house resolution no.331

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

A resolution of tribute to offered as a memorial for Sharon Gire, former member of the House of Representatives.

Whereas, The House of Representatives was greatly saddened to learn of the passing of Sharon Gire. She will be remembered as a strong advocate for her constituents in Macomb County and the entire state of Michigan; and

Whereas, Sharon Gire was born in Columbus, Ohio in 1944. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Education from The Ohio State University and a master’s degree in Social Work from Wayne State University, she began her lengthy career in public service. In 1977, Ms. Gire was elected as a member of the Mount Clemens City Commission, where she later served as Mayor Pro-Tem. Ms. Gire would also serve as a member of the Macomb County Board of Commissioners before being elected in 1986 to the Michigan House of Representatives where she served 6 terms representing the 72nd and 31st Districts; and

Whereas, Throughout her time in the Legislature, Representative Gire served with distinction as the Chair of the committees on the Constitution and Women’s Issues; Social Services and Youth; Human Services and Children; and Education. She was also entrusted with leadership roles on the committees on the Constitution, Interstate and Federal Relations; Economic Development and Energy; Civil Rights; Constitution and Women’s Issues; Consumers; and Human Services, in addition to serving as a member of the committees on Judiciary; Public Health and Health Policy; Senior Citizens and Retirement; Housing and Urban Affairs; and Consumer Protection; also serving as the Associate Speaker Pro Tempore. During her tenure, Representative Gire was responsible for the development of policies in education, child and family welfare, and health care; and

Whereas, After leaving the legislature, Sharon Gire won statewide election as a member of the State Board of Education where she later served as Vice-President. In 2003, she was appointed by Governor Granholm as the Director of the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging, where she played a pivotal role in helping to protect and care for Michigan’s seniors until 2010. She also continued to be an active member of many civic organizations and received numerous awards in recognition of her achievements from organizations such as the Michigan Association for Local Public Health, The Council on Maternal and Child Health, and the Detroit Chapter of the National Organization of Women; and

Whereas, Sharon Gire leaves behind a legacy as an effective advocate for her constituents and the members of her community, which is evidenced by her many accomplishments. Her dedication to public service serves as shining example for all those who follow in her footsteps. Ms. Gire was married to her husband, Dana, for fifty-six years and they were brought back together again in the afterlife, as Dana would also pass away merely days after Sharon’s untimely death. We offer condolences to her family and friends. Sharon Gire’s contributions to this chamber and our state will long be remembered; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we offer this expression of our highest tribute to honor the memory of Sharon Gire, former member of the Michigan House of Representatives from 1987 to 1998; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Gire family as evidence of our lasting esteem for her memory.