SR-198, As Adopted by Senate, December 11, 2014

            Senator Richardville offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 198.

            A resolution of tribute for Carol Morey Viventi.

            Whereas, It is with great appreciation that the members of this legislative body take this moment to honor Carol Morey Viventi as she ends her 20-year tenure as the Secretary of the Senate. Her single-minded devotion to this institution; her calm and measured approach; and her respect for tradition while embracing the future have set the highest standards of excellence for her successors; and

            Whereas, With a life-long commitment to hard work, Carol Viventi rose to her position of leadership within our state. The first daughter of Art and Kay Morey, she was raised in the city of Detroit with her older brother, Jeff, and her younger sister, Sue. Beginning at the age of 15, she worked various part-time jobs and would go on to attend Michigan State University and earn a bachelor's degree in divisional social science; and

            Whereas, Carol began her professional career in the Office of Criminal Justice Programs before becoming an aide for then Representative John Engler in the House of Representatives. Later moving to State Senator Jack Welborn’s office, she worked full-time while attending Cooley Law School, earning her law degree in 1981. After a brief stint in the private sector, she served as the legal counsel for the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules. Steadily progressing upward, she went on to join the Governor’s Office, first as director of state policy and cabinet counsel and then as deputy chief of staff and cabinet counsel during Governor Engler’s first term. In 1995, Carol was elected for the first time as the Michigan Secretary of the Senate; and

            Whereas, As the Secretary of the Senate, Carol has overseen the operations of the Senate with integrity and vision, helping navigate this legislative body into the twenty-first century. During her tenure, the Senate has upgraded chamber voting and sound systems, begun televising session and committee hearings, improved security, and renovated committee rooms. She has overseen the implementation of new accounting and purchasing software, and in tough fiscal times, helped shape fair, balanced, and fiscally responsible Senate budgets. She has played a major role in the continued efforts to maintain our historical Capitol, culminating in the formation of the Michigan State Capitol Commission to which she serves as co-chair; and

            Whereas, Through good times and difficult times, Carol has been a picture of stability and calm at the rostrum. Trusted by five majority leaders over ten legislative terms, her fairness, her knowledge, and her preparation have helped maintain order on the floor and have been instrumental in the Senate's efficient consideration of the people's business; and

            Whereas, Carol's dedication to this institution may only be matched by her dedication to her family: her husband, Jim, and her children, Jane and Katie. Proud of her heritage, and the daughter of parents interned in American concentration camps during World War II, she serves on the board of directors of the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, California, and is the longest serving senate secretary of Japanese-American descent in the 50 states; and

            Whereas, While history will remember Carol as the first woman and the first ethnic minority to serve as the Michigan Secretary of the Senate, we will remember her for her intelligence, her unflappable nature, her infectious laugh, her patience, and her compassion. Always supportive to senators and staff alike, it is no small measure of thanks that we owe Carol for all she has given this institution; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we honor Carol Morey Viventi for her distinguished service to this legislative body and wish her well in all her future endeavors; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to Carol Viventi as a small token of our appreciation and respect.