Sylvia Larsen for NH Senate

January 22, 2010
Cross Posted from Senate President's Blog

We heard the Governor's State of the State address on Thursday and wholeheartedly share his commitment to growing jobs, encouraging entrepreneurs and maintaining New Hampshire's many advantages as we push towards economic recovery.

Governor's Lynch's address got plenty of media attention but you may not have heard about another notable event. On Thursday, the Senate hosted a visit from six former Senate Presidents.

The occasion was the retirement of our own Donna Morin, who has helped me both as Senate President and Senate President Pro Tem in 2000. Most recently Donna has worked for Senate Majority Leader Maggie Hassan. After 30 years, Donna is retiring and we realized that during her tenure, she had worked with more than 106 senators, both Democrats and Republicans, and served under 10 Senate Presidents.

Former Senate President Clesson "Junie" Blaisdell has since passed away but we invited all the other Senate Presidents to Donna's retirement party, which started with a brief ceremony in the Senate Chamber after yesterday's business was complete.

Those who came included William Bartlett, Edward Dupont, Beverly Hollingworth, Arthur Klemm, Thomas Eaton and myself. Ralph Hough joined us later at Donna's retirement party at the Upham Walker House and Joe Delahunty called from Florida.

I was delighted to share the podium with such good company. We will miss Donna but her retirement turned out to be a wonderful opportunity to bring so many of the Senate's past leaders together. Let's not wait another 30 years!