Senator Patricia Birkholz

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May 8, 2007 – Sen. Patty Birkholz, R-Saugatuck Township, is joined by Pastor Len Hill from the Mount Hope Church in Lansing.  Hill led members of the Michigan Senate during the invocation and afterward joined Birkholz on the Senate floor for session.
May 1, 2007 – Sen. Patty Birkholz today presented Keith Charters of Traverse City with a special tribute honoring him as the 2007 Michigan Conservationist of the Year as lawmakers observed the final day of Michigan Conservation Week.

April 30, 2007 – Sens. Mark Jansen (left) and Patty Birkholz (right) listen as Andy Buchsbaum, executive director of the National Wildlife Federation, describes the impact of invasive species on the Great Lakes.  Senate Republicans and a coalition of conservation interest groups today defended Michigan’s ballast water law at the final news conference for the first-ever Michigan Conservation Week.  
April 24, 2007 – Sen. Patty Birkholz, R- Saugatuck Township, announces the first-ever Michigan Conservation Week during a news conference at the state Capitol.  Senators Randy Richardville, Michelle McManus, Jason Allen, Gerald Van Woerkom and Roger Kahn also attended the event.


February 6, 2007 - Sen. Patty Birkholz presents Denise Weeks (left) and Annia Alvarez Nodarse with a special tribute. Both were recipients of the Michigan Works! Alumni Award because of their hard work and dedication.

Jan. 10, 2007-State Senator Patty Birkholz is administered the oath of office by Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Clifford Taylor.  Standing with Sen. Birkholz are her sister Joan Lamb, her friend Larry Ladenburger (from left), brother-in-law Frank Lamb and son Brent.  Michigan senators were sworn in on the first session day of the 94th Legislature.
Sen. Patty Birkholz presents the Waverly High School Lady Warriors Basketball Team with a Senate Resolution congratulating them on their 2004 state championship. Pictured are (from left) Rep. Rick Jones, Asst. Coach Shelley McGee, Sen. Birkholz and Head Coach Frank Trotter.
The Waverly High School Lady Warriors celebrate their 2004 State Basketball Championship with Sen. Patty Birkholz and members of the Michigan Senate Feb. 2, 2005.

 

 


 

March 15, 2005 -- Sen. Patty Birkholz welcomed Madelynn Hinkle and Jennifer Curtis to the state Capitol for the 2005 4-H Capitol Experience. Hinkle is a student at Thornapple Kellogg High School and Curtis is from Maple Valley High School.

 
State Senator Patricia Birkholz, is administered the oath-of-office by Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Maura D. Corrigan Wednesday Jan. 8, 2003. All 38 Michigan Senators were sworn into office on the first session day of the 92nd Legislature.

 
Senator Patricia Birkholz, R-Saugatuck Township, hosted Ms. Fetzer's fourth grade class from Neff Elementary in Grand Ledge at the State Capitol Building on January 23, 2003.

 

Senator Patricia Birkholz, R-Saugatuck Township, today recognized and presented a tribute to Cheryl Peters, Carveth Village, L.L.C., Middleville, for Bipartisan Women’s Entrepreneurial Action Day celebrated at the Capitol.
 Senator Patricia Birkholz, R-Saugatuck Township, today recognized and presented a tribute to Karla Chamberlain, J&K Steamboat Line, Grand Ledge, for Bipartisan Women’s Entrepreneurial Action Day celebrated at the Capitol.
Senator Patty Birkholz welcomed Pastor Gene Harris of Faith Bible Church in Lansing to the Michigan State Senate to deliver the invocation on Thursday, July 17, 2003.

