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 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