ANNAPOLIS – Trade you two John Cades for a Cas Taylor?
The Maryland State Teachers Association thinks it has found a novel way to publicize its legislative agenda — and get General Assembly members to fraternize at the same time.
The teachers labor organization distributed “legislative” baseball cards to each lawmaker last week in hopes of starting a trading frenzy on the floors of the House and Senate.
“We feel it’s a good way for legislators to break the ice and get to know one another,” said Roger Kuhn, an association spokesperson. “We also want to raise awareness of public schools and what’s in those schools.”
Each legislator received 250 personalized cards, along with a five-minute video on the teachers’ group’s interests.
Instead of the team name and statistics, the legislative cards showcase party affiliation, date of birth, occupation and the number of years served — along with the obligatory picture.
The teachers first handed out cards four years ago and were pleased with the response, Kuhn said. “People are collectors,” he said.
Freshman Del. Cheryl Kagan, D-Montgomery, said Tuesday that she hadn’t gotten many cards for her collection yet, but was flattered that several colleagues had called her office seeking to trade.
“I don’t even have a good batting average yet,” she confessed.
Del. Salima Siler Marriott, D-Baltimore, said she came close to compiling the entire set four years ago. “It was great fun,” she said.
However, Marriott and Del. Rose Mary Hatem Bonsack, D- Harford, said they were so busy tending to legislative business that they hadn’t started collecting this year.
Some legislators were skeptical of the idea. “I think I’m a little too old for baseball cards,” said Del. Raymond Beck, R-Montgomery. Beck is 62. -30-