Sen. Jennings Activated For Air National Guard Mission; Joppa Legislator Is Only Member Of General Assembly Serving In The Military

From the office of Sen. J.B. Jennings:

District 7 Legislator Will Fulfill Military’s Needs While Continuing to Serve Constituents Back Home

ANNAPOLIS – State Sen. J.B. Jennings (District 7- Baltimore & Harford Counties), an Air National Guardsman, has been called to duty for a federal training mission at Robbins Air Force Base in Georgia. The mission will begin on Jan. 30 and conclude on April 30.

While he regrets having to be absent during parts of the General Assembly’s legislative session, Sen. Jennings is proud to serve and will ensure that the mission does not adversely affect his ability to represent and respond to District 7 constituents.

“The timing isn’t perfect,” Sen. Jennings noted from his Annapolis office today. “But having to miss a portion of legislative session is no different for me than the sacrifices made by thousands of other Americans who are called to duty in the midst of their own busy family and work schedules.”

The Senator intends to return home for voting sessions and other meetings as his training schedule permits, at personal and not taxpayer expense.

Jennings had previously earned every Lighthouse Award offered by the Maryland Accountability Project for perfect attendance by not missing a single vote during eight years as a Delegate. He admitted that he will have to miss some votes this session.

“I wish I could be in two places at once,” he said. “Being in Annapolis is very important to me. However, being fully trained and ready to serve as a member of our armed forces is also very important.”

Sen. Jennings will be in contact with his staff daily for legislative updates, and will be in touch regularly with his Senate colleagues- particularly those on the Education, Health & Environmental Affairs Committee, of which he is a member.

“There are vital issues coming before the committee and the entire legislature this session, so we’ll be using texts, e-mail, and Facebook to keep in touch. We’ll also have evening conference calls after my daily training and occasional ‘face-to-face’ meetings via Skype. I’ll be doing my very best to stay on top of everything.”

Jennings is the only member of the Maryland General Assembly currently serving in the military.