.
Collection Overview
Title: Vernon J. Ehlers Collection, 1955-2010
ID: COLL/525
Primary Creator: Vernon James Ehlers (1934-2017)
Extent: 93.0 Boxes
Arrangement: Folder level description
Abstract
Professor of physics at Calvin College; and a politician (Kent County Board Commissioner, State Representative, State Senator, and Federal Congressman). The collection details Ehlers’ political career including committee service and bills sponsored/co-sponsored, plus his earlier academic career. The collection includes biographical data, resolutions, reports, news releases, memorandums, correspondence, notes, speeches, bills, proclamations, acts, concept papers, house statements, articles, remarks, political campaign material, testimonies, debates, awards, papers, interviews, handouts, studies, appointment books/cards/lists/schedules/sheets, news clippings, videos, cassettes, DVDs, posters, photographs, and artifacts.
Biographical Note
Vernon James Ehlers is the youngest of the four children of Rev. John William Christian and Alice Cornelia (née Doorn) Ehlers, born on 6 Feb 1934 in Pipestone, MN. He suffered from severe asthma as a child and as a consequence was unable to attend school. He was home- and self-schooled and received a diploma from Edgerton (MN) Christian School and did his high school work via correspondence. He attended Calvin College, 1952-1955; and the University of California, Berkeley, from which he received an AB in 1956 and a PhD in 1960; his doctoral dissertation was “The Nuclear Spins and Moments of Several Radioactive Gallium Isotopes.”
He taught and conducted scientific research at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, 1956-1966, and joined the Physics Department of Calvin College in 1966, ultimately serving as department chair. He was a member of the Faculty Organization Study Committee (FOSCO), 1968-1977, that developed a new faculty governance system for the college, whose enrollment had grown from 500 in 1945 to 3,200 when Ehlers joined the faculty. He left the college faculty in 1983 to serve in the Michigan Legislature.
Ehlers was elected to the Kent County Board of Commissioners, 1975-1983; the Michigan House of Representatives, 1983-1985; and the Michigan Senate, 1985-1993. In 1993 he won a special election in Michigan’s 5th District (later 3rd), after the death of former fellow faculty member Congress Member Paul B. Henry (Coll. 357) and won a full term in 1994, and subsequent elections, serving until 2011.
Ehlers married Johanna Meulink on 14 Jun 1958; they have four children: Heidi, Brian, Marla, and Todd. The Ehlers were founding members of Faith Fellowship Christian Reformed Church, Walnut Creek, CA, in 1961.
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Series:
[
Series 1: Personal, 1955-2010],
[
Series 2: Student Years, 1955-1960],
[
Series 3: Post Graduate Correspondence, 1960-1967],
[
Series 4: Research, 1962-1968],
[
Series 5: Class Lectures, 1967-1979],
[
Series 6: Student Evaluations, 1979-1982, n.d.],
[
Series 7: Calvin College Faculty, 1963-1983],
[
Series 8: Kent County Board of Commissioners, 1878-1982],
[Series 9: Michigan House of Representatives and Senate, 1982-1993],
[
Series 10: United States Congress, 1993-2012],
[
Series 11: United States Congress, 1993-2012],
[
Series 12: Election campaigns],
[
Series 13: Legislation],
[
Series 14: Reference material],
[
Series 15: Invitations],
[
Series 16: Awards and Honors],
[
Series 17: Subject files],
[
Series 18: Photographs],
[
Series 19: Media Relations],
[
