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John J. Marchi (born May 20, 1921 in Staten Island, New York) is the longest serving state legislator in the United States. He has been a New York State Senator representing Staten Island since 1957. Marchi, a Republican, announced in April 2006 that he will not seek a 26th two-year term in the Senate.

Marchi was first elected to the Senate on November 6, 1956 after he served as a State Senate aide. An attorney, Marchi has been active in conservative issues and fiscal issues during his time in the Senate. He has also been a strong advocate for Staten Island issues as a senator. Marchi wrote the state laws to help New York City back from its fiscal crisis and near bankruptcy in the 1970s. Marchi has been a long advocate for the secession of Staten Island from the rest of New York City.

He wrote a law which backed a secession referendum in 1993. While the referendum passed, the State Legislature has not let Staten Island become its own city. As a part of his Staten Island secession work, Marchi drafted a model city charter for a new City of Staten Island. Marchi also drafted the law to close the Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island.

Marchi ran twice for Mayor of New York City. He won a surprise upset over Mayor John V. Lindsay in the 1969 Republican primary for mayor. He ran in the general election against Lindsay, who was the Liberal Party nominee, and City Comptroller Mario Proccacino. Marchi lost the general election to Lindsay. Marchi was the Republican nominee again in 1973, losing to City Comptroller Abraham D. Beame.

Marchi is a member of the Executive Committee and Board of Governors of the Council of State Governments. A former Executive Committee Chairman of the Council of State Governments, Marchi is life member of the Executive Committee. He was appointed by President Richard Nixon to the National Advisory Committee on Drug Abuse Prevention.

A new Staten Island Ferry boat has been named in Senator Marchi's honor.

On October 19, 2006, the 85-year-old Republican passed out and fell out of his chair at the annual Alfred E. Smith Dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria.[1]

[edit] Senate Leadership Positions Held by Senator Marchi

• Chairman of the Senate City of New York Committee
• Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee
• Chairman of the Senate Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee
• Vice President Pro Temp of the Senate
• Chairman of the Temporary State Commission on New York City School Governance
• Deputy Majority Leader for Intergovernmental Relations
• Assistant Majority Whip
• Assistant Majority Leader for Conference Operations
• Chairman of the Senate Task Force on World Trade Center Recovery

[edit] External links

• New York State Senator|24th Senate District| John J. Marchi Official Website.
• State's senior legislator retires
• A Guide to the The Senator John J. Marchi Papers, 1956-1998
• Statement By Senator John J. Marchi Official retirement statement.

Preceded by: Edward V. Curry	New York State Senate, 19th District 1957-1965	Succeeded by: John J. Marchi
Preceded by: John J. Marchi	New York State Senate, 26th District 1966	Succeeded by: John J. Marchi
Preceded by: John J. Marchi	New York State Senate, 23rd District 1967-1972	Succeeded by: John J. Marchi
Preceded by: John J. Marchi	New York State Senate, 24th District 1973-2006	Succeeded by: Andrew Lanza
Preceded by: John V. Lindsay	Republican Nominee for Mayor of New York City 1969, 1973	Succeeded by: Roy M. Goodman