The Speaker, on behalf of the entire membership of the House of Representatives, offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 472.  

            A resolution of tribute for the Honorable Woodrow Stanley.

            Whereas, As he brings his tenure with the Michigan House of Representatives to a close, the members of this legislative body are honored to laud the career and contributions of the Honorable Woodrow Stanley. In his six years of service to this chamber, Representative Stanley has exhibited great commitment and dedication to his constituents in the Thirty-fourth District as well as the entire citizenry of this state; and

            Whereas, Representative Stanley joined the House of Representatives in 2009 a seasoned public servant and long-standing leader from the city of Flint. A graduate of Mott Community College and the University of Michigan-Flint, his career in public service began in 1983 with his appointment as the city's 2nd ward councilman, where he served until his election as mayor in 1991. For the next eighteen years, first as mayor and later on the Genesee County Board of Commissioners, he championed economic development initiatives, new residential housing projects, and urban investment planning. Representative Stanley's distinguished career also includes tenures as president of the Michigan Municipal League and Michigan Association of Mayors as well as chair of the National League of Cities Advisory Council; and

            Whereas, In his three terms as a state legislator, Representative Stanley has been a vocal advocate of initiatives that positively influence the lives of everyday Michiganders. He worked to provide property tax relief through residential property tax abatements and spearheaded legislation that helped protect Michigan's natural resources. He was also a champion of automobile insurance reform and hate crime legislation and has been a strong supporter of legislation that would allow all citizens to vote using absentee ballots, regardless of reason. Representative Stanley's voice in this chamber will be missed; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That for his years of service and commitment to the communities and citizens of the Great Lakes state, we extend our gratitude to the Honorable Woodrow Stanley as he concludes his service to this legislative body; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to Representative Stanley as evidence of our gratitude and best wishes for his future endeavors.