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| From Left: Clayton Klein, Marya Parcheta Lipiec, Andy Parcheta |
Michigan celebrates 175 years today. I've lived in this beautiful state all my life. I grew up in the Middle of the Mitten in Gratiot County...and I've grown to love Southeastern Michigan in the years after college. But all the rest of this wonderful Great Lakes State, I love to explore with my family...and there are miles to go
I gained a huge appreciation for this amazing state during the years I wrote about Clayton Klein, Michigan's own Walking Man, soon to be 93 years old, who continues to walk daily. For five Septembers, 2005 to 2009, he walked the entire length of our state (425 miles) on behalf of Hospice of Michigan. My favorite portion is always the Bridge Walk on Labor Day weekend -- Upper and Lower.
Yes,"if you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you." Our state motto is a great affirmation of this magificent place on the planet. Walking the highways and byways, exploring the natural wonders found here, will keep you strong and young at heart. I guarantee it!
And today, here is what our Senator Debbie Stabenow writes about this time for Michigan in 2012:
Today, we celebrate the 175th birthday of the Great State of Michigan! On January 26, 1837, President Andrew Jackson signed the law giving Michigan statehood. And what an incredible 175 years it has been!
As I was watching the State of the Union on Tuesday, I couldn’t get over how many times President Obama mentioned Michigan. At one point, Vice President Biden pointed at me and smiled – the President just couldn’t stop talking about all the good things we’re doing!
Our auto companies are making a remarkable comeback. We’re investing in the future with clean energy manufacturing, advanced battery technology, and new opportunities like bio-based manufacturing. In fact, Michigan now leads the country in new clean energy patents, and last month, we were first in the nation for economic growth.
As Chair of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, I traveled all across Michigan earlier this month to talk about the success of our agriculture sector. One in four jobs already comes from agriculture, and we expect to keep growing those jobs in the next few years.
We’re not out of the woods by any means, but the momentum is certainly with us. So today, as Michigan turns 175 years old, let’s celebrate some of the things that make the Great Lakes State so great!
