WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin has invited Maryland Senator Joanne Benson (District 24) to be his guest at President Obama’s State of the Union Address on Tuesday, January 24.

“Joanne is a friend and a gifted political leader from Prince George’s County. President Obama will outline his vision for the coming year in his State of the Union Address, and I am extremely pleased that she will be able to join me,” said Senator Cardin.

“This is an exciting opportunity to give support to the President as he outlines an agenda that will significantly benefit every American,” said Maryland Senator Benson.

Senator Benson served in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1991 to 2011, and was elected to the Maryland Senate in 2011.  She currently is a member of the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, the Senate Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting; the Joint Committee on Children, Youth, and Families, and the Joint Committee on Welfare Reform, 2011.  She also is a member and former chair of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland.