Legislator Details
James R. DeSana
AKA:
Number of sessions served 6
Gender: Male
Age at election: 46
Vital Records Information:
Birth
Date: 10/6/1930
City: Wyandotte, MI
County: Wayne County, MI
Country: US
Death
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Burial
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Marital Information:
married children:: James
Number of Children:
Background
Religion: Catholic
Military Service: United States Navy
Occupation: businessman
Race: Caucasian or White
Education:
University of Detroit Mercy - Bachelor of Science, Business Administration and Management; attended Walsh Institute of Accounting and Business Law
Biographical Sketch:
DeSana has served in a variety of elected positions including Wyandotte City Councilman (1957-61 and 2001-05), Mayor (1961-68; 1987-97 and 2005-09), Wayne County Commissioner (1969-76), and State Senator (1976-86). He also served as the Director of the Michigan Dept of Transportation (MDOT) from May 1997 to November 2000. He owned an industrial supply company.
Notable Facts:
Changed parties and ran for the US Congress (16th dist.) against US Rep. John Dingell in 1996.
Father of State Representative James Desana of the 102d Legislature.
Sessions Served:
Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Appropriations & Retirement
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Wyandotte
County of Residence Wayne
District: 7
District Description: Townships of Brownstown and Grosse Isle; cities of Allen Park, Ecorse, Gibralter, Lincoln Park, River Rouge, Riverview, Rockwood, Southgate, Trenton, Woodhaven and Wyandotte in Wayne County
Date Elected: 11/2/1982
Date Sworn In: 1/12/1983
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status:
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Chair of the Committee on Appropriations & Retirement
Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Appropriations & Retirement
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Wyandotte
County of Residence Wayne
District: 7
District Description: Cities of Allen Park Ecorse, Gibraltar, Lincoln Park, River Rouge, Riverview, Rockwood, Southgate, Trenton, Woodhaven and Wyandotte; townships of Brownstown and Grosse Ile in Wayne County
Date Elected: 11/2/1982
Date Sworn In: 1/12/1983
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed
Maritial Status: Married
Notes:
Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Appropriations Subcommittee on Highways, Appropriations Subcommittee on Mental Health, Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Health, Appropriations Subcommittee on State Police and Military Affairs, Joint Administrative Rules
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Wyandotte
County of Residence Wayne
District: 11
District Description: Monroe County; and cities of Flat Rock, Gibraltar, Riverview, Rockwood, Trenton, Woodhaven and part Wyandotte [see tract detail in Manual p.485], townships of Brownstown, Grosse Ile and Huron in Wayne County; and part of the city of Milan in Washtenaw County
Date Elected: 11/7/1978
Date Sworn In: 1/10/1979
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status:
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Chair for the Appropriations Subcommittees on Highways & Transportation; and Mental Health
Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Apportionment , Appropriations Subcommittee on Highways, Appropriations Subcommittee on Mental Health, Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Health, Appropriations Subcommittee on State Police and Military Affairs, Joint Administrative Rules
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Wyandotte
County of Residence Wayne
District: 11
District Description: Monroe County and cities of Flat Rock, Gibraltar, Riverview, Rockwood, Trenton, Woodhaven, and Wyandotte (less all of tract 809.01-except block 509- and block 102 of tract 809.02); townships of Brownstown, Grosse Ile and Huron in Wayne County; City of Milan (pt) in Washtenaw County
Date Elected: 11/7/1978
Date Sworn In: 1/10/1979
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittees on Highways & Transportation; and Mental Health
Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Energy, Appropriations Subcommittee on Corrections, Appropriations Subcommittee on Community Colleges, Appropriations Subcommittee on DNR & Agriculture, Appropriations Subcommittee on Highways
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Wyandotte
County of Residence Wayne
District: 11
District Description: Monroe County; and cities of Flat Rock, Gibraltar, Riverview, Rockwood, Trenton, Woodhaven and part Wyandotte [see tract detail in Manual p.485], townships of Brownstown, Grosse Ile and Huron in Wayne County; and part of the city of Milan in Washtenaw County
Date Elected: 1/13/1976
Date Sworn In: 1/1/1753
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Elected to replace John E. McCauley who had died in October 1975.
Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Highways Vice-Chair of the Committee on Energy
Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Agricultural and Consumer Affairs, Education , Joint Administrative Rules
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Wyandotte
County of Residence Wayne
District: 11
District Description: Monroe County; and cities of Flat Rock, Gibraltar, Riverview, Rockwood, Trenton, Woodhaven and part Wyandotte [see tract detail in Manual p.455], townships of Brownstown, Grosse Ile and Huron in Wayne County; and part of the city of Milan in Washtenaw County
Date Elected: 1/13/1976
Date Sworn In: 1/26/1976
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office:
End of Term Status:
Maritial Status:
Notes: Replaced Sen. McCauley.
Vice-Chair of the Committee on Education