Legislator Details
Michael J. OBrien
AKA:
Number of sessions served 12
Gender: Male
Age at election: 32
Vital Records Information:
Birth
Date: 9/5/1942
City: Detroit, MI
County: Wayne County, MI
Country: US
Death
Date: 10/21/2004
City: Ann Arbor, MI
County: Washtenaw County, MI
Country: US
Type of Burial:
Burial
Date: 10/29/2004
City: Detroit, MI
County: Wayne County, MI
Country: US
Cemetery: Mount Olivet Cemetery
Marital Information:
married Patricia Shoals; children: Michael James H., Kathleen Jamie
Number of Children: 3
Background
Religion: Catholic
Military Service:
Occupation:
Race: Caucasian or White
Education:
Salesian HS, Detroit MI;
attended Michigan State University
Biographical Sketch:
Son of Michael J. and Ruth F. O'Brien. He was active in the Teamsters' Union and Mother Waddles' Perpetual Mission. Recipient Waymond C. Birdsong award for Service to Vets., 1981—, distinguished service award Association Food Dealers, 1981—, Walter P. Patenge award Michigan State University College Osteopathic Medicine, 1983—; named humanitarian of year 1985 Michigan Federation Humane Societies.
He was a county road commission employee. Member, Ancient Order of Hibernians.
Notable Facts:
Committees: Senate Communications & tech.; state affairs & mil./vet. affairs; transportation & tourism; joint administrative rules; legis. council
Grandson of Rep./Sen. Thomas Cornelius O'Brien and son of Sen. Michael J. O'Brien
Known as 'Dean of the Senate' during his last term, 1994-98.
SR 301, 2004 Senate Journal, p. 2136, reported that he had died. No date or place of death.
Gongwer reported that he died 10/21/2004.
Sessions Served:
Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Health Policy and Senior Citizens, Local, Urban and State Affairs , Transportation and Tourism, Economic Development and International Trade and Regulatory Affairs
Postions Held: Assistant Democratic Leader
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 5
District Description: Part of the city of Detroit [see map in Manual p.162] in Wayne County
Date Elected: 11/8/1994
Date Sworn In: 1/11/1995
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status:
Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes: Vice-Chair of the Committees on Health Policy and Senior Citizens; and Transportation and Tourism
Served as alternate for the Legislative Council
Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Economic Development and International Trade and Regulatory Affairs, Health Policy and Senior Citizens, Local, Urban and State Affairs , Transportation and Tourism
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 5
District Description: Part of the city of Detroit [see map in Manual p.162] in Wayne County
Date Elected: 11/8/1990
Date Sworn In: 1/9/1991
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed
Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes:
Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Commerce , Corporations & Economic Development, Joint Administrative Rules , State Affairs and Military/Veteran Affairs, Transportation and Tourism
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 5
District Description:
Date Elected: 11/6/1990
Date Sworn In: 1/9/1991
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status:
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Vice-Chair: State Affairs & Military/Veteran Affairs; Transportation & Tourism. Alternate for Legislative Council.
Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Commerce , Corporations & Economic Development, State Affairs and Military/Veteran Affairs, Transportation and Tourism
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 5
District Description: City of Detroit tracts 5353-5354, 5373-5376, 5392-5393, 5395-5397, 5401-5416, 5421-5443, 5451-5456, 5459-5460 and 5463-5469 in Wayne County
Date Elected: 11/6/1990
Date Sworn In: 1/9/1991
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: He also served on the Legislative Council and the Joint Administrative Rules Committee.
Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Commerce and Technology, Regulatory Affairs, State Affairs, Tourism and Transportation
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 5
District Description: City of Detroit pt. Tracts 5353-5354, 5373-5376, 5392-5393, 5395-5397, 5401-5416, 5421-5443, 5451-5456, 5459-5460, 5463-5469 (That part of Detroit which lies within a line beginning at the northwest corner of Detroit City limits, east along city limits [8 Mile] to Meyers, south to Seven Mile, west to Jas. Couzens, southeast to McNichols, west to Ardmore, south to Grand River, southeast to Pennsylvania Railroad, south to Joy Rd., west to Greenfield, south to Detroit City limits, west to Southfield, north to Warren, west to Evergreen, north to Joy Rd., west to Detroit City limits, continue north along Detroit City limits to 8 Mile the point of beginning) in Wayne County
Date Elected: 11/4/1986
Date Sworn In: 1/14/1987
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Min. Vice-Chair of the Committees on Regulatory Affairs; and State Affairs, Tourism and Transportation
Alternate on the Legislative Council
Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Commerce and Technology, State Affairs, Tourism and Transportation, Legislative Council , Regulatory Affairs
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 5
District Description: City of Detroit pt. Tracts 5353-5354, 5373-5376, 5392-5393, 5395-5397, 5401-5416, 5421-5443, 5451-5456, 5459-5460, 5463-5469 (That part of Detroit which lies within a line beginning at the northwest corner of Detroit City limits, east along city limits [8 Mile] to Meyers, south to Seven Mile, west to Jas. Couzens, southeast to McNichols, west to Ardmore, south to Grand River, southeast to Pennsylvania Railroad, south to Joy Rd., west to Greenfield, south to Detroit City limits, west to Southfield, north to Warren, west to Evergreen, north to Joy Rd., west to Detroit City limits, continue north along Detroit City limits to 8 Mile the point of beginning) in Wayne County
Date Elected: 11/4/1986
Date Sworn In: 1/14/1987
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Member of the Committee on Regulatory - S .
Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Corporations & Economic Development, State Affairs and Transportation, Joint Administrative Rules
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 5
District Description: City of Detroit pt. Tracts 5353-5354, 5373-5376, 5392-5393, 5395-5397, 5401-5416, 5421-5443, 5451-5456, 5459-5460, 5463-5469 (That part of Detroit which lies within a line beginning at the northwest corner of Detroit City limits, east along city limits [8 Mile] to Meyers, south to Seven Mile, west to Jas. Couzens, southeast to McNichols, west to Ardmore, south to Grand River, southeast to Pennsylvania Railroad, south to Joy Rd., west to Greenfield, south to Detroit City limits, west to Southfield, north to Warren, west to Evergreen, north to Joy Rd., west to Detroit City limits, continue north along Detroit City limits to 8 Mile the point of beginning) in Wayne County
Date Elected: 11/2/1982
Date Sworn In: 1/12/1983
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status:
Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes: Vice-Chair of the Committee on Corporations & Economic Development; Chair of the Committee on State Affairs and Transportation
Served on the Legislative Council
Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: State Affairs, Veterans and Transportation, Joint Administrative Rules
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 5
District Description: Part of the city of Detroit [see detail in Manual p.388]
Date Elected: 11/2/1982
Date Sworn In: 1/12/1983
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status:
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Served on the Legislative Council
Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Corporations & Economic Development, Interstate Cooperation, Legislative Council , State & Veterans' Affairs
Postions Held: Assistant Majority Floor Leader
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 6
District Description: City of Detroit tracts 111 (blocks 301-307), 201 (blocks 308-503), 202 (blocks 108-202, 306-309), 203.01-210, 211 (blocks 106-108), 212 (blocks 301-307), 213 (blocks 201-308), 251 (blocks 101-104, 205-302, 405-506), 252-257, 260-261.02, 351.01-408 in Wayne County
Date Elected: 11/7/1978
Date Sworn In: 1/10/1979
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status:
Maritial Status: Single
Notes: Chair of the Committee on State & Veterans' Affairs;
Vice-Chair of the Committee on Corporations & Economic Development
Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Corporations & Economic Development, Interstate Cooperation, Legislative Council , State & Veterans' Affairs
Postions Held: Assistant Majority Floor Leader
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 6
District Description: City of Detroit tracts 111 (blocks 301-307), 201 (blocks 308-503), 202 (blocks 108-202, 306-309), 203.01-210, 211 (blocks 106-108), 212 (blocks 301-307), 213 (blocks 201-308), 251 (blocks 101-104, 205-302, 405-506), 252-257, 260-261.02, 351.01-408 in Wayne County
Date Elected: 11/7/1978
Date Sworn In: 1/10/1979
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Single
Notes: Chair of the Committee on State & Veterans' Affairs; Vice-Chair of the Committee on Corporation & Economic Development
Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Democratic Caucus, Legislative Council , Taxation , Tourist Industry Relations, State Affairs , Veterans' Affairs
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 6
District Description: Part of the city of Detroit [see tract detail in Manual p.454] in Wayne County
Date Elected: 11/5/1974
Date Sworn In: 1/8/1975
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Single
Notes: Elected to take his father's seat when he died.
Chair of the Democratic Caucus; Chair of the Committee on Tourist Industry Relations. Vice-Chair of the Committee on State Affairs.
Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Corporations & Economic Development, Democratic Caucus, Legislative Council , Senate Business , State Affairs , Veterans' Affairs
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 6
District Description: City of Detroit tracts 111 (blocks 301-307), 201 (blocks 308-503), 202 (blocks 108-202, 306-309), 203.01-210, 211 (blocks 106-108), 212 (blocks 301-307), 213 (blocks 201-308), 251 (blocks 101-104, 205-302, 405-506), 252-257, 260-261.02, 351.01-408 in Wayne County
Date Elected: 11/5/1974
Date Sworn In: 1/8/1975
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Single
Notes: Chair of the Committee on Personnel; and State Affairs; Chair of the Democratic Caucus;
Vice-Chair of the Committee on Corporation and Economic Development.
Member, Intergovernmental Relations Commission.