Reps. Franz, Liss, Roy Schmidt, Haines, Agema, Genetski, Tyler, Constan, Daley, Durhal, Heise, Horn, Hughes, Knollenberg, LeBlanc, Lori and Talabi offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 274.  

            A resolution to commemorate the Commanders Club of Michigan on its 50th anniversary.

Whereas, This resolution commemorates the 50-year anniversary of the founding of the Commanders Club of Michigan in 1962 by a group of business leaders and state government officials from around our state with the assistance of then-Governor John B. Swainson.  The goal was to provide a formal organization to utilize the interest, time and facilities of the Honorary Commanders duly appointed to those positions in the Michigan military establishment; and

            Whereas, The purpose of the club is to promote the best interests of the state of Michigan, particularly in the areas of maritime affairs; support the Michigan Department Military and Veterans Affairs and assist in the promotion and expansion of recruiting, training, and educational facilities of maritime oriented associations. Members are issued an honorary commission by the Governor, Adjutant General, and Secretary of State, under authority of the Michigan Constitution and Act 60 of the Michigan Public Acts of 1969; and

            Whereas, The Commanders Club was instrumental in sponsoring the legislation in the Michigan Senate that helped to establish the Great Lakes Maritime Academy (GLMA) at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City in 1969. GLMA is one of only six state maritime academies authorized by the Federal government to train future merchant mariners.  Commanders have also assisted with the establishment of legislation in water safety and boating controls in and on the Great Lakes; and

Whereas, The Commanders Club sponsors and provides financial support to youth ages 11 through 18 in two U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Units and two U.S. Navy League Cadet Units in Grand Rapids and Lansing, Michigan; and

Whereas, The Commanders Club has assisted the U.S. Navy with recruiting efforts in the Navy Nurse Corps and has supported Navy Recruiting District Michigan in their outreach and recruiting efforts. Michigan Commanders have also assisted in placing graduating Sea Cadets into all of the U.S. Service Academies, Navy ROTC, and other ROTC Programs, U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard, and Michigan Army and Air National Guard; and

            Whereas, The Commanders Club of Michigan offers an opportunity to be associated with other honorary Commanders who represent a broad cross-section of Michigan’s business, professional and government leadership. The man or woman who becomes a Michigan Commander shall follow the Navy’s core value of honor, courage, and commitment. They shall expect to find an opportunity to learn, be inspired, to be challenged and respected, and be proud to be a member of an organization committed to promoting the state of Michigan and its military and maritime establishment; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of the Representatives, That the members of this legislative body commemorate the Commanders Club of Michigan on its 50th anniversary.