William Van Regenmorter Collection, 1957-2012 | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

By Ed Gerritsen, 2009; Richard Harms, 2011; Ed Gerritsen, 2012

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Collection Overview

Title: William Van Regenmorter Collection, 1957-2012

ID: COLL/502

Primary Creator: Van Regenmorter, William

Extent: 7.05 Cubic Feet. More info below.

Arrangement: Folder level description

Abstract

Michigan state lawmaker from Hudsonville, Ottawa County; and author of the Michigan crime victims' rights amendment, which became a national model. The collection includes bills, resolutions, public acts summaries, photographs, correspondence, research materials, memorabilia, news releases, video tapes, audio cassettes, compact discs, awards, and interviews. The materials detail the following subjects: abortion, assisted suicide, clergy-child abuse, concealed weapons, crime victims' rights, firearms, drinking, drugs, DNA database, drunken boat driving, pre-natal protection, road rage, same sex marriage, terrorism, home invasion, death penalty, environment, gambling/casino issues, health care, prison, sex offender registry, and other miscellaneous issues.

Biographical Note

William Van Regenmorter (1939, Jamestown, MI-2012, Jenison, MI) was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, and 2002; and to the Michigan State Senate, 1990, 1994, and 1998; served as Assistant Senate Majority Floor Leader, 1995-1998; and Senate Majority Whip, 1999-2002. He served as a Republican and lives in Georgetown Township, Ottawa County.

He authored a number of bills that became law, particularly those to protect abused children, assist persons with disabilities, reduce crime, reduce taxes, reduce domestic violence, require truth in sentencing. He was the author of the Crime Victim's Rights Act that became a model for similar legislation outside of Michigan, and later became an amendment to the State Constiution. He is the recipient of numerous awards, named Michigan "Legislator of the Year" eleven times, and recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from the Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University.

Prior to his political career in Lansing, Van Regenmorter worked as an analyst for Dun and Bradstreet, and Ottawa County Commissioner. He is married to Cheryl DeVries; they have four children.

Administrative Information

Repository: Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

Alternate Extent Statement: 12 Boxes

Acquisition Source: William Van Regenmorter

Other Note: Acc. No. 09.34, 11.52, 12.58

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: William VanRegenmorter's Bills passed during Session, 1991-1992],
[Series 2: William VanRegenmorter's Bills passed during Session, 1993-1994],
[Series 3: William VanRegenmorter's Bills passed during Session, 1995-1996],
[Series 4: William VanRegenmorter's Bills passed during Session, 1999-2000],
[Series 5: Legal Material],
[Series 6: Correspondence],
[Series 7: News Articles and Releases],
[Series 8: Newsclippings],
[Series 9: Campaign Material, Memorabilia, Etc.],
[Series 10: Audiovisual Materials, Banners],
[Series 11: Awards and Memorabilia],
[Series 12: Biographical],
[Series 13: News releases and clippings],
[Series 14: Photographs],
[All]

Series 1: William VanRegenmorter's Bills passed during Session --- 1991-1992

Box 1

Folder 1: (SB 46 - SB 328)
Folder 2: (SB 558 - SB 992)
Folder 3: (SB 341 - SB 1185)

Series 2: William VanRegenmorter's Bills passed during Session --- 1993-1994

Box 1

Folder 4: (SB 40 - SB 43)
Folder 5: (SB 135 - SB 469)
Folder 6: (SB 470 - SB 1022)

Series 3: William VanRegenmorter's Bills passed during Session --- 1995-1996

Box 1

Folder 7: (SB 85 - SB 564)
Folder 8: (SB 605 - SB 1052)
Folder 9: (SB 1079 - SB 4990)

Series 4: William VanRegenmorter's Bills passed during Session --- 1999-2000

Box 2

Folder 1: (SB 315 - SB 556)
Folder 2: (SB 605 - SB 1045)
Folder 3: (SB 1162 - SB 1180)

Series 5: Legal Material

Box 2

Folder 4: Senate Resolutions Session --- 1999-2000
Folder 5: William VanRegenmorter's Bills passed during Session (SB 71 - SB 1069) --- 2001-2002
Folder 6: Senate Resolutions Session --- 2001-2002
Folder 7: Copy of Senate Bill 200 (Assisted Suicide) Autographed by Governor John Engler --- 1998
Folder 8: Material re: Opposition to Assisted Suicide Bill --- 1998
Folder 9: Copy of House Bill 4140 (The Cyber Court) Autographed by Governor John Engler --- 2001
Folder 10: Material re: Road Salt Use Legislation --- 2001-2002
Folder 11: Research Material and Drafts of Victim's Rights Amendment --- 2002
Folder 12: Summary of 1991-2002 Public Acts, Senate Judiciary Committee --- 1991-2002
Folder 13: Summary of 1983-2004 Public Acts --- 1983-2004
Folder 14: Copy of Crime Victims Rights Act --- 1988

