Dec 7

Dec 7 In The Tradition

County Council Gavel Exchange Rings In Hawkins And Taveras Among New Leadership

By Raoul Dennis

The Prince Georges County Council voted unanimously Dec. 1 in selecting At large Council member Calvin S. Hawkins, II and Deni Taveras (D-Dist. 2) as the new chair and vice chair respectively.

Will lead the council for Legislative Session 2021.

Hawkins, a long-standing and active figure in county politics for over 10 years, was a close associate in former County executive Administrations. Recognized by many as a man of the people, Hawkins has sparked grassroots level efforts on a number of activities and issues including the annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Parade in the district and leading over 40 food distribution events in the county since the pandemic came to Prince George’s in March.

Council member Taveras has the distinction of becoming the first Latina to hold the office of vice chair of the Council in county history.

“I am so humbled to be unanimously selected by my peers,” Taveras said. “I wish my family, especially those I have lost due to the pandemic, could be here with me to share in this momentous occasion. It is a bittersweet moment.”

Click here to view the gavel exchange and comments from Hawkins and Taveras immediately following their nomination.