2026 House Resolution 337

Whereas, It was with great sorrow that the members of the House of Representatives learned about the passing of Fred Durhal Jr. He will be remembered as a dedicated public servant by his constituents in Detroit and the people of the state of Michigan; and

Whereas, Fred was born in Rochester, New York in 1951, making him the eldest of twelve children. Fred and his family moved to Detroit in 1952, and it was in the Motor City where he built his life. He was a product of the Detroit Public Schools system, graduating from Northwestern High School. Fred also obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science from Wayne State University, and he studied public administration at Phoenix University; and

Whereas, Fred first came to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2002 when he won a special election to represent the Ninth District. He made his way back to Lansing in 2009, where he would remain until 2014, representing the Fifth and Sixth Districts. During Fred’s final term in the House, he was known by his colleagues as the “dean” due to his seniority. During his time in the Legislature, Fred stepped into a number of leadership roles. He served as the chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government, as the vice chair of the House Appropriations subcommittees on Corrections; Disadvantaged Business in Transportation; and Fiscal Oversight, Audit, and Litigation. Fred also served as the first vice chair of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus, later rising to chair, served as the secretary of the Detroit Caucus, and was the first Black political director of the Michigan Democratic Party; and

Whereas, Outside of his legislative service, Fred held a number of roles throughout his illustrious life, all with the commitment to serving his community and improving the lives of others. He served as a staff assistant to Detroit Mayor Coleman Young, Congresswoman Barbara Rose Collins, State Senator Jackie Vaughn, and Wayne County Commissioner Bernard Parker. Fred was also a community resource specialist for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, a communications analyst for the Michigan House of Representatives Democratic staff, an audit clerk for the Detroit Housing Commission, and executive director of the Virginia Park Citizens District Council. He also served as administrator of the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, deputy managing director of the Michigan Land Bank Fast Track Authority, and deputy director of the Detroit Charter Revision Commission; and

Whereas, Fred was someone who cared deeply for all people. Though he held many titles, Fred never lost his sense of purpose and commitment to others, particularly to those in the Detroit community. Believing in the power of government to change lives, Fred tirelessly championed his fellow Detroit residents, including working to protect retirees during the city’s bankruptcy. He approached every role with compassion, humility, and an unwavering sense of duty. By those who knew him, he is remembered as a giant of Michigan politics, and someone who embodied the ideals of integrity, leadership, and devotion to working to better the lives of others. He leaves behind a model of service that will inspire future generations of leaders; and

Whereas, It is no surprise to anyone who knew Fred that he was so committed to helping others, as the importance of service was something that Fred learned early on in life. His father was a railroad worker and union representative, and his mother was a Detroit block club leader and a Parent Teacher Association president. He continued the family legacy by instilling these values of service onto his children. In fact, his son, Fred Durhal III, succeeded his father in the House of Representatives before going on to serve on the Detroit City Council. Fred Durhal Jr. leaves behind his values of compassion and service to his six children, Fred, Justin, Brian, Briana, Bianca, and Charles; and

Whereas, Upon Fred Durhal Jr.’s passing, we offer our condolences to his loved ones. His contributions to this chamber and the state of Michigan will be remembered; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we offer this expression of our highest tribute to honor the memory of Fred Durhal Jr., a member of the House of Representatives in 2002 and from 2009 to 2014; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Durhal family as evidence of our lasting esteem for his memory.