Thaddeus G. McCotter

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to acknowledge the Ladywood Blazers, Michigan High Athletic Association Division II Softball Champions, from my hometown of Livonia upon winning their first state title.

Led by Head Coach Scott Combs, the Blazers won the Central Division of the Catholic High School League and went on to defeat Farmington Hills Mercy to earn the CHSL A-B Division championship.

Ladywood came out swinging in their opening round of district play, overpowering Livonia Clarenceville, 17-0. The Blazers eliminated Dearborn Divine Child, 4-0, in the District 58 final and advanced to regional competition. First round opponent Detroit Kettering forfeited but the down time did not affect the Blazers as they erased Center Line, 13-0 and claimed the Region 15 title. Advancing to quarterfinal action, Ladywood defeated St. Clair, 4-2 and then tamed the Wildcats of Wayland Union by an identical 4-2 score in the semi-final round to earn a berth in the state final.

The Blazers had been in the state final in 2009, losing a heartbreaker to Niles. It was a long ride home from Battle Creek as runners-up. This time Ladywood wouldn't be denied as they shutout Saginaw Swan Valley, 4-0 and hoisted the Division II State Championship Softball trophy on June 16, 2012 to close out a stellar 39-3 season.

Mr. Speaker, the Ladywood Blazers and Head Coach Scott Combs, having compiled an impressive 170-31 record over the last 5 years, deserve to be recognized for their determination, achievement, and spirit. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Ladywood Blazers for obtaining this spectacular title and honoring their devotion to our community and country.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor and acknowledge the distinguished career of Donna McEachern, Councilwoman representing the City of Wayne, Michigan as she retires after 25 years of dedicated service.

After moving to Wayne in 1962, Donna graduated from the University of Michigan in 1964. Her devotion to her community was quickly apparent as she became secretary of Wayne Cooperative Nursery from 1966 1967. During her storied career in public service, Donna has dutifully served the citizens of the Wayne area as Public Relations Liaison for the Huron Valley Girl Scouts, Wayne Jaycee Auxiliary President, City of Wayne representative to the Detroit-Wayne County Mental Health Board, President for the West Suburban Area Council of Chambers. She was also the director of the Wayne Chamber of Commerce for 28 years.

Donna McEachern has been involved in her community in an incredible number of ways. She shared her time as a Metric Program worker in the Wayne-Westland School District, worked with the Roosevelt Scouts, and spent six years as a Religious Education Teacher at St. Mary's of Wayne. Donna lent her considerable skills to Soroptimist International Wayne-Westland, Wayne Business and Professional Women, Wayne Rotary and the Western Wayne County YWCA and many other worthy organizations.

Donna has been acknowledged as Wayne Outstanding Jaycette, District 30 Speakup Winner, Wayne Business and Professional Woman of the Year, Wayne-Westland WYCA Woman of Achievement and was named by the Wayne County Commission as a ``Woman of Distinction''. Her dedicated support of cultural arts is a living legacy in the Donna M. McEachem Youth Theater Scholarship established in 2004.

Mr. Speaker, during her distinguished career, Councilwoman McEachern has bettered the lives of countless Michiganders. As she embarks upon the next chapter of her life with Barry, her beloved husband of 51 years, her adored children Donna and Barry II, and her treasured grandchildren Colleen, Ian and Meredith, I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding her legendary leadership, and in thanking her for her unfaltering service to our community and our country.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the extraordinary life of Arthur Shufflebarger and to mourn him upon his passing at the age of 60.

Born on May 3, 1952, Arthur graduated in 1970 from Atchison High School in Atchison, Kansas. He attended Benedictine College from 1970 until 1972 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Kansas State University in 1974. In 1977, Arthur received a Masters of Environmental Health Science from the University of Kansas where he earned a Masters in Public Administration in 1983.

After serving as City Manager in Osawatomie, Kansas, Arthur became Village Manager of Milford, Michigan in 1990 where he served until his sudden passing. Mr. Shufflebarger was an active director in the Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Michigan Municipal League, a Rotarian and shared his time and talent with many other professional and civic groups.

A member of Milford United Methodist Church, Arthur was known as a calm, gentle and caring man. He possessed an amiable sense of humor. His dedication to Milford will forever be remembered. Arthur loved his community and his community loved him

Regrettably, on June 11, 2012, Arthur Shufflebarger passed from this earthly world to his eternal reward. He is survived by his beloved wife, Kelsey and his daughters Kayla Marie and Ieasha Nicole. An honorable man, Arthur will be sorely missed. Mr. Speaker, Arthur will be long remembered as a compassionate father, a dedicated husband, a leader, and a friend. Arthur was a man who deeply treasured his family, friends, community and his country. Today, as we bid Arthur farewell, I ask my colleagues to join me in mourning his passing and honoring his unwavering patriotism and legendary service to our country and our community.