Bill Text: MI SCR0011 | 2021-2022 | 101st Legislature | Engrossed

Michigan Senate Concurrent Resolution 11 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: A concurrent resolution of tribute offered as a memorial for Willis "Bill" Clare Bullard, Jr., former member of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2021-03-25 - Referred To Secretary For Record [SCR0011 Detail]

Download: Michigan-2021-SCR0011-Engrossed.html

2021-SECR-0011

MICHIGAN SENATE

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 11

Offered by Senators Shirkey, Alexander, Ananich, 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 WILLIS “BILL” CLARE BULLARD, JR., FORMER MEMBER OF THE

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SENATE

WHEREAS, It is with great sorrow that the members of the Michigan Legislature learned about the passing of Bill Bullard.

He will be remembered as a dedicated public servant and champion for his constituents in southeast Michigan; and

WHEREAS, Born and raised in Michigan, Bill Bullard received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and his law degree from the Detroit College of Law before beginning his long career in public service. An attorney-at-law, he worked as a mediator with the Oakland County Circuit Court and District Courts. He was first elected as a trustee of Highland Township in 1978 where he also served on the Zoning Board of Appeals and then was elected supervisor in 1980. He was also very active in his community as a member of the Dunham Lake Civic Committee, Milford Chamber of Commerce, Oakland Chamber of Commerce, Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce, South Lyon Chamber of Commerce, Lake Areas Chamber of Commerce, Novi Chamber of Commerce, West Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce, Farmington Chamber of Commerce, Highland Business Association, University of Michigan Club of Greater Detroit, Huron Valley Arts Council, and West Oakland League of Women Voters; and

WHEREAS, Bill Bullard was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 1982 where he served until he was elected to the Michigan Senate in 1996 during a special election. In the House, he served as Assistant Minority Caucus Chair, Assistant Minority Floor Leader, and chair of the Committee on Taxation. He was also majority vice chair of the committees on Civil Rights and Women’s Issues and minority vice chair of the committees on Civil Rights, Public Utilities, and Elections. Additionally, he was a member of the committees on Consumers, Local Government, and Insurance; and

WHEREAS, In the Senate, Bill Bullard served as chair of the committees on Government Operations, Financial Services, and Transportation and Tourism. He served as majority vice chair on the committees on Finance and Hunting, Fishing and Forestry. Also, he was a member of the committees on Education, Health Policy, and Senior Citizens and Judiciary; and

WHEREAS, During this time in office, he also worked with national legislative associations and groups. To each responsibility, Bill Bullard brought an abundant understanding of the process and institutions of government, which allowed him to sponsor over 170 bills that were signed into law. His legislative work did not go unnoticed, as he was awarded legislator of the year by numerous special interest groups, including the Michigan Townships Association, the Michigan Association of Temporary and Staffing Services, the Soft Drink Association of Michigan, and the Michigan Humane Society; and

WHEREAS, Bill Bullard continued his public service after his legislative career. He served on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners from 2003 to 2011 and was chair for three of his terms. Additionally, he served as Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds from 2011 to 2012. Following his county public service, he became a partner at Strategic Communications Solutions where he continued to advocate for better government. Most recently in November 2020, he was appointed Deputy Clerk of White Lake Township; and

WHEREAS, Bill Bullard was a determined legislator, admired by his constituents, friends, family, and colleagues. Upon his passing, we offer our condolences to his family and friends. We hope that they may find comfort in the knowledge that the entire community shares in their bereavement, and that the legacy of Bill Bullard’s contributions will long continue to enrich our state; 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 Bill Bullard, Jr., a member of the House of Representatives from 1984 to 1996 and the Senate from 1996 to 2002; and be it further

Clerk of the House of Representatives

RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Bullard family as evidence of our lasting esteem for his memory. Adopted by the Senate, March 24, 2021.