1.1A Senate resolution
1.2honoring the memory of Jerry Markie and his lifetime of special commitment to
1.3public education in Minnesota.
1.4WHEREAS, after retiring from a career in the furniture industry, Jerry Markie took an
1.5interest in local school board meetings as a way to give back to his Maplewood community and
1.6the school district whose schools his own children had attended; and
1.7WHEREAS, Markie's experiences convinced him that school district issues, finances, and
1.8projects could be made more accessible and comprehensible to district residents and parents; and
1.9WHEREAS, he committed himself to the task, taking certification courses required by the
1.10Suburban Cable Commission in order to qualify as a guest on cable access programs dedicated
1.11to local interests; and
1.12WHEREAS, Markie eventually grew so well versed in local education discourse, and
1.13proved such a natural for television media, that he came to host the monthly "Jerry Markie
1.14Education Update" on the SCC's Channel 15 and local school district Channel 20; and
1.15WHEREAS, due to its host's earnest, objective, and sensible approach to issues that affect
1.16all students, parents, and taxpayers, the "Jerry Markie Education Update" grew in both popularity
1.17and credibility; and
1.18WHEREAS, Markie's show secured both an annual SCC grant and corporate sponsorship,
1.19and counts a veritable "who's who" of education and government officials on its guest list; and
1.20WHEREAS, in its ninth year of filming, the program expanded to include issues common
1.21to all east metro school districts, including autism, English as a second language, and use of
1.22alcohol, tobacco, and drugs among students; and
2.1NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it
2.2honors the memory of Jerry Markie and his lifetime of contributions to K-12 education discourse
2.3in the east metro, and remembers him for his effort, integrity, and insight in making education
2.4policy and finance more accessible to all Minnesotans.
2.5BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare
2.6an enrolled copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that
2.7of the Chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to the family
2.8of Jerry Markie.

Cal R. LudemanSecretary of the Senate

David H. SenjemChair, Senate Committee onRules and Administration

Charles W. WigerState Senator, District 55