Pol Light Moment #134 happened in June 2009, when John Conyers provided airline tickets for a family in Detroit to attend their slain relatives funeral in Washington DC. John Conyers is a member of the US House of Representatives from Detroit who has represented Michigan's 13th District (1st District until 1993) since 1965.
Stephen Johns was shot and killed on June 10, 2009, when he was working as a security guard at the United States Holocaust Museum in Washington DC (Source: Wikipedia). John Conyers reached out to his Michigan family about their needs and he provided nine airplane tickets for Detroit based members of Stephen Johns' family to fly to Washington DC for the funeral on June 19, 2009.
Special thanks to the Positive Detroit blog for preserving the essential information in June 18, 2009 about this inspiring moment from a Detroit politician.
Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.
The photo of John Conyers is in the Public Domain.
Pol Light #118 happened on March 5, 2015, when Brian Calley took the Legislative Polar Plunge at the State of Michigan Capital. Brian Calley has served as the Lt. Governor of Michigan since 2011. He was elected in 2014 to a second term expiring in 2018.
The Legislative Polar Plunge is one of 29 Polar Plunges in 2015 sponsored by the Law Enforcement Torch Run event that raises funds for the Special Olympics of Michigan. 2015 was the fourth year that Brian Calley participated in this fundraiser. It is a charity near to his heart since his daughter Reagan has autism. In 2015 the Legislative Polar Plunge raised almost $15,000.
The Special Olympics of Michigan reports that, "By participating in a Polar Plunge around the state you are helping to raise funds for over 21,000 athletes who participate in Special Olympics Michigan. Special Olympics Michigan is a year round program offering sports for those with intellectual disabilities. Although sports are the 'vehicle', the ultimate goal of Special Olympics is to help persons with intellectual disabilities participate and receive respect as members of their communities (First Giving, Legislative Polar Plunge, 2015)."
Here is a video of Brian Calley and Michigan legislators taking the Polar Plunge in 2015.
Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.
Photo: The photo of Brian Calley is in the Public Domain.
Pol Light Moment #116 happened on July 18, 2013, when Rick Snyder authorized the City of Detroit to enter Chapter 9 Bankruptcy. Rick Snyder is presently the Governor of the State of Michigan, serving from 2011 to the present.
Kevyn Orr became the emergency manager for Detroit early in 2013. Detroit had over $18 Billion in accured obligations. Because of the financial debt basic services for residents were suffering. In this situation, Rick Snyder authorized the City of Detroit to enter Chapter 9 municipality bankruptcy that would make them the largest city in the United States to go through bankruptcy. You can read Rick Snyder's Letter Authorizing the Commencement of Chapter 9 Bankruptcy for Detroit.
The following is a video of Rick Snyder announcing the decision to allow Detroit to go into bankruptcy.
On December 10, 2014, Detroit emerged from bankruptcy. During the process of the bankruptcy proceedings Detroit reduced $7 billion of its debt and reinvested $1.4 billion in city services over the next decade (USA Today, December 10, 2014).
Rick Snyder has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all Rick Snyder posts search with Rick Snyder label at Pol Light.
Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.
Pol Light Moment #109 happened on November 12, 2006, when Gerald Ford became the longest living U.S. President. Gerald Ford was the 38th President of the United States serving from 1974 to 1977. He served as Vice-President of the United States from 1973-1974 and prior to that represented the 5th District of Michigan in the United States House of Representatives from 1949-1973.
Gerald Ford has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all Gerald Ford posts search with the Gerald Ford label at Pol Light.
Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.
Photo: The photo of Gerald Ford is in the Public Domain.
Pol Light Moment #103 happened during the Summer of 2008, when Jennifer Granholm rode her bicycle to work several days a week. One specific day she rode her bicycle to work was Wednesday, July 3, 2008. Jennifer Granholm was the Governor of the State of Michigan from 2003-2011.
Jennifer Granholm rode her bicycle to her work at Michigan's capital in Lansing, Michigan several times a week during the Summer of 2008 as part of an effort to demonstrate to citizens how they could save money and help the environment. The residence of the Governor, where Jennifer Granholm lived at the time, is about 3 miles from the Capital. In addition to riding a bicycle, Jennifer Granholm also rode the public bus system known in Lansing, Michigan as CATA to demonstrate how to save money and help the environment.
Here are some online articles about Jennifer Granholm riding her bicycle to work.
Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.
Photo: The photo of Jennifer Granholm is believed to be in the Public Domain according to the Quote Collection.
Pol Light Moment #92 happened on April 3, 1975, when Gerald Ford initiated Operation Babylift to rescue orphans in South Vietnam. Gerald Ford was the 38th President of the United States serving from 1974 to 1977. He served as Vice-President of the United States from 1973-1974 and prior to that represented the 5th District of Michigan in the United States House of Representatives from 1949-1973.
Operation Babylift was Gerald Ford's initiative to rescue orphans who were in danger in the war-torn South Vietnam. On April 3, 1975, Ford set aside $2 million dollars to provide for military flights to bring orphans in Vietnam to the United States. Approximately 2,700 orphans were brought to the United States where homes were waiting for them with families pre-approved to adopt them (About.com, Operation Babylift).
Carrie Craft writes, "Operation Babylift is a very interesting part of adoption history and there is much on the Internet, including grateful letters from adoptees to President Ford thanking him for the chance to live (About.com, Operation Babylift)." The Vietnam Babylift website tells some of those stories and gives more personal information about the initiative.
