1992
Citation:
Since 1991 when he was elected Chief Justice of the Michigan State Supreme Court, Michael Cavanagh has held the highest judicial office in the state. After following his family tradition in earning undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Detroit, he showed his commitment to the community by first working as an attorney with the Court of Appeals and then as Lansing City Attorney. He later served as the state’s youngest judge elected to the Court of Appeals and as an elected member of the Michigan Supreme Court. His diverse legal background in both private and public sectors provides him with a broad of view our legal system and enables him to interpret the law for today’s society with skill and compassion. For that and his active involvement with the American Heart Association and numerous legal and judicial organizations, he has rightfully earned the community’s respect and its admiration.
Award was presented at the President's Cabinet Silver Anniversary Celebration, 1992.