Series 20: Ehlers' Campaigns],
[
Series 21: Constituent Gifts],
[
Series 22: Aeronautics and Aerospace],
[
Series 23: Plaques and Awards],
[
Series 24: Certificates],
[
Series 25: Photographs],
[
Series 26: Republican Party],
[
Series 27: Buttons, Decals, Patches, Memorabilia],
[
Series 28: Legislation],
[
Series 29: Miscellaneous],
[
All]
- Series 9: Michigan House of Representatives and Senate --- 1982-1993
- Box 19
- Folder 1: Nominating Petition -Pri --- May-82
- Folder 2: Michigan Representative Campaign --- 1982
- Folder 3: Michigan 1982 Representative Campaign -PAC Questionnaires
- Folder 4: Michigan Representative Election - Congratulations --- 1982
- Folder 5: Michigan Representative -Nominating Petition --- 1984
- Folder 6: Michigan 1984 Representative Campaign -PAC Questionnaires
- Folder 7: Michigan Representative Re-election Campaign --- 1984
- Folder 8: Certificate of Election -Michigan State Representative --- 1984
- Folder 9: Michigan Representative Re-election - Congratulations --- 1984
- Box 20
- Folder 1: Speaking/Appearance Schedules --- 1983
- Folder 2: Speaking/Appearance Schedules --- 1985
- Folder 3: Outlines for Talks at Northwoods Conference --- Jul-83
- Folder 4: MAAPT (MSU) -A Physicist's View from Inside the State Capitol --- November 5, 1983
- Folder 5: Rap Tap Article -"Tax and Cut, Tax and Cut!" --- February 18, 1983
- Folder 6: Article -"What Are You Voting For?" --- May-84
- Folder 7: City-County Cooperation --- 1984
- Folder 8: Speech for G.R. Exchange Club -"One Nation Under God" --- November 11, 1985
- Folder 9: Speech at Grand Valley State University -"A Scientist in the Senate" --- 1985
- Folder 10: Planner --- 1985
- Folder 11: News Clippings --- 1982-1985
- Folder 12: Michigan House Bill No. 4489 -Solid Waste --- 1985
- Folder 13: Appointment Books --- 1983-1986
- Folder 14: Ehlers Reports --- 1983-1985
- Box 21
- Folder 1: Correspondence (sampled) --- 1982-1983
- Folder 3: Correspondence (sampled) --- May-Aug 1984
- Folder 4: Correspondence (sampled) --- Sep-Dec 1984
- Folder 5: Correspondence --- Jan-Feb 1985
- Folder 6: Correspondence (sampled) --- Mar-Dec 1985
- Folder 7: Correspondence RE: Possible Nomination for Secretary of Interior --- 1983
- Box 22
- Folder 1: News Clippings and Related Material RE: State Senate Candidacy --- 1984
- Folder 2: Drafts of Material Used in Campaign for State Senate --- 1985
- Folder 3: Brochure for State Senate Campaign --- 1985
- Folder 4: Michigan Senate (Special Election) -Campaign Materials --- 1985
- Folder 5: Michigan Senate (Special Election) -Press Releases --- 1985
- Folder 6: Michigan Senate (Special Election) --- 1985
- Folder 7: Michigan Senate (Special election) -Congratulations --- 1985
- Folder 8: Oath of Office -Michigan State Representative (1983) and Senator (1985)
- Folder 9: Michigan Senate Re-election
- Folder 10: Candidate Questionnaires -Senate Election --- 1986
- Folder 11: Michigan Senate Re-election -Congratulations --- 1986
- Box 23
- Folder 1: State Senate Campaign Literature --- 1987
- Folder 2: "No Trash" Promise Taken by V.J.E. -Pri --- May-93
- Folder 3: Michigan Senate Re-election --- 1990
- Folder 4: Michigan Senate Re-election -Congratulations --- 1990
- Folder 5: Certificate of Election -Michigan Senate --- 1985, 1986, 1990
- Folder 6: Michigan Senate (Special Election) --- 1985
- Folder 7: Memos --- 1989-1992
- Folder 8: Memos --- 1993
- Folder 9: Staff Memos --- 1990
- Folder 10: License Plate as State Senator of 36 District
- Folder 11: State Senate Guides to Government (Constituent Handouts)
