Dignitaries from the department, Habitat for Humanity, the legislature, the Saginaw Correctional Facility and news media gathered at SRF earlier this week to send the state's Tree of Hope on its new journey as part of 150 homes to be built throughout Michigan.

The Tree of Hope was a 74-foot tall white pine donated by Michigan to be the U.S. Capitol Holiday Tree. It stood in front of the capitol in Washington, D.C., throughout the 2001 holiday season.

Earlier this spring it was returned to Michigan and milled into 130 two-by-four studs. Each of the next 130 houses built for Habitat for Humanity of Michigan will contain one of those studs in the wall panels built by Michigan prisoners. New homeowners will also be presented with a plaque reminding them of the special piece of American history imbedded in their walls.

Director William S. Overton

Ken Benson, president of the Habitat for Humanity of Michigan

Michael Green, head of the Michigan Prison Build Program

Speaking at the ceremony were Rep. Jim Howell of St. Charles who represents the district in which Saginaw Correctional Facility is located. He talked about the acceptance the prison has won in the community. Director William S. Overton spoke of the progress made in the Prison Build Program and praised Warden Barbara Bock for her support. The program began in the Saginaw prison. Michael Green, head of the Prison Build Program, talked about the future of the Tree of Hope. He introduced Tim Hunnicutt who is in charge of the program at Saginaw and Maurice Armstrong who is working on

the mentoring and transition program for prisoners which is part of the Prison Build Program. Ken Benson, president of the Habitat for Humanity of Michigan, called the partnership with the Prison Build Program an excellent one and talked about the advantages home ownership brings to needy families including fewer health problems, education advancement and employment.

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Director Overton and Warden Bock confer before the ceremony.