Harry Hughes
Encyclopedia
Harry Roe Hughes a member of the United States Democratic Party, was the 57th Governor of Maryland
in the United States
from 1979 to 1987.
, Hughes attended Caroline County, Maryland
, Public Schools before attending the Mercersburg Academy
in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania
. After school, Hughes served in the U.S. Navy Air Corps during the Second World War.
After the War, Hughes continued his education by attending Mount Saint Mary's University
and the University of Maryland
, where he graduated in 1949. At Maryland he was a member of Theta Chi
. He received his law degree from The George Washington University Law School
in 1952 and was admitted to the Maryland Bar
the same year. Hughes married his wife, Patricia Donoho Hughes
, on June 30, 1951. They have two daughters, Ann and Elizabeth. Patricia Hughes died on January 20, 2010, in Denton
at the age of 79.
Prior to his election as governor, Hughes was an attorney and one-time professional baseball
player in the Eastern Shore Baseball League
. From 1966–1970, Hughes was the chairman of the Democratic State Central Committee.
from 1955–1959, representing Caroline County. He was elected a member of the Maryland Senate in 1959 for district 15, representing Caroline, Cecil
, Kent
, Queen Anne's
and Talbot
Counties. In 1971, Hughes was offered and accepted the position of Secretary of Transportation
for the state. In 1978, however, Hughes resigned from his position because of a disagreement in the State Department of Transportation regarding the construction of a subway in Baltimore City.
Rural voters criticize his tenure in the legislature for casting a deciding vote that ended the practice of allowing for at least one state senator or delegate per county. As of 2008, no General Assembly Member has been elected from Hughes' native Caroline County for thirteen consecutive years.
Hughes was elected governor in 1978 after defeating Lieutenant Governor Blair Lee III
in the Democratic pirmary election. Among other things, Hughes was a strong advocate for the Chesapeake Bay
. He signed into law such legislation as the Chesapeake Bay Agreement, which set into motion efforts to protect the Bay from pollution and excessive hunting.
Also during his administration, Maryland foreign trade with China
was initiated. The Savings and Loan crisis
, involving the failure of many savings and loan organizations across the United States hit Maryland near the end Hughes' tenure, but nevertheless steps were taken to insure Maryland savings and loans organizations. Hughes served two terms and concluded his governorship in 1987.
from 1995–2003; a member of the Board of Regents of the University System of Maryland
from 1996–2000; the chairman of the Blue Ribbon Citizens Pfiesteria Commission in 1997; the chairman of the Maryland Appellate Judicial Nominating Commission from 1999–2003; and a member of the Committee to Establish the Maryland Survivors Scholarship Fund from 2001–2002.
He published an autobiography in 2006.
Governor of Maryland
The Governor of Maryland heads the executive branch of the government of Maryland, and he is the commander-in-chief of the state's National Guard units. The Governor is the highest-ranking official in the state, and he has a broad range of appointive powers in both the State and local governments,...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
from 1979 to 1987.
Early life and family
Born in Easton, MarylandEaston, Maryland
Easton, founded 1710, is a town within the Easton District of Talbot County, Maryland, United States. The population was 11,708 at the 2000 census, and 14,677 according to current July 2008 census estimates. It is the county seat of Talbot County. The primary ZIP Code is 21601, and the...
, Hughes attended Caroline County, Maryland
Caroline County, Maryland
Caroline County is a wholly rural county located in the U.S. state of Maryland on its Eastern Shore. It is bordered by Queen Anne's County to the north, Talbot County to the west, Dorchester County to the south, Kent County, Delaware, to the east, and Sussex County, Delaware, to the southeast. As...
, Public Schools before attending the Mercersburg Academy
Mercersburg Academy
Mercersburg Academy is an independent, coeducational boarding school for grades 9-12 located in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, United States. The school's mission is:...
in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania
Mercersburg, Pennsylvania
Mercersburg is a borough in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, southwest of Harrisburg. Originally called Black Town, it was incorporated in 1831. In 1900, 956 people lived here, and in 1910, 1,410 people lived here...
. After school, Hughes served in the U.S. Navy Air Corps during the Second World War.
After the War, Hughes continued his education by attending Mount Saint Mary's University
Mount Saint Mary's University
Mount St. Mary's University, also known as The Mount, is a private, liberal arts, Catholic university in the Catoctin Mountains near Emmitsburg, Maryland. It was founded by French émigré Father John DuBois in 1808 and is the oldest independent Catholic college in the United States...
and the University of Maryland
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
, where he graduated in 1949. At Maryland he was a member of Theta Chi
Theta Chi
Theta Chi Fraternity is an international college fraternity. It was founded on April 10, 1856 as the Theta Chi Society, at Norwich University, Norwich, Vermont, U.S., and was the 21st of the 71 North-American Interfraternity Conference men's fraternities.-Founding and early years at Norwich:Theta...
