Rep. Calley Welcomes Local Pastor to Lead House Invocation and Introduces Resolution to Name Februar

State Rep. Julie Calley welcomed Pastor Gary Coleman from First Baptist Church in Portland to the state Capitol to give Thursday’s invocation for the Michigan House of Representatives. House tradition calls for a representative or a clergy member to begin each day’s session with a prayer. Speaker Lee Chatfield joined them at the rostrum.

Rep. Calley also introduced a resolution on Thursday to name February as American Heart Month and Feb. 1 as Go Red for Women Day in the state of Michigan. The resolution was adopted by the House of Representatives.

“The sobering truth is that cardiovascular diseases are the number one killer of women in the United States,” Calley, of Portland explained. “The uplifting reality is about 80 percent of the cases may be prevented. “

Go Red for Women is the American Heart Association’s national movement to end heart disease and stroke. Many cardiac events may be prevented through education and lifestyle changes.

“It’s about all women making a commitment to stand together and take charge of their own heart health, as well as the health of those they cannot bear to live without,” added Calley.

In addition to the resolution, Calley participated in an event hosted by the American Heart Association in the Capitol with Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Senator Ruth Johnson and American Heart Association advocate and stroke survivor Donulae Knuckles-Copeland.