No. 56

STATE OF MICHIGAN

Journal of the Senate

101st Legislature

REGULAR SESSION OF 2022

 

 

 

 

 

Senate Chamber, Lansing, Tuesday, June 14, 2022.

 

10:00 a.m.

 

 

The Senate was called to order by the Assistant President pro tempore, Senator Lana Theis.

 

The roll was called by the Assistant Secretary of the Senate, who announced that a quorum was present.

 

 

Alexander—present                                   Horn—present                                      Polehanki—present

Ananich—excused                                    Huizenga—present                               Runestad—present

Barrett—present                                        Irwin—present                                      Santana—present

Bayer—present                                          Johnson—present                                 Schmidt—present

Bizon—present                                          LaSata—present                                   Shirkey—present

Brinks—present                                         Lauwers—excused                               Stamas—present

Bullock—excused                                     MacDonald—present                           Theis—present

Bumstead—present                                   McBroom—present                              VanderWall—present

Chang—present                                         McCann—present                                 Victory—present

Daley—present                                          McMorrow—present                            Wojno—present

Geiss—present                                           Moss—present                                      Wozniak—present

Hertel—present                                         Nesbitt—present                                   Zorn—present

Hollier—present                                        Outman—present                                


 

Senator Kevin Daley of the 31st District offered the following invocation:

O God, pray that, for Your glory and in the pursuit of Your justice, we may be trustworthy with confidences, keen in study, accurate in analysis, correct in conclusion, able in argument, loyal to our citizens, honest with all, courteous to adversaries, and ever attentive in conscience.

Sit with us at our desks and listen with us to those who come to us in need. Stand always beside us so that today we shall not, to win a point, lose our souls. Pray that our families may find in us what Yours found in You—friendship and courage, cheerfulness and charity, diligence in duties, counsel in adversity, and patience in pain.

May we be their good servants, but God’s first. Amen.

 

The Assistant President pro tempore, Senator Theis, led the members of the Senate in recital of the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Senator Nesbitt entered the Senate Chamber.

 

 

Motions and Communications

 

 

Senator LaSata moved that Senators McBroom, Schmidt, Shirkey and MacDonald be temporarily excused from today’s session.

The motion prevailed.

 

Senator LaSata moved that Senator Lauwers be excused from today’s session.

The motion prevailed.

 

Senator Chang moved that Senators Geiss, Hollier, Moss and Santana be temporarily excused from today’s session.

The motion prevailed.

 

Senator Chang moved that Senators Bullock and Ananich be excused from today’s session.

The motion prevailed.

 

By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of

Messages from the House

 

 

Senate Bill No. 447, entitled

A bill to amend 1956 PA 218, entitled “The insurance code of 1956,” (MCL 500.100 to 500.8302) by adding section 3471.

The House of Representatives has amended the bill as follows:

1.   Amend page 1, line 7, after “section” by inserting “other than the information required to be disclosed under subsection (6)”.

2.   Amend page 6, line 3, after “plan” by striking out the balance of the line through “bids.” on line 6 and inserting a period.

3.   Amend page 6, line 9, after “request.” by inserting “In addition, a large employer group or combined large employer group may disclose the claims utilization and costs information required to be provided under subsections (2) and (3) to any carrier or administrator who requests the opportunity to submit a proposal to provide benefits or administrative services for the medical benefit plan during the request for bids or proposals.”.

The House of Representatives has passed the bill as amended, ordered that it be given immediate effect and pursuant to Joint Rule 20, inserted the full title.

Pursuant to rule 3.202, the bill was laid over one day.

 

Senators McBroom and Shirkey entered the Senate Chamber.

 

The House of Representatives returned, in accordance with the request of the Senate

House Bill No. 5041, entitled

A bill to amend 1973 PA 116, entitled “An act to provide for the protection of children through the licensing and regulation of child care organizations; to provide for the establishment of standards of care for child care organizations; to prescribe powers and duties of certain departments of this state and adoption facilitators; to provide penalties; and to repeal acts and parts of acts,” by amending sections 1, 3h, and 11 (MCL 722.111, 722.113h, and 722.121), section 1 as amended by 2020 PA 6 and section 3h as added and section 11 as amended by 2017 PA 257.

The bill was placed on the order of Third Reading of Bills.

