Linda Dorcena ForryAt times pausing, as her voice quavered, Senator-elect Linda Dorcena Forry gave her farewell speech in the House Wednesday with a caveat.

“Today is not a farewell because I’m just moving down the hall, on the fifth floor. So I expect to see all of you there, and we’ll continue to work together,” the Dorchester Democrat said. “It is a great day, but it is also a sad day.”

Forry beat her House colleague Rep. Nick Collins (D-South Boston), whom she shares office space with, as well as South Boston entrepreneur Maureen Dahill in a closely fought Democratic primary in the special election to replace the seat last held by Sen. Jack Hart. Her ascendancy to the Senate opens the question of who will take on her House chairmanship on the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses, and what committee chairmanship she will be granted in the Senate.

“I want to thank Speaker DeLeo . . . for giving me the opportunity to be a member of your leadership team,” Forry said. “I stand here before you as someone who was born and raised in Boston, first generation,” said Forry, the daughter of Haitian immigrants.

She said, “I stand here because of their work, and their dedication and their love.” Forry entered the House in 2005, after winning a special election for the seat last held by former House Speaker Tom Finneran. At the time, she had one child, and in the years since her family has grown “I’ve had three additional children, and you all have been part of that,” said Forry.

Forry ended her speech, “Love you guys,” before climbing the rostrum to hug Speaker DeLeo and receive congratulations from her colleagues.

She will be sworn into the Senate on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. – A. Metzger/SHNS