Lt. Governor John D. Cherry is a seasoned leader who has successfully worked to ensure that state government is efficient and shares Michigan’s priorities.
With over 20 years of service in the Michigan Legislature as a State Representative, State Senator and Minority Leader, Cherry has received many awards and honors, including recognition from The Detroit News as one of Michigan’s Most Effective Legislators. Cherry was recently named the 2005 Conservationist of the Year by the Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) and elected as Vice-Chair of the Great Lakes Commission – the highest ranking Michigan official in history to serve in this capacity. He was recently elected Chair of the National Lieutenant Governor’s Association.
Cherry’s focus on families and education has meant that more of Michigan’s children have the opportunity to go to college. He has led the Lt. Governor’s Commission on Higher Education & Economic Growth, making a series of recommendations that have brought higher education into the larger discussion of creating and retaining jobs here in Michigan. He also serves as a gubernatorial appointee to the Midwest Higher Education Compact.
Cherry’s interest in politics began as a teenager through organizing and political activism. He took a job as administrative assistant to former State Senator Gary Corbin, later serving as political director for the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO until his election to the Michigan House.
As a legislator, Cherry focused on the issues that were most important to him – families, the quality of life in Michigan, the environment and Michigan’s great outdoors. He has authored and co-sponsored several milestone Michigan laws dealing with workers’ rights, environmental protection and conservation.
Cherry received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan in 1973 and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Michigan, Flint in 1984. He has been awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Saginaw Valley State University and an Honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from Central Michigan University.
Cherry is married to Pamela M. Faris. They have a married daughter, Meghan, a son, John Daniel, and one grandchild. The family has an active interest in Springer Spaniels and Cherry is a member of the Eastern Michigan Springer Spaniel Association. An avid hunter and outdoorsman, Cherry and his family live in Genesee County.
(Source: official state website)
I just finished my trip to the Middle East, where I visited Israel and Dubai. You may have read my blog post about touting Michigan's Green Jobs for Blue Waters initiative in Israel, where I was able to secure commitments from two Israeli water technologycompanies to locate in Michigan. To be clear: we will never sell our water abroad; but rather will position Michigan as a center of excellence for global water technologies. As the world's thirst for increasingly scarce fresh water grows, we want Michigan to reap enormous economic benefits by becoming the home of businesses who sell technologies that assist other states in solving their water scarcity problems.
We set our sights high when it came to advanced battery technology in Michigan. We began by positioning Michigan to lead in advanced batteries just a few years ago, and the payoff was enormous. Michigan received $1.2 billion of the $2 billion that the Federal Government allocated for advanced battery research and development. This has resulted in a number of companies who will be manufacturing advanced batteries for the new generation electrical automotive engine making Michigan their home-- securing jobs for our future. I believe we can do the same with water technologies bringing even greater benefits to our state.
Following my stops in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, I travelled to Dubai, one of the largest and fastest growing cities in the Middle East. There, even this Wolverine was proud to be the first state official to visit MSU's Dubai campus (and yes, I heard the U-M/OSU score already!). I also visited the American University-Dubai where I addressed the class of Professor Youssef Beydoun. One of Professor Beydoun's students is from Saginaw Valley State University where she is studying for a degree in Political Science, specializing in International Relations. She expressed to me her concern for the future of the Michigan Promise which is assisting her in paying for her education.
Both schools are emerging as great educational institutions in Dubai. Students at MSU's Dubai campus frequently travel back to East Lansing for at least a semester of classes, and receive the same degrees as students here in Michigan - and also pay tuition back to MSU as well. MSU-Dubai is helping all MSU degrees obtain more international exposure and marketability, and I was pleased to be able to visit its campus.
After a long week on the road, I'm thankful to be back home in Clio for Thanksgiving, where I'll enjoy the company of good friends and family. I wish your family a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
This week I've been in Israel, on a trade mission to cultivate water technology economic development in Michigan. As co-chair of the joint Michigan-Israeli working group on water technology, I know there's great opportunity to diversify our economy and create jobs -- while leveraging our most precious natural resource, the Great Lakes.
I want to be clear: I am not proposing to sell Michigan's water. Companies seeking to use our water should locate here in Michigan -- where they can have all the water they need. Instead, through our Green Jobs for Blue Waters initiative, I want to position Michigan as North America's center of excellence for water technology. Right now, water technologies are a $500 billion global market -- but by 2020, that market is expected to grow to nearly $1 trillion. That means great opportunity for Michigan's economy -- and that is why we intend on seizing the opportunity, much as we did to become the Nation's leader in advanced battery technology.
Michigan's unique position in the water technology field proves we are at the forefront of this technology. Michigan's location in the middle of the Great Lakes, which contain about 20 percent of the world's supply of fresh water, has primed the state's successes in agriculture, tourism and the auto industry. We need to continue to protect water resources and use it wisely for economic development purposes that include retention of current businesses and the attraction of new ones.
