George W. Owings III
Owings in 2021
Secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs
In office
January 22, 2015 – January 18, 2023
GovernorLarry Hogan
Preceded byEdward Chow Jr.
Succeeded byAnthony Woods
In office
June 1, 2004 – May 9, 2007
Governor
Preceded byLawrence J. Kimble (acting)
Succeeded byJames A. Adkins
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
In office
1988 – June 1, 2004
Appointed byWilliam Donald Schaefer
Preceded byThomas A. Rymer
Succeeded bySue Kullen
Constituency
Personal details
Born
George William Owings III

(1945-04-11)April 11, 1945
Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S.
DiedOctober 31, 2023(2023-10-31) (aged 78)
Calvert County, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Louise Carroll
​
(divorced)​
Children1
Parent
Alma materPrince George's Community College (AA)
Military career
Service/branchUnited States Marine Corps
RankSergeant
Battles/warsVietnam War
AwardsNavy and Marine Corps Medal

George William Owings III (April 11, 1945 – October 31, 2023) was an American politician. He served as the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs from 2004 to 2007 and from 2015 to 2023. He served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates in District 29A and District 27B from 1988 to 2004.

Early life and education

George William Owings III was born on April 11, 1945, in Daytona Beach, Florida, to Mary (née Maxwell) and George W. Owings Jr.[1][2] His father was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 1938[3] and later served as chief clerk in 1956.[4] Owings attended Calvert High School in Prince Frederick, Maryland. He attended the University of Maryland, College Park, from 1963 to 1964, afterwards serving in the Vietnam War as a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps. He graduated from Prince George's Community College in 1978 with an Associate of Arts in liberal arts.[1]

Career

Owings worked as a mortgage banker with Residential Financial Corporation. He was a member of the Democratic Party. He ran twice for commissioner of Calvert County, but lost. He was appointed by Governor William Donald Schaefer as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, succeeding Thomas A. Rymer in January 1988.[5][6] He represented District 29A from 1988 to 1994 and District 27B from 1995 to 2004.[1][7] He also served as the House Majority Whip from 1994 to 2004,[1] lobbying for issues including legalizing slot machines.[8]

Owings was appointed the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs on March 18, 2004, by Governor Bob Ehrlich.[9] He remained in that role until January 17, 2007. He then served as acting secretary until May 9, 2007,[1] when Governor Martin O'Malley appointed James A. Adkins to succeed him.[10]

In July 2009, Owings said he was exploring a run against O'Malley in the Democratic primary of the 2010 Maryland gubernatorial election.[11] He announced his candidacy in January 2010, and ran on a platform criticizing O'Malley for raising taxes, cutting the state's budget, and repealing the death penalty.[12] Owings dropped out of the race on July 1, 2010, after undergoing a major surgery.[13]

In March 2014, Owings filed to run for county commissioner in Calvert County.[14] He placed first in the Democratic primary, but was defeated by Republicans Steve Weems and Tom Hejl in the general election.[15]

Owings at the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home in 2015

In December 2014, Governor-elect Larry Hogan announced that he would appoint Owings as Secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs.[16] He took office on January 22, 2015, and was sworn in on February 13. He served in that role until the end of Hogan's tenure as governor.[1] Following the end of his tenure, state inspectors released a series of reports documenting allegations of abuse and neglect at the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, the state's only veterans home,[17] which Owings said he was first made aware of in "late 2021, early 2022" and had never discussed the conditions at the veterans home with Hogan. He faulted the COVID-19 pandemic for straining resources at Charlotte Hall, but said that he would "take the blame" for the issues.[18] The Maryland General Assembly passed legislation to increase oversight over the Charlotte Hill Veterans Home in response to these reports in 2023,[19] and the Maryland Board of Public Works voted to award a $159 million contract with PruittHealth to oversee the veterans home.[20]

Owings was director of Operation Raise the Roof, a veteran outreach program.[21]

