Projo Politics Blog

By Katherine Gregg
Journal State House Bureau

As president of the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers & Health Professionals, Marcia Reback spends many waking hours at the State House, but has never had occasion to be personally named in a bill.

But there now appears in the forever annals of the Rhode Island General Assembly legislation that says: "Notwithstanding any other general or special law to the contrary, Marcia Reback may join Maureen G. Martin and Kevin W. Ryan in marriage within the Town of Narragansett, Rhode Island on or about August 1, 2009."

The former president of the Council 94 local that represents workers in state-operated group homes, Martin now works for Reback as the political director of the RIFTHP.

Asked why she chose her boss to officiate at her wedding this summer, the widowed Martin said she was dating but had not thought about remarrying until Reback one day said to her: "Maureen, you really need to think more seriously about this guy." She said the words helped crystallize her own thoughts about Ryan, a retired Massachusetts police officer, though Reback says: "I am sure she knew he was a keeper without me telling her that."

With House approval last week, the bill is now headed to the Senate, where it is unlikely to run into any roadblocks. In the interim, Reback said, she has been scouring the Internet for information on how to officiate at what she said will be the "most ecumenical wedding, Rhode Island has ever seen."

 Tags  Marcia Reback Maureen G. Martin Rhode Island Federation of Teachers & Health Professionals

---