Maryland's top political leaders today [December 1, 1999] endorsed Al Gore for President of the United States at a crowded news conference held in Baltimore.

Governor Parris Glendening, Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Maryland Senators Paul Sarbanes and Barbara Mikulski, and Congressmen Ben Cardin, Elijah Cummings, Steny Hoyer, and Albert Wynn stood with the Vice President at the Hyatt Regency and addressed an enthusiastic crowd of Gore supporters.

Anne Arundel County Executive Janet Owens also attended, adding her support to the campaign.

"Al Gore is an effective leader," said Maryland Senator Mikulski. "He has a framework for the future and his agenda is America's agenda. It is protecting seniors by keeping Social Security and Medicare strong, a patient's bill of rights, and safe streets and a safe world. It's getting behind America's families."

Also endorsing Gore were: John Willis, Secretary of State; Mike Miller, President of the Maryland State Senate; State Senators Ulysses Currie, Clarence Blount, Jennie Forehand, Delores Kelley, Gloria Lawlah, Nathaniel McFadden, Ira Ruben, Norman Stone, Jr., Leonard Teitelbaum, and Chris VanHollen; Montgomery County Executive Doug Duncan; and Howard County Executive James Roby.

The entire list of leaders endorsing the Vice President took up six typed pages, with two columns of small type per page.

The Vice President was in town to address the National Black Caucus of State Legislators who were in Baltimore for their annual conference. The group gave Gore a standing ovation.