Awards & Recognition
- Congressional Award, Development District Association of Appalachia, 2012
- Chesapeake Conservation Hero Award, Chesapeake Conservancy, 2012
- Congressional Champion Award, National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, 2012
- Legislative Leader Award, Humane Society and Humane Society Legislative Fund, 2012
- 100 Percent Score on Legislative Report Card, League of Conservation Voters (2008-2011)
- Marvin Goldstein Outstanding Volunteer Award, Oral Health America, 2011
- Justice for Cyprus Award, Cyprus Federation of America, 2011
- Friend of the National Parks Award, National Parks Conservation Association, 2011
- Bird Conservation Leader of the Year Award, American Bird Conservancy, 2011
- Conservation Champion, Audubon Society, 2011
- Whitney M. Young Jr. Award, Greater Baltimore Urban League, 2011
- Lorraine Sheehan Lifetime Achievement Award, Maryland Disability Law Center, 2011
- Congressional Leadership Award, American College of Physicians, 2010
- Legislative Leader Award, The Humane Society of the United States, 2010
- UNESCO Center for Peace, Frederick County Community Action Agency, Anti-poverty Award, 2009
- Lifetime Achievement Award, University of Maryland School of Law's Law & Health Care Program, 2009
- Congressional Voice for Children Award, National PTA, 2009
- Maryland Affordable Housing Coalition's Leadership Award, 2009
- Daily Record Leadership in Law Award, 2008
- Elizabeth and David Scull Metropolitan Public Service Award, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, 2008
- NAACP "A" rating for Civil Rights, 2008
- Congressional Champion Award from the National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems, 2008
- Honorary Doctor of Law, Villa Julie College, 2007
- Wall of Fame Award, Welfare Advocates, 2005
- Congressional Advocate of the Year Award, Child Welfare League of America, 2005 & 2000
- Congressional Award, Small Business Council of America, 2005, 1999, & 1993
- Public Service Aeard, Towson Business Association, 2004
- Outstanding Leadership Award, American Occupational Therapy Association, 2003
- Congressional Service Award, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 2003
- Public Sector Distinguished Award, Tax Foundation, 2003
- Congressional Champion Award, The National Coalition for Cancer Research, 2002
- Outstanding Leadership Award, The American College of Emergency Physicians, 2001
- National Leadership Award for Service to Children and Families, Casey Family Services, 2000
- Concord Coalition's "Deficit Hawk" Honor Roll, 1999 & 1998
- The American Medical Association's Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Public Service, 1999