Personal life

Owing was married to his wife, Louise Carroll, whom he later divorced. Together, they had one son.[2][22] His partner was Katherine Marie Boyd.[2]

Owings died at his home in Calvert County on October 31, 2023, at age 78.[15] Following the news of his death, Governor Larry Hogan and Chesapeake Beach expressed their condolences.[23][24] His funeral was attended by Hogan, Bob Ehlrich, U.S. Representative Steny Hoyer, and Maryland Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Woods.[25]

Owings' decorations and medals include the Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation with Bronze Star Device, Navy and Marine Corps Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal with Silver Star Device.[1]

Political positions

Animal welfare

During the 1991 legislative session, Owings introduced legislation to create financial penalties for hunting or killing a bald eagle.[26] In 1999, he proposed a bill to make animal cruelty a felony offense, which was watered down in committee.[27]

Gun policy

During the 2000 legislative session, Owings opposed legislation requiring built-in locks for all new handguns.[28]

Social issues

During the 1991 legislative session, Owings voted against a bill creating a referendum on codifying the right to abortion into the Constitution of Maryland.[29] In 1997, he introduced legislation banning "partial-birth abortions".[30] In 2003, Owings sought to amend the state budget to remove $2.5 million for Medicaid-funded abortions.[31]

During the 1998 legislative session, Owings introduced legislation that would make it optional for adults to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle. The bill was rejected in committee.[32]

In 2000, Owings introduced a bill that would allow students to volunteer a prayer during graduation ceremonies.[33]

During the 2001 legislative session, Owings voted against legislation banning discrimination against homosexuals.[34]

In September 2019, Owings ordered the removal of a plaque put up the by Sons of the Confederacy to honor Raphael Semmes, a Confederate Navy officer who had attended the Charlotte Hall Military Academy.[35]

Taxes

During the 2004 legislative session, Owings voted against a bill to raise $1 billion in sales and income taxes to pay for education reforms.[36]

Electoral history

Maryland House of Delegates District 29A election, 1990[37]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic George W. Owings III (incumbent) 5,709 54.7
Republican Joyce Stinnett Baki 3,711 35.6
Independent William Johnston 1,012 9.7
Maryland House of Delegates District 27B election, 1994[38]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic George W. Owings III (incumbent) 7,037 61.6
Republican Edward B. Finch 4,383 38.4
Maryland House of Delegates District 27B election, 1994[39]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic George W. Owings III (incumbent) 7,603 56.8
Republican Joseph J. Rooney 5,791 43.2
Maryland House of Delegates District 27B election, 2002[40]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic George W. Owings III (incumbent) 9,753 98.1
Write-in 191 1.9
Calvert County Commissioner At-Large Democratic primary election, 2014[41]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic George W. Owings III 3,440 45.6
Democratic Joyce Stinnett Baki 2,879 38.2
Democratic Nance Pretto-Simmons 1,223 16.2
Calvert County Commissioner At-Large election, 2014[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Steve Weems (incumbent) 17,524 30.2
Republican Tom Hejl 15,771 27.2
Democratic George W. Owings III 12,350 21.3
Democratic Joyce Stinnett Baki 9,549 16.5
Independent Paul Harrison 2,752 4.7
Write-in 68 0.1

