metro Speaking Up Student inspires legislation excusing absences for religious holidays. Julie Mack Mlive Media Group/ Kalamazoo Gazette Kalamazoo Courtesy Kate Seg a l M adeline Richman, a junior at Kalamazoo Central High School, was reluctant to miss school last fall to mark the Jewish High Holidays because it would undermine her record of perfect school attendance. She mentioned her dilemma to Kate Segal, a Battle Creek lawmaker in the state House and, like Richman, a member of Temple B'nai Israel in Kalamazoo. Segal mulled Richman's situation and recently introduced House Bill 4454 to address the issue. The bill would ensure students could still qualify for perfect attendance awards if they miss school to observe a religious holiday. At Segal's request, Richman testified in Lansing May 1 before the House Education Committee, which then unanimously approved the bill and sent it onto the full House. 11 041 1SiV Madeline Richman, a junior at Kalamazoo Central High School, testifies to the state House Education Committee about a bill that would give students an excused absence for missing school for a religious holiday. At right is state Rep. Kate Segal, D-Battle Creek, who sponsored the bill. Richman told the committee that the school calendar is structured to allow students time off around Christmas and Easter, the major Christian holidays. But Jews, Muslims and other religious minori- ties don't have that luxury. "It was pretty nerve-wracking" to tes- tify, Richman said. "But it was also pretty cool. I felt so happy afterwards when they passed it unanimously." Richman is taking an Advanced Placement government course this year with teacher Rex Hafer, a class that is giv- ing her insight into the political process, she said. But this was a chance to see the system up close and personal. "I didn't know that a five-minute con- versation would turn into something so special:' she said about her exchange last fall with Segal. Richman said an Associated Press story about the bill and her testimony showed up on news websites from Florida to Seattle. "That's pretty cool;' she said. The bill is unlikely to pass in time to benefit Richman before she graduates Kalamazoo Central, said Carrie Richman, Madeline's mother. "But she told me that she's doing it for her younger sister and all the kids" who could benefit from time off for religious holidays, Carrie Richman said. "I'm really proud of her." ❑ Patterson Compares House Speaker To Nazi Leader Hitler 0 akland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson compared fellow Republican and House Speaker Jase Bolger to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler on May 3 in a public television interview, the Detroit News reported. Referencing Bolger's abrupt decisions last week to pull eight Democrats off com- mittees for missing a meeting and then put them back on, Patterson said "Adolf Bolger" has "really L. Brooks become very arrogant Patterson and he's throwing his weight around up there, and I think he's embarrassing himself. "If he thinks he's going to be a candi- date for governor, he better learn how to control his temper and he better learn better how to work with the consensus within his own party. I think sometimes Adolph steps a little bit to the fringe and he's embarrassing himself," Patterson said Friday in Lansing during a taping of WKAR TV's Off The Record. During his comments, Patterson even held a black comb under his nose to mimic Hitler's famous mustache. On WJR-AM 760 in Detroit on - Monday, Patterson said he was not going to apologize to Bolger. The two Republicans are "at odds over a proposal to reform Michigan's no-fault insurance system that includes a cap on lifetime medical benefits for injured motorists:' MLive reported. During a separate interview on WJR, Bolger said, "I've always seen name call- ing as something born out of desperation when somebody feels they're losing an argument or doesn't have an argument. I believe there's much to talk about within auto no-fault reform, but name calling is not something that should be done on any level, especially when you bring the If you are not wearing it... sell it!... or BORROW on it! Service Private Owners, Banks & Estat A 'WS '''• 33700 Woodward Ave. • Between 14 Mile & Lincoln • Birmingham, MI 9 • 2013 Jewish Community Center, West Bloomfield (New Location!) 6600 W. 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