Maryland General Assembly Remembers House Speaker Busch On Last Day Of Session

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) — Monday is the final day of the 2019 legislative session. It was an emotional day with the passing of House Speaker Michael Busch, the first time since 2003 that he won't pound the gavel on the last day of session.

'Legacy To Last For Generations' | Md. Lawmakers Remember House Speaker Michael Busch

For 16 years, Speaker Michael Busch led the House of Delegates in Annapolis. He passed away just hours before the final day of the 2019 season.

Monday night, his colleagues honored him.

Sine die, the last day of the legislative session usually ends with a balloon drop.

But Monday night was more somber, with Busch's passing.

Members of Busch's Democratic Party and Gov. Larry Hogan praised his ability to unite people.

"It's hard to imagine that we are going to close out this 439th legislative session without a guy who's been a leader of the house for the last 16 years," Gov. Hogan said.

The Speaker Pro Tem, Adrienne Jones, continued with the duties the body had hoped Busch would have been there for.

She shared an emotional embrace with another one of the speaker's longtime friends, Senate President Mike Miller.

"I couldn't sleep last night, I tossed and turned," Miller said.

On this Sine Die, lawmakers finished some of the work Speaker Busch started.

Gov. Hogan said Busch was in work mode up to the final days.

"I talked to him on Friday, I called him and he seemed to still be pretty much focused on what was going on and still had a zest for life," Hogan said. "I think all of us would agree that he was a good man who cared about the people of the state,"

The two chambers, House and Senate, planned a joint session at 11:30 p.m. in honor of Busch.

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