Michigan innovators like Billy Durant, Ransom E. Olds, Henry Ford, and Walter Chrysler built the auto industry that put the world on wheels. Innovators like Walter P. Reuther helped the auto industry build the modern American middle class and a standard of living second to none. At the start of the Second World War, it was General Motors' president William Knudsen who stepped aside to serve his country, turning the factories of the Big Three into the Arsenal of Democracy that helped us win the war.
We know Michiganders know how to build, and we know how to innovate. It's time to do both.
Yesterday, I visited GM's Romulus Engine plant to talk to workers, plant managers, and local union leadership about the future of our auto industry. There, I saw the faces of our auto industry the national media often overlooks: the hard working men and women who have built Michigan. The Romulus plant has a reputation for quality and environmental stewardship. Last year, it was ranked in the top ten most productive engine plants in North America by the Harbour Report. Romulus workers also were honored in 2003 and 2006 as exemplary "Michigan Clean Corporate Citizens". The workers I met were proud of the job they do, and with the high quality products they turn out -- they should be!
I told Labor Secretary Solis and Dr. Ed Montgomery, White House Director of Recovery for auto communities and workers, that only protecting and increasing employment -- American employment -- will help move us out of the recession we're currently in. Fortunately, GM has a new, innovative labor agreement with the UAW to build subcompact cars here in the U.S., at an existing plant. GM has also announced it will not make cars in China available for sale in the United States. These are the right steps to take in reinventing an great American icon like General Motors, and the only way we'll turn our economy around.
For decades, innovators have called Michigan home. In times of hardship, Michiganders pull together. We innovate. We build. We look to a better, brighter future. I'm confident that despite Monday's wrenching news, we have brighter days to look forward to.
(What did YOU do on Earth Day? - promoted by LiberalLucy)
Even though 70% of the Earth is covered in water, only 3% is fit for human consumption -- and two-thirds of that is frozen! Here in Michigan, we're fortunate to have access to the Great Lakes, containing 22% of the world's fresh surface water. That means we have a special obligation to protect our waterways -- but also a special opportunity to be the global center of transformative economic possibilities based around water.
Yesterday, for Earth Day, I announced the "Green Jobs for Blue Waters Initiative" to target opportunities for economic growth and environmental protection centered around our most precious resource: water. By developing new technologies to conserve water here in Michigan, we can export those technologies around the globe to places where water is far more scarce: helping Michigan's economy and global environmental protection. Michigan can, and will be the place where the water technologies of the future are developed, thanks to our access to the Great Lakes, university research, water management experience, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and our strong history of environmental stewardship. We can create the same sort of dynamic based around a Blue Water Economy that we've started to build in alternative energy here, with component manufacturers and researchers flocking to set up shop here in Michigan, diversifying our economy, creating jobs, and helping our environment.
I look forward to working with Congress and President Obama to help protect and restore Michigan's most precious natural resource - not only for the environmental benefits, but also because we can leverage the Great Lakes to advance Michigan's economic recovery! Yesterday, I presented Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council of Environmental Quality with the MI-Great Lakes plan that was developed with public input from meetings I attended all over Michigan - along with comments on blogs like this one. I will keep you updated as we move forward on implementing the plan.
Since today is Great Lakes Day, please leave a comment below or email me about your favorite Great Lakes memory. To live in Michigan is to love the Great Lakes, and I'm sure nearly every reader has a great story to share. I look forward to reading your responses!
Last Monday, I had the pleasure of attending the Progressive Women's Alliance's event for Lynn Sweet at GVSU's Pew Campus in Grand Rapids. Lynn has covered President Obama since his days in the Illinois State Senate, and had fascinating insights on our new President -- how great is it to finally be able to say "President Obama"?! As much as I enjoyed meeting Lynn, I was equally pleased to meet the members and friends of the Progressive Women's Alliance. In case you're not familiar with their work, the PWA has had an absolutely stellar electoral track record in standing up for the issues that Michigan women -- and men -- care about. From protecting women's right to choice and privacy, to ensuring workers receive equal pay for equal work, the Progressive Women's Alliance has built coalitions, won elections, and made a difference here in Michigan. The PWA has my full and continued support in the effective and enlightened work that they do.
I was honored to have the opportunity to speak at the PWA's event. Watch my remarks above, and visit the PWA's website to learn more about this outstanding organization!
((From my remarks "The Blue Economy - Great Lakes Protection and Michigan's Economic Transformation" delivered at the Federal Reserve Bank's symposium on Fresh Water and the Great Lakes Economic Future, 11/10/08)
I come to this discussion today, obviously, as the Lieutenant Governor of THE Great Lakes state and as the immediate past chair of the Great Lakes Commission.