Senator Birkholz joins Merit Award recipient Ryan Shannon in putting a "Proud Parent of a Merit Scholar" bumper sticker on the family car. Ryan will attend Michigan State University where he will apply his scholarship award in his pursuit of an English degree.
Sen. Patty Birkholz, R-Saugatuck, chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs, talks with reporters after the State of the State about  implementing the numerous recommendations made by the Great Lakes Conservation Task Force, starting with legislation to protect Michigan's freshwater aquifers from overuse and depletion.
Senator Patricia Birkholz, R-Saugatuck Township, today recognized and presented a tribute to Joyce Petter, Joyce Petter Gallery, Douglas, for Bipartisan Women’s Entrepreneurial Action Day celebrated at the Capitol.

Sen. Patty Birkholz and Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema address reporters after the Senate passed a 14-bill package that will impose stricter solid waste and landfill regulations.
Sen. Patty Birkholz is featured with Father Corwin Stoppel of All Saints Episcopal Church in Saugatuck. Stoppel delivered the invocation to open the Dec. 9, 2003 session of the Senate.
Senator Patricia Birkholz, R-Saugatuck Township, speaks with reporters after the State of the State address Jan. 27 at the Capitol.

Sen. Patty Birkholz speaks with reporters following the passage of seven bills that will increase fines and penalties for producers of methamphetamine. Joining her are (L-R) Allegan County Prosecutor Fred Anderson, Sen. Bruce Patterson and Sen. Alan Sanborn.
Sen. Patty Birkholz and Allegan chief of police Rick Hoyer testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on a package of bills that will increase fines and penalties for persons who operate a methamphetamine lab or are found in possession of the illegal substance.
The Rev. Molly Turner (center) is pictured with Lt. Gov. John Cherry and Sen. Patty Birkholz after delivering the invocation in the Senate on March 3. Turner is senior pastor at Grand Ledge First United Methodist Church.

Sen. Patty Birkholz and Eaton County Sheriff Rick Jones testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on a package of bills that will increase fines and penalties for persons who operate a methamphetamine lab or are found in possession of the illegal substance.
Sen. Patty Birkholz meets with junior and senior students from Waverly High School's "Current Issues" class. The students visited the Capitol on March 3 to learn about state government and local politicial issues.
Sen. Patty Birkholz presents committee members of Grand Ledge's first-ever St. Patrick's Day Parade with a special tribute recognizing their hard work and dedication to this new event. Committee members are (L-R): John Dwyer, Ken Black, Jim Hogan, Sen. Birkholz, Dan O'Shea, Greg Osburn and Jim McConnell.

Sen. Patty Birkholz proudly shows off the Capitol to Elizabeth Broderick, Business Manager from Saugatuck Public Schools. Broderick was in Lansing job shadowing Birkholz and Rep. Fulton Sheen on March 23, 2004.
 Sen. Patty Birkholz, R-Saugatuck, left, and Sen. Michelle McManus, R-Lake Leelanau, welcome Dan Vogler, President of Harrietta Hills Trout Farm, to the state Capitol.
April 22, 2004 - Sen. Patty Birkholz presents Lance Whipple, Director of the Dimondale Recycling Center, with a White Pine Award for the centers efforts to promote responsible solid waste solutions for Eaton County through waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting techniques. The White Pine Award was created in 1992 to recognize local individuals or groups who have made a significant and lasting commitment to help protect our environment. The center was honored with a Senate tribute and presented with a White Pine tree.
 
State Senator Patty Birkholz, R-Saugatuck Township, and former State Representative Mark Jansen, R-Grand Rapids, recognized Jon White of Grand Rapids on his new position in Washington D.C. in the United States Justice Department in December with a special tribute from the Michigan Legislature. 
Sen. Patty Birkholz shows Rodney Hill around the Capitol on May 11, 2004. Hill, from Allegan, was the highest bidder in a fundraiser for the Allegan Community Center to "Spend A Day with Senator Birkholz."
Sen. Patty Birkholz and students from Waverly High School’s Current Issues class testify before the Senate Education Committee Thursday. They testified on a resolution urging the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the use of 'under God' in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Testifying in favor of the resolution was Alex Hoeksema and Gail Walker (pictured). Also attending the committee meeting were James Hagen and Erin Harper.

