house resolution no.425

Rep. Tate offered the following resolution:

A resolution of tribute for the Honorable Jason Wentworth, Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Whereas, It is with great admiration and gratitude that we take the opportunity to deeply thank the Honorable Jason Wentworth for his service as a Representative in this chamber for six years, serving his final term as the Honorable Speaker of the House. Throughout his tenure, Speaker Wentworth has served the members of the Ninety-seventh District, including constituents residing in Clare, Gladwin, Arenac, and Osceola counties, with enthusiasm and integrity. During his term as Speaker, he has proven to be a dedicated servant to the people of Michigan and a strong leader in this chamber; and

Whereas, Speaker Wentworth   s tenure in office was defined by his deep commitment to serve the people of Michigan, reflected by the life he led before assuming his role as Representative. Speaker Wentworth joined the United States Military in 2001, serving the nation as a military police officer in the Army and completing a tour of duty in South Korea. Speaker Wentworth also holds a bachelor   s degree in public safety from St. Petersburg College in Florida, and a master   s degree in leadership from Central Michigan University. Following his military service, Speaker Wentworth continued his dedication to public service by utilizing his skills in both public and private sectors of law enforcement in Michigan and also served as the East Central Michigan regional coordinator for the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. Speaker Wentworth is also the devoted husband to his wife, Heather, and loving father to his three children: Kiley, Makayla, and Alexa; and

Whereas, Speaker Wentworth   s legislative record in this chamber speaks to the integrity with which he served. Before assuming his role as Speaker, Representative Wentworth served as chair of the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee as well as a member of the committees on Insurance, Workforce and Talent Development, Michigan Competitiveness, and Ways and Means. Speaker Wentworth also served with distinction as alternate chair and chair of the Legislative Council as well as vice chair of the House Fiscal Agency Governing Committee. Speaker Wentworth   s participation reflects a career-long dedication to pursuing economic development opportunities for Michiganders across the state. Before assuming his role as Speaker, Representative Wentworth introduced successful legislation related to many such efforts, including broadly revising Michigan   s no-fault automobile insurance laws. Speaker Wentworth also served with distinction as the Speaker Pro Tempore from 2019 to 2021 before being selected by his peers to lead this chamber as Speaker of the House in the 2021-2022 legislative session; and

Whereas, Since assuming his role as Speaker, the Honorable Representative has continued his work on behalf of the people of Michigan by guiding numerous legislative efforts. These accomplishments include working across party lines to strategically invest hundreds of millions of dollars in the state   s SOAR fund which created thousands of jobs across Michigan, introducing successful legislation to reform and impose regulations related to Michigan   s pharmaceutical practices and protect consumers, working alongside Michigan   s School Safety Task Force to ensure that students statewide may feel safer in their classrooms, and investing significant financial resources into caring for our state   s honorable military veterans; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we offer this expression of tribute in deep appreciation and commendation for the Honorable Jason Wentworth, Speaker of the House of Representatives, for his distinguished service on behalf of this chamber and the State of Michigan; and be it further

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