2015 -- H 5773

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LC002002

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES TO THE LENIHAN FAMILY ON THE PASSING OF THE

HONORABLE J. MICHAEL LENIHAN

     Introduced By: Representatives Giarrusso, Costa, Marcello, Naughton, and Ruggiero

     Date Introduced: March 03, 2015

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with profound sadness that this body has learned of the passing of J.

Michael Lenihan, February 28, 2015, in the company of his beloved family. He was a

distinguished public servant who will be sorely missed by all who knew him; and

     WHEREAS, J. Michael Lenihan was born in 1943 and graduated from Scituate High

School, Rhode Island College and Brown University. He was a school teacher by profession and

taught English at Scituate Junior-Senior High School. He had a remarkable ability to connect with

students and make positive impressions on them that lasted a lifetime; and

     WHEREAS, J. Michael Lenihan began his exemplary public service career when he was

elected to the East Greenwich Town Council in 1974, serving on the Council from 1974 to 1980,

and from 1984 to 1990. He also served as the East Greenwich Town Council President from 1978

to 1980, and as the Vice-President from 1988 to 1990; and

     WHEREAS, J. Michael Lenihan was elected to serve in the Rhode Island State Senate in

1990, and went on to serve his constituents with honor and integrity in that body from 1991 to

2011. He was a well-respected and articulate legislator who passionately believed in open

government and worked tirelessly in support of that cause. He was instrumental in the eventual

passing of Separation of Powers legislation. He also passionately believed in protecting the

environment and being good stewards of our natural resources. His colleagues will remember him

for being a thoughtful advocate who fought tirelessly for the causes he believed in, while at the

same time always engaging with his peers and the members of the public with dignity, humor,

kindness and charity; and

     WHEREAS, J. Michael Lenihan leaves behind his wife, Patricia Lenihan, his daughter,

Meghan Lenihan and son-in-law Todd, his sister, Martha Lenihan-Lavieri and her husband, Jon,

and his granddaughters, Victoria and Bryanna; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby expresses its condolences to the Lenihan Family on the passing of

The Honorable J. Michael Lenihan; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Mrs. Patricia Lenihan and Ms. Meghan Lenihan

and Family.

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LC002002

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