American politician from Maryland
David Mercado Valderrama (born February 1, 1933) is a Filipino-American politician from Maryland. He served as a Democratic member of the Maryland House of Delegates from 1991 to 2003[ 1] mainland United States , as well as the first Asian American and first Filipino American elected to the Maryland General Assembly .[ 2]
Early life and education
Valderrama was born in Manila on February 1, 1933. At 16 years old, he went into business for himself, selling everything from cars to cigarettes. He aspired to be a violinist , organizing an orchestra while in high school. He also helped edit the school paper and won national essay contests.[ 2] Far Eastern University , where he earned a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1956, and George Washington University , where he earned a Master of Comparative Law degree in 1988.[ 1]
Career
Valderrama became involved with politics while attending college. He spoke out against the regime of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos after his declaration of martial law in the Philippines in 1972, later criticizing him during his meeting with U.S. President Ronald Reagan in 1982.[ 2] [ 3] [ 4] anti-apartheid demonstration outside of the South African embassy in Washington, D.C. ,[ 5] South Africa and for the release of Nelson Mandela .[ 2]
In 1982, Valderrama ran for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 25 . Although his bid was unsuccessful, political observers were surprised with the force in which Philippine American voters turned out to support Valderrama. In 1986, Maryland governor Harry Hughes appointed Valderrama to serve on the Orphans' Court .[ 6]
In September 2016, Valderrama attended an anti-Marcos protest in Washington, D.C. to protest against Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte 's decision to allow Marcos' burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani cemetery.[ 7]
In the legislature
Valderrama was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 9, 1991. From 1995 to 2001, he served the Deputy Majority Whip , and as the Deputy Majority Leader of the House of Delegates from 2001 to 2003.[ 1] medical marijuana .[ 8] [ 9] [ 10]
Committee assignments
Member, Constitutional and Administrative Law Committee, 1991–92
Member, Environmental Matters Committee, 1992–94
Member, Judiciary Committee, 1995–2003 (gambling subcommittee, 1995–97; chair, gaming law & enforcement subcommittee, 1999–2003)
Member, Joint Committee on Protocol, 1995–2003
Other memberships
Electoral history
References
^ a b c "David M. Valderrama, Maryland State Delegate" . Maryland Manual On-Line . Maryland State Archives . Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved June 4, 2022 .^ a b c d Yuchengco, Mona Lisa (November 17, 2021). "Living Legends, Part 1" . Positively Filipino Archived from the original on May 26, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022 . ^ Radcliffe, Donnie (September 14, 1982). "Washington Ways Millions For Marcos? Critics Charge State Visit Costs Philippines $5 Million" . The Washington Post Archived from the original on June 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022 . ^ "Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos' meeting with President Reagan Thursday..." United Press International . Retrieved June 4, 2022 .^ Barker, Kerlyn (December 18, 1984). "District Council Member Arrested in Embassy Protest" . The Washington Post Archived from the original on June 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022 . ^ Hill, Retha (June 30, 1988). "NEW PLAYERS JOIN THE FIELD" . The Washington Post Archived from the original on June 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022 . ^ Melegrito, Jon (September 10, 2016). "Filipinos in DC haven't forgotten Marcos and misdeeds" . Philippine Daily Inquirer Archived from the original on November 23, 2017. Retrieved June 4, 2022 . ^ Gregg, Aaron; Nirappil, Fenit (June 25, 2016). "Growing medical marijuana could mean big business in Maryland. Here's who wants in" . The Washington Post Archived from the original on May 7, 2021. Retrieved June 4, 2022 . ^ "Maryland Medical Marijuana Bill Defeated -- This Time" . Stopthedrugwar.org . Marijuana Policy Project . March 17, 2000. Archived from the original on June 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022 .^ "Proponents of medical marijuana switch to 'Plan B' after defeat in Senate" . The Daily Record Archived from the original on June 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022 .^ "1990 Gubernatorial Primary Election Results" . Maryland State Board of Elections . Archived from the original on 2021-08-07. Retrieved 2022-06-04 .^ "1990 Gubernatorial General Election Results" . Maryland State Board of Elections . Archived from the original on 2021-08-07. Retrieved 2022-06-04 .^ "1994 Gubernatorial Primary Election Results" . Maryland State Board of Elections . Archived from the original on 2022-03-05. Retrieved 2022-06-04 .^ "1994 Gubernatorial General Election Results" . Maryland State Board of Elections . Archived from the original on 2020-10-24. Retrieved 2022-06-04 .^ "1998 Gubernatorial Primary Election Results" . Maryland State Board of Elections . Archived from the original on 2022-03-05. Retrieved 2022-06-04 .^ "1998 Gubernatorial General Election Results" . Maryland State Board of Elections . Archived from the original on 2021-07-27. Retrieved 2022-06-04 .^ "2002 Gubernatorial Election Official Results: Legislative District 26" . Maryland State Board of Elections . Archived from the original on 2022-05-30. Retrieved 2022-06-04 .