The Speaker, on behalf of the entire membership of the House of Representatives, offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 433.  

            A resolution of tribute offered as a memorial for James E. Hadden, former member of the House of Representatives.

            Whereas, James (Jim) Edward Hadden, former member of the Michigan House of Representatives, passed away peacefully at age 85 on November 13, 2014, surrounded by his family. He was born on July 31, 1929, to Charles and Myrtle Hadden. Jim and his sister JoAnn grew up in Adrian, Michigan; and

            Whereas, Jim learned the meaning of hard work early in his life as he worked with his father running and managing Hadden Tire Company in Adrian. Following his education at Howe Military Academy and his graduation from Albion College in 1951, Jim married Charlotte Wellman and returned to Adrian to manage the family business; and

            Whereas, His commitment to the family business was interrupted as he was called to serve in the United States Army during the Korean War. After serving in the military, he and Charlotte settled in Adrian and raised four children: Chuck, Jana, Cathy, and Beth; and

            Whereas, In addition to running a small business, Jim had a distinguished public service career before his election to the Legislature. He was past-president of the Adrian Jaycees; on the board of the Lenawee County United Fund; vice-president of the Adrian Chamber of Commerce; and chairman of the Lenawee County Republican Party. He served on the Lenawee County Board of Commissioners from 1972 to 1978 and was elected to the state Legislature in 1978, serving two terms representing parts of Lenawee and Hillsdale counties; and

            Whereas, While in the Michigan Legislature, he was a member of the House Insurance Committee and was the chief sponsor of a successful bipartisan effort to create Michigan’s No-Fault Auto Insurance Law, one of the first in the country. He further distinguished himself with exemplary leadership on insurance issues during his legislative service; and

            Whereas, Following his legislative career, he continued his public policy work heading the Government Affairs Office for the American Automobile Association (AAA) of Michigan. He worked with AAA until his retirement. Following the untimely death of his wife Charlotte in 1985 from cancer, he married Barb Ervin and brought her three children—Tracy, Tammy, and Todd—into his family; and

            Whereas, Jim had a wonderful sense of humor, loved a great laugh, and enjoyed a passion for golf. In retirement, he pursued his love of golf playing almost every day with his wife Barb and his friends here in Michigan and in Florida. He also enjoyed visits and time with his family, especially his eleven grandchildren; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we honor the memory of James E. Hadden, a member of this legislative body from 1979 to 1982, for his leadership and exemplary service to the state of Michigan, the Michigan Legislature, and the people of our great state; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Hadden family as evidence of our lasting esteem for his memory.