Louis L. Goldstein
Encyclopedia
Louis Lazarus Goldstein (March 14, 1913 – July 3, 1998) served as Comptroller
, or chief financial officer, of Maryland
from 1959 to 1998. He was born to a storekeeper in the small town of Prince Frederick, Maryland
, and also died there. As a legislator in the Maryland General Assembly
, he was known for his 11th-hour strong arming to get votes behind closed doors. He also owned land in every county in the State of Maryland in an effort to show his commitment to the entire state. He was also a Marine Corps
veteran, and practiced law with his wife Hazel (1917–1996). The statue of Louis Goldstein, outside the Louis Goldstein Treasury Building in Annapolis, was created by Jay Hall Carpenter and unveiled on April 3, 2002.
Goldstein Hall at Washington College
, his alma mater, is named for him. The Goldstein Award at the college's annual commencement awards the graduate with the greatest potential for success in public service.
All of Maryland Route 2
/4
in Calvert County
is named after Goldstein.
The Calvert County Democratic Party's annual dinner is named after Louis Goldstein.
Robert L."Bobby" Swann was appointed comptroller after Goldstein's death by then-governor Parris N. Glendening. Former two-term Governor William Donald Schaefer ran for comptroller in November 1998 (Goldstein had already announced he was running for another term before his death and would have almost certainly been re-elected even at age 85). Schaefer, tired of being out of public office, won easily.
Ironically, Schaefer and Goldstein both sat on the Maryland Board of Public Works together when Goldstein was comptroller and Schaefer was governor. The two were not particularly close personally or professionally although Goldstein was almost always gracious, but tough at BPW meetings. Long-time Maryland Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr., considers Goldstein one of the greatest politicians he has ever known. Goldstein rarely forgot a name or at least a face. His funeral was attended by a series of luminaries including U.S. Senators Paul Sarbanes and Barbara Mikulski, now House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, various county executives and other prominent public officials as well as regular citizens touched by Goldstein's life of public service.
His Annapolis office was taken apart piece-by-piece after his death at the guidance of his long-time friend and deputy comptroller Swann and replicated at the Jefferson Patterson Park located in St. Leonard, MD. (Calvert County).
Comptroller of Maryland
The Comptroller of Maryland, United States, currently Peter Franchot, is the state's chief financial officer and is also elected by the people for a four year term. The comptroller is not term-limited. The office was established by the Maryland Constitution of 1851 due to concern about the...
, or chief financial officer, of Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
from 1959 to 1998. He was born to a storekeeper in the small town of Prince Frederick, Maryland
Prince Frederick, Maryland
Prince Frederick is a census-designated place in Calvert County, Maryland, United States, not to be confused with the incorporated, and much larger, city of Frederick some to the northwest in Frederick County...
, and also died there. As a legislator in the Maryland General Assembly
Maryland General Assembly
The Maryland General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland. It is a bicameral body. The upper chamber, the Maryland State Senate, has 47 representatives and the lower chamber, the Maryland House of Delegates, has 141 representatives...
, he was known for his 11th-hour strong arming to get votes behind closed doors. He also owned land in every county in the State of Maryland in an effort to show his commitment to the entire state. He was also a Marine Corps
Marine corps
A marine is a member of a force that specializes in expeditionary operations such as amphibious assault and occupation. The marines traditionally have strong links with the country's navy...
veteran, and practiced law with his wife Hazel (1917–1996). The statue of Louis Goldstein, outside the Louis Goldstein Treasury Building in Annapolis, was created by Jay Hall Carpenter and unveiled on April 3, 2002.
Goldstein Hall at Washington College
Washington College
Washington College is a private, independent liberal arts college located on a campus in Chestertown, Maryland, on the Eastern Shore. Maryland granted Washington College its charter in 1782...
, his alma mater, is named for him. The Goldstein Award at the college's annual commencement awards the graduate with the greatest potential for success in public service.
All of Maryland Route 2
Maryland Route 2
Maryland Route 2 is the longest state highway in the U.S. state of Maryland. The route runs from Solomons Island in Calvert County north to an intersection with U.S. Route 1 and U.S. Route 40 Truck in Baltimore...
/4
Maryland Route 4
Maryland Route 4 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Maryland. The state highway runs from MD 5 in Leonardtown north to Southern Avenue at the Washington, D.C. border, past which the highway continues as Pennsylvania Avenue...
in Calvert County
Calvert County, Maryland
Calvert County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland. It occupies the Calvert Peninsula which is bordered on the east by the Chesapeake Bay and on the west by the Patuxent River. Calvert County is part of the Southern Maryland region. Calvert County's residents are among the highest...
is named after Goldstein.
The Calvert County Democratic Party's annual dinner is named after Louis Goldstein.
Robert L."Bobby" Swann was appointed comptroller after Goldstein's death by then-governor Parris N. Glendening. Former two-term Governor William Donald Schaefer ran for comptroller in November 1998 (Goldstein had already announced he was running for another term before his death and would have almost certainly been re-elected even at age 85). Schaefer, tired of being out of public office, won easily.
Ironically, Schaefer and Goldstein both sat on the Maryland Board of Public Works together when Goldstein was comptroller and Schaefer was governor. The two were not particularly close personally or professionally although Goldstein was almost always gracious, but tough at BPW meetings. Long-time Maryland Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr., considers Goldstein one of the greatest politicians he has ever known. Goldstein rarely forgot a name or at least a face. His funeral was attended by a series of luminaries including U.S. Senators Paul Sarbanes and Barbara Mikulski, now House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, various county executives and other prominent public officials as well as regular citizens touched by Goldstein's life of public service.
His Annapolis office was taken apart piece-by-piece after his death at the guidance of his long-time friend and deputy comptroller Swann and replicated at the Jefferson Patterson Park located in St. Leonard, MD. (Calvert County).