MAY 9, 2006

[Please note: Due to weather conditions, the ceremony will be held at the G. Mennen Williams Building.]

LANSING – Gov. Jennifer Granholm will join other Michigan dignitaries in a ceremony to dedicate the Richard H. Austin State Office Building Thursday, May 11, at 11:30 a.m. The ceremony will be held on the Capitol Plaza at the entrance to the building, which is the former Treasury Building.

Former Michigan Attorney General Frank Kelley will serve as master of ceremonies, and Mr. Austin’s widow, Ida, is expected to offer remarks. Program participants will also include Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land and Michigan State Police Director Col. Tadarial Sturdivant.

Austin was Michigan’s longest-serving Secretary of State, holding office from 1970 to 1994. He was also Michigan’s first African-American certified public accountant and its first African-American Secretary of State. He is often called the father of the "motor voter" law, which pairs the voter and driver registration processes. He promoted seat belt and child safety restraint laws, a mandatory motorcycle helmet statute, and measures to address driver education and traffic safety issues. He was a strong advocate for the Michigan Historical Museum and historical resources and was a driving force in efforts to build the Michigan Library and Historical Center.

Mr. Austin died April 20, 2001. He is survived by his widow, Ida, and daughter, Hazel.