On the recordDecember 11, 2012
Thank you, Steve Austria. It has been a real pleasure working with you. I got to know Steve when he came to the Ohio legislature, actually. I was in the Ohio House, and he soon left and went to the Ohio Senate, and then rejoined us here in 2008. We always used to joke around that Steve Austria was going to be a heck of a lot less maintenance than Dave Hobson, his predecessor; and he certainly was. We've enjoyed working with you. You've been a great member of the Appropriations Committee. You have continued to serve the people of Ohio well. You had a great career in the Ohio Senate, and you helped pass some pretty critical legislation, including the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act. So we wish you well. We wish you and Eileen and your three boys much success in the future. It is a real pleasure to introduce another departing Member who also was in the legislature before she came here. Unfortunately, I didn't have an opportunity to serve with her; she came just as I was leaving. {time} 1950 When I think of Jean Schmidt, and it has been said before, I think of her faith and I think of marathons because she is an amazing marathon runner. She just completed her 97th marathon in October. And she's obviously a really proud grandma to two young grandsons, and it is a pleasure to recognize the gentlelady from southwestern Ohio.
