WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER TO BE HONORARY CHAIRMAN OF THE 2003 BALTIMORE ST. PATRICK PARADE

BALTIMORE, MD (June 24, 2002) - The Baltimore St. Patrick Day Parade Committee announced today that William Donald Schaefer, Comptroller of Maryland, has accepted the position of Honorary Chairman of the 2003 Baltimore St. Patrick Parade.

BALTIMORE, MD (PRWEB) June 26, 2002 - The Baltimore St. Patrick Day Parade Committee announced today that William Donald Schaefer, Comptroller of Maryland, has accepted the position of Honorary Chairman of the 2003 Baltimore St. Patrick Parade.

The parade is in its 47th year and has become one of the areas largest attractions.

We are delighted that Comptroller Schaefer has accepted our invitation. This is a ringing endorsement of our efforts. With the Comptrollers support we will be able to accelerate our efforts to promote the Parade as a major regional attraction that will benefit Baltimore City and Maryland," commented David Keelan, parade general chairman.

Mr. Keelan added, The purpose of the parade is to honor Irelands patron Saint, and Irish culture and history. However, the parade is also an important economic asset to the area, generating over $1 million in economic activity, and provides great exposure to all organizations who participate."

Kevin Urick, parade committee member said, This is consistent with the Comptrollers long support of Baltimore City and events, like the parade, who work diligently to promote Baltimore City."

The parade committee also announced the establishment of The William Donald Schaefer Community Service Award." The purpose of the award is to recognize the contributions of Marylands community service organizations. We envision cash awards to qualified 501c3 community service organizations that participate in the parade," said Keelan. To date we have pledges from a number of corporations, including Verizon Communications, who are providing grants to fund the awards."

About the Baltimore St. Patrick Day Parade

The Parade is a nonprofit endeavor organized and funded by St. Patrick Celebrations, Inc. The 47th annual parade will be held on Sunday, March 16, 2002. The parade is preceded by the ODouls Shamrock 5K race, Marylands largest long distance event. The annual cost of the parade is funded wholly through the fundraising efforts of volunteers from the Irish organizations that comprise the parade committee. Current community sponsors include, AllFirst Bank, FP Winner, and Guinness.

About William Donald Schaefer

William Donald Schaefer, elected November 1998 as the 32nd Comptroller of Maryland, has served in public office for 45 years at both the State and local level. He was Governor

of Maryland, 1987 to 1995; Mayor of Baltimore City, 1971 to 1987; President of the Baltimore City Council, 1967 to 1971; and a member of the Baltimore City Council, 1955 to 1967.

Comptroller Schaefer is a life-long Maryland resident, born in West Baltimore on November 2, 1921 to William Henry and Tululu Irene Schaefer. He was educated in Baltimore's public schools and graduated from Baltimore City College in 1939. Mr. Schaefer received his law degree in 1942.

Mr. Schaefer's legal career was put on hold by the U.S. entry into World War II. He joined the Army, achieved officer rank, and took charge of administering hospitals in England and Europe. Following his tour of duty, he remained in the U.S. Army Reserves and retired in 1979 with the rank of Colonel.

After the war, Comptroller Schaefer resumed his legal career, practicing real estate law. He earned a Master of Law degree in 1954 from the University of Baltimore School of Law and formed a general practice law firm with two colleagues. His concern for city planning and housing in the city propelled him to a seat on the Baltimore City Council in 1955.

In 1967, Mr. Schaefer ventured into citywide politics by running successfully for Baltimore City Council President. Four years later, he also ran successfully for Mayor, serving four consecutive terms until he was elected Governor in 1986.

Former Governor Schaefer currently holds the Schaefer Chair at the University of Maryland's School of Public Affairs in conjunction with the Johns Hopkins University Institute for Policy Studies. He is actively involved in a project to revitalize the Hampden area of Baltimore, working with interns from Hopkins. Before his election as Comptroller, Mr. Schaefer was Of Counsel at the law firm of Gordon, Feinblatt, Rothman, Hoffberger & Hollander, LLC, in downtown Baltimore. In 1997, Governor Parris Glendening appointed Schaefer Chair of the Maryland Commission for Celebration 2000, the State's official agency to plan and implement an observance of the millennium.

Former Governor Schaefer also is involved with many civic and charitable organizations and is on the boards of several nonprofit organizations, as well as state and local colleges.

He is the recipient of 15 honorary degrees; President's Medal, Johns Hopkins University; Jefferson Award for Public Service by an elected official; the Vernon Eney Award, Maryland Bar Foundation; and the Distinguished Service Award, Democratic Party.