Sens. Michelle McManus and Patty Birkholz were among the legislators on hand for the Earth Day signing of Senate Bills 252 and 560 on the Capitol Lawn April 22, 2004
Sen. Patty Birkholz shows 4-H students Hope Michaels and Christ-Anna Castonguay and Barry County 4-H Youth Agent Kathy Walters-Surratt around the Capitol on March 16, 2004. The three were in Lansing with other 4-H members celebrating National Agricultural Week.
May 19, 2004 -- Sen. Patty Birkholz announces the start of the 2004 Watercraft Decal Design Challenge. The decals will be sold to raise money for the Great Lakes Protection Fund. They will be available beginning Oct. 1 and proceeds from the sale of the decals will be used to fund education and research to help eliminate aquatic nuisance species from Michigan’s waters. The contest is open to all Michigan residents. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/sos or the nearest Secretary of State branch office.

Senator Patty Birkholz, along with colleagues Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema and Senator Nancy Cassis, enjoy a green eggs and ham breakfast to celebrate the kick-off of "March is Reading Month". The kick-off took place outside of the Senate Chambers in order to commemorate Dr. Seuss' birthday and "March is Reading Month".
May 2004 - Max Lounds, Steven Simpkins and Anuj Abrol testify before the Senate Local, Urban and State Affairs Committee on bill to change Michigan's state bird to the Kirtland's Warbler. The students are in favor of the bill, which is sponsored by Sen. Patty Birkholz. The three boys go to school at City School in Grand Blanc.
June 8, 2004 - Sen. Patty Birkholz, R-Saugatuck Township, congratulates constituent Liz Wilson on being named 2004 Michigan Schools Support Person of the Year by the Department of Education. Wilson is an administrative assistant with the Saugatuck Public Schools.

Father John Klein of St. Gerard's Parish in Lansing gave the invocation to open the May 27th, 2004 session of the Michigan Senate at the invitation of Sen. Patty Birkholz.


Sen. Patty Birkholz congratulates World War II Veteran Leonard Gyles (middle) after Gyles was formally presented with the Bronze Star medal by Brig. Gen. Robert Taylor.

Gyles, from Eaton Rapids, earned this medal in World War II, but due to misplaced records, the medal was never awarded to him until this year. A ceremony was held on July 7, 2004 at the MI National Guard Headquarters to present the medal.

 
Pastor John Burow, Chaplain for the Ingham Regional Medical Center, gave the invocation to open the November 3, 2004 session of the Michigan Senate at the invitation of Sen. Patty Birkholz

May 2004 - Students from City School in Grand Blanc, along with teacher Vicki Weiss and Sen. Patty Birkholz, attended the Senate Local, Urban and State Affairs Committee to show their support for a bill to change Michigan's state bird to the Kirtland's Warbler.
May 2004 - Students from Explorer Elm in Williamston, along with teacher Brett Meteyer and Sen. Patty Birkholz, attended the Senate Local, Urban and State Affairs Committee to show their support for a bill to change Michigan's state bird to the Kirtland's Warbler. Also in the photo is Frank Kelley who gave testimony before the Senate Local, Urban and State Affairs Committee.
Sen. Patty Birkholz testifies at the Senate Education Committee regarding strict discipline academies. Joining her was Bob Brenner, Superintendent of Allegan County Intermediate School District and Mike Hagerty, Business Manager at ACISD and Administrator of Outlook Academy.

May 2004 - Janet DeYoung, executive director of Good Samaritan Ministries, and Sen. Patty Birkholz, R-Saugatuck Township, testify before the Senate Finance Committee. They testified in support of Birkholz’s bill that would allow a use tax exemption for charities that supply used cars to low income individuals.
Sen. Patty Birkholz presents Art Lane (second from right) with a shirt from the DNR and a 2004 state park pass for his volunteer efforts as a member of the Friends of the Saugatuck Dunes state park volunteer group. Birkholz also introduced a new package of bills that will: implement an income tax return check-off for donations to the state park system; create an awards program recognizing a state park of the year, state park volunteer of the year and state park worker of the year; and create a State Parks Advisory Committee.
Tuesday, April 22, 2003- Senator Patricia Birkholz, R-Saugatuck Township, chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee, today presented the White Pine Award for Environmental Excellence to the Michigan 4H Youth Development Program and the 4H Youth Conservation Council this morning, April 22 (Earth Day).

