ADOPTED - DECEMBER 10, 2002

Agenda Item No. 42



Introduced by the Law & Courts Committee of the:



INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS



RESOLUTION HONORING JUDGE PETER D. HOUK



RESOLUTION #02-314



WHEREAS, Peter D. Houk has dedicated his career to serving the people; in 1969 he was appointed Assistant Attorney General, in 1972 appointed Lansing City Attorney, and in 1976 elected as the Ingham County Prosecuting Attorney where he continued to serve until his appointment to the Circuit Court bench in May of 1986 by Governor James Blanchard; and



WHEREAS, in 1994 Judge Houk was elected to the position of Chief Judge for the Ingham County Circuit Court, a position he continues to hold; and



WHEREAS, during his years on the bench, Judge Houk has been instrumental in the building/designing/ completion of the new Veterans Memorial Courthouse and implementation of the integrated County computer system, CourtView 2000, through the IJIG's Committee; and

WHEREAS, Judge Houk also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Cooley Law School teaching Criminal Practice, President, Thomas M. Cooley Inns of Court Chapter, as well as a member of the Rules of Criminal Procedure Committee, appointed by the Michigan Supreme Court, member of the Michigan Judges Association, Ingham County Bar Association and the Torch Club, where he previously served as President; and



WHEREAS, Judge Houk was elected as a Fellow of the State Bar of Michigan in 1985, he has been named by Lawyer's Weekly as one of Michigan's Most Respected Judges on two occasions; he is a past moderator of the Church Council for Edgewood United Church, has served as an Instructor, Michigan Judicial Institute, the Mid-Michigan Law Enforcement Academy, and has been a frequent speaker at professional seminars for both prosecution and defense attorneys; and



WHEREAS, Judge Houk was appointed by Governor Blanchard in 1983 to serve on the Michigan Drunk Driving Task Force; he served as Vice Chairperson of the Ingham County Children's Trust Fund, as a member of the Governor's Conference on Traffic Safety, as an Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University, and served on the Court of Appeals as a Visiting Judge.



WHEREAS, Judge Peter D. Houk is retiring from his position with the Thirtieth Judicial Circuit Court.



THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners hereby honor Judge Peter D. Houk for his years of service with Ingham County and for his dedication and commitment to the citizens of Ingham County.



BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board wishes him continued success in all of his future endeavors.

LAW & COURTS: The Law & Courts Committee will meet on 12/5/02