LANSING- Senator Tupac A. Hunter (D-Detroit) was honored this week by the Hearing Loss Association of Michigan with their Legislator of the Year Award. The group made the presentation at their 4th Annual Day at the Capitol.

“Receiving this award is a great honor, and I appreciate that so many deaf and hard-of-hearing Michigan citizens came to the State Capitol to educate the Legislature about the issues they face,” said Senator Hunter. “I will continue working hard to move these bills through both chambers and to the governor’s desk so that our citizens can get the assistance they need to improve their quality of life.”

Senator Hunter was nominated to receive this award by his constituent, Audrey Pleasant from Dearborn Heights. Senator Hunter was chosen for the award for his advocacy of deaf and hard-of-hearing issues, and his sponsorship of bills to give a state tax credit equal to the cost of purchasing a hearing aid (Senate Bill 403); a two bill package to provide insurance coverage for audiological screening, diagnosis, treatment and costs of hearing aids for individuals who suffer from hearing loss (Senate Bills 178 and 179); and a resolution calling on Congress to enact the federal Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act (Senate Resolution 44).

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Sen. Hunter represents the 5th district, which is comprised of northwest Detroit, Dearborn and Inkster. He serves as Minority Vice Chair of the Banking & Financial Institutions and the Homeland Security & Emerging Technologies Committees. He is also a member of the Commerce & Tourism and the Economic Development & Regulatory Reform Committees.