SR-72, As Adopted by Senate, June 7, 2007

            Senators Kuipers, Patterson, Richardville, Birkholz, Brown, Olshove, Thomas, Prusi, George, Cropsey, Bishop, Jelinek, Van Woerkom, Stamas, Allen, McManus, Cassis, Gilbert, Sanborn, Pappageorge, Kahn, Hardiman, Garcia and Jansen offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 72.

            A resolution of tribute offered to honor Laura Chappelle, Michigan Public Service Commissioner.

            Whereas, Laura Chappelle has been a longtime friend of the state of Michigan. Her contributions have been of immeasurable value to the Michigan Public Service Commission and to the people of the great state of Michigan; and

            Whereas, Her tenure in public service has spanned almost 20 years in all three branches of state government. Laura has served as a commissioner of the MPSC, deputy legal counsel for Governor Engler, policy advisor and attorney in the Michigan Legislature, an assistant prosecuting attorney for the Saginaw County Prosecutor's Office, and law clerk at the Saginaw County Circuit Court; and

            Whereas, Laura Chappelle is a proud alumnus of Thomas M. Cooley Law School and the University of Michigan; and

            Whereas, In 2001, Laura was appointed to serve on the Michigan Public Service Commission, where she served as chairman until August of 2003; and

            Whereas, During her time at the MPSC, she served the consumers of this state with a passion toward ensuring consumer protections; and

            Whereas, Commissioner Chappelle spent a large portion of her career working on electrical restructuring on the state level and provided counsel during the protracted discussions that culminated in passage of Public Act No. 141 in 2000; and

            Whereas, Laura also took an active role in developing the first FERC-approved multistate entity, state retail electric choice markets, and regional wholesale markets; and

            Whereas, She was a key advisor in creating Michigan's nationally-recognized broadband law; and

            Whereas, She served as president of MISO and held various posts and assignments on the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners boards and initiatives; and

            Whereas, In 1992, Laura was the attorney of record in oral argument at the Pentagon petitioning for exoneration of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd of his conviction by military tribunal in 1865; and

            Whereas, Everyone who has worked with Laura Chappelle in state government through the years has been impressed by her intelligence, fairness, passion, and professionalism. The people of Michigan owe her a great debt of gratitude for her hard work and commitment to energy and regulatory issues and initiatives; and

            Whereas, We wish Laura and her family the best of health, happiness, and success in all future endeavors; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we offer this expression of our highest tribute to honor Laura Chappelle; and be it further

            Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to Laura Chappelle with our highest esteem.