2015 -- S 0836

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF OUR VENERATED COLLEAGUE,

THE HONORABLE J. MICHAEL LENIHAN

     Introduced By: Senators Sheehan, Paiva Weed, Cote, Sosnowski, and Gee

     Date Introduced: April 15, 2015

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness and profound sympathy that we mourn the passing of

our beloved friend and colleague, J. Michael Lenihan, a gracious and good man who made

significant contributions to the quality of life within our state; and

     WHEREAS, Michael Lenihan was a devoted family man. He was the husband of forty-

six years to Patricia Lenihan, the father of Meghan Lenihan, father-in-law of Todd Magiera, and

the very proud grandfather of Victoria and Bryanna. He is also survived by his sister, Martha

Lenihan-Lavieri and her husband, Jon; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Lenihan was a lifelong learner and champion of education. He

graduated from Scituate High School, received his Bachelor's degree from Rhode Island College,

his Master's degree from Brown University, and for more than twenty-eight years, taught English,

American Studies, Early Enrollment, and Advanced Placement classes before retiring. In

addition, he was an Adjunct Professor at Rhode Island College and a coach for various school

varsity and junior varsity sports teams; and

     WHEREAS, The exceptional contributions and accomplishments of J. Michael Lenihan

spanned a long and impressive career, and resulted in substantial benefits in the lives of many

Rhode Islanders. He contributed his time and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors

and served as a Rhode Island Senator for more than two decades, spending countless hours, long

into the night, on numerous committees and at a plethora of hearings; and

     WHEREAS, As a strong and respected voice in the chamber, Senator Lenihan had served

as Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Chair of the Senate Committee on Government

Oversight, Vice-Chair of the Senate Committee on Rules, and was a member of the Senate

Committee on Environment & Agriculture; and

     WHEREAS, A visionary advocate, Michael Lenihan championed public access to online

legislation, and legislation on separation of powers, open meetings, vendor disclosure, public

access to public records, and improvements in the governance of quasi-public commissions,

public officials accountability, state contracts with employee leasing companies, as well as issues

affecting Narragansett Bay, to name just a few; and

     WHEREAS, Michael Lenihan was also a member and held leadership positions with a

panoply of organizations including: the National Council of State Legislatures; The Council on

State Government, Executive Committee-Eastern Regional; Vice-Chair of the South County

Caucus; Member of the Quonset-Davisville Management Corporation; President, Vice-President,

and member of the East Greenwich Town Council; Member of the Nature Conservancy, Save the

Bay, and the Sierra Club; and the Founder of the East Greenwich Land Trust; and

     WHEREAS, The proud recipient of countless awards and accolades during his lifetime,

Michael Lenihan was honored with the "Margaret Langdon Kelly Award" from Meeting Street

School, the "Golden Broom" from Operation Clean Government, three-time recipient of the

"Public Service Achievement Award" by Common Cause, twice selected as "Legislator of the

Year" by the Southern Rhode Island Conservation District, and named "Legislator of the Year"

by the Rhode Island Rivers Council; and

     WHEREAS, We can think of few men who had such a positive impact and demonstrated

such impressive dedication to others as J. Michael Lenihan and he will be dearly missed; now,

therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby expresses our deepest sympathies to the family of The Honorable J. Michael Lenihan on

his passing. We further avow that he will forever be warmly remembered by this membership

and the citizens of Rhode Island for the profundity and generosity of his heart and his deeds, and

for the lifetime of service he bestowed on the people of this state; 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 Patricia Lenihan and Meghan Lenihan and

Family.

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