 

By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of

Statements

 

 

Senators Bayer and Bumstead asked and were granted unanimous consent to make statements and moved that the statements be printed in the Journal.

The motion prevailed.

Senator Bayer’s statement is as follows:

Today, I am thrilled to see the Democrats and Republicans nowtoday—putting together legislation and funding to take the first step to protect our constituents and our children from the horrifying, escalating gun violence seen across the country, and right here in Michigan. The thanks for getting this finally moving goes to the people across the country, the people in Michigan—our constituents—who overwhelmingly support and in fact, are demanding that we, the leaders, the people who can actually do something about this, that we take action.

Thanks for this first step especially goes to the national organizations like the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence and their local Gun Owners for Safety groups; Everytown for Gun Safety; and our local Moms Demand Action groups. And particularly, the kids who have been fighting for this: March for Our Lives, Students Demand Action, and No Future Without Today. They were all out in force over the weekend. They have been out day after day, year after year, demanding change; they simply don’t understand why we, the adults in the room, why we aren’t just fixing this deadly problem. So, we thank them all. And we celebrate them today.

At the same time, we recognize there is still a lot to do. First, the current work in the U.S. Senate must be completed and fully enacted—turned into law—to be a successful first step. Second, while the current plan there is a good start—as outlined today—it does not include laws that are proven to reduce gun violence and gun deaths. Specifically, in the current intent, the U.S. Senate does not address safe storage of firearms, universal background checks, and while hopefully offering funding to us to enact extreme risk protection orders or red flag laws, it does not legislate those laws at the federal level. So we have some shortcomings.

Nationally we are recognizing that we have a problem and we’re beginning to take action in both the U.S. Congress and the U.S. Senate. So, time for us here in Michigan to recognize that time is up. It’s time—through you, Madam President, I ask my colleagues to call and encourage their federal representatives to support the bills offered in the U.S. House and the actions and bills coming from the U.S. Senate. And today, in celebration of a first step forward—today—let’s hold a vote on safe firearm storage, a vote on universal background checks, and a vote on extreme risk protection orders right here in Michigan. Let’s get this done. Let’s do the right thing, be the leaders we are supposed to be and do this today.

 

Senator MacDonald entered the Senate Chamber.

 

Senator Bumstead’s statement is as follows:

Today I rise again in support of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians proposed casino in Muskegon. Over the years this chamber, the House Chamber, and the Governor have all worked to promote initiatives to bring and keep large corporations to our state and to provide good-paying jobs for Michiganders, even if that meant investing taxpayer dollars to get the job done.

Governor, right now you have the opportunity to create 3,000 good-paying jobs with the stroke of your pen and it costs taxpayers nothing. Our residents are struggling right now to afford everyday essentials like gas and groceries. The 3,000 jobs this casino would provide will go a long way to help West Michigan families.

We are quickly approaching the June 16 deadline to approve this project. Governor, Muskegon matters; sign off on this casino today.

 

 

Recess

 

 

Senator LaSata moved that the Senate recess subject to the call of the Chair.

The motion prevailed, the time being 10:10 a.m.

11:06 a.m.

 

The Senate was called to order by the President, Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist.

 

During the recess, Senators Santana, Hollier, Schmidt, Geiss and Moss entered the Senate Chamber.

 

By unanimous consent the Senate returned to the order of

Introduction and Referral of Bills

 

 

Senators McCann, Hollier, Bullock, Polehanki, Brinks, Chang, Runestad, Wojno and McMorrow introduced

Senate Bill No. 1080, entitled

A bill to provide for the review and prevention of deaths from drug overdose in this state; to allow for the creation of overdose fatality review teams; to provide for the powers and duties of the overdose fatality review teams; to regulate certain entities; to prescribe powers and duties of certain state and local governmental officers and entities; and to prescribe remedies for a violation of this act.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Health Policy and Human Services.

 

 

Senator Barrett introduced

Senate Bill No. 1081, entitled

A bill to amend 2001 PA 142, entitled “Michigan memorial highway act,” by amending the title and section 2 (MCL 250.1002) and by adding section 2a.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

 

 

House Bill No. 5427, entitled

A bill to amend 1976 PA 267, entitled “Open meetings act,” by amending section 3a (MCL 15.263a), as amended by 2021 PA 54.

