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"A comprehensive, collaborative elections resource."
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Curran, Jr., J. Joseph "Joe"
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| Affiliation | Democratic |
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| Name | J. Joseph "Joe" Curran, Jr. |
| Address | 1415 Limit Ave.
Baltimore, Maryland , United States |
| Email | None |
| Website | None |
| Born |
July 07, 1931
(93 years)
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| Contributor | U Ole Polecat |
| Last Modifed | RBH
Feb 10, 2021 02:06am |
| Tags |
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| Info | attended Baltimore parochial schools, Loyola High School, the University of Baltimore, and the University of Baltimore Law School (LL.B., 1959)
-served in the United States Air Force during the Korean conflict, with duty in Japan and Korea.
Mr. Curran began his career in public service in 1958 when he was elected to the House of Delegates while still a law students. In 1962, he was elected to the State Senate where he served on the Judicial Proceedings Committee. During this time, he became an early advocate of open housing laws for Maryland, even though his home was picketed by angry demonstrators. In 1967, Mr. Curran was chosen as chairman of the Judicial Proceedings Committee and held that position for 16 years.
Under Mr. Curran, the Maryland Attorney General's Office has been a national leader in consumer protection, criminal investigations, Medicaid fraud prosecution, securities regulation, and antitrust enforcement. General Curran has been at the forefront in the battle to fight the war on gun violence in Maryland. In 1986, Mr. Curran played a leading role in the successful handgun referendum to ban over the counter sales of so-called "Saturday Night Specials" in Maryland. In October of 1999, General Curran released, "A Farewell to Arms," a report which called for the unprecedented restriction on the ownership of handguns in an effort to reduce the epidemic of gun violence in Maryland.
In an effort to save lives and sharply reduce teen cigarette smoking, Mr. Curran made a historic decision when he recommended Maryland join the $206 billion settlement proposal offered by the tobacco industry to 46 states, the District of Columbia, and five territories. As a result, Maryland received an award of $4.4 billion.
During General Curran's tenure, Maryland began efforts to limit children's exposure to media violence. Mr. Curran's report, "Tune it Out, Media Violence, Children, and Crime," concluded that Media Violence is responsible for approximately 15 percent of all juvenile crime. Following the release of the report, Curran's office provided more than 600,000 Media Violence Diaries, interactive tools for parents to monitor their children's exposure to violent material.
While in the General Assembly, Curran sponsored or was the leading spokesman for many significant bills, including those creating the Court of Special Appeals and the District Court system. He consistently supported bills to improve the courts and the corrections system, toughen drunk-driving laws, guarantee equal rights, and require handgun permits. He also sponsored legislation to modernize Maryland's divorce and alimony laws, reform adoption and guardianship laws, and protect victims of domestic violence.
As Lieutenant Governor, Mr. Curran served as legislative liaison for Governor Hughes' Administration bills and was appointed to chair task forces on drunk driving, the insanity defense, victims services and liability insurance. As Executive Liaison with the Department of Economic and Community Development, Mr. Curran helped to bridge gaps between the public and private sectors statewide.
Mr. Curran is married to the former Barbara Marie Atkins. They are the parents of five children: Mary Carole, Alice, Catherine, J. Joseph III (Max), and William (deceased). The Currans reside in the Homeland section of Baltimore City. Catherine is married to Baltimore City Mayor, Martin J. O'Malley.
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