State Senator, Maryland , District #30

Contact Information

John Astle
Paid for by Friends of John Astle, Mark Moran, Treasurer.  NOT at taxpayers' expense. 
51 Fleet St. Annapolis, Maryland 21401
410 353 3450
410 263 3053 (toll-free)
GoAstle@comcast.net
http://www.johnastle.com

Committees: Vice Chair, Senate Finance Committee; Senate Finance Health Subcommittee; Legislative Policy Committee; Special Commission on Electric Utility Deregulation Implementation; Maryland Patient Safety Center’s Advisory Board; Maryland Department of Natural Resources Sustainable Forestry Work Group; Chesapeake Bay Trust Board of Trustees; Task Force on Traffic Capacity Across the Chesapeake Bay; Department of Natural Resources Special Funds Workgroup; Maryland Tourism Development Board; Maryland Military Installation Strategic Planning Council; Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus; President of the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses

About

Love of country prompted John to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1966-1975. His service included a tour of duty in Vietnam as a combat helicopter pilot and a tour as a Presidential helicopter pilot. In the course of his military service, John received a number of personal decorations including the Legion of Merit, two Purple Hearts, the Meritorious Service Medial, 31 air medals, and the Presidential Service Badge. After resigning his regular commission in 1975, John began a 21-year commitment with the Marine Corps Reserves. During that time, he volunteered and served five months’ active duty in the Persian Gulf War. John retired as a Colonel from the Marine Corps Reserves in 1996.

 

A recognized leader, John chaired the Anne Arundel County delegation to the Maryland House of Delegates for five years. He was Vice Chairman of both the Capital Budget Subcommittee and the Appropriations Subcommittee on Law Enforcement and Transportation for the seven years he served on those committees. 

 

As a third term Senator, John is Vice Chairman of the Finance Committee and sits on the Maryland Military Installation Strategic Planning Council, the Governor’s Commission on the Structure and Efficiency of State Government, the Legislative Policy Committee, the Joint Audit Committee, and the Senate Finance Health Subcommittee. He also chaired the Task Force to Reform Maryland Credit Union Law.

 

An avid sportsman and advocate for environmental issues, John has been a long-time supporter of the National Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. To bolster the Foundation’s efforts, John helped spearhead the creation of the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus in 2001. He now serves as its Senate Chairman. A frontrunner in the this arena, Maryland became the national model for Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucuses throughout the country.

 

In December 2004, John’s years of persistence paid off when representatives from 21 state caucuses throughout the country banded together to create the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses. In his role as President of the Executive Council for the newly- formed umbrella organization, John continues to be a strong voice for sportsmen’s rights throughout the country. His passion for the environment is evident through his work on the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Board of Trustees and his role as Co-Chairman of the Department of Natural Resources Special Fund Work Group in 2003.

 

John is a member of the Marine Corps Reserve Officers Association, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, National Rifle Association, and Safari Club International.

 

John with his trusted and loyal staff Lucy and Eva.

 

 

Bio

Born in Charles Town, West Virginia, March 31, 1943. Attended Barboursville High School, Barboursville, West Virginia; Marshall University, B.A. (sociology), 1966; Catholic University of America, graduate studies, 1972-74. Medical evacuation helicopter pilot, Washington Hospital Center. Served in U.S. Marine Corps, captain, 1966-75 (31 air medals, 2 purple hearts, presidential service badge); assigned to White House support staff (Presidential helicopter pilot) for three and one-half years. Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Member, Marine Corps Reserve Officers Association; American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars. Member, Advisory Board, Maryland Patient Safety Center. State Legislator of the Year, Safari Club International, 2005. Married; two children.