The Senate
Appropriations Committee renamed the Senate Appropriations room to honor former
Senator Harry Gast, who passed away in July. Mr. Gast has served nearly 32
years in Lansing, serving in both the House and Senate.
Committee members
were joined by House Appropriations Chair Al Pscholka (R-Stevensville),
Representative Dave Pagel (R-Berrien Springs), and Mr. Gast’s daughter Barbara
Curtis to share memories of the former Senator following session.
Representative Pscholka commented, “If we had a Mount Rushmore for public
servants, Harry Gast would be on that mountain.”
Senator John Proos
(R-St. Joseph) shared some stories of Mr. Gast, and read a statement on behalf
of Barbara Curtis and the rest of the family. Ms. Curtis afterwards made a
short comment regarding her father’s service, saying that he always believed
there were right things to do, and bringing people together from both sides
could accomplish these.
Two signs will adorn
the new name, one outside of the room and one inside.