LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR

The MLA Legislator of the Year is awarded to elected officials in recognition of outstanding leadership in promoting libraries and supporting legislation or amendments that advance our legislative goals. The award recognizes lawmakers for their action on legislation impacting libraries and for their work supporting libraries and the communities they serve.

State Senator Paul Wojno Honored as the MLA 2019 Legislator of the Year

State Senator Paul Wojno (D-Warren) has been named the Michigan Library Association (MLA) 2019 Legislator of the Year. Wojno received his award at the MLA Awards Luncheon during MLA 2019 Annual Conference on October 17 in Novi, MI.

Senator Paul Wojno has served Macomb County in the Michigan Senate since 2018. Wojno also proudly served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1997 to 2002 and is being recognized as Legislator of the Year for his stalwart support of libraries throughout Michigan.

“Senator Wojno championed new legislation that provides liability protection for libraries when providing the life-saving opioid antidote naloxone to an overdosing patron,” said MLA Executive Director Deborah E. Mikula. “His support and leadership were essential to the success of the Narcan bill package, signed into law this past June by Governor Whitmer.”

While he states that he didn’t do this alone, MLA is recognizing him as the driving force in the Michigan Legislature to accomplish a two-year endeavor that began back in 2017 to move this package of bills and get them signed into law. “When Senator Wojno was elected, this package of bills was something he felt strongly and passionately about and got behind immediately. So many people were involved, but Senator Wojno was our driving force,” stated MLA President, Kristin Shelley, Director of the East Lansing Public Library.

List of Past MLA Legislator of the Year Honorees

MLA Legislator of the Year Past winners 2014-present.pdf

 


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