Feb 8. 2005 - Sen. Patty Birkholz invited Clare Tripp to be her guest at the state Capitol for the annual State of the State Address. Tripp is the chair of the Barry County Board of Commissioners
March 14, 2005 --Sen. Patty Birkholz announces a Senate Republican proposal to create a multi-state coalition to battle aquatic nuisance species in the Great Lakes. Joining Birkholz in support was Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema.
March 9, 2005 -- Best selling children's authors Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick read their new book "Lost in the Woods" to students at Elmwood Elementary School. As part of "March is Reading Month," Sams and Stoick are donating a copy of the book to every elementary school in Michigan. The authors were joined by Sen. Jason Allen, Sen. Patty Birkholz and Rep. Rick Jones.

May 3, 2005 - Michael Piggins had the opportunity to job shadow Sen. Patty Birkholz for a day at the Capitol. Piggins attends Saugatuck Middle School.
March 9, 2005 -- Sens. Patty Birkholz and Jason Allen present the book "Lost in the Woods" to students at Elmwood Elementary in celebration of March is Reading Month.
On Tuesday, January 27, Pastor Mike Nauff from the Church of Faith in God in Charlotte delivered the Senate Invocation. He was hosted by Senator Patricia Birkholz, R-Saugatuck Twp. Also in photo: Lt. Governo John Cherry

Sen. Patty Birkholz and Allegan County Sheriff Blaine Koops testify in support of Birkholz's methamphetamine legislation before the Senate Health Policy Committee April 27.
June 7, 2005 - Sen. Patty Birkholz welcomed Reverend Dr. Jesse James of First Congregational Church of Eaton Rapids to the Michigan State Senate to deliver the invocation.
Sen. Patty Birkholz speaks at a press conference to promote child passenger safety legislation. Joining Birkholz was Sens. Jason Allen, Michelle McManus and Wayne Kuipers.

June 15, 2005 - Sen. Patty Birkholz announces new legislation that will require criminal background checks for prospective residential care facility employees. Joining Birkholz was Attorney General Mike Cox and Sens. Jud Gilbert and Tony Stamas.
Sept. 15, 2005 -- Sen. Patty Birkholz announces a legislative plan to protect groundwater in Michigan. Joining her at the press conference were Sens. Cameron Brown and Gerald VanWoerkom.
Sen. Patty Birkholz welcomed Father David Pike of St. David's Episcopal Church in Lansing to the Michigan State Senate to deliver the invocation on March 10, 2005.

October 20, 2005 - Sen. Patty Birkholz welcomed Father John Fain, Parochial Vicar of St. Gerard Parish in Lansing, to the Michigan State Senate to deliver the invocation.
November 4, 2005 - Sen. Patty Birkholz and Rep. Rick Jones (right) present a Legislative Tribute to Millbrook Printing of Grand Ledge for being an industry trailblazer through its acquisition of a new state-of-the-art printing press. Accepting the tribute is Millbrook's founder Robert Millbrook and President/CEO Larry Winkler. The new press is the only one of its kind in the Midwest and will help increase Millbrook's business and work force.
November 3, 2005 - Sen. Patty Birkholz presented the Saugatuck High School Boys Golf Team, the 2005 Lower Penninsula Division 4 State Champions, with a special Senate Tribute during a presentation on the Senate floor. Pictured are Saugatuck Public Schools Superintendent Tim Woods, Sen. Birkholz, and Coach Tom Clark.
November 3, 2005 - Sen. Patty Birkholz presented the Saugatuck High School Boys Golf Team, the 2005 Lower Penninsula Division 4 State Champions, with a special Senate Tribute during a presentation on the Senate floor. Team members include (L to R) Ben Nemets, Alex Lanning, Phil Knudsen, Jeffrey Mocini, Nick Capotosto, Mike Battjes. Also pictured are Superintendent Tim Wood, Sen. Birkholz and Coach Tom Clark.

