Bill Text: MI HR0185 | 2019-2020 | 100th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: A resolution of tribute offered as a memorial for Donald H. Gilmer, former member of the House of Representatives.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2019-10-23 - Adopted By Unanimous Standing Vote [HR0185 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2019-HR0185-Introduced.html
house resolution no.185
The Speaker, on behalf of the entire membership of the House of Representatives, offered the following resolution:
A resolution of tribute offered as a memorial for Donald H. Gilmer, former member of the House of Representatives.
Whereas, The members of this legislative body were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former state representative Don Gilmer. He was a devoted advocate for his constituents in the counties of Allegan, Barry, Calhoun, and Kalamazoo and a problem-solver who could bridge divides and get things done in the Legislature; and
Whereas, Don Gilmer attended Michigan State University and was a Kellogg Fellow there. He also helped run the family fruit farm for several years. Later, he served on the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners, including a stint as chair, and was appointed to the Michigan Agriculture Labor Commission before his election to the Legislature. Along with public service, he was also civically engaged, including mentoring youth and promoting agricultural development; and
Whereas, After first being elected in 1976, Don Gilmer would go on to spend 22 distinguished years in the House of Representatives. He worked in many policy areas, such as agriculture and education, though much of his legislative efforts were devoted to the appropriations process. He sat on the Appropriations Committee and various appropriations subcommittees for many years, serving as chair during the mid-1990s, and ably balanced competing budgetary and policy interests. Moreover, he was a member of the committee that drafted Proposal A of 1994, the voter-approved plan that revamped school funding; and
Whereas, The consummate public servant, Don Gilmer would go on to further public service at the state and local levels after his time in the Legislature. He served as the state lottery commissioner, state budget director, and Kalamazoo County administrator, among other roles; and
Whereas, During his time in the Legislature, Don Gilmer was known as a leader who could bring people together and figure out solutions to tough problems facing the legislature and the state. His civility, good nature, and legislative skills make him an example to which legislators can aspire, and his family can take great pride in his decency, integrity, and accomplishments; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we offer this expression of our highest tribute to honor the memory of Donald H. Gilmer, a member of this legislative body from 1977 to 1998; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Gilmer family as evidence of our lasting esteem for his memory.