But just as importantly, underlying all that, is the personal connection I feel to Michigan’s water and woods. As an upland hunter and person who enjoys spending time on the water, I understand the attraction that our amazing natural resources have to people all across the Midwest. I recognize the tremendous impact that Michigan’s water has on the course of their lives and our local economies.
So it is important today, as we focus on big ideas and broad concepts, that we also remain mindful of the profound impact our work and discussions can have on a family, a town, or one tiny stretch of pristine beach somewhere on our shoreline.
(Headed into the home stretch. - promoted by Eric B.)
I hope you read my blog post today at mi.barackobama.com. With only four days left until the most important election of the last eighty years, I'm doing everything I can do to help create the change we need by electing Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
Please join me in working hard these last four days to elect Barack Obama president, and read my blog post to learn about all the reasons why Senator Obama will be a partner for Michigan in the White House. Eight years of Bush policies are enough
(Another report from the Lt. Governor on the last leg of his tour. Thanks, LG! - promoted by LiberalLucy)
We started out Saturday at the Grand Traverse County Democratic Governor's Breakfast in Traverse City. This is an annual event to kick off Saturday's National Cherry Festival activities. Paul Bare chaired the event this year and Diana Ketola, the County Party Chair, MC'd the breakfast. There was a great turnout this year, which may say something about Democratic energy in 2008. Local Democrats are focused, ready to go, and have fielded some great candidates. Andy Concannon is the Congressional candidate and local Democrats have a great State Rep candidate-Roman Grucz. Like Dan Scripps and the Rep seat to the west, Roman ran a close race last year and this year he is contesting for an open seat.
Senator Carl Levin was the morning's keynote speaker. He pumped the crowd up, and talked about the dramatic moment in the United States Senate last week when Senator Ted Kennedy returned to the Senate floor to cast the deciding vote to bring an end to the filibuster on the Medicaid appropriation. Democrats have struggled the past two years to muster the 60 votes to break filibusters on critical issues that advance the Democratic Agenda. For the most part, they have regularly fallen short, but not this time. With Ted Kennedy present, they broke the filibuster and went on to pass the Medicaid appropriation with a comfortable majority. This all shows you how legislators often hide behind procedural votes; but when you can't hide any longer and the light of day shines strong, justice can prevail.
Amway Guy's new woman from Oakland County, Ruth Johnson, like Dick DeVos, apparently also has no plan for Michigan other than talking down the Michigan economy.
Johnson, who once worked as an elementary teacher, said education is a high priority for DeVos, who believes “every child deserves a good education.†She was unable to comment, though, on how to ease schools’ funding woes.
In Escanaba, Johnson visited local Republican headquarters and the U.P. State Fair — taking in exhibits and sampling Norm’s French Fries (which she raved about).
Republican, of Holly; born January 8, 1955; lifelong resident of northern Oakland
County; associate degree, Oakland Community College; bachelor’s degree, Oakland
University; master’s degree, Wayne State University; married to Don Nanney; one
daughter; former small business owner; served 10 years as an Oakland County
commissioner, 6 years as vice chair; member, Republican National Party, Michigan
Association of Republican County Officials, Michigan Republican Party; member,
Lake Louise and Tipsico Lake Improvement boards; Aging and Social Services chair,
and Mental Health committee member, Michigan Association of Counties; member,
Clarkston Chamber of Commerce, Highland Business Association, American Business
Women’s Association; charter member, Holly Area Optimists; elected to the House
of Representatives, 1998, reelected 2000; chair, House GOP Policy Committee; Assistant
Majority Caucus Whip.
Instant analysis: Okay, so maybe me picking Butler was just wishful thinking on my part. I couldn't wait to start writing posts about the Amway billionaire and the million dollar preacher. Damn.
So what does Amway Guy get from Ruth Johnson? I suppose gender and geography balance. But really it's not like anyone is going to pay any attention. In the Gannett-era apocalypse state media environment, it's hard enough to find out anything about the candidates for governor, let alone LG. But hey! - at least we have a new disembodied head to talk about!
Lt. Governor John D. Cherry, Jr. was elected chairman of the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) during the organization’s annual meeting in Seattle, Washington, on Wednesday.
“I am honored to be chosen by my colleagues to serve as chairman of the National Lieutenant Governors Association,†said Cherry. “Not only does the organization provide lieutenant governors with an opportunity to learn from one another, but we also promote critical policy and public service projects that benefit citizens across the country.â€
In addition to his duties as lieutenant governor, Cherry was also asked by Governor Jennifer M. Granholm to chair the Lieutenant Governor’s Commission on Higher Education and Economic Growth. After a year of study and discussion, the commission made a series of recommendations that have served as a critical component of Granholm’s comprehensive economic plan that is transforming the state’s economy.
...
The NLGA provides members the opportunity for networking, meeting, fostering interstate cooperation, and promoting the effectiveness of the Office of Lieutenant Governor.
