26th district |
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| In office January 9, 2019 – January 11, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | C. Anthony Muse |
| Succeeded by | C. Anthony Muse |
| Constituency | Prince George's County, Maryland |
| Prince George's County Council | |
| In office December 6, 2010 – December 3, 2018 |
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| Succeeded by | Monique Anderson-Walker |
| Constituency | District 8 |
| Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from the 26th district |
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| In office January 11, 1995 – January 10, 2007 Serving with C. Anthony Muse, David Mercado Valderrama, Kerry Hill, Darryl A. Kelley, and Veronica L. Turner
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| Preceded by | Christine M. Jones |
| Succeeded by | Kris Valderrama |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 7, 1938 Lancaster, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | Three children; three grandchildren. |
| Education | Johnson C. Smith University (BS) University of Florida (MA) |
Obie Patterson (born March 7, 1938) is an American politician. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He has served in important roles in Maryland's government. These roles include being a state senator and a member of the Prince George's County Council. He also served in the Maryland House of Delegates.
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About Obie Patterson
Obie Patterson was born in Lancaster, South Carolina. This was on March 7, 1938. He went to Johnson C. Smith University. There, he earned a degree in biology in 1965. Later, he studied at the University of Florida. He earned a master's degree in public administration in 1971. After finishing school, he worked in different jobs for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Obie Patterson's Political Career
Obie Patterson began his political journey in the Maryland House of Delegates. He served there from 1995 to 2007. During this time, he led the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland. This was from 2002 to 2004. In 2006, he tried to become a state senator. However, he did not win that election.
In 2010, Patterson was elected to the Prince George's County Council. He represented District 8. He served on the council until 2018. After that, he ran for the Maryland Senate again in 2018. This time, he won the election. He was sworn in as a state senator on January 9, 2019. He served in the Senate until 2023. In 2022, he announced that he would not run for re-election.
What Obie Patterson Cared About
Obie Patterson worked on many important issues. These included community growth, protecting the environment, and health care. He also focused on policing and social issues.
Community Growth and Development
Patterson thought carefully about new building projects. He did not support a plan for a football stadium in Oxon Hill. He believed there needed to be much better transportation first. He said, "I don't know how anyone can think about bringing the Redskins there without some drastic increase in better transportation."
Protecting the Environment
Patterson supported laws to help the environment. In 2021, he voted for the Climate Solutions Now Act. This law aimed to reduce pollution and fight climate change. He also introduced his own environmental bills.
- One bill wanted rules for cleaning up mold.
- Another bill asked for ideas on clean energy. These ideas would help communities with lower incomes.
- A third bill aimed to add a right to a healthy environment to Maryland's Constitution.
Health Care Access
Patterson worked on health care issues. In 2006, he supported a law called the Fair Share Health Care Fund Act. This law would have made large companies pay more for their employees' health care.
In 2019, a bill about end-of-life care came up for a vote. This bill would have allowed very sick adults to choose certain medical options. Patterson chose not to vote on this bill. He said he had to vote his conscience. He explained, "I did not cast a vote simply because I could not bring myself to move right or left on the bill and therefore I didn't vote on all."
Policing and Justice
Patterson also focused on policing. In 2021, he introduced a bill about how police can make arrests. This bill would allow arrests based on witness stories and video evidence. He also voted for a package of laws to reform police practices.
Social Issues and Equality
Patterson supported laws that promoted fairness. In 2001, he voted to pause the use of the death penalty in Maryland. He also voted for a law to protect gay and lesbian people from unfair treatment.
He also worked on renaming places. In 2021, he suggested renaming Indian Head Highway after former President Barack Obama. He also proposed changing Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples' Day.
