What goes through my mind working in Lansing
Having a Trooper as a dad left a big mark on me growing up. I have many memories of him suiting up for work with all his gear and thinking that he was really making a difference in the lives of the people he interacted with. I remember being so proud that he was my dad. Some of my favorite days were when he came to our elementary school for career day. I always felt like I had to pretend not to be so excited that he was there. When he would let my classmates sit in the patrol car, I acted like I had done it a million times, which I had. But I did not want to let on that it never got old for me. I loved the fact that he was MY dad.
Now that I am older, I still feel that same pride in what he accomplished during his career as a Trooper. I can’t speak to this with 100 percent accuracy, but I would be willing to bet that his sense of community service was, in part, spurred on by things that he saw and heard his own family members accomplish when he was growing up. Enter William B. Fitzgerald Sr.
My great-grandfather William B. Fitzgerald Sr. was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 1965. He represented the 4th district and served until his sudden death in 1970. Enter my great-uncle, William B. Fitzgerald Jr. and my grandfather Timothy E. Fitzgerald.
Uncle Bill was elected to take his father’s seat in the House after his death. Four years later he was elected to the Michigan Senate where he was elected by his caucus to be majority leader. He was and remains the youngest majority leader in state history. During his political career, he advanced legislation creating new standards of disclosure of outside income by public officials. He also helped create the state’s first “rainy day fund”. He was selected as the Democratic nominee for Governor in 1978. He lost to William Milliken by 13 points.
My grandpa took a more private route. After graduating from high school, he went to work for the Wayne County Road Commission where he rose through the ranks to become manager of the Maintenance & Power Department for what is now the Detroit Metropolitan Airport Authority. He joined the Michigan Army National Guard and protected the citizens and businesses of Detroit during the Detroit Riot in 1967.
So, what does any of this have to do with anything? I think about all these men and the quiet (sometimes loud) dedication they brought to their jobs. Whether they were wearing a Trooper’s badge, debating in the legislature, or keeping the wheels turning at the airport, they approached their work with respect and dedication. When I drive in to Lansing or walk by the Capitol, I carry a lot of these memories with me. I try to approach the work we do here with the same pride.