10-R322

2010 -- S 2998

Enacted 06/09/10

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING SENATOR J. MICHAEL LENIHAN FOR FORTY YEARS OF SERVICE TO

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Senators Paiva-Weed, Connors, Sheehan, Raptakis, and Walaska

Date Introduced: June 09, 2010

     WHEREAS, To the immense good fortune of the people of East Greenwich, North

Kingstown, and Warwick, J. Michael Lenihan chose a life path that would eventually lead to a

vocation in public service; and  

     WHEREAS, After graduating from Scituate High School, Senator Lenihan received his

Bachelor’s degree from Rhode Island College and his Master’s degree from Brown University.

He entered the teaching profession and after more than twenty-eight years of service teaching

English, American Studies, Early Enrollment, and Advanced Placement classes at Scituate High

School, he retired; and  

     WHEREAS, In addition, Senator Lenihan has been an Adjunct Professor at Rhode Island

College, and has coached both varsity and junior varsity teams in baseball, football, and soccer;

and

     WHEREAS, Happily married to Patricia Lenihan, Senator Lenihan is the father and

father-in-law of Meghan and her husband, Todd, and the grandfather of Victoria and Bryanna;

and

     WHEREAS, On November 6, 1990, Senator Lenihan was elected to the Rhode Island

State Senate, representing what is now District 35. Over the past two decades, he has lent his

expertise and unique insights to a myriad of legislative committees. Most recently, he has served

as the Chair of the Senate Committee on Government Oversight and Vice Chair of the Senate

Committee on Rules, and is a member of the Senate Committee on Environment & Agriculture;

and

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

instrumental in enacting landmark legislation on separation of powers. He has also worked

tirelessly on legislation to improve public records and governance of the operation of quasi-public

commissions, as well as the state’s contracts with employee leasing companies, and issues

affecting Narragansett Bay, to name just a few; and 

     WHEREAS, Senator Lenihan’s commitment to the community includes membership on

numerous state and local boards and 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, Over the past two decades, Senator Lenihan has been honored for his

outstanding work and thorough professionalism. He was the first legislator to receive the

“Golden Broom” from Operation Clean Government. He was a three-time recipient, an honor

only he has achieved, of the “Public Service Achievement Award” by Common Cause, and was

twice selected as “Legislator of the Year” by the Southern Rhode Island Conservation District.

He has also received the “Margaret Langdon Kelly Award” from Meeting Street School, and was

named “Legislator of the Year” by the Rhode Island Rivers Council; and  

     WHEREAS, Senator J. Michael Lenihan’s abiding leadership and outstanding services on

behalf of the citizens of Rhode Island will long be praised, and we know that in all his future

endeavors, he will continue to provide strong advocacy for all Rhode Islanders; now, therefore be

it

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

hereby joins the family and many friends of Senator Lenihan in recognizing his years of service

in the Rhode Island Senate and celebrating his inspirational career of service that spans four

decades. We, moreover, wish the Honorable Michael Lenihan continued success, happiness, and

fulfillment; and be it further 

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

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Honorable J. Michael Lenihan.

=======

LC02855

=======