The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Local Government.

 

 

House Bill No. 6020, entitled

A bill to establish a student mental health apprenticeship retention and training (SMART) internship grant program; to prescribe conditions for the administration of the student mental health apprenticeship retention and training (SMART) internship grant program; to prescribe certain powers and duties of certain state officers, agencies, and departments; and to require the promulgation of rules.

The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.

The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Health Policy and Human Services.

 

By unanimous consent the Senate returned to the order of

General Orders

 

 

Senator LaSata moved that the Senate resolve itself into the Committee of the Whole for consideration of the General Orders calendar.

The motion prevailed, and the President, Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist, designated Senator McCann as Chairperson.

After some time spent therein, the Committee arose; and the President pro tempore, Senator Nesbitt, having assumed the Chair, the Committee reported back to the Senate, favorably and without amendment, the following bills:

House Bill No. 5742, entitled

A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled “Natural resources and environmental protection act,” (MCL 324.101 to 324.90106) by adding section 8308a.

House Bill No. 5743, entitled

A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled “Natural resources and environmental protection act,” (MCL 324.101 to 324.90106) by adding section 8507a.

 

 

House Bill No. 5744, entitled

A bill to amend 2000 PA 92, entitled “Food law,” by amending section 2125 (MCL 289.2125), as amended by 2015 PA 61, and by adding section 2124.

 

 

House Bill No. 5745, entitled

A bill to amend 1975 PA 120, entitled “Feed law,” by amending section 19 (MCL 287.539), as added by 2015 PA 83.

 

 

House Bill No. 5747, entitled

A bill to amend 2001 PA 267, entitled “Manufacturing milk law of 2001,” (MCL 288.561 to 288.740) by adding section 92.

 

 

House Bill No. 5748, entitled

A bill to amend 2001 PA 266, entitled “Grade A milk law of 2001,” (MCL 288.471 to 288.540) by adding section 36.

 

 

Senate Bill No. 1058, entitled

A bill to amend 1931 PA 189, entitled “The insect pest and plant disease act,” (MCL 286.201 to 286.228) by adding section 17a.

The bills were placed on the order of Third Reading of Bills.

 

By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of

Resolutions

 

 

Senator LaSata moved that the Senate proceed to consideration of the following resolution:

Senate Resolution No. 149

The motion prevailed.

 

 

Senate Resolution No. 149.

A resolution to recognize June 2022 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month.

(This resolution was offered on Tuesday, June 7 and consideration postponed. See Senate Journal No. 53, p. 854.)

Pending the order that, under rule 3.204, the resolution be referred to the Committee on Government Operations,

Senator Chang raised an objection to the referral of the resolution.

The President pro tempore, Senator Nesbitt, ruled that the objection was not proper.

Senator Chang appealed the decision of the Chair.

The question being shall the decision of the Chair stand as the judgment of the Senate,

 

The President, Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist, resumed the Chair.

 

Senator Chang requested the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered, 1/5 of the members present voting therefor.

The decision of the Chair stood as the judgment of the Senate, a majority of the members voting therefor, as follows:

 

 

Roll Call No. 301                                                 Yeas—21

 

 

Barrett                                    Johnson                                  Outman                                  Theis

Bizon                                      LaSata                                    Runestad                                VanderWall

Bumstead                               MacDonald                            Schmidt                                  Victory

Daley                                      McBroom                               Shirkey                                   Wozniak

Horn                                       Nesbitt                                   Stamas                                    Zorn

Huizenga                                                                                                                             

 

 

                                                                              Nays—14

 

 

Alexander                               Geiss                                      McCann                                  Polehanki

Bayer                                      Hertel                                     McMorrow                             Santana

Brinks                                     Hollier                                    Moss                                       Wojno

Chang                                     Irwin                                                                                     

 

 

                                                                            Excused—3

 

 

Ananich                                  Bullock                                   Lauwers                                 

 

 

                                                                          Not Voting—0

 

 

In The Chair: President

 

 

The resolution was referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

 

By unanimous consent the Senate returned to the order of

Statements

 

 

Senator Moss asked and was granted unanimous consent to make a statement and moved that the statement be printed in the Journal.

The motion prevailed.

