Bill Text: MI SR0041 | 2015-2016 | 98th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: A resolution of tribute offered as a memorial for Robert P. Griffin, former U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, and Michigan Supreme Court Justice.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 27-11)
Status: (Passed) 2015-04-23 - Entire Membership Of The Senate And Lieutenant Governor Named Co-sponsors [SR0041 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2015-SR0041-Enrolled.html
SR-41, As Adopted by Senate, April 23, 2015
Senators Schmidt and Stamas offered the following resolution:
Senate Resolution No. 41.
A resolution of tribute offered as a memorial for Robert P. Griffin, former U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, and Michigan Supreme Court Justice.
Whereas, It is with great sadness that this legislative body learned of the passing of Robert P. Griffin. A soft-spoken yet feisty leader, he proved to be a strong advocate in Washington, D.C., for the state of Michigan during his twenty-two years in Congress. His subsequent service as a justice on the Michigan Supreme Court left a permanent impression on state law; and
Whereas, Born in Detroit on November 6, 1923, Robert P. Griffin dedicated his life to serving the people of Michigan. After serving in the Army during World War II, he graduated from Central Michigan University in 1947 and received a law degree from the University of Michigan in 1950. He was first in his family to attend college, and he went on to practice law in Traverse City; and
Whereas, In 1956, Robert P. Griffin was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's Ninth Congressional District, which formerly encompassed much of Northern Michigan. In 1959, he co-authored the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act, also known as the Landrum-Griffin Act, to address concerns of corruption and organized crime in the national labor movement. He was the leader of a group of progressive Republicans, known as the Young Turks, who managed to replace Republican Leader Charles Halleck with Gerald Ford; and
Whereas, Following the unexpected death of Senator Patrick V. McNamara in 1966, Robert P. Griffin was appointed by Governor George Romney to fill the vacant seat. He was re-elected twice in 1966 and 1972. He successfully led the filibuster of Associate Justice Abe Fortas' nomination by President Johnson to Chief Justice in 1968 and served as Minority Whip from 1969 until 1977. He was a member of the Senate Judiciary and Foreign Relations Committees; and
Whereas, Robert P. Griffin's decision to vote for President Nixon's impeachment is considered to be the final straw that led to the President's resignation as a result of the Watergate scandal; and
Whereas, After decades of service to the citizens of Michigan and many years of happy retirement in Traverse City spent with his wife Marjorie and their family, we now mourn Robert P. Griffin's passing. Michigan has lost a true and honorable statesman, and through his actions on behalf of the people of this state, his legacy will not be forgotten; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That we offer this expression of our highest tribute to honor the memory of Robert P. Griffin, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1957 to 1966, a U.S. Senator from 1966 to 1979, and a Michigan Supreme Court Justice from 1987 until his retirement in 1994; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Griffin family as evidence of our lasting esteem for his memory.
