Reps. Angerer and Hildenbrand offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 407.   

            A resolution of tribute for the Honorable Andy Dillon, Speaker of the House of Representatives.

            Whereas, As the Ninety-fifth Legislature nears its end, it is most appropriate and fitting that the members of this body salute the Honorable Andy Dillon as he brings to a close his service as the Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives. Respected for his hard work, dedication, and strength of character, Andy Dillon has provided valued leadership at a time when our state and national economies were facing one of the most severe economic downturns in recent history. He is to be commended; and

            Whereas, Andy Dillon is a proud graduate of the University of Notre Dame, where he also earned his law degree. He served as an aide for New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley and achieved success in the world of business and finance before bringing his experience and insights to the work of the House following his initial election to the House in 2004 in a special election. Representative Dillon served with distinction on the House Committees on Banking and Financial Services, Commerce, and Energy and Technology prior to his assumption of the Speaker's office in 2007. Since that time, Andy Dillon's energy, commitment, and public policy acumen have enabled him to be an effective lawmaker and leader. His efforts stand as sterling tribute to his strength of character and true concern for the well-being of others; and

            Whereas, Speaker Dillon was at the helm when Michigan navigated the turbulent and uncharted waters of the Great Recession. Despite the enormous fiscal pressures facing the state, Andy Dillon was instrumental in the adoption of a number of key policy changes, including developing clean energy economic development initiatives, adoption of education standard reforms and a new business tax model, as well as certain reforms in the public employee retirement health care benefit structure. A number of other long-standing issues were also addressed during his tenure, including the adoption of an indoor smoking ban, and revision in the governance structures for Cobo Hall and the Detroit Zoo, among others. Clearly, Speaker Andy Dillon has set an invaluable standard of leadership, and one that we would all do well to emulate; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we hereby offer this expression of gratitude to the Honorable Andy Dillon as he brings to a close his service as the Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives and a member of this august body; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to Speaker Dillon as evidence of our esteem and best wishes.