Senator Moss’ statement is as follows:

Here we are again. I thought we were over this, but this month the Senate majority has sent the LGBTQ Pride Month resolution to committee just so they cannot adopt it, despite the fact that it is the same resolution that was adopted in June 2021 after so much labor to get it to that point, without even a period or comma changed. I fought to get recognition finally adopted last year. Every year prior, it had been discarded without consideration. It is a non-binding resolution. It requires nothing of you. It doesn’t change any law—although we should—and it doesn’t cost you anything. When it finally was adopted last year, no one’s marriage dissolved because of it, no business shuttered, and no church lost its religious freedom.

But this year—curiously, this year—the Republican leadership regresses and again throws Pride Month back into the trash heap. I guess the cruelty is the point. It is a symbolic resolution, and its journey is symbolic of what you do to the LGBTQ community as well. No matter the progress, no matter the growing support, the Republican leadership will never stand for LGBTQ equality. They will never let marginalized communities fairly compete with everybody else. If you don’t look like them, if you don’t pray like them, if you don’t raise your children like them, if you don’t live in their communities, you are never allowed on a level playing field with them. And for those of you who do—in the state of Michigan—identify with them, they have nothing to offer you either, except to tear communities like mine down.

The day that I introduced this resolution—last week—there were no other votes on the agenda. Two days later when I pushed for its passage and it was not moved, there were no other votes on the agenda. They’re in the majority now, and have not solved any of our problems. Their agenda is to make you fear the gay agenda. But I am not the cause of your problems. My community is not the cause of your problems.

I will tell you what the gay agenda is. I am a Senator who is gay and leading the fight against the price gouging of rising everyday costs that all Michigan families are worried about—that they have not addressed. I am a Senator who is gay working with my Senate Democratic colleagues desperate to pass common-sense gun reform to keep all communities safe from gun violence that they are blocking. I am a Senator who is gay, that despite our political differences and working with them on bipartisan proposals on affordable housing, economic development, and police reform. There are LGBTQ people like me in all sectors of Michigan’s economy who only wish to contribute, be good neighbors, and not have the government interfere with their freedom to live their lives.

“The people of Michigan understand, appreciate, and value the cultural, civic, and economic contributions of the LGBTQ communities to the greater community of the state.” That is a line directly from the Pride Month resolution that we adopted last year and that you won’t adopt this year. This year is 2022—it’s an election year—and instead you choose to exploit divisiveness and discard this resolution. They call people groomers—only in 2022—but it doesn’t solve your problems. They push Don’t Say Gay—only in 2022—but it doesn’t solve your problems. They protest drag queens—only in 2022—but it doesn’t solve your problems. They prey on people’s fears, but it doesn’t solve your problems.

We instead choose inclusion. We choose love. We choose respect. We choose human dignity. We choose pride. We’re a community of good people. We don’t need a piece of paper to tell us that. But the fact that you won’t adopt it says a lot more about you than it does about us.

 

By unanimous consent the Senate returned to the order of

Third Reading of Bills

 

 

Senator LaSata moved that the Senate proceed to consideration of the following bill:

House Bill No. 5041

The motion prevailed.

 

 

Senator LaSata moved to reconsider the vote by which the following bill was passed:

House Bill No. 5041, entitled

A bill to amend 1973 PA 116, entitled “An act to provide for the protection of children through the licensing and regulation of child care organizations; to provide for the establishment of standards of care for child care organizations; to prescribe powers and duties of certain departments of this state and adoption facilitators; to provide penalties; and to repeal acts and parts of acts,” by amending sections 1, 5c, and 5m (MCL 722.111, 722.115c, and 722.115m), section 1 as amended by 2022 PA 70, section 5c as amended by 2017 PA 256, and section 5m as added by 2017 PA 258.

The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.

The question being on the passage of the bill,

Senator Horn offered the following substitute:

Substitute (S-4).

The substitute was adopted, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.

