Buzz Thomas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Samuel 'Buzz' Thomas
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| Member of the Michigan Senate from the 4th district |
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| In office January 1, 2003 – January 1, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Jackie Vaughn III |
| Succeeded by | Virgil Smith Jr. |
| Member of the Michigan House of Representatives from the 10th district |
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| In office January 1, 1997 – January 1, 2003 |
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| Preceded by | Nelson W. Saunders |
| Succeeded by | Triette Reeves |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 28, 1969 |
| Political party | Democratic |
Samuel 'Buzz' Thomas, born on January 28, 1969, is a politician from the state of Michigan in the United States. He was a member of the Democratic Party. He served in the Michigan Senate, representing the 4th district, from 2003 to 2011. During this time, he was the Democratic Floor Leader. This means he helped lead the Democratic members in the Senate. His district was entirely within the city of Detroit. Before joining the Senate, he was a member of the Michigan House of Representatives from 1997 to 2002.
Early Life and Work
Buzz Thomas was born in Detroit in 1969. He went to Detroit Country Day School and the University of Pennsylvania. Before he became a politician, he worked in construction. He helped build homes and manage commercial building projects in the Detroit area. He also worked for two U.S. Representatives from Michigan, Barbara-Rose Collins and Bob Carr (Michigan politician).
Political Journey
In 1996, Buzz Thomas was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives. This was 104 years after his great-grand uncle, William Webb Ferguson, became the first African-American elected to the Michigan Legislature. Thomas represented the 10th district in northwest Detroit. He served in the House for six years. In 2002, his fellow House members chose him as the House Democratic Leader. He was one of the youngest people ever to hold this important position. He was also only the second African American to be a House leader.
In 2002, he was elected to the Michigan Senate. He was re-elected in 2006. In 2007, his Senate colleagues also chose him for a leadership role. He became the Senate Democratic Floor Leader. This made him one of the few Michigan politicians to have held leadership positions in both the Michigan House and the Michigan Senate.
Awards and Recognition
Senator Thomas received many awards for his work. The Detroit Free Press newspaper named him one of Michigan’s top "Key Technology Leaders." He was also called one of "Four Up-And-Coming Leaders" by Savoy magazine. Real Detroit Magazine recognized him as the "Most Dedicated Detroiter" and "Best Local Politician." Both The Detroit News and Hotline called him a "Rising Star." The Michigan Front Page described him as an "Under-40 Political 'Buzz' Saw." He also received awards from many community groups and organizations.
Committee Work
Buzz Thomas was a key member of several important committees. He was the top Democrat on the Economic Development and Regulatory Reform Committee. This committee worked on rules for businesses and economic growth. He also served on the Homeland Security and Emerging Technologies Committee. This committee focused on keeping the state safe and looking at new technologies. Additionally, he was part of the Energy Policy Committee, which dealt with how Michigan uses and produces energy.
