Vincent DeMarco (born 1957 in Trevico) is an American public health advocate. He is the President of the Maryland Citizens' Health Initiative. He is the subject of a 2010 book by Michael Pertschuk entitled The DeMarco Factor: Transforming Public Will Into Political Power.[1]
Vinny DeMarco | |
|---|---|
 Vinny DeMarco beginning the 2015 Ride For The Override. | |
| Born | 1957 (age 66–67) Trevico, Italy |
| Education | Johns Hopkins University |
| Spouse |
Molly Mitchell (m. 1987) |
| Children | 2 |
Early life edit
Vincent DeMarco was born in 1957 in Trevico, Italy, to Rosa and Antonio DeMarco. In 1961, they immigrated to New Jersey.[2] He has a brother Nicola and sisters Brunella and Marlana. He graduated from high school in Hazlet, New Jersey, in 1973.[3] Attending Johns Hopkins University for undergraduate and graduate work in American history, he was on the college debate team, volunteered in support of a labor boycott, and successfully lobbied for banning "walking around" money[clarification needed] in Maryland political campaigns.[4]
In 1982, he worked with Young Democrats for nuclear freeze.[5] In 1986, he campaigned for Steve Sachs for Governor of Maryland.[6] After earning his Juris Doctor degree, he worked for Lt. Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend.[7] In 1987 he married Molly Mitchell in a Quaker service. They have two sons, Tony and Jamie.[8]
Health initiatives edit
At the end of 1999, DeMarco helped organize the Maryland Citizens' Health Initiative, later renamed to Maryland Health Care for All!.[9] In 2001, this group held town meetings and 2002 allied in support of a further cigarette tax increase to support health care.[10] Rallying through the 2002 defeat of Kathleen Kennedy Townsend by Republican Robert Ehrlich,[11] the group saw their efforts reach fruition in the January 2006 veto override of the Fair Share Bill, which forced Walmart and other employers to increase health care for its workers.[12] In 2005, DeMarco was praised by The Baltimore Sun's C. Fraser Smith,[13] and the Washington Post's Matthew Mosk and John Wagner.[14][citation needed]
DeMarco's successful advocacy has been attributed to his six-step program for enacting legislation.[15][16]
On November 19, 2007, Maryland committed $280 million to the expansion of the state's health care system.[17]
In 2011, DeMarco worked with partners to advocate for a sales tax on acoholic beverages in Maryland.[18]
On June 19, 2020, DeMarco was awarded the Andy Hyman Award for Advocacy. The award pays tribute to nonprofit leaders who embody a commitment to principled action, passionate leadership to advance social change, and dedication to making progress in policy and practice despite challenging political environments.[19]
Handgun initiatives edit
In 1988, DeMarco opposed a voter referendum by the National Rifle Association of America.[clarification needed][5] In 1988, the Saturday night special Ban law[clarification needed] that he had drafted[citation needed] was passed by referendum in Maryland. The Baltimore Sun editorialized him as Marylander of the Year on December 31, 1988.[20] Working from 1994–1996, DeMarco campaigned for the One Handgun Per Month Law, which passed in 1996.[21] In 1997, DeMarco worked with Handgun Control, Inc. in Washington, DC, which was later renamed The Brady Campaign.[22]
Tobacco initiatives edit
In 1997, he joined the Smoke Free Maryland campaign[23] and unveiled the Maryland Children's Initiative.[24] Leading up to the state elections on November 3, 1998, they collected pledges of support from candidates,[25] and on March 26, 1999, a $1.00-per-pack tax increase passed the Maryland House.[26] On April 10, 1999, the Senate passed this bill, with the increase scaled back to 30 cents per pack.[27] A year later, on August 26, 2000, The Baltimore Sun reported that 60 million fewer packs had sold that year.[28]
Federal tobacco efforts edit
In 2001, DeMarco consulted to the Tobacco-Free Kids organization[29] and formed Faith United Against Tobacco to support efforts to grant the Food and Drug Administration authority over tobacco.[30] On June 22, 2009, President Obama signed the FDA omnibus bill granting them responsibility for the regulation of tobacco.[31]
References edit
- ^ Health Care for All website, visited 9/12/2020.
- ^ Michael Pertschuk, The DeMarco Factor: Transforming Public Will Into Political Power (2010, Vanderbilt University Press, Nashville), page 16.
- ^ Pertschuk, page 18.
- ^ Pertschuk, page 19.
- ^ a b Pertschuk, page 22.
- ^ Pertschuk, page 23.
- ^ Pertschuk, page 24.
- ^ Pertschuk, page 21-23.
- ^ Pertschuk, page 98, 99.
- ^ Pertschuk, page 107, 110.
- ^ Pertschuk, page 113.
- ^ Pertschuk, page 126.
- ^ Pertschuk, page 6,125.
- ^ Pertschuk, page 125.
- ^ Pertschuk
- ^ "Six-step program to enact legislation". Public Leadership Institute. May 31, 2023. Archived from the original on October 1, 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ Pertschuk, page 131.
- ^ "Six Steps to Improve Public Health: Using Tax Policies to Reduce Alcohol-Related Harm in Maryland". health.gov. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. June 12, 2020. Archived from the original on December 7, 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ "Vinny DeMarco to Be Honored with Andy Hyman Award for Advocacy". gih.org. Grantmakers In Health. March 12, 2020. Archived from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved Nov 20, 2022.
- ^ Pertschuk, page 12.
- ^ Pertschuk, page 13.
- ^ Pertschuk, page 13, 28.
- ^ Pertschuk, page 29.
- ^ Pertschuk, page 50.
- ^ Pertschuk, page 65, 69.
- ^ Pertschuk, page 78.
- ^ Pertschuk, page 83.
- ^ Pertschuk, page 87.
- ^ Pertschuk, page 143.
- ^ Pertschuk, page 138.
- ^ Pertschuk, page 161.