WHEREAS,  it is with deep regret that We, the Members of the 127th Legislature, now assembled in the First Regular Session, take this opportunity to honor the memory of the Honorable Joy J. O'Brien, who served the Senate as a dedicated public servant for many years; and

WHEREAS,  the Honorable Joy J. O'Brien, of Portland, former Secretary of the Senate, was born in Brockton, Massachusetts, grew up in Deering Center in Portland and graduated from Deering High School and New England College in New Hampshire; and

WHEREAS,  she began her career working with the New Hampshire Legislature and began her over 42 years of service in Maine in 1980 when she served in the Maine Legislature's Senate Democratic Office as a special assistant; and

WHEREAS,  in 1982 she was sworn in as Secretary of the Senate, where she served with commitment and distinction until her passing; and

WHEREAS,  Ms. O'Brien was instrumental in the major remodeling of the Senate Chamber, and under her direction the Senate balcony was reopened for public use; and

WHEREAS,  Ms. O'Brien served longer than any other Secretary of the Senate, and she was an excellent parliamentarian, a very skilled administrator and a respected member of the American Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries; and

WHEREAS,  she was indispensable to the workings of the Senate, relied upon by everyone, and her many years of dedicated service to the State of Maine have made a positive and lasting effect upon the Maine State Legislature; and

WHEREAS,  Joy J. O'Brien will be sadly missed and long remembered by her family, her friends and her colleagues at the Legislature and throughout State Government; now, therefore, be it