Bill Text: MI SCR0009 | 2021-2022 | 101st Legislature | Engrossed
Bill Title: A concurrent resolution of tribute offered as a memorial for Frank J. Kelley, former Attorney General of Michigan.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2021-03-18 - Referred To Secretary For Record [SCR0009 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2021-SCR0009-Engrossed.html
MICHIGAN SENATE
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 9
Offered by Senators Shirkey, Ananich, Alexander, Barrett, Bayer, Bizon, Brinks, Bullock, Bumstead, Chang, Daley, Geiss, Hertel, Hollier, Horn, Irwin, Johnson, LaSata, Lauwers, MacDonald, McBroom, McCann, McMorrow, Moss, Nesbitt, Outman, Polehanki, Runestad, Santana, Schmidt, Stamas, Theis,
VanderWall, Victory, Wojno, Zorn and Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist II
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF TRIBUTE OFFERED AS A MEMORIAL FOR FRANK J. KELLEY, FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL OF MICHIGAN
WHEREAS, The members of the Michigan Legislature were saddened to learn of the passing of Frank J. Kelley. The consummate public servant, he spent nearly four decades fighting for the interests of the people and setting a new standard for leadership within the role of the attorney general in Michigan and across the country; and
WHEREAS, A native of Detroit, Frank Kelley was the first in his family to graduate from college. In 1951, he earned his law degree from the University of Detroit, and not long after, made the decision to move his family and start a law practice in Alpena. Four years after his arrival, the city council approached him to serve as city attorney, a role in which he would serve until Governor John Swainson appointed him to fill the vacant state attorney general position in December 1961. A crusader for the public interest, Frank Kelley was returned to office 10 times over the ensuing decades by the people of Michigan, making him the longest-serving attorney general in state history; and
WHEREAS, Frank J. Kelley’s long years of service only begin to communicate the overwhelming accomplishments of his public career. He re-shaped and re-defined the role of the attorney general as not only the attorney for the state of Michigan, but as the attorney of the people. He was the first attorney general in the nation to dedicate divisions within his office to consumer protection, the environment, and criminal fraud, and he assembled a talented team of attorneys to fill these divisions. A man of deep faith, he fought for social justice, corporate accountability, and a safer environment. He worked with the Legislature on the passage of the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act to ensure state government was open and transparent to the people. At the same time, he ably represented the Legislature and five governors from across the political spectrum, earning their trust and respect. The vast body of his work earned him honors and accolades throughout his tenure; and
WHEREAS, Frank J. Kelley would remain a presence in the state capital for more than a decade after leaving public service. He co-founded the Kelley Cawthorne lobbying firm, now one of the largest in Lansing, using his experience and insight to ensure his clients’ voices were heard by the state’s decision-makers. In 2015, he finally slowed down enough to enjoy quietly the last years of his life; and
WHEREAS, Frank J. Kelley’s legacy lives on with the people he touched and with the people he mentored. With wit and wisdom and integrity, he raised three children and guided and advised the next generation of Michigan political leaders. His stories, his counsel, and his passion for public service will continue in all these lives. He will long be remembered; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED BY THE SENATE (THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING), That we offer this
expression of our highest tribute to honor the memory of Frank J. Kelley, attorney general from 1961 to 1998; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Kelley family as evidence of our lasting esteem for his memory.
Adopted by the Senate, March 17, 2021.
Adopted by the House of Representatives, March 17, 2021.
Secretary of the Senate Clerk of the House of Representatives