- Folder 12: State Senate News Releases --- 1985-1993
- Folder 13: "Profs in Politics" -Calvin Spark --- 1989
- Folder 14: Lansing State Journal Articles Related to V.J.E. --- 1987
- Folder 15: List of State Senate
- Box 24
- Folder 1: Vern Ehlers Reports (State Senate) --- 1988-1992
- Folder 2: Tributes
- Folder 3: First Hunting License Issued Electronically -Result of V.J.E. Legislation --- 1994
- Folder 4: News Clippings --- 1993
- Folder 5: Attendance and Voting Records --- 1985-1992
- Folder 6: Record of V.J.E. Attendance and Voting Totals for Senate Legislative Session --- 1992
- Folder 7-12: Speaking/Appearance Schedules --- 1986-1991
- Folder 13: Personal Trivia --- 1986
- Folder 14: Invitation Reagan In Augural --- 1985
- Folder 15: Miscellaneous Items
- Folder 16: News Clippings -State House --- 1987-1988
- Folder 17: Memberships --- 1967-1970
- Folder 18: Recognition Resolutions -Michigan Senate --- 1985-1993
- Folder 19: Report on Trip to Germany to Discuss Environmental Concerns --- 1990
- Folder 20: Barrie Konicov Suit --- 1994
- Folder 21: National Conference of State Legislatures -Environmental Committee --- 1991
- Folder 22: CRC World Hunger Task Force Member --- 1991-1993
- Folder 23: Documents RE: Civil Lawsuit V.J. Ehlers Et Al -Plaintiffs v Michigan Republican Central Committee --- 1987
- Box 25
- Folder 1: "Melting Pot or Boiling Cauldron?" -Banner Article --- 1986
- Folder 2: Speech - "Chemical Dependency" --- April 3, 1986
- Folder 3: Speech - Wayne State Alumni -"Looking into the Crystal Ball" --- November 21, 1986
- Folder 4: Speech - W. Michigan University Class - "Political Decision Making" --- March 30, 1987
- Folder 5: Speech - Kent Intermediate School District -"Reform or Refine?" --- February 7, 1987
- Folder 6: Speech - "The Politics of Garbage" --- 1989
- Folder 7: Speech - MMA Environ: Conference "What Are Those Idiots Going to Do Next?" --- November 14, 1989
- Folder 8: Speeches RE: Health Care --- 1989
- Folder 9: Speech -"The Politics of History" - Historical Preservation --- 1989
- Folder 10: Articles for G.R. Business Journal --- 1988-1989
- Folder 11: Article -"Why I Like My Mac" --- 1989
- Folder 12: Article -"A Cleaner Environment: Who Pays?" --- 1990
- Folder 13: Convocation Speech at Grand Valley University -"The Politics of Life" --- August 28, 1990
- Folder 14: Speech - Ferris State Prayer Breakfast -"Power, Politics, and Prayer" --- September 4, 1991
- Folder 15
- Item 1: Speeches - MMA Environmental Conference - Environment Law Seminar --- October 3, 1990
- Item 2: Speeches - MMA Environmental Conference - "Environmental Liability" --- October 10, 1990
- Folder 16: Speech - ASA -"The Role of a Christian Physicist in Society" --- November 10, 1990
- Folder 17: Speech - National Issues Forum, 28 --- September 28, 1990
- Folder 18: Speech - Eastminster Presbyterian Church -"The 90s -Tough Issues; Tough Choices" --- September 29, 1990
- Folder 19: Speech - ITT Tech Institute Graduation --- August 30, 1990
- Folder 20: Notes - Speech on President Clinton's Health Care Plan --- Sep-93
- Folder 21: Speeches: "Politics, Politicians, and People," "Is Politics Hazardous to Your Health?," "Legislative Dynamics," "Politics: Paradox and Perplexity" --- undated
- Folder 22: Speech to National Energy Program Managers -Montana -How Influence Legislation Without Being a Lobbyist --- September 12, 1991
- Folder 23: Speech to Care Unit of Grand Rapids --- December 9, 1991
- Folder 24: Various Articles by VJE --- 1988-1991
