Honoring Senator Robert Griffin

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, last week Michigan lost a true statesman: former Senator and State Supreme Court Justice, Robert P. Griffin.

Senator Griffin represented Michigan in the U.S. Senate for more than 20 years, where he set an extraordinary example of honesty and integrity, and held himself and those around him to the highest level of ethical standards.

As his son Judge Richard Griffin said, he always strove to do the right thing--whether no one was watching or the nation was watching--that was simply the kind of person he was.

That quality made Senator Griffin an effective and respected leader, and I was honored to have the opportunity to learn from him firsthand.

Senator Griffin was my first boss, and he taught me the importance of integrity in the political process, of keeping your word and working with members on both sides of the aisle.

He inspired me and countless others, and he spent his life trying to instill in young people the value and importance of serving.

Senator Griffin was a champion for Michigan. He loved our state. And we can all pay tribute to his legacy by striving to serve our state as well as he did.

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