ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Mourners are paying their final respects to House Speaker Michael Busch in the rotunda of the Maryland State House.

Larry Hogan, the governor of Maryland, spoke in front of several hundred people as they mourned the loss of Busch in the State House on Monday.

This is what Hogan had to say at the ceremony welcoming the casket of Busch to the Rotunda of the State House:

“I want to thank all of you for being here, as we welcome House Speaker Michael Erin Busch back to our historic State House one final time.

“It is fitting that we have this opportunity to pay our respects to such a great Maryland leader, here in the city that he called home, and in these hallowed halls, where he was such a strong presence for so long.

“Mike Busch dedicated the greater part of his life in service to our state, and he left Maryland a better place than when he found it. We are grateful for the time we shared with him.

“While this marks the end of a significant chapter for Maryland, Speaker Busch now takes his rightful place in the rich legacy and proud history of our great state.

“Few have served Maryland with as much passion and dedication as Mike Busch did. And few leave this Earth as well-loved and esteemed as he was.

“God bless Speaker Mike Busch. And may God continue to bless the great state of Maryland.”

Bagpipes played “Amazing Grace” as an honor guard carried the casket through the State House front door. The coffin was placed on a bier near the historic House of Delegates mace, a 300-year-old wooden and silver staff that marks when the chamber is in session.

Public visitation was scheduled to continue through Tuesday morning. A funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. John Neuman Church in Annapolis.

Busch, the longest serving House speaker in the state’s history, died earlier this month at age 72.

Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistribute. (PHOTO: AP)