The question being on the passage of the bill,

The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows:

 

 

Roll Call No. 302                                                 Yeas—35

 

 

Alexander                               Hertel                                     McCann                                  Shirkey

Barrett                                    Hollier                                    McMorrow                             Stamas

Bayer                                      Horn                                       Moss                                       Theis

Bizon                                      Huizenga                                Nesbitt                                    VanderWall

Brinks                                     Irwin                                      Outman                                  Victory

Bumstead                               Johnson                                  Polehanki                                Wojno

Chang                                     LaSata                                    Runestad                                Wozniak

Daley                                      MacDonald                            Santana                                   Zorn

Geiss                                       McBroom                               Schmidt                                 

 

 

                                                                               Nays—0

                                                                            Excused—3

 

 

Ananich                                  Bullock                                   Lauwers                                 

 

 

                                                                          Not Voting—0

 

 

In The Chair: President

 

By unanimous consent the Senate returned to the order of

Resolutions

 

 

Senators Huizenga, Hollier, Johnson, Victory, Brinks, Chang, Ananich, Outman, MacDonald, Irwin, VanderWall and Schmidt offered the following resolution:

Senate Resolution No. 151.

A resolution to urge the United States Department of Interior to approve the petition of the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians for federal acknowledgement.

Whereas, The Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians (GRBOI), are the political successor-in-interest of the Grand River Ottawa People that first established a sovereign-to-sovereign relationship with the United States in a series of treaties: the 1795 Treaty of Greenville, the 1807 Treaty of Detroit, the 1821 Treaty of Chicago, and the 1836 Treaty of Washington. This relationship was further strengthened by the 1855 Treaty of Detroit, which recognized the ancestral homelands of the GRBOI people located in western Michigan, including areas north of the Grand River in and around Muskegon and Grand Rapids; and

Whereas, The GRBOI have a well-defined social community in western Michigan, connected by extensive kinship since first sustained contact with Europeans. The GRBOI maintained significant marriage rates between members of the GRBOI, over 50 percent, until the 1920s and with members of other closely related tribes from Michigan into the late 1930s; and

Whereas, The members of the GRBOI share long-standing social activities involving most of the GRBOI through powwows, Kateri Circles, spring and fall celebrations, and Ghost Suppers. These activities are rooted firmly in the historical tradition and circumstances of social interaction and political activity among Anishinaabek communities in Michigan, particularly urban tribes like the GRBOI; and

Whereas, The GRBOI have provided important social welfare programs for its members and other urban tribes in southern Michigan. These programs involve significant interaction and support from and to several federally recognized tribes in the area. These tribal interactions provide significant evidence of the maintenance of both community and politics for the GRBOI; and

Whereas, The GRBOI has been seeking federal recognition for three decades. The GRBOI’s request has been on the “active consideration” list since 2013. Without federal recognition, members are denied their rights to healthcare, housing, and education assistance, among others, through resources that are provided only to federally recognized tribes; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That we urge the United States Department of Interior to approve the petition of the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians for federal acknowledgement; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the United States Secretary of the Interior, and the Director of the United States Office of Federal Acknowledgement.

Pursuant to rule 3.204, the resolution was referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

Senators Bayer and Bizon were named co-sponsors of the resolution.

 

 

Senator Barrett offered the following resolution:

Senate Resolution No. 152.

A resolution to recognize June 14, 2022, as Flag Day and the commemoration of the 68th anniversary of the addition of the words “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance.

Whereas, On June 14, 1777, the United States Second Continental Congress resolved, “That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation”; and

Whereas, President Woodrow Wilson first established June 14, 1916 as Flag Day. President Calvin Coolidge also did the same in 1927. In 1949, President Harry Truman officially designated June 14th as Flag Day in the United States; and

Whereas, President Abraham Lincoln first said the phrase “nation, under God,” in the Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863, at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery; and

Whereas, President Lincoln said, “It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us-that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion-that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain-that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom-and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth”; and

Whereas, On April 20, 1953, Michigan Congressman Louis C. Rabaut introduced House Joint Resolution (HJR) 243 to amend the Pledge of Allegiance, stating “By the addition of the phrase “under God” to the pledge, the consciousness of the American people will be more alerted to the true meaning of our country and its form of government. More importantly, the children of our land, in the daily recitation of the pledge in school, will be daily impressed with a true understanding of our way of life and its origins”; and

Whereas, On June 14, 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower signed HJR 243, marking this year as the 68th anniversary; and

Whereas, These words were first recited within the Pledge of Allegiance by the Knights of Columbus in 1951 at the opening of their meetings; and

Whereas, We honor the Michigan Congressional members who put forth this legislation that instilled the importance of these words in our great nation’s Pledge of Allegiance; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body recognize June 14, 2022, as Flag Day and the commemoration of the 68th anniversary of the addition of the words “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance.

