Michigan Legislators Honor First Repsonders

The Michigan House last week hosted a special ceremony honoring first responders and Michigan natives lost in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. State Rep. Mark Ouimet, R-Scio Township, invited Saline Police Chief Paul Bunten to the event.

"The commemoration on the House floor highlighted the importance of holding the day, Sept. 11, sacred in our hearts and minds," said Ouimet, R-Scio Township. "I was truly honored to have Chief Bunten on the floor with me as we honored all of our first responders. We must always thank our police, fire and military personnel for keeping us safe every day."

Following the presentation of the colors by a Michigan State Police Honor Guard, World Trade Center survivor Patrick Anderson gave the keynote address at the rostrum.

Representatives of districts that lost residents in the attacks read the names of those victims.  There were three Washtenaw County residents who died on Sept. 11.  Ouimet read the name Alicia Titus, a Dexter native who was a flight attendant on United Airlines Flight 175.

Ouimet, who was chancellor at Northwood University on Sept. 11, 2001, was at home preparing to leave for a morning flight to Dallas when he first heard word on television that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center.  He soon received a phone call from Northwood saying that his flight had been cancelled, and then drove back to the school to help keep students and staff informed of the day's developments.

(This press release was submitted by Rep. Mark Ouimet's office.)