house resolution no.413

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

A resolution of tribute for the Honorable William Sowerby.

Whereas, It is with sincere gratitude that we honor Representative William Sowerby as his tenure in the Michigan House of Representatives comes to a close. He has shown great dedication not only to his constituents in the Thirty-first District, but to all of Michigan's citizens; and

Whereas, Representative Sowerby grew up in Saint Clair Shores as one of five children. He attended Lake Shore High School and received a bachelor   s degree in psychology and sociology from Wayne State University. He was employed as an automotive sales representative for eighteen years and was elected to the Macomb County Board of Commissioners in 1988. As a commissioner, Representative Sowerby made significant strides towards bettering his community. He also served as a board member of the Community Mental Health Board and of S.M.A.R.T., a public bus transportation service. Representative Sowerby was elected treasurer of the Charter Township of Clinton, where he served five terms, and chaired the Clinton Township Community Blood Drive, which collected six-thousand two hundred-forty pints of blood under his leadership. He is married to Dr. Martha Higgins, who he is looking forward to spending more time with in retirement. He is the proud father of one son, Brad, and daughter-in-law, Briana, and a grandfather to one grandson, Braydon. Representative Sowerby is active in downhill skiing, hiking, bicycling, and volunteering; and

Whereas, Representative Sowerby was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2016. During his time, he served with distinction as the minority vice chair of the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Committee. He was also a member of the committees on Judiciary, Education, and Local Government and Municipal Finance. Representative Sowerby is proud of his perfect attendance and voting record over his six years of service and using tough scrutiny to consider all legislation. Of all his work, Representative Sowerby is most proud of his efforts to protect Michiganders from negligent construction companies and to increase government transparency; now, therefore, be it

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

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to Representative Sowerby as evidence of our gratitude and well wishes for the future.