Gerald Ford has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all Gerald Ford posts search with the Gerald Ford label at Pol Light.
Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.
Photo: The photo of Gerald Ford is in the Public Domain.
Pol Light Moment #76 is when Rick Snyder walked across the Mackinac Bridge with a robot at Michigan's annual Labor Day Walk on September 1, 2014. Rick Snyder is presently the Governor of the State of Michigan, serving from 2011 to the present.
The annual 5 mile walk across the Mackinac Bridge which connects the lower and upper peninsulas of Michigan is a tradition that has taken place every year since 1959. The walk is usually led by the Governor of Michigan, but in 1992 President George H.W. Bush led the procession.
On September 1, 2014, Rick Snyder chose to walk across the Mackinac Bridge with a robot known as "The Pi Guy", who was created by high school students from the FIRST robotics team at Macomb International Academy in Armada, Michigan. Students who built the robot also accompanied Rick Snyder on the walk.
More Information: Here are some articles about Rick Snyder walking across the Mackinac Bridge with a robot on September 1, 2014.
Rick Snyder has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all Rick Snyder posts search with Rick Snyder label at Pol Light.
Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.
Photo: The photo of Rick Snyder is in the Public Domain.
Pol Light Moment #66 is when Gerald Ford pardoned Richard Nixon on September 8, 1974. Gerald Ford was the 38th President of the United States serving from 1974 to 1977. He served as Vice-President of the United States from 1973-1974 and prior to that represented the 5th District of Michigan in the United States House of Representatives from 1949-1973.
Richard Nixon resigned as President of the United States on August 9, 1974, and his Vice-President Gerald Ford became President. After a month in office, Gerald Ford pardoned Richard Nixon for any crimes he may have done as President. Over the years Presidential Pardons have been opportunities to show mercy in unusual circumstances and the pardon of Richard Nixon was probably one of the most high profile pardons in history.
Gerald Ford addresssed the nation when he made his decision to pardon Richard Nixon. Here is a historical video of Ford giving the pardon to Nixon.
Ford said he issued the pardon primarily for what he felt in his heart was in the best interests of the country and to show mercy to Richard Nixon and his family. Gerald Ford said in his pardon speech, "But it is not the ultimate fate of Richard Nixon that most concerns me, though surely it deeply troubles every decent and every compassionate person. My concern is the immediate future of this great country (Watergate.info)."
Many historians believe that the pardon Ford gave Nixon cost him the 1976 election to Jimmy Carter. Gerald Ford knew that possibility when he issued the pardon, because his speech mentions that he felt he could not rely upon public opinion polls to tell him what was right. Knowing the consequences to his political career, he still did what he thought was in the best interest of the country.
One of the most courageous political lines is when Ford said in his pardon speech, "I do believe that the buck stops here, that I cannot rely upon public opinion polls to tell me what is right. I do believe that right makes might and that if I am wrong, 10 angels swearing I was right would make no difference (Watergate.info)."
You can read the full text of Gerald Ford's pardon of Richard Nixon at Watergate.info.
Gerald Ford has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all Gerald Ford posts search with the Gerald Ford label at Pol Light.
Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.
A Pol Light Encore for Breast Cancer Awareness Month!
Original Post: February 17, 2012
Pol Light Moment #3 occurred in September, 1974, when Betty Ford shared about her diagnosis of breast cancer. Betty Ford (1918-2011) was the First Lady of the United States while her husband Gerald Ford served as the 38th President of the United States from August 9, 1974-January 20, 1977.
On September 28, 1974 (just a few weeks after becoming First Lady), Betty Ford had a mastectomy for breast cancer. She decided to go public with her health condition in order to raise public awareness of breast cancer. It should be noted that in the 1970's it was less common for political leaders to share this type of personal information. This event led the United States to greater public awareness of this cancer and the critical prevention screening.
Betty Ford lived into her 90's and became a 37 year survivor of breast cancer. Jody MacGready said, "By her mere survival, she showed that early detection keeps you alive and to pay attention to your own body (Breast Cancer Survivors Embrace Betty Ford's Legacy of Courage, Hope, MLive)."
Here is a video showing how Betty Ford's disclosure that she had breast cancer had a lasting influence on the medical treatment of the disease and specifically touched the life of Jane Boomstra who was one of the very first patients to use the Betty Ford Breast Cancer Services Center that is part of Spectrum Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We apologize but this video is not available on mobile phones.
For more information on Betty Ford's survival and advocacy over breast cancer see a CNN article called Betty Ford Brought Breast Cancer Out Into the Open, that was written on July 12, 2011, around the time of Betty Ford's death.
Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.
Photo: The photo in this post is in the Wikipedia Commons and is not copyrighted because it is an official photograph of a White House official.
Pol Light Moment #60 is when Jim Blanchard encouraged giving support to Michigan State University in a video published on April 13, 2012. James (Jim) Blanchard served as the Governor of the State of Michigan from 1983-1991. Prior to that he represented the 18th District of Michigan in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1975-1983. Jim Blanchard also served as Ambassador to Canada from 1993-1996.
Jim Blanchard graduated from Michigan State University. This video is Blanchard's effort to help raise money for his alma mater and encourage the older generation to give back to Michigan State University.
Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.
The photo in this post of James Blanchard is in the Public Domain.
