The Speaker, on behalf of the entire membership of the House of Representatives, offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 290.

            A resolution of tribute offered as a memorial for Rosetta A. Ferguson, former member of the House of Representatives.

            Whereas, It is with great sadness that we recently learned of the passing of former Representative Rosetta Ferguson. She will be remembered as a champion for civil rights, family values, and quality education for Detroit school children; and

            Whereas, Rosetta Ferguson was born in Florence, Mississippi and attended Duffield and Miller high schools in Detroit as well as the Detroit Institute of Technology. She was a long-time business woman and leaves a legacy of passionate civic and social involvement in the Detroit community; and

            Whereas, Rosetta Ferguson was first elected to the state House of Representatives in a 1964 landslide vote and served for seven terms, representing the Ninth House District for four terms and the Twentieth House District for three terms. She served with distinction on many committees, and as chairperson of those dealing with the state library, civil rights, retirement, social services, corrections, and youth. Rosetta Ferguson will most be remembered for her sponsorship of Michigan's Fair Textbook Law, Public Act 127 of 1966, which required Michigan social studies textbooks to recognize the achievements and accomplishments of all ethnic and racial groups. It was described as an "educational measure to achieve better human understanding among all races of the State's population"; and

Whereas, Rosetta Ferguson was active in public service and received many awards and recognitions for her unwavering dedication. In 1968, Rosetta Ferguson was awarded the key to the city of New Orleans for her efforts to promote peaceful understanding among all races. In 1970, she was honored in a resolution by her House colleagues which recognized her "far-sighted vision and dedication to the full maturity of the human family" in sponsoring the Fair Textbook Law. Ebony magazine featured Representative Ferguson as one of Michigan's African-American women leaders. She was the first African-American woman to serve as treasurer of the Wayne County Democratic Delegation of the State House of Representatives; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we offer this expression of our highest tribute in memory of our esteemed colleague Rosetta A. Ferguson, a member of this legislative body from 1965 to 1978; and be it further

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