Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, legislators, veterans officials and advocates gathered at the state Capitol on May 14 to watch Gov. Rick Snyder sign legislation that will provide honorably discharged veterans with the option of having a special designation on their driver's license that reflects their service to our country.
"I hope every store clerk, every bank teller and every wait staff who notices the veteran designation will take a moment to just thank that veteran," said Johnson, who worked closely with lawmakers and bill sponsors Rep. Nancy Jenkins, R-Clayton, and Sen. Darwin Booher, R-Evart. "This will be easy, clear-cut proof of their service that they can use to more easily access the services they've earned and deserve."
Watch video excerpts from the event
Read the press release
Friends and colleagues of former Michigan Secretary of State Richard H. Austin joined current Secretary of State Ruth Johnson in remembering the man known as “Mr. Traffic Safety” on May 6. Austin’s legacy included the Motor Voter law, license plate tabs and mail renewal. He was also remembered for being thoughtful, patient and kind. In the weeks ahead of the event, former and current department employees also shared their fond memories of meeting and working with Austin.
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Pictured (l to r) in the front row are Bill Kennedy, Dennis Neuner, Secretary Johnson, Frank Kelley, Chris Thomas and Richard McClellan; and in the back row are Jim Wresinski, Janet Robinson, Anne Corgan, Phyllis Mellon, Gary Gordon, Joe Pawlowski, Liz Boyd, Ed Dore, Sandra Clark, Rose Jarois, John Stone and Linda Lee Tarver.
Theodore Nikodem, 68, of Grand Rapids was randomly selected as the winner out of more than 600 entries in the Win a Pure Michigan Plate & Swag Contest held in April to promote the state's new license plates. He will be presented with a Pure Michigan license plate plaque and gift basket.
Nikodem is retired from Kent County, where he worked with computer systems, and also from the military, with a total of 26 years of service, active and reserve. “I came to Michigan for a job 40 years ago,” Nikodem said. “I changed jobs but always wanted to stay in Michigan!”
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