В Мэриленде почтили память бывшего делегата Джозефа Валларио, прослужившего в законодательном собрании более 40 лет

For over 40 years, former Del. Joseph F. Vallario Jr. devoted himself to the people of Maryland. First elected to the House of Delegates as a Democrat in 1974, Joe served continuously until 2019. For 26 of those years, he chaired the House Judiciary Committee, a remarkable record that made him one of the most experienced and influential legislators in Maryland history. As we currently witness grandstanding politicians from both parties who favor image over substance, Joe serves as a reminder of what can be great in politics. He was a legislator who cared about law and policy above all else. In his long tenure in politics, Joe helped countless numbers of Marylanders, and he did it in an unassuming and humble way for all of those years. It was an honor to have him as a mentor, and I am privileged to call him a friend still today. Joe’s legacy cannot be measured simply by the number of years he spent in Annapolis. His real legacy is found in the countless laws he helped write, institutions he strengthened, the victims and families he fought to protect and generations of legislators and lawyers whom he mentored. Joe brought to the legislature decades of experience as a practicing lawyer combined with an unparalleled understanding of how legislation is used in courtrooms. He understood that good legislation requires more than good intentions. It requires listening, persistence, compromise and a willingness to work with people who may not agree with you. It means understanding that even good-sounding legislation can have unintended consequences. That philosophy was evident in his work on victims’ rights. Joe was passionate about the rights of victims of crimes. He helped advance legislation concerning victim notification about judicial review proceedings, participation in proceedings and protections to allow victims to attend proceedings without the fear of losing employment. He advanced laws addressing victims’ rights in juvenile hearings, attendance at criminal proceedings and notification regarding posttrial proceedings. Those accomplishments reflect something fundamental about Joe. He believed that the justice system had responsibilities not only to defendants and the state but also to the people whose lives had been shattered by crime. His work has been replicated across the nation. Joe was equally committed to improving the administration of justice. He advanced legislation concerning civil jury trials, jurisdiction in civil matters and client solicitation by lawyers. He enacted legislation ranging from attorneys’ liens on settlements to compensation for district court bailiffs. He supported legislation concerning mandatory supervision and diminution credits for incarcerated individuals. And he was instrumental in passing the Justice Reinvestment Act, the single largest criminal justice reform statute in any state in the nation. Joe sponsored and advanced important legislation in civil law, criminal law and procedure, family law, estates and trusts, corporate law and real estate. Joe understood that legislation is ultimately about people. His record includes work concerning drunk and drugged driving, criminal sentencing, public safety, the rights of victims and the administration of the courts. He passed groundbreaking legislation for victims’ rights, domestic violence, drug treatment and so much more. The depth and breadth of Joe’s accomplishments in Maryland law are astounding. Joe built consensus and worked with anyone to advance good legislation, regardless of party. He understood that the quality of a justice system depends upon intricate details, such as how evidence is gathered, how proceedings are conducted, how victims are treated, how lawyers practice and how courts function. Joe did not have the time or patience for petty party politics. Perhaps no part of Joe’s career is more important, however, than the people he helped along the way. I know that personally, and I am honored that Joe was one of the great mentors of my life. Joe did not mentor people by giving speeches about leadership. He did it by example. When I came to the House of Delegates at the ripe old age of 26, Joe was my chairman on the House Judiciary Committee. I learned something every single day just from listening to Chairman Joe. He taught younger legislators how to read a bill, understand the consequences of seemingly small language changes, negotiate without sacrificing principle and, perhaps most importantly, treat people with respect regardless of ideology. He showed that disagreement did not have to become personal and that political opponents should still be respected friends. For me, Joe was more than a colleague. He was a teacher, trusted adviser and dear friend. When I was a younger legislator, his guidance helped me understand the responsibilities that came with public office. He was always willing to share his institutional knowledge, explain the history behind an issue and offer an honest opinion. He never sought credit, only to make the law better for Marylanders. Joe’s influence on Maryland extends far beyond the legislation bearing his name. It can be seen in the public servants he advised, the lawyers he influenced and the colleagues who carried forward lessons they learned from him. There is also something remarkable about the sheer span of his service. Joe remained in Annapolis through changes in administrations, political parties, technology, demographics and public policy. Through all those changes, his unwavering commitment to public service remained constant. In an era when public life can sometimes seem consumed by short-term politics, Joe represented something enduring — experience, loyalty, hard work and institutional responsibility. His lifetime of service was not simply a long career. It was a lifetime invested in Maryland. For those fortunate enough to know him personally, his greatest contribution may have been the wisdom and friendship he shared so generously. And continues to share to this day. Joe’s name deserves an honored place in Maryland’s political history. To those of us who know him, he will always be more than a former delegate or committee chairman. Joe was a public servant who cared deeply about Maryland and continues today as a lawyer who understands the importance of justice. I am truly honored to continue to call this extraordinary man my friend. When Joe left the General Assembly, he left a truly remarkable legacy as a public servant. His was the type of selfless service that is so desperately needed today. Bobby Zirkin is a columnist at The Baltimore Sun and a partner at Zirkin and Schmerling Law in Baltimore. He represented Baltimore County in the General Assembly for 21 years as a Democratic state senator and delegate. He can be reached at [email protected].