- Folder 25: Articles for Kent County GOP Newsletters --- 1987-1991
- Folder 26: Speech to Energy Councils -"If Energy Were Purple" --- 1992
- Folder 27: Speech for West Michigan Healthcare Executive Group -"Health Care Reform: Impact on Michigan" --- 1992
- Folder 28: Speech to Michigan Travel and Tourism Association -"Fatherly Advice to the Tourism Industry" --- 1993
- Folder 29: Speech to Metal Finishers Association -"The Great Lakes Initiative" --- 1993
- Folder 30: Speech to Calvin Interim Class -"Political, Decision Making" --- 1993
- Folder 31: Speech for Sons and Daughters of American Revolution --- 1993
- Folder 32: Speech at Richmond Reformed Church -"Relation of Christian Faith to Politics" --- 1994
- Folder 33: Commencement Speech -"The Jock, the Nerd, and the Whale" -Calvin --- 1994
- Folder 34: Speech for World Affairs Council -"The U.S. Role in the New World Order" --- 1994
- Folder 35: Banner Article: "Walking on the Moon with God" --- 1994
- Box 26
- Folder 1: Rededication Program of State Capitol Building (VJE was committee member) --- 1992
- Folder 2: State Senate Resolutions
- Folder 3: South African Divestiture (HB 4470) -Substitute Bill --- 1986
- Folder 4: School Finance Reform --- 1990
- Folder 5: Senate Bill 521 --- 1993
- Folder 6: Senate Bill No. 718 --- 1993
- Folder 7: Michigan Senate Bill 257 (Environmental Code) --- 1994
- Folder 8: NCSL (National Council of State Legislators) -Orlando --- 1991
- Folder 9: NCSL Environment Committee Concerns --- 1989-1990
- Folder 10: Counselor Licensure SB 386/387, SB 604/605
- Folder 11: Program and Picture -Senator Vanden Berg Celebration --- 1987
- Folder 12: Detroit News Articles Relating to V.J.E. --- 1987
- Box 27
- Folder 1: "Irrational" Correspondence Received-State Senate --- 1985-1988
- Folder 2: Correspondence to and from Constituents (sampled) --- 1985-1988
- Folder 3: State Senate -Miscellaneous Correspondence (sampled) --- Jan - Apr 1986
- Folder 4-6: State Senate Correspondence (sampled) --- May 1986 -1987
- Folder 7: Correspondence RE: Kent County Health Department Lab --- 1987
- Folder 8-10: State Senate Correspondence --- 1988-1990
- Folder 11: Correspondence RE: HB 5273 (Lake Preservation) --- 1990
- Folder 12: Correspondence RE: SB 330 (Obscenity) --- 1990
- Folder 13: Correspondence RE: Election for Senate President Pro Tempore --- 1990
- Folder 14: Correspondence RE: SB 288 (Battery Disposal) --- 1990
- Folder 15: Correspondence RE: HB 4654 etc. (Ground Water Protection) --- 1990
- Folder 16: Correspondence RE: HB 4979 (Off Road Vehicles) --- 1990
- Folder 17: "Irrational" Correspondence Received --- 1989-1990
- Folder 18: Correspondence RE: HB 5313 (Insurance Issues) --- 1990
- Folder 19: Correspondence RE: HB 5168 (Electrical Regulations) --- 1990
- Folder 20: Correspondence RE: HB 4654-4657 (Well Drilling) --- 1990
- Box 28
- Folder 1: Correspondence RE: Murray Lake Development --- 1990
- Folder 2: Correspondence RE: Abortion --- 1990
- Folder 3: Correspondence RE: HB 5885-5886 -School Funding --- 1990
- Folder 4: Correspondence RE: SB 517 (Licensing of Social Workers) --- 1990
- Folder 5: Correspondence RE: SB 637 (Clean Water Action) --- 1990
- Folder 6: Correspondence RE: Bo Schemberchler's Comments to Senate --- 1990
- Folder 7: Correspondence RE: SB 813 (Gun Control) --- 1990
- Folder 8: "Tea Party" RE: Constitutional Revision --- 1990
- Folder 9: Correspondence RE: HB 4764 (Handicap Rights) --- 1990
- Folder 10: Correspondence RE: SB 584 (Medical Resident's Hours) --- 1990
