Senator Bishop's statement is as follows:
We come back to session with all of us excited and ready to take on new challenges, but at the same time, we come back with a heavy heart as we have for the first time an opportunity to reflect on our relationship and the life of Charlie Thornhill, someone all of us developed a very strong friendship and affinity for.
Charlie was an assistant sergeant at arms for thirteen years. He brought a warm smile and a really, I think, kind word to every person he encountered. We, to this day, still mourn his loss. We heard a little bit in the memorial resolution about his days as a Michigan State football star. It was always a pleasure for me to have a chance to come in on those Tuesday mornings after a Michigan State football game and reflect on the game. To see the intensity in the eyes of the man we all knew to be a very intense football player, but he always brought that same intensity to the floor and to the work that he did. He was just an incredible source of energy. I don't think a day went by that Charlie was on the floor that any of us felt insecure about our safety. He was the one guy we could always look to--all due respect to Mike here--that we knew would protect us under any circumstances.
I'll never forget the day that I was standing to collect on a debt from my friend from Macomb County regarding the Michigan/Michigan State football game, which gets really boring over the years because it happens all the time, but that particular day, I stood up and donned a Michigan football helmet just to drive a point home. It was funny at the time, until I looked over and saw Charlie. It occurred to me that it was dumb enough for me to stand up and say what I said, but I actually put a Michigan football helmet on, and the look in Charlie's eyes was enough to get me to sit down really quick. I'll never do that again, believe me.
Charlie used that same motivation to do what he did every day of his life. He motivated us. He motivated young people. He loved to talk about it. He loved to talk about how he'd do things with kids, and he would try and inspire them the same way he inspired so many other people. He really had a dedication and purpose to his life. He was and continues to be a hero to so many people, and he will be sorely missed.
In his honor, I'm happy to announce today, however, that the Senate has developed an exciting new plan that will honor Charlie and help others to follow in his successful footsteps. Now Charlie's memory will help create what we are going to call another field of dreams. In cooperation with the school he loved so much, his friends, family, and colleagues, we're starting a scholarship that will create opportunities for the next generation. The Charlie Thornhill Memorial Page Scholarship will be given each year and its recipients will receive $1,000. To be eligible, the student must attend Michigan State University and serve as a page in the Michigan Legislature. This is an appropriate and outstanding way to honor a very good man. Two of the institutions that Charlie loved the most--Michigan State University and this chamber--are combining forces to help others to preserve the memory of a legendary man.
In so many ways, Charlie was an ambassador for Michigan State University and was really an ambassador for this chamber as well. He knew firsthand how the school was instrumental in helping individuals to reach their full potential. Now, thanks to Charlie and his generous friends, we have yet another way for students to become leaders for tomorrow. We're very excited about this plan and we're very excited to carry on the memory of Charlie.
On behalf of the Michigan Senate and all those who called Charlie a friend, and believe me there are so many, we extend our deepest sympathy to the Thornhill family. I might add that William "Nay" Thornhill, Charlie's brother, is in the Gallery on the east side. Nay, thank you for being here today and we'd like if you would extend our deepest sympathies to the family. Please know of our love for Charlie and our appreciation for the joy that he brought genuinely to all of our lives.