Series 6: Correspondence

Box 3

Folder 1-3: Correspondence --- 1984-1986
Folder 4: Correspondence --- 2004
Folder 5: Congratulation Letters Election --- 1998
Folder 6: Correspondence re Campaign Congratulations --- 2002

Series 7: News Articles and Releases

Box 3

Folder 7-11: News Releases --- 2001-2006
Folder 12: Abortion Issues --- 1992-1999
Folder 13: Letters on Assisted Suicide Issue --- 1997-1998

Box 4

Folder 1: Clergy Child Abuse --- 2002
Folder 2: Concealed Weapons Legislation --- 2001-2002
Folder 3: Crime Victims Rights --- 1992-2002
Folder 4: DNA Database --- 2001-2002
Folder 5: Drug Laws --- 2001-2002
Folder 6: Firearms and Drinking --- 2000-2001
Folder 7: Drunken Driving, Boating --- 1993-2000
Folder 8: Pre-Natal Protection Act --- 1995-1996
Folder 9: Road Rage --- 1999
Folder 10: Same Sex Marriage --- 1996-1998
Folder 11: Terrorism --- 2001-2002

Series 8: Newsclippings

Box 4

Folder 12: Court Issues --- 1993-2002
Folder 13: Home Invasion Issues --- 1991-1993
Folder 14: Miscellaneous Crime Issues --- 1998-2002
Folder 15: Juvenile Crime Issues --- 1995-1999
Folder 16: Death Penalty Issues --- 1993-2002
Folder 17: Election Issues --- 1992-2002
Folder 18: Environmental Issues --- 1992-1998
Folder 19: Gambling/Casinos Issues --- 2000-2001
Folder 20: Health Care Issues --- 1992-2001

Box 5

Folder 1: Local Issues --- 1992-2000
Folder 2: Miscellaneous Legislation --- 1993-2002
Folder 3: Dr. Mudd Case --- 1993-1997
Folder 4: Prisoner Law Suits Issues --- 1993-1999
Folder 5: Prisons Issues --- 1992-2000
Folder 6: and other Material re: Proposal B (Limiting Criminal Appeals) --- 1994
Folder 7: on School Issues --- 1993-1999
Folder 8: Sex Offender Registry Issues --- 1996-2002
Folder 9: Truth in Sentencing Issues --- 1992-1999
Folder 10: Term Limit Issues --- 1999-2002
Folder 11: Possible Justice Department Appointment --- 2001
Folder 12: Capital Report from The Zeeland Record --- 1992-2002
Folder 13-15: 1984-1986 (no specific subject)
Folder 16-18: 1999-2003 (no specific subject)
Folder 19: Undated news clippings

Series 9: Campaign Material, Memorabilia, Etc.

Box 5

Folder 20: Campaign Material --- 1983-2004
Folder 21: General Election Campaign Material --- 1998-2002
Folder 22: Letters of Endorsement --- 2002
Folder 23: Photographs of May 1984 Fundraiser --- May 1984

Box 6

Folder 1-6: Memorabilia --- 1980s-2009
Folder 7-11: Awards and Interviews --- 1991-2002
Folder 12: Interview by Anne Seymour on Crime Victim Assistance --- 2007

Box 7

Folder 1: Michigan Bar Journal Issue --- 2005
Folder 2: Issue of Michigan Lobbyist, Magazine --- 2006
Folder 3: Copy of Duquesne Law Review, on "Right to Die" --- 1996
Folder 4: Thomas M. Cooley Law Review, Symposium on Order vs. Liberty --- 2004
Folder 5: Issue of Calvin Spark featuring eight alumni Michigan Legislators --- 1999
Folder 6: Mandatory Basic Training Curriculum, Victim Rights --- 2003
Folder 7: Crime Victim's Rights Art in Perspective Law Review --- 1989
Folder 8: Copies of Michigan State Constitution of 1963 --- 1963
Folder 9: Issues of Michigan Police Chiefs Magazine Honoring William VanRegenmorter --- 2002, 2006
Folder 10: Public Acts Summary Reports --- 1985
Folder 11: Material re: Renovation of Governor's Residence --- 2004
Folder 12: Material re: PET Scan Legislation --- 2001
Folder 13: Letters of Congratulation re: Recipient of Hal Sawyer Justice Award --- 2007
Folder 14: Oaths of Office for Terms as State Representative --- 2003 and 2005
Folder 15: Copy of Michigames, Test Your Michigan Knowledge. --- 1993
Folder 16: Miscellaneous Photographs --- 1957, 1984-1986

