Senator Sikkema offered the following concurrent resolution:

            Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 53.

            A concurrent resolution to honor the memory of John W. Fitzgerald, former member of the Michigan Senate and justice of the Michigan Supreme Court.

            Whereas, With the passing of John Warner Fitzgerald, Michigan has lost a model public servant and a significant architect of the legal landscape of our state. As a legislator, attorney, judge, and educator, this unassuming and compassionate gentleman had a profound and lasting impact on many Michigan lives; and

            Whereas, A native of Grand Ledge, John Fitzgerald carried out a longstanding family commitment to the people of Michigan. The third of four generations of Fitzgeralds to hold prominent elective office, he served our country as an infantryman in World War II and graduated from Michigan State University and the University of Michigan Law School.  After serving as legal counsel to the Michigan Senate, he was elected to the first of his three consecutive terms in the Senate in 1958; and

            Whereas, In 1965, he brought his talents to Michigan's judicial branch of government following his election to the Michigan Court of Appeals. There he distinguished himself until his appointment and subsequent election to the state's highest court in 1974. On the Michigan Supreme Court, Justice Fitzgerald furthered his reputation as a thoughtful, insightful individual strongly committed to the rule of law; and

            Whereas, Justice Fitzgerald's impact on Michigan's legal structure also included his leadership as an original board member and professor of the first class at Cooley Law School. His wide-ranging experiences and sensitivity made him a favorite of his students. Clearly, Michigan will benefit from his gifts far into the future; 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 John W. Fitzgerald, former member of the Michigan Senate, judge of the Court of Appeals, and justice of the Michigan Supreme Court; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Fitzgerald family as evidence of our lasting esteem for his memory.