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 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