Series 10: Audiovisual Materials, Banners

Box 8

Item 1: 28 Video Tapes of MI Issues and Impact Shows (13 ¾ and 15 ½ inch tapes)

½ inch tapes include:

Michigan Senate Session 10/2001

People and Policy Show Program #9

One and One Show with Senator Mike Rogers

Legislative Law

Under the Dome with Senator Dale Hugars

Geraldo Show: The Nate Abraham Trial

Tribute to Diet Eman

Adult Education Opening Doors

Merit in the System

Crime Victims Rights Vigil

Dateline Show – The Klooster Story

Item 2: CDs

State Capitol Candle Light Vigil

National Crime Victims Rights Week

Vigil and Golf Outing 2004

Box 9

Item 1: Video Tapes

8th Annual Michigan Crime Victims Rights Vigil

9th Annual Michigan Crime Victims Rights Vigil

Michigan Senate Session, October 2001

People and Policy Program

How a Bill Becomes Law

Police Pursuit: The Other Deadly Force

Interview with Susan Geha, July 1997

Senate Swearing in Ceremony

Senator VanRegenmorter on ABC news, Juvenile Justice

Pro and Cons, January 2000

Conversations on Judicial Issues

American Justice, When a Child Kills

Bill VanRegenmorter

Coburn, June 1998

Crime Victims Foundation 9th Annual Program

MCTA 2001 Holiday Spot

Dr. Mudd, CNN News

Crime Victims Candlelight Ceremony, 1990

“Your Turn” Detroit, Michigan, Court, TV

Item 2: Audio Cassettes

Prenatal Protection

Senator VanRegenmorter, Father of Crime Victims Rights

F.L.R. Forum with Midland County Judge Donna Morris

State Budget Process

Senator VanRegenmorter, Legislator of the Year, 1996

Senator VanRegenmorter, 5 News Reports

Senator VanRegenmorter on the Phil Arthur Hultz Show

Trail Court Assessment Committee

Item 3: Campaign Related Banners

Series 11: Awards and Memorabilia

Box 10

Folder 4: Copy of the House Resolution 242 (Commemorating Crime Victims Rights Week) --- 2006
Folder 5: Copy of the Seal of Michigan Autographed by Senate Members --- 1999-2002
Folder 6: Resolutions of Tribute from Ottawa County Commissioners and House of Representatives --- 1982-1990
Folder 10: Award Presented by Michigan Association of Counties --- 1996
Folder 11: Copy of Senate Resolution 35 (Crime Victims Rights Week) --- 2001
Folder 12: Personalized license plates --- 1976-2005
Folder 13: Awards (metal) --- 1982-2007, undated

Series 12: Biographical

Box 11

Folder 1: Biographical file --- 2002-2011

Folder 2: Summary of act sponsored --- 1983-2004

Folder 3: Publications

Item 1: Crime Victims' Right-A Legislative Perspective --- 1989
Item 2: Order vs. Liberty --- 2004

Folder 4-8: Correspondence --- 1988-2011

Folder 9: Michigan Police Chiefs (Jul/Aug 2006), WVR honored --- 2006

Folder 10: Memorabilia (dinners, public events, etc.) --- 1991-1992

Folder 11: News clippings re: death of WVR --- 2012

Series 13: News releases and clippings

Box 12

Folder 1-3: News releases --- 2004-2006
Folder 4-22: News clippings --- 1988-2002

Series 14: Photographs

Box 5

Folder 23: Photographs of May 1984 Fundraiser (individuals identified in photo index) --- May 1984

Box 7

Folder 16: Miscellaneous personal photographs --- 1957, 1984-1986

Box 10

Folder 1: Members of the House of Representatives/1984-1989/1990 --- 1983
Folder 2: Members of the House of Representatives/2004-2005/2006 --- 2003
Folder 3: Member of the Senate/1994-1999/2002 --- 1991
Folder 7: Copy of House Bill 5043 and Photograph of Governor James Blanchard signing --- 1984
Folder 8: Photograph of Michigan House of Representatives Chamber
Folder 9: Copy of House Bill 4009 and Photograph of Governor James Blanchard signing --- 1985
Folder 14: Groups, speeches, presentations, portrait --- 1997-2003, undated