Reps. Koetje, Kooiman, Steil, Hart, Voorhees, Van Regenmorter, Bradstreet, Byrum, Caul, DeRossett, Dillon, Ehardt, Farhat, Garfield, Hager, Huizenga, Lipsey, Meyer, Middaugh, Milosch, Murphy, Newell, Nofs, Palmer, Palsrok, Pappageorge, Pastor, Richardville, Rocca, Sak, Sheen, Shulman, Spade, Stakoe, Stewart, Tabor, Taub, Vagnozzi, Vander Veen and Zelenko offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 369.

            A resolution offered as a memorial for Jay Van Andel.

 

Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.

-- Matthew 25:23

 

Whereas, That it is with deep sadness that we learned of the passing of Jay Van Andel, a dedicated husband and father, co-founder of Alticor Corporation (Amway Corporation), and committed public servant who enriched and touched many lives. With genuine respect for his legacy of successful accomplishments, we join with the state of Michigan and our entire nation in extending our condolences to his family and many friends. He will be sincerely missed and long remembered; and

Whereas, Honesty and generosity were established traits of Jay Van Andel. His inspirational life is a tribute to the values and ideas that he held dear to his heart; faith, family, and the free market. Jay has lived the American dream. Born in 1924, amidst the Great Depression, Jay was a budding entrepreneur by 1939 when he charged students at Grand Rapids Christian High School 25 cents a ride to and from school in his Model-A Ford. Rich DeVos, a student passenger and classmate of Jay, became his close lifetime friend and business partner. Jay was a great philanthropist, contributing to projects throughout the country. However, he always remembered his city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, spearheading the revival of that city with the development of the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. Many of his philanthropic contributions to the city of Grand Rapids bear his name including the Van Andel Arena, the Van Andel Museum, and the Van Andel Institute, a world-class, nationally recognized research facility; and

Whereas, Jay Van Andel’s wisdom and insight were sought nationally. He served as confidant and unofficial advisor to United States presidents. He was chairman of the U. S. Chamber of Commerce in 1984 and served as U.S. Chairman of the Netherlands. His leadership and contributions to our country have earned him the great love and respect of friends and colleagues all over the world; and

Whereas, The life of Jay Van Andel is a powerful study of hard work, dedication, and a commitment to his Christian values and his deep faith in God; and

Whereas, Jay married his wife Betty in 1952. Our hearts go out to their four children: Steve, Dave, Nan and Barb, as well as their grandchildren. As parents, they were an inspiration of love and faithfulness to their family and the many that came in contact with them. We are grateful for Jay’s lifetime of service and contribution to his city, his country, and his God; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body of express their condolence and praise as a memorial for Jay Van Andel.  May his family find comfort in faith and their memories of this wonderful man and his distinguished life.