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "George W. Owings III". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. February 14, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "George William Owings III". legacy.com. November 3, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  3. ^ Layton, Lyndsey (July 6, 1998). "Goldstein's passing saddens Md. towns". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  4. ^ Libit, Howard; Penn, Ivan; Wilson, Kimberly A. C. (April 13, 2004). "'Living wage,' but not slots". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  5. ^ "Schaefer picks mortgage banker as new delegate". The Baltimore Sun. January 8, 1988. p. 1C. Retrieved November 2, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.open access
  6. ^ "Schaefer appoints banker as Arundel-Calvert delegate". The Baltimore Sun. January 8, 1988. p. 2C. Retrieved November 2, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.open access
  7. ^ "Finch, Miller in District 27B". The Baltimore Sun. October 25, 1994. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  8. ^ McCaffrey, Raymond (January 17, 2003). "Md. Whip's Letter on Slots Seen by Some As a Threat". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  9. ^ "Owings nominated as veterans secretary". The Baltimore Sun. March 18, 2004. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  10. ^ Skalka, Jennifer (May 6, 2007). "Veterans Affairs head to be named". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  11. ^ Smitherman, Laura (July 6, 2009). "O'Malley lays the ground for 2010". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  12. ^ Wagner, John (January 7, 2010). "Owings attacks O'Malley as he opens primary challenge". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  13. ^ Nitkin, David (July 1, 2010). "Democrat Owings out of governor's race, reports say". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  14. ^ "Former state delegate Owings files for Calvert commissioner". Maryland Independent. March 7, 2014. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  15. ^ a b Madden, Marty (November 1, 2023). "Calvert icon, veteran Owings dies". Southern Maryland News. Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  16. ^ Cox, Erin (December 30, 2014). "Hogan appoints four more Cabinet members". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  17. ^ Kinsey, Darryl Jr.; Madden, Marty (March 29, 2023). "Patterns of abuse found at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home". Maryland Independent. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  18. ^ Wintrode, Brenda (March 27, 2023). "Veteran's home issues were well-documented since 2018". Baltimore Banner. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  19. ^ Sears, Bryan P. (March 24, 2023). "Lawmakers rush emergency bill to increase oversight of troubled veterans home". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  20. ^ Wintrode, Brenda (May 17, 2023). "Georgia company with troubled history gets $159 million contract to turn around Charlotte Hall Veterans Home". Baltimore Banner. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  21. ^ "George W. Owings III". Archived from the original on November 2, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  22. ^ "Owings, Louise Carroll". The Baltimore Sun. November 8, 2005. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  23. ^ "The Town of Chesapeake Beach Honors George W. Owings, III". Chesapeake Beach, Maryland. November 1, 2023. Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  24. ^ @GovLarryHogan (October 31, 2023). "Today, we mourn the loss of Secretary George W. Owings III, a dedicated public servant, tireless advocate for our veterans, father, grandfather, and close friend" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  25. ^ Madden, Marty (December 4, 2023). "Owings receives a final salute". Southern Maryland News. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  26. ^ "Delegate seeks added protection for bald eagles". The Baltimore Sun. January 18, 1991. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  27. ^ Oakes, Amy (March 22, 1999). "Police raid suspected dogfight; Officers charge nine; vehicles searched near Lochearn home; 12 pit bulls seized; Authorities notified by neighbor; renter of house not found". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  28. ^ LeDuc, Daniel (April 4, 2000). "Md. Votes Built-In Locks for Handguns (washingtonpost.com)". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  29. ^ "House abortion vote". The Baltimore Sun. February 19, 1991. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  30. ^ Abramowitz, Michael (February 1, 1997). "Md. bills would ban late-term procedure". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  31. ^ Craig, Tim (March 21, 2003). "Hot budget issues debated; House set for final vote". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  32. ^ "Senate approves bill banning some dredges in..." The Baltimore Sun. March 20, 1998. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  33. ^ Reeves, Tracey A. (February 16, 2000). "Preaching for School Prayer". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  34. ^ "House OKs gay rights legislation". The Baltimore Sun. March 31, 2001. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  35. ^ Skirble, Rosanne (July 7, 2020). "Amid National Debate, Confederate Gravesites Pose Dilemma for Md. Church". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  36. ^ Montgomery, Lori (March 26, 2004). "Maryland House Passes Tax Plan". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  37. ^ "1990 Gubernatorial General Election Results". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  38. ^ "1994 Gubernatorial General Election Results". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  39. ^ "1994 Gubernatorial General Election Results". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  40. ^ "2002 Gubernatorial General – Official Results". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  41. ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for Calvert County". Maryland State Board of Elections.
  42. ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for Calvert County". Maryland State Board of Elections.

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