Raskin Honored with Maryland ‘First Citizen’ Medal

Although it has been about five years since U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin was a Maryland state senator, that legislative body awarded him with its First Citizen Award Medal on Wednesday.

The First Citizen Award is given out by the Maryland Senate president to those who “have been dedicated and effective participants in the process of making government work for the benefit of all.” The award is named for Charles Carroll, who wrote letters published in 1773 in the Maryland Gazette under the name First Citizen. Carroll signed the Declaration of Independence, helped create Maryland’s first Constitution and served in the state senate, Continental Congress and U.S. Senate.

In an email to MyMCM, Raskin wrote, “I was overwhelmed and dumbfounded to be presented this Award yesterday. I remembered when I was a State Senator and being awed by the people who were honored this way, and I just could not quite fit my experience with theirs. So it was a humbling and extremely emotional experience. I am grateful beyond words to President Ferguson and my former colleagues.”

Today the MD Senate salute former MD Senator, now Congressman @jamie_raskin and Senator Shirley Nathan Pulliam with the first Citizen Award pic.twitter.com/zfvNQyItZl

— Senator Antonio Hayes (@AntonioHayes40) March 24, 2021

Emotional morning in the Maryland Senate: @RepRaskin is being honored with a First Citizen Award for his work in the chamber, and now in the U.S. House.

"I'll spend the rest of my life working to deserve this award," says Raskin, who called it the greatest honor of his life.

— Danielle E. Gaines (@DanielleEGaines) March 24, 2021

.@RepRaskin is the infinitely deserving recipient of the prestigious #FirstCitizen Award. Endlessly proud of & grateful to my Congressman, friend, and former colleague, @jamie_raskin!!! #MDGA21 pic.twitter.com/bgEpzEP7Uo

— Cheryl C. Kagan (@CherylKagan) March 24, 2021

Thrilled to witness @RepRaskin being awarded the MD Senate’s First Citizen award! So well deserved! We ❤️ @RepRaskin & who will forever be Senator Raskin. pic.twitter.com/qKB2Nwq16j

— Shelly Hettleman (@shellyhettleman) March 24, 2021

About Suzanne Pollak

Suzanne is a freelance reporter with Montgomery Community Media. She has over 35 years professional experience writing for newspapers, magazines, non-profit newsletters and the web.

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