mr. john merlino. mr. merlino is the assistant legislative clerk working on the legislative team on the office of the secretary of the senate. mr. merlino began his senate career in 1994 as a senate doorkeeper. he then joined the secretary's legislative staff and has performed many of its functions, including the constitutional task, the constitutional task of maintaining the senate journal. another of mr. merliino's main responsibilities is to call the roll during votes and quorum calls. more importantly he is also one of those special works on the dais who have been known at times to actually keep new members, as they preside over the senate, awake during long stretches in the chair. he's always ready with a good sports quip, known as a person who goes above and beyond the call of duty. as a matter of fact i know it was his birthday yesterday and i've been planning this speech for some time. i wanted to make sure it was -- coincided with that important date for him. the secretary of the senate, nancy eric