The 123rd Delaware General Assembly was the biennial legislative session of the U.S. state of Delaware that met during the two‑year period beginning in early 1965 and ending in early 1967. As with other numbered sessions of the Delaware General Assembly, it comprised two chambers:
- Delaware Senate – the upper chamber, consisting of 21 senators (one from each of the state’s three counties, with the remaining seats apportioned by population).
- Delaware House of Representatives – the lower chamber, consisting of 41 representatives, also apportioned by county population.
Leadership and organization
- The Lieutenant Governor of Delaware served ex officio as President of the Senate, presiding over Senate proceedings and casting tie‑breaking votes.
- The Senate elected a President pro tempore to manage daily business in the Lieutenant Governor’s absence.
- The House elected a Speaker who acted as the chief presiding officer of that chamber.
Party composition
During the mid‑1960s, the Democratic Party held the majority of seats in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, a pattern that continued from several preceding sessions.
Legislative activity
The 123rd session convened its regular sessions in the State Capitol in Dover, typically meeting in January of each year and adjourning later in the year after completing its legislative agenda. The legislature considered and enacted statutes on matters such as state budgeting, education, infrastructure, and public welfare, consistent with the responsibilities of Delaware’s bicameral legislature.
Historical context
The 123rd General Assembly operated under the Delaware Constitution of 1897 (as amended) and preceded the major legislative‑reapportionment reforms that followed the U.S. Supreme Court’s “one‑person, one‑vote” decisions of the early 1960s. Consequently, the composition of the Senate and House at that time still reflected the traditional county‑based allocation rather than strict population equality.
Note: The above information reflects documented structure and general characteristics of Delaware legislative sessions numbered in the 120s. Specific details such as the names of individual office‑holders for the 123rd session are not included because reliable, verifiable encyclopedia sources do not provide that level of detail.
