SCR18, As Adopted by Senate, June 11, 2014

            Senator Richardville offered the following concurrent resolution:

            Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 18.

            A concurrent resolution of tribute offered as a memorial for Connie Berube Binsfeld, former Lieutenant Governor and member of the Senate and House of Representatives.

            Whereas, The members and staff of the Michigan Legislature were saddened to learn of the passing of Connie Berube Binsfeld. For nearly 25 years, she served as a leader in Michigan government, the first and only woman to hold leadership posts in the House, Senate, and executive branch. Kind, hardworking, thoughtful, but also tough when she needed to be, she will be remembered not only for her manner, but her remarkable achievements; and

            Whereas, A native of Munising, Connie Binsfeld earned her bachelor's degree and a teaching certificate from Siena Heights College in Adrian and engaged in graduate studies at Wayne State University while she lived in the Detroit area. In 1947, she married John Binsfeld and raised five children with him. She was named Michigan Mother of the Year in 1977. An active community member in the Grand Traverse area, she served two terms as a Leelanau County commissioner prior to her election to the House of Representatives in 1974; and

            Whereas, For the next 16 years, Connie Binsfeld represented with pride her northwest Michigan home in the House and the Senate. For eight of those years, she served as assistant minority leader in the House and assistant majority leader in the Senate. She was a champion for women, children, and the environment during her tenure. Notably, she sponsored legislation that would safeguard Michigan's sand dunes, provide funding for environmental cleanups, and protect women from domestic violence. She would serve as chair of a number of appropriations subcommittees. In 1990, she was elected Lieutenant Governor; and

            Whereas, As Lieutenant Governor, Connie Binsfeld continued to fight for the issues in which she believed, leading the Commission on Adoption and then the Binsfeld Children's Commission that led to numerous reforms of Michigan's child welfare system. In addition, she served 10 years on the Great Lakes Commission representing Michigan's interests and helped to establish the Chance at Childhood Foundation. As president of the Senate, she will be remembered for the gentle, but firm, manner as she presided over Senate proceedings. In 1998, she was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame; and

            Whereas, Connie Binsfeld's achievements are a reflection of her deep dedication to the state of Michigan and its people and her generous spirit. Her legacy will live on long after we have stopped mourning her passing; 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 Connie Berube Binsfeld, a member of the House of Representatives from 1975 to 1982, a member of the Senate from 1983 to 1990, and Lieutenant Governor and president of the Senate from 1991 to 1998; and be it further

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