Written by Tanya Terry, with photos by Tanya Terry
Senator Debbie Stabenow, the first female senator elected to the U.S. Senate to represent the State of Michigan, was given the Key to the City on November 25. At the ceremony, the Flint City Wide Choir sang a selection, and Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton and AFSCME Local 1600 President Sam Muma offered words of gratitude and congratulations.
“I think Senator Debbie Stabenow is a wonderful person,” said Delores Roberts, founder of The Flint City Wide Choir.
Roberts and Sis. LaDon G. McNeil, publicity director for the choir, said the Flint City Wide Choir is, like Stabenow, “all about giving back to the community.”
Stabenow, who is 74, announced at the beginning of 2023 that she would not seek reelection and would retire after more than two decades as a Michigan senator and three decades of service. She has held some form of public office since 1974, the year she was first elected to the Ingham County Commission when she was only 24.
“I never called her a politician,” said Mayor Sheldon Neeley of Stabenow. “I always viewed her as a statesman. What a statesman does compared to a politician is a statesman cares more about the next generation than they do the next election.”
Neeley said the Key to the City is the highest award the City of Flint can give.
Stabenow is known for pushing Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to add funding for the Flint water crisis into the federal budget. She is responsible for leading the effort to secure $170 million for Flint and other communities to repair and replace pipes, as well as provide health care to families affected by lead contamination. Additionally, she pushed for funding for ready-to-feed formula when Flint’s tap water exceeded federal lead limits.
She was involved in helping to secure funding for the Rx Kids and Early Head Start programs for food and other resources to help infants and young children, as well as their parents.
Additionally, Stabenow led the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.
Stabenow was running mate to Howard Wolpe after he defeated her in the gubernatorial primary in 1994 – before Wolpe later was defeated by Republican Gov. John Engler.
Afterwards, Stabenow defeated Republican Dick Chrysler and was able to represent a part of Genesee County in the U.S. House of Representatives.
In 2000, Stabenow defeated Republican Spencer Abraham in the U.S. Senate race.
Stabenow told the Courier why it was so important to defeat Abraham and gain her seat on the Senate.
“He was voting against the interest of the people in Michigan,” she said. “He was opposing efforts on healthcare and Social Security and jobs for people.”
In 2016, Stabenow helped secure millions in additional funds for blight removal in Flint and other Michigan cities. Moreover, she helped secure resources for homeowner assistance in Flint, Chevy Commons in Flint, Bishop International Airport and Flint fire departments. Another major accomplishment for Stabenow was expanding farmer’s markets in Flint and other cities.
She established and expanded the Double Up Food Bucks program to helps eligible Flint families purchase more fruits, vegetables and milk, as well as the Summer EBT program to ensure children continue to be able to receive nutritious food when school is out.
Stabenow spoke to the Courier on receiving the Key to the City.
“I appreciate their kindness,” she said modestly.
Neeley also declared Monday, November 25, Senator Debbie Stabenow Day in Flint.
