Rosenbaum Is New Oregon House Speaker

January 05, 2009

OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER

PRESS RELEASE: January 5, 2009
CONTACT: Geoff Sugerman, 503-986-1210 or 503-510-3704

Rosenbaum Is New Oregon House Speaker Following Merkley’s Ascension to U.S. Senate

State Rep. Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland) will serve as Oregon’s Speaker of the House until January 12 – the opening day of the 75th Legislative session – following U.S. Senator-elect Jeff Merkley’s resignation from the Oregon House of Representatives today. Merkley will officially become a U.S. Senator on Saturday although his swearing-in ceremony will be on January 6.

Rosenbaum assumes the Speaker’s job since she is the current Speaker Pro-Tem of the Oregon House, a position she was elected to by her colleagues at the beginning of the 2007 Legislative session.
House rule 7.05 (2) states “If at any time the office of the Speaker becomes vacant because of removal from office, death, resignation, or other disability of the person holding that office, then the Speaker Pro Tempore shall become Speaker until the disability is removed or a new Speaker is elected.”

“I am deeply honored to conclude my decade of service in the Oregon House by serving briefly as Speaker between two such talented lawmakers and good friends – U. S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Speaker-elect Dave Hunt. I look forward to working with all my colleagues in the next legislative session to provide real help for Oregonians in these challenging times,” said Rosenbaum.
Rosenbaum was elected to the State Senate in November and will be sworn in on January 12, the same day the new Speaker is being elected. Speaker-designee Dave Hunt said Rosenbaum has been a valuable member of the House and being named Speaker – if even for a week – is an honor she richly deserves.

“Diane Rosenbaum has served in the Oregon House with honor and distinction. She’s been a critical part of the House Democrats’ leadership team and all 60 members know she has always poured her heart and soul into helping Oregon and Oregonians,” said Hunt. “We will miss her calmness and her sage advice when she moves to the Senate. The honor of being named Speaker of the Oregon House is one she richly deserves.”

Rosenbaum served five terms representing House District 42.
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