Senator Tom Barrett

Sen. Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte, introduces U.S. Army and Iraq War veteran Brian Daniels during the Michigan Senate's 25th Annual Memorial Day Service. Daniels was the keynote speaker for the ceremony, which honored the sacrifices of all the state's fallen soldiers. Daniels was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for the wounds he received in combat in the Iraq War. After learning to walk again, he became a personal trainer and now runs a boxing and fitness studio in Lansing.

Sen. Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte, welcomed Gold Star Mother Cheryl Dreasky to the state Capitol on Thursday as his guest for the Michigan Senate's 25th Annual Memorial Day Service, which honored the state's fallen soldiers. Her son, Sgt. Duane Dreasky, served with Barrett and was severely wounded in 2005 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle in Iraq. He suffered burns on over 75% of his body and died from his injuries in 2006. Last year, Barrett passed Public Act 547 to dedicate a portion of M-5 in the city of Novi as the "Staff Sergeant Duane J. Dreasky Memorial Highway."

Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte, listens to Xavier DeGroat of Delta Township testify on Wednesday in support of Barrett's legislation to help bridge the communications gap between law enforcement and people on the autism spectrum. DeGroat is the founder of the Xavier DeGroat Autism Foundation and was diagnosed with autism at age 4. Senate Bill 278 would allow a vehicle owner - or their family member - who is on the autism spectrum, is deaf or has hearing loss to choose to put a "Communication Impediment" designation on a vehicle registration. This voluntary designation would be visible to law enforcement when reviewing the vehicle's registration through the Law Enforcement Information Network - signaling to the officer that the owner or a family member has autism or a hearing issue. This would also be available on a driver's license for a driver with autism or a hearing issue.

Sen. Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte, welcomed Xavier DeGroat of Delta Township to testify before the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Wednesday in support of Barrett's legislation to help bridge the communications gap between law enforcement and people on the autism spectrum. DeGroat is the founder of the Xavier DeGroat Autism Foundation and was diagnosed with autism at age 4.

Sen. Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte, welcomed the Rev. Dennis Howard to the state Capitol on Thursday. Howard is the pastor at Most Holy Trinity Church in Fowler and delivered the invocation before Senate session.

Sen. Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte, welcomed the Rev. Dennis Howard to the state Capitol on Thursday. Howard is the pastor at Most Holy Trinity Church in Fowler and delivered the invocation before Senate session.

Sen. Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte, on Friday talked with Shiawassee County homeowners affected by a tornado that touched down Thursday evening. Barrett joined Rep. Ben Frederick, R-Owosso, to see the impact of the storm, which damaged over 60 homes with 12 properties being reported as total losses.

Sen. Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte, celebrated National Reading Month by reading to second-grade students at Wacousta Elementary School in Grand Ledge on March 1. In an effort to promote the importance of reading, Barrett will continue reading to students at local elementary schools throughout the month.

Sen. Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte, welcomed Chris Stewart of Grand Ledge to the Michigan Capitol on Tuesday night as his guest for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's 2019 State of the State address. Stewart is CEO of CW Leadership and a former strength coach at Olivet College and Michigan State University. He currently serves as chair of the Eaton County Republican Party.

Sen. Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte, welcomed the Rev. Chris Beard and his son Noah to the state Capitol on Wednesday. Beard is the pastor at First Baptist Church in Williamston and delivered the invocation before Senate session.

Sen. Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte, welcomed the Rev. Chris Beard to the state Capitol on Wednesday. Beard is the pastor at First Baptist Church in Williamston and delivered the invocation before Senate session. Beard's son Noah and Sen. Aric Nesbitt, R-Lawton, joined Barrett and Beard for the invocation.

Sen. Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte, was sworn in as senator for the 24th District on Wednesday during a ceremony at the state Capitol. Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Stephen J. Markman administered the oath of office. Barrett was joined on the Senate floor by his wife Ashley and their children Patrick, Eleanora and Gwendolyn. Barrett's father Patrick, mother Mary Anne, father-in-law Patrick Allen, mother-in-law Jeanene Allen, and family friend Louanne Planchon were also in attendance for the ceremony.