Rep. Meadows offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 519.

A resolution honoring the life of Kevin Kelly.

            Whereas, Mr. Kelly served the 16,000-member Michigan State Medical Society (MSMS) his entire career, beginning shortly after graduating from Michigan State University in 1978, were he earned a degree in economics. After graduation, he started as a legislative coordinator in 1979. In 1987, Mr. Kelly became managing director and in 2005 was named executive director, succeeding William E. Madigan; and

            Whereas, Julie L. Novak, acting executive director of MSMS said, "Kevin has been a mentor and an inspiration to many people, and his passion for life permeated everything that he did. The good fortune of knowing someone like him makes us all better people, and his influence will have a ripple effect for generations. We will miss him, but we will carry a little of him with us forever"; and

            Whereas, Successes during his career at MSMS include the MSMS Future of Medicine initiative, a Michigan Patients' Bill of Rights, nation-leading medical liability reform, increased AIDS education, stabilized funding of the Medicaid program, domestic violence education, and improved end-of-life care. He also was dedicated to banning smoking in workplaces, improving childhood immunization rates, and patient safety education, among many other health care issues; and

            Whereas, Mr. Kelly's seemingly limitless energy was shared with a variety of organizations outside of MSMS including: Ele's Place, the Children's Trust Fund, Michigan's Children, Capitol National Bank board of directors, Michigan Hospice Organization, Michigan Health Council, Michigan Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Alliance, Michigan Transplant Policy Center, Michigan Public Health Association, American Cancer Society, Gilda's Club, Michigan Festival, Michigan Political History Society, People's Church, MSU's Wharton Center, the Sparrow Hospital Foundation, and various advisory councils for the city of East Lansing, Lansing Community College, and Sparrow Hospital; and

            Whereas, In 2004, Mr. Kelly received one of his alma mater's highest honors, the MSU Distinguished Alumni Award. In 1999, Mr. Kelly received one of the American Medical Association's highest awards, the Medical Executive Achievement Award. Other awards include: the Strategic Association Leader Award from the Michigan Society of Association Executives and the Vernice Davis Anthony Ele's Place Award recognizing his leadership of that agency's efforts to counsel grieving children. Also, most recently, on December 9, 2008, the advocacy group, Michigan's Children, named him the first recipient of the annual Kevin A. Kelly Children's Advocate Award; and

            Whereas, Mr. Kelly's motto of "showing up" is "Hard on issues, soft on people." This respectful attitude toward others in public policy development garnered respect from every quarter, ally and opponent, alike; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved, That the members of this legislative body honor the life of Kevin Kelly, a lifelong champion of, not only the medical community, but his local community as well; and be it further

            Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Kelly family in the presence of our esteem.