house Resolution No.332

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

A resolution of tribute for the Honorable Wendell Byrd.

Whereas, It is with great appreciation for his commitment to the people of the Third District and all of Michigan that we honor Representative Wendell Byrd on his retirement from the Michigan House of Representatives. With a tenacity that has served him well over the past six years, Representative Byrd was elected in 2014 to serve the district not far from his childhood home in Detroit; and

Whereas, A graduate from the Detroit College of Business, Representative Byrd worked as a tax accountant auditor for the state of Michigan, as a deputy city comptroller for the city of Ecorse, and as a small business owner involved in taxation and business consulting. He was also a partner in a funeral home business for 10 years. He came to Lansing ready to diversify his areas of interest and work on several different issues; and

Whereas, Representative Byrd's education and experience were assets to several committees, including the Tax Policy Committee, on which he served as minority vice chair. He was an influential member of several other House committees, including Commerce and Trade, Energy Policy, Financial Liability Reform, Military and Veterans Affairs, and Ways and Means. Intent on giving his constituents a voice in Lansing, Representative Byrd sponsored multiple pieces of legislation affecting individual and city income taxes and property and use taxes. He also reached across the aisle to participate in the bipartisan bill package addressing concerns with alleged fraud in Michigan's unemployment insurance system and legislation addressing lawful internet gaming; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we offer this expression of tribute to recognize and commend the Honorable Wendell Byrd for his notable contributions to this legislative body and our state; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to Representative Byrd as evidence of our gratitude and best wishes.