- Folder 11: Correspondence RE: SB 375 (Environmental Enforcement) --- 1990
- Folder 12: Correspondence RE: HB 5537 (Property Taxes) --- 1990
- Folder 13: Correspondence RE: School Finance Reform --- 1990
- Folder 14: Correspondence RE: Cigarette Taxes --- 1990
- Folder 15: Correspondence RE: SB 884 (Family Planning) --- 1990
- Folder 16: Correspondence RE: SB 89 (Radioactive Waste Disposal) --- 1990
- Folder 17: "Irrational" Correspondence Received -State Senate --- 1991-1993
- Folder 18: State Senate Correspondence --- 1991
- Folder 19: State Senate Correspondence --- 1992
- Folder 20: State Senate Correspondence --- 1993
- Folder 21: Letter to a Constituent Stating VJE Views on Major Issues --- 1993
- Folder 22: Correspondence RE: Nomination for President of Michigan State University --- 1993
- Folder 23: Letter to the Flint Journal --- Oct-88
- Folder 24: Presentation -"Saving Time Through Technology" -National Conference of State Legislators --- 1990
- Folder 25: Conversation with Steve Bosworth -Issues: NAFTA, Israel, Former USSR --- Sep-93
- Folder 26: Letter to G.R. Press RE: Transition from State Senate to Congress --- Dec-93
- Folder 27: "The Michigan Statuary Will"
- Folder 28: Statement Made RE: Breast Cancer Funding -State Senate --- 1993
- Folder 29: Press Conference -Michigan Property Taxes --- 1986
- Folder 30: Correspondence to and from Constituents -State Senate (sampled) --- Jan-93
- Folder 31: Correspondence with Governor Engler --- 1993
- Box 29
- Folder 1: State Senate --- 1986-1988
- Folder 2-3: State Senate (and correspondence) --- 1990-1992, June 1993
- Folder 4: State Senate --- Jna 1993
- Folder 5: State Senate --- Feb-93
- Folder 6: State Senate --- Mar-Sep 1993
- Folder 7: Enrolled Senate --- 1993
- Box 30
- Folder 1: Book (State Senate) --- 1987
- Folder 2: Cards --- 1987
- Folder 3: Book (State Senate) --- 1988
- Folder 4: Lists --- 1988
- Folder 5: Cards, Jan- --- Jan-Mar 1988
- Folder 6: Book (State Senate) --- 1989
- Folder 7: Lists --- 1989
- Box 31
- Folder 1: Book (State Senate) --- 1990
- Folder 2: Lists --- 1990
- Folder 3: Book (State Senate) --- 1991
- Folder 4: Lists --- 1991
- Folder 5: Book (State Senate) --- 1992
- Box 32
- Folder 1: Lists --- 1992
- Folder 2: Book (State Senate) --- 1993
- Folder 3: Lists --- Jan-Jun 1993
- Folder 4: Lists --- Jul-Dec 1993
- Folder 5: Daily Sheets (Congress) --- Jan 1-20, 1994
Browse by Series:
[
Series 1: Personal, 1955-2010],
[
Series 2: Student Years, 1955-1960],
[
Series 3: Post Graduate Correspondence, 1960-1967],
[
Series 4: Research, 1962-1968],
[
Series 5: Class Lectures, 1967-1979],
[
Series 6: Student Evaluations, 1979-1982, n.d.],
[
Series 7: Calvin College Faculty, 1963-1983],
[
Series 8: Kent County Board of Commissioners, 1878-1982],
[Series 9: Michigan House of Representatives and Senate, 1982-1993],
[
Series 10: United States Congress, 1993-2012],
[
Series 11: United States Congress, 1993-2012],
[
Series 12: Election campaigns],
[
Series 13: Legislation],
[
Series 14: Reference material],
[
Series 15: Invitations],
[
Series 16: Awards and Honors],
[
Series 17: Subject files],
[
Series 18: Photographs],
[
Series 19: Media Relations],
[
Series 20: Ehlers' Campaigns],
[
Series 21: Constituent Gifts],
[
Series 22: Aeronautics and Aerospace],
[
Series 23: Plaques and Awards],
[
Series 24: Certificates],
[
Series 25: Photographs],
[
Series 26: Republican Party],
[
Series 27: Buttons, Decals, Patches, Memorabilia],
[
Series 28: Legislation],
[
Series 29: Miscellaneous],
[
All]
