house Resolution No.126

The Speaker, on behalf of the entire membership of the House of Representatives, offered the following resolution:

A resolution of tribute offered as a memorial for Margaret O'Connor, former member of the House of Representatives.

Whereas, The members of this legislative body were saddened to learn of the passing of former Representative Margaret O'Connor. A strong advocate for limited government, she represented parts of Ann Arbor and the rural areas around it in the Fifty-second District with an unwavering resolve; and

Whereas, Margaret O'Connor was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, and would grow up to be a high school state champion swimmer. She attended Creighton University where she earned her bachelor's degree in nursing education and met her husband, Gerald O'Connor. Married in 1953, she moved to Ann Arbor where she continued to work in nursing. While raising her family of 10 children, she became active in local politics, serving on the Lodi Township Board, Lodi Township Planning Commission, the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, and the Washtenaw County Planning Commission. She also earned another bachelor's degree in political science and public administration from Eastern Michigan University. In 1982, she was elected to the first of five terms in the Michigan House of Representatives; and

Whereas, Margaret O'Connor spent her 10 years in this chamber championing limited government spending and decreased regulation. She regularly opposed budget bills that included spending she felt was inappropriate and wasteful. A conservative leader within this chamber, she ably served on committees dealing with labor, public health, mental health, state affairs, and civil rights issues, and was minority vice chair on committees related to constitutional and women's issues. Her integrity and dedication earned the respect and admiration of her constituents; and

Whereas, Margaret O'Connor remained active in her community long after her time in the House of Representatives. She became an expert in local history, co-founding the Lodi Township Historic Preservation Group and working to restore the Lodi Township Cemetery and the township hall; and

Whereas, Margaret O'Connor lived a long, full life dedicated to public service and family. Her decades of contributions to her community and our state have made a lasting legacy in which her family can take pride; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we offer this expression of our highest tribute to honor the memory of Margaret O'Connor, a member of this legislative body from 1983 to 1992; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the O'Connor family as evidence of our lasting esteem for her memory.