LANSING – House Democrats today praised the Governor for issuing an Executive Order that will preserve the unique Michigan historical artifacts, rare books and other materials currently housed at the Library of Michigan and the Michigan Historical Center, a move that will safeguard Michigan's historical treasures for generations to come.
"These treasures define who we are as a state and help make Michigan a destination for people across the nation," said State Representative Joan Bauer (D-Lansing). "Though we're facing tough economic times, many of these artifacts were here before us, and will be here long after we are gone. We must safeguard this important part of our history for our residents and future generations."
A group of House Democratic lawmakers – including Bauer, Speaker Pro Tempore Pam Byrnes (D-Lyndon Township) and Representatives Shanelle Jackson (D-Detroit) and Mark Meadows (D-East Lansing) – worked with the Governor to preserve these resources, which had been put at risk under an Executive Order that abolished the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL), and moved most of its functions to other state agencies. The Executive Order gave department directors the authority to break up the collections and even potentially put them up for sale.
"Our state libraries house and preserve the gems that chronicle the history of our great state," Byrnes said. "We can't afford to let our libraries and their resources disappear. It is vital that we protect our legacy and maintain the jobs of the dedicated staff who know the library collections inside and out."
Meadows agreed: "Streamlining state government shouldn't mean selling off our history for a profit," he said. "We have a long and rich tradition here in Michigan that deserves to be protected and maintained, so that our kids and grandkids can see where we've been and where we're going."
HAL administers the Library of Michigan and Michigan Historical Center in Lansing, which maintains resources such as the Michigan Collection, which includes historical materials and books by Michigan authors, the Rare Books Collection, and the nationally renowned Genealogy Collection that attracts visitors from around the Midwest and across the country. Under the new Executive Order, department heads will be required to preserve and maintain these artifacts so they can be enjoyed by Michigan residents for generations to come.
"I've been working with the Governor on this issue for a while, and I'm pleased she's taken this important step," said Jackson, Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on HAL. "I am committed to working with her to preserve these important items that reflect our heritage as residents and as a state. I will continue fighting to go one step further and keep this unique building open and preserve these jobs as well."