Pending the order that, under rule 3.204, the resolution be referred to the Committee on Government Operations,

Senator LaSata moved that the rule be suspended.

The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.

The resolution was adopted.

Senator Bizon was named co-sponsor of the resolution.

 

 

Senators Barrett and McMorrow asked and were granted unanimous consent to make statements and moved that the statements be printed in the Journal.

The motion prevailed.

Senator Barrett’s statement is as follows:

In addition to being the Army’s birthday, today is also Flag Day, a day to commemorate and recognize the flag of the United States of America and the values we stand for. Exactly 68 years ago today, in 1954, President Eisenhower signed legislation adding the words “under God” to our Pledge of Allegiance. This legislation was first introduced in 1953 by Congressman Louis Charles Rabaut of Michigan’s 14th Congressional District. He was inspired to add these words after visiting the Lincoln Memorial and reading the words inscribed there from the Gettysburg Address which ends with this line, “that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” He also cited a desire to differentiate our country from the Soviet Communists.

When Congress passed the legislation, Congressman Rabaut gave these remarks on the floor of the House of Representatives.

 

You may argue from dawn to dusk about differing political, economic, and social systems, but the fundamental issue which is the unbridgeable gap between America and Communist Russia is a belief in Almighty God. From the root of atheism stems the evil weed of communism and its branches of materialism and political dictatorship. Unless we are willing to affirm our belief in the existence of God and His creator-creature relation to man, we drop man himself to the significance of a grain of sand and open the floodgates to tyranny and oppression.

 

After adding “under God” to our Pledge, he went on to sponsor the legislation that added “pray for peace” to our stamp cancellation marks used by the U.S. Postal Service.

Congressman Rabaut died suddenly while attending an event in Hamtramck in 1961, collapsing into the arms of a young Congressman named John Dingell who represented an adjacent district. When he passed, he left behind his wife Stella and his six daughters and three sons, as well as many grandchildren. Four of his nine children entered the religious order—daughters Celeste, Stella, and Martha became IHM nuns, and one son—Francis Dermott—became a Jesuit priest. His other children were sons Louis and Vincent and daughters Mary Jane, Carolyn, and Joan. Joan married John—better known as Jack—Barrett after he returned home from service in World War II. Together they also had nine children, the oldest of whom is my dad who joins me on the floor today. Louis Charles Rabaut was my great-grandfather and while I never had the opportunity to meet him, his legacy is one that we are very proud of. One of my regrets is that I never had the opportunity to meet Congressman Dingell before he passed. I wanted to ask him about my great‑grandfather. I knew about his family life, but I was curious about what type of Congressman he was. While I never got to ask Congressman Dingell that question, I was able to do some research of my own and discovered a couple of interesting statements that seem consistent across many different sources. Quote—Louis Rabaut had a habit of bucking the party leadership when it suited him. The Detroit Free Press also said—quote—Rabaut frequently displayed an independence in Congress which at times must have annoyed party leaders in Congress. Like great-grandfather, like great-grandson. Congressman Rabaut left his imprint certainly on our nation but also on my family. My uncle Louis Rabaut Barrett who joins us in the Gallery is named after him, as well as many other second and third cousins of mine—he’s joined in the Gallery by my mom who is here as well. When my wife Ashley and I welcomed our youngest son last year, we named him Louis Charles Barrett after his great-great-grandfather. As he grows older, we will be certain to teach him about the man he is named for and the history of our Pledge of Allegiance.

Happy Flag Day, Mr. President, and forever in peace may it wave.

 

Senator McMorrow’s statement is as follows:

I rise in support of this resolution; and you know, it’s funny growing up saying the Pledge of Allegiance inclusive of the phrase “under God,” when you’re a kid you assume that that’s just how it’s always been. But it wasn’t. It was, “one nation, indivisible” until 1954. I appreciate the Senator for bringing this resolution forward recognizing not only Flag Day but the inclusion of this language because I think it gives us a moment to reflect on and acknowledge that people change history, that the inclusion of this phrase was a choice and for us to reflect on what those choices mean as we move forward in our day.

