Community Leaders Sign Fort Meade Covenant

Elected officials and community leaders gathered Tuesday to formally sign the Fort Meade Community Covenant, to show a committment to strengthening the area's military community and the region.

Fort Meade Installation Commander Edward Rothstein led the ceremony at BWI  Marshall Airport, featuring members of the Fort Meade Community Covenant Council.

By signing the pledge, members promised to:

• Raise the understanding of and develop potential solutions to the issues, concerns and needs of the Fort Meade Military Community.
• Provide awareness of local, state and federal resources available.
• Connect the military, civilian and business communities through resources provided, events and partnerships, fostering mutually beneficial relationships. 

Those in attendance included:

• Fort George G. Meade: Col. Ed Rothstein, Garrison Commander
• Secretary of the Army: Turhan Robinson, Civilian Aide
• Maryland National Guard: MG James A. Adkins, The Adjutant General
  *COL Kevin L. Preston, Director of Civil-Military Operations
• State of Maryland: Martin O'Malley, Governor
• Maryland: Barbara A. Mikulski, United States Senator
  *Denise Nooe, Annapolis Director
• Maryland: Benjamin L. Cardin, United States Senator
  *Heather Campbell, Field Representative
• Maryland 7th District: Elijah E. Cummings, United States Congressman
  *Amy Stratton, Special Assistant
• Maryland 2nd District: C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger, United States Congressman
  *Jennifer Riggs, District Director
• Maryland 3rd District: John P. Sarbanes, United States Congressman
• Anne Arundel County: John R. Leopold, County Executive
• Howard County: Ken Ulman, County Executive
  *Kent Menser, Executive Director, Howard County BRAC Office
• Prince George's County: Rushern Baker, County Executive
  *Bradford L. Seamon, Acting Chief Administrative Office
• Carroll County Commissioners: Doug Howard, President
• Maryland District 32: Ed DeGrange, Senator
• Maryland District 32: Pamela Beidle, Delegate
• Maryland District 32: Theodore J. Sophocleus, Delegate
• City of Laurel: Craig A. Moe, Mayor
• The BWI Business Partnership: Louis L. Zagarino, Immediate Past Chairman
• Fort Meade Alliance: Rosemary Budd, President
• Picerne Military Housing: Michael Steiner, Executive Vice President
• USO of Metropolitan Washington: Elaine B. Rogers, President & CEO
• West Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce: Claire Louder, President & CEO