May 12, 2005
LANSING – Lt. Governor John D. Cherry, Jr. today was elected vice-chair of the Great Lakes Commission. Cherry is the highest ranking Michigan official to ever serve as vice-chair of the commission and gives the state a strong voice on Great Lakes protection issues.
“The Great Lakes are critical to both the environmental and economic health of our state and nation, so it is crucial that Michigan take a leadership role in protecting them,” said Cherry. “More than any other state, Michigan’s identity, economy, and quality of life are directly related to the health and management of the Great Lakes. By my serving in this capacity, Michigan will have an opportunity to influence the regional leadership provided by the commission.”
The Great Lakes Commission is a bi-national public agency dedicated to the use, management, and protection of the water, land and other natural resources of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence system. Its members include the eight Great Lakes states, with associate member status for the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Québec.
“Lt. Governor Cherry was asked to serve on the Great Lakes Commission because of his long-time advocacy for protecting our greatest resource,” said Governor Jennifer M. Granholm. “The citizens of Michigan and the commission will be well-served by him in this new position of leadership.”
The vice-chair of the Great Lakes Commission has been vacant for several months. Cherry will serve out the remainder of the current term and then serve a full one-year term beginning in October. The vice-chair has traditionally been in line to become the next chair. Michigan has not chaired the commission since 1988.
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