Emmett C. Burns, Jr.

Emmett C. Burns, Jr.
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 10th district
Assumed office
January 11, 1995
Personal details
Born (1940-08-26) August 26, 1940
Jackson, Mississippi
Political party Democratic
Occupation Minister
Religion Baptist

Emmett C. Burns, Jr. (born August 26, 1940) is an American politician from Maryland and a member of the Democratic Party. He is currently serving his fourth and final term in the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Maryland's District 10 in Baltimore County. Burns is currently a member of the Economic Matters Committee.

On July 8, 2013, Burns announced his intention not to seek re-election to the Maryland Legislature in 2014.[1]

Early life and career

Burns was born in Jackson, Mississippi on August 26, 1940. He earned a B.S. degree from Jackson State University, a Master of Divinity degree from Virginia Union University, a Master of Religious Education degree from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education, and a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. After a brief stint in the United States Air Force, Burns became a Baptist minister in Baltimore.

In the Legislature

Burns has been involved in government task forces on the legacy of slavery in Maryland, on the impact of cults in institutions of higher education, and on entrepreneurship among African Americans. He is a member of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland. He sponsored the bill that changed the name of Maryland's major airport to the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. After 5 four-year terms in the legislature, Burns opted not to file for re-election in 2014.[2]

Legislative notes

If it had been voted and signed into law, House Bill 90 would have added further restrictions to Maryland's marriage laws for same-sex couples. The bill was defeated on February 3, 2010.[7]

2006 General election results District 10

Voters to choose three:[9]
Name Votes Percent Outcome
Emmett C. Burns, Jr. 29,140   34.2%    Won
Shirley Nathan-Pulliam 28,544   33.5%    Won
Adrienne A. Jones 27,064   31.8%    Won
Write-in votes 370   0.4%    

Controversies

Altercation with a tow truck driver

In 1999, Burns accused a tow truck driver of uttering a racial slur, a claim the driver denied. Michael Stansbury, a tow truck driver for Flash Towing, said that he denied service to the politician after Burns started shouting at him and used a profane term to refer to his race.[10]

Letter to Baltimore Ravens owner

After Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo voiced his support for same-sex marriage, Burns wrote a letter on August 29, 2012, to Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti, on official Maryland State letterhead, demanding that Mr. Bisciotti "take the necessary action ... to inhibit such expressions from your employee," further stating, "I know of no other NFL player who has done what Mr. Ayanbadejo is doing." Ayanbadejo's off-field activities did not violate any NFL or Ravens' rules or regulations. Burns was criticized for trying to use the authority of his government position to prevent a citizen from exercising First Amendment and for taking a public position on same-sex marriage that was in direct conflict with his Democratic Party platform and the constituency that elected him. According to The Washington Post, the Ravens acknowledged receiving the letter but had no further comment.[11][12][13]

Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe came to Ayanbadejo's defense, penning a scathing retort for the popular sports website Deadspin. After echoing previous criticisms and wondering why Burns "hates freedom," Kluwe stated that making gay marriage legal "won't magically turn you into a lustful cockmonster" and that he himself has been very vocal in supporting same-sex marriage, despite Burns' claim that Ayanbadejo was the only NFL player to do so.[14]

Notes

  1. ↑ "Anti-gay Maryland lawmaker to retire". Baltimore Sun. 2013-07-10. Retrieved 2013-07-17.
  2. ↑ Kevin Rector (2013-07-08). "Prominent gay marriage opponent to depart Annapolis in 2014". The Baltimore Sun. Articles.baltimoresun.com. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  3. ↑ "BILL INFO-2007 Regular Session-HB 359". Mlis.state.md.us. Retrieved 2012-09-08.
  4. ↑ "Vote Record 1229". Mlis.state.md.us. 1998-04-06. Retrieved 2012-09-08.
  5. ↑ http://www.mdchamber.org/docs/ss_hb2.pdf
  6. ↑ "MD Delegate Emmett Burns on Out-Of-State Marriage Equality Recognition". YouTube. 2010-01-26. Retrieved 2012-09-08.
  7. ↑ "Lawmakers reject ban on recognizing same-sex unions". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved on February 05 2010
  8. ↑ "BILL INFO-2012 Regular Session-HB 438". Mlis.state.md.us. Retrieved 2012-09-08.
  9. ↑ "House of Delegates Results". Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved on Sept, 08 2007
  10. ↑ Willis, Dail. "Tow truck driver denies aiming racial slur at Burns". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 9/7/12. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  11. ↑ Rosenwald, Michael S. (2012-09-06). "Del. Emmett Burns blasts Ravens for linebacker’s support of gay marriage - Rosenwald, Md.". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2012-09-08.
  12. ↑ http://www.wbaltv.com/blob/view/-/16490818/data/3/-/ijsbez/-/Emmett-Burns-letter-over-Brendon-Ayanbadejo.pdf
  13. ↑ "Maryland politician asks Ravens to "inhibit" Ayanbadejo’s same-sex marriage support | ProFootballTalk". Profootballtalk.nbcsports.com. 2012-08-31. Retrieved 2012-09-08.
  14. ↑ ""They Won't Magically Turn You Into A Lustful Cockmonster": Chris Kluwe Explains Gay Marriage To The Politician Who Is Offended By An NFL Player Supporting It". Deadspin.com. Retrieved 2012-09-08.

References

External links

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