 

 
 December 1, 2005 - Sen. Patty Birkholz welcomed cadets from the Michigan Youth ChalleNGe Academy who were at the Capitol being recognized for their work helping Hurricane Katrina victims housed temporarily at Fort Custer in Battle Creek. Cadets from the 24th Senate District include: Travis Tichuon, Sean Begne, Wayne Eaton, Chris Nigh and Levi Polihanki.
February 1, 2006 - Sen. Patty Birkholz welcomed Eaton Rapids High School Students Erin and Bobby Kennedy to the State Capitol.

December 12, 2005 - Sen. Patty Birkholz, alongside local retailers and law enforcement agents, reminds the public about a new law that took effect to curb the production of methamphetamine. The new law limits the sales of certain cold medications that can be used to produce the illegal drug.
November 10, 2005 - Sen. Patricia Birkholz  greets NRA President Sandy Froman during her visit to the state Capitol where she was presented a Legislative Tribute.
January 25, 2006 - Sen. Patty Birkholz welcomed Allegan County Sheriff Blaine Koops to the State Capitol as her guest to the 2006 State of the State Address.

February 15, 2006 - Sen. Patty Birkholz welcomed Jeff Gaskill, Senior Pastor at Grand Ledge Baptist Church, to the Senate Chamber to deliver the Invocatio
February 28, 2006 - Sen. Patty Birkholz joined her Legislative colleagues and the governor at the bill signing of the "Protecting our Waters, Protecting their Use" package. Looking on is Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema, House Speaker Craig DeRoche and Governor Jennifer Granholm.
February 13, 2006 - Sen. Patty Birkholz, along with House and Senate colleagues, unveils a new package of legislation to help protect children and the environment from the dangerous effects of methamphetamine.

June 1, 2006 - Sen. Patty Birkholz presents Sarah Hughes, a member of the Michigan-1 Disaster Medical Assisstance Team, with a special tribute for her service aiding vitctims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
June 2006 - Sen. Patty Birkholz was honored as the Legislator of the Year by the Michigan Mountain Biking Association. Presenting the award was Todd Scott, Executive Director of MMBA.
June 15, 2006 - Sen. Patty Birkholz welcomed Grand Ledge resident Marie Brake and her mom and step-dad, Shirly and Dave Bobryk, to the state Capitol to meet the Winter 2006 Olympic Silver Medalists in Ice Dancing Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto. Marie asked to meet them through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

March 29, 2006 - Sen. Patty Birkholz congratulates members of Safe Kids Lakeshore for their group being recognized as a Hometown Health Hero by the Michigan Department of Public Health. The group was honored for its leadership in working to prevent accidental injuries to children age 14 and under. Pictured are (L-R) Jeff Spitzley, Michigan Department of Public Health; Sen. Birkholz; Gene Koopman, Child Passenger Safety Technician, Safe Kids Lakeshore; and Sgt. Keith Koeman of the Ottawa County Sherriff's Department and Safe Kids Lakeshore.
May 25, 2006 - Sen. Patty Birkholz welcomed Rev. Tom Evans, Pastor at Eaton Rapids United Methodist Church, to the Senate Chamber to deliver the Invocation.
January 31, 2007 - Susan McGillicuddy (left) and Andy Oetman of the Michigan Chapter of Republicans for Environmental Protection present Sen. Patty Birkholz with the 2007 Green Elephant Republican Legislator of the Year award.
 
 

May 26, 2005 - Sen. Patty Birkholz welcomed Robert D. Weiss, Jamil Cage, Rev. Dr. Jesse James and Gary L. Paulin to the state Capitol to participate in the 11th Annual Memorial Day Service.