. He received his law degree from The George Washington University Law School
The George Washington University Law School
The George Washington University Law School, commonly referred to as GW Law, is the law school of The George Washington University. It was founded in 1825 and is the oldest law school in Washington, D.C. The school is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a charter member of the...
in 1952 and was admitted to the Maryland Bar
Bar (law)
Bar in a legal context has three possible meanings: the division of a courtroom between its working and public areas; the process of qualifying to practice law; and the legal profession.-Courtroom division:...
the same year. Hughes married his wife, Patricia Donoho Hughes
Patricia Donoho Hughes
Patricia Donoho Hughes was a First Lady of Maryland, married to former Maryland Governor Harry Hughes. She was educated at Sorbonne and Bryn Mawr College before getting married on June 30, 1951. She later continued her education at the University of Delaware . Mrs...
, on June 30, 1951. They have two daughters, Ann and Elizabeth. Patricia Hughes died on January 20, 2010, in Denton
Denton, Maryland
Denton is a town in Caroline County, Maryland, United States. The population was 2,960 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Caroline County. Denton is the birthplace of former Delaware governor Sherman W. Tribbitt and author Sophie Kerr, as well as the long time home of former Maryland...
at the age of 79.
Prior to his election as governor, Hughes was an attorney and one-time professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
player in the Eastern Shore Baseball League
Eastern Shore Baseball League
The Eastern Shore Baseball League was a Class D minor league baseball league that operated on the Delmarva Peninsula for parts of three different decades. The league's first season was in 1922 and the last was in 1949, although the years were not consecutive, and featured teams from Maryland,...
. From 1966–1970, Hughes was the chairman of the Democratic State Central Committee.
Political career
Hughes began his political career as a member of the Maryland House of DelegatesMaryland House of Delegates
The Maryland House of Delegates is the lower house of the General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland, and is composed of 141 Delegates elected from 47 districts. The House chamber is located in the state capitol building on State Circle in Annapolis...
from 1955–1959, representing Caroline County. He was elected a member of the Maryland Senate in 1959 for district 15, representing Caroline, Cecil
Cecil County, Maryland
Cecil County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland. It is part of the Delaware Valley. It was named for Cæcilius Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore , who was the first Proprietary Governor of the colony of Maryland from 1632 until his death in 1675. The county seat is Elkton. The newspaper...
, Kent
Kent County, Maryland
Kent County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland, on its Eastern Shore. It was named for the county of Kent in England. Its county seat is Chestertown. In 2010, the county population was 20,197...
, Queen Anne's
Queen Anne's County, Maryland
Queen Anne's County is a county located on the Eastern Shore of the U.S. state of Maryland.As of 2010, the population was 47,798. Its county seat and most populous municipality is Centreville. The census-designated place of Stevensville is the county's most populous place...
and Talbot
Talbot County, Maryland
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*81.4% White*12.8% Black*0.2% Native American*1.2% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.6% Two or more races*2.7% Other races*5.5% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
Counties. In 1971, Hughes was offered and accepted the position of Secretary of Transportation
Maryland Department of Transportation
The Maryland Department of Transportation is a government agency in the U.S. state of Maryland. MDOT is overseen by Transportation Secretary Beverley K. Swaim-Staley, who replaced John Porcari in 2009 upon the latter's appointment as Deputy Secretary of the United States Department of...
for the state. In 1978, however, Hughes resigned from his position because of a disagreement in the State Department of Transportation regarding the construction of a subway in Baltimore City.
Rural voters criticize his tenure in the legislature for casting a deciding vote that ended the practice of allowing for at least one state senator or delegate per county. As of 2008, no General Assembly Member has been elected from Hughes' native Caroline County for thirteen consecutive years.
Hughes was elected governor in 1978 after defeating Lieutenant Governor Blair Lee III
Blair Lee III
Blair Lee III was an American Democratic politician. He served as the Secretary of State of Maryland from 1969 to 1971...
in the Democratic pirmary election. Among other things, Hughes was a strong advocate for the Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. It lies off the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Maryland and Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay's drainage basin covers in the District of Columbia and parts of six states: New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West...
. He signed into law such legislation as the Chesapeake Bay Agreement, which set into motion efforts to protect the Bay from pollution and excessive hunting.
Also during his administration, Maryland foreign trade with China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
was initiated. The Savings and Loan crisis
Savings and Loan crisis
The savings and loan crisis of the 1980s and 1990s was the failure of about 747 out of the 3,234 savings and loan associations in the United States...
, involving the failure of many savings and loan organizations across the United States hit Maryland near the end Hughes' tenure, but nevertheless steps were taken to insure Maryland savings and loans organizations. Hughes served two terms and concluded his governorship in 1987.
Post-gubernatorial career
Following his tenure as governor, he was a member of the Chesapeake Bay TrustChesapeake Bay Trust
The Chesapeake Bay Trust is a non-profit organization established by the Maryland General Assembly in 1985. Its mission is to promote public awareness and participation in restoring and protecting the water quality and the aquatic and land resources of the Chesapeake Bay...
from 1995–2003; a member of the Board of Regents of the University System of Maryland
University System of Maryland
The University System of Maryland is a public corporation and charter school system comprising 12 Maryland institutions of higher education. It is the 12th-largest university system in the United States, with over 125,000 undergraduate, 43,000 graduate and roughly 13,000 combined full-time and...
from 1996–2000; the chairman of the Blue Ribbon Citizens Pfiesteria Commission in 1997; the chairman of the Maryland Appellate Judicial Nominating Commission from 1999–2003; and a member of the Committee to Establish the Maryland Survivors Scholarship Fund from 2001–2002.
He published an autobiography in 2006.