Especially in this moment now when we see that religion both in this country and around the world can be a powerful force for good, but it can also be weaponized and used to hurt people in very damaging ways. In the 1950s, a pivotal figure campaigning to add the phrase “under God” to the Pledge was the Rev. George Docherty. An immigrant from Scotland, Rev. Docherty was a pastor at the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, an historic house of worship in downtown Washington that Abraham Lincoln attended himself. Rev. Docherty felt that “under God” was broad enough to include Jews and Muslims, but notably for us to consider today it does not include those who are atheist or those who celebrate other religions, view other religions, and what that means for inclusiveness.

Rev. Docherty died at 97 years old and was known throughout his lifetime for his work for racial equity. He used his church to house civil rights and anti-war demonstrations. He also marched in 1965 with the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama.

Once again, I’d like to thank the Senator for bringing this forward—and for bringing his family as well—and I appreciate the moment to acknowledge that history can change, that it is the result of actions and choices for people like us, people who have been empowered and entrusted by our constituents to make these choices. As we move forward in understanding the role that religion and faith plays, may we all be guided to use it as a force for good and not a force of harm.

 

 

Recess

 

 

Senator LaSata moved that the Senate recess subject to the call of the Chair.

The motion prevailed, the time being 12:03 p.m.

 

12:09 p.m.

 

The Senate was called to order by the President pro tempore, Senator Nesbitt.

 

 

Announcements of Printing and Enrollment

 

 

The Secretary announced that the following House bills were received in the Senate and filed on Thursday, June 9:

House Bill Nos.      5427   6020

 

The Secretary announced that the following bills and joint resolution were printed and filed on Thursday, June 9, and are available on the Michigan Legislature website:

Senate Bill Nos.     1069   1070   1071   1072   1073   1074   1075   1076   1077   1078   1079

Senate Joint Resolution        P

House Bill Nos.      6171   6172   6173   6174   6175   6176   6177   6178   6179   6180   6181   6182                                   6183   6184   6185   6186   6187   6188   6189   6190   6191   6192   6193   6194                                   6195   6196   6197   6198   6199   6200   6201   6202   6203   6204   6205   6206                                   6207   6208   6209   6210   6211   6212   6213   6214   6215   6216   6217

 

 

Committee Reports

 

 

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

 

The Committee on Economic and Small Business Development submitted the following:

Meeting held on Thursday, June 9, 2022, at 12:00 noon, Room 1200, Binsfeld Office Building

Present: Senators Horn (C), VanderWall, Schmidt, LaSata, MacDonald, Huizenga, McMorrow, Geiss and Moss

Excused: Senator Lauwers

 

 

COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT

 

The Committee on Health Policy and Human Services submitted the following:

Meeting held on Thursday, June 9, 2022, at 1:00 p.m., Room 1100, Binsfeld Office Building

Present: Senators VanderWall (C), Bizon, Johnson, LaSata, MacDonald, Theis, Brinks, Hertel, Santana and Wojno

 

 

Scheduled Meetings

 

Agriculture – Thursday, June 16, 8:30 a.m., Room 1200, Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373-1721

 

Economic and Small Business Development – Thursday, June 16, 12:00 noon, Room 1200, Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373-1721

 

Elections – Wednesday, June 15, 2:00 p.m., Room 1300, Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373-5323

 

Finance – Wednesday, June 15, 12:30 p.m., Room 1200, Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373-5312

 

Health Policy and Human Services – Wednesday, June 15, 8:30 a.m., Room 1200, Binsfeld Office Building and Thursday, June 16, 1:00 p.m., Room 1100, Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373-5323

 

Judiciary and Public Safety – Thursday, June 16, 8:30 a.m., Room 1100, Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373-5312

 

Local Government Thursday, June 16, 1:30 p.m., Room 1200, Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373-5312

 

Natural Resources Wednesday, June 15, 9:00 a.m., Room 1300, Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373-5312

 

Transportation and Infrastructure Wednesday, June 15, 12:00 noon, Room 1100, Binsfeld Office Building (517) 373-5323

 

 

Senator LaSata moved that the Senate adjourn.

The motion prevailed, the time being 12:10 p.m.

 

The President pro tempore, Senator Nesbitt, declared the Senate adjourned until Wednesday, June 15, 2022, at 10:00 a.m.

 

 

MARGARET O’BRIEN

Secretary of the Senate