LANSING – State Representative Fred Durhal, Jr. (D-Detroit) was among 37 lawmakers chosen from 11 Midwestern states and three Canadian provinces to attend the Council of State Governments' annual legislative leadership conference held earlier this month.
"It is an honor to have been selected to represent Michigan at this leadership training program," Durhal said. "It was great to work with my Midwest colleagues to address the important issues facing our residents and economy today. We were able to learn from one another and take that knowledge and experience back to our respective Legislatures. I believe that I gained valuable skills and insight from attending the program that will allow me to better advocate for the residents of Detroit and all of Michigan."
Since 1995, more than 475 lawmakers have attended the Council of State Governments' Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development conference (BILLD). In addition to attending courses designed to develop leadership skills, lawmakers analyze a variety of public policy issues, including health care, energy and the regional economy.
State legislators from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin were chosen to attend the conference through a competitive, nonpartisan selection process. Members of the Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan legislative assemblies in Canada were selected by their peers.
The 15th annual leadership development conference was held July 10 through 14 in Madison, Wis.