Sunday, Sept. 8, will be a grand time, because it is National Grandparents’ Day.

Grandparents’ Day has been celebrated throughout our country on the first Sunday after Labor Day for more than 30 years and rightly so. Grandparents play such an influential role in our lives, especially by sharing their wisdom, knowledge, talents and perspectives on life.

On this Grandparents’ Day, families throughout southwest Michigan, our state and our nation are called to join together to celebrate and serve our beloved elders.

It is also a time to advocate for seniors to help address issues they may be facing. In the Senate, I am proud to support legislation introduced by a colleague that would strengthen penalties against those who prey on the vulnerable and elderly in our state.

Senate Bills 412 and 413 would increase the penalties for embezzlement from a vulnerable adult to up to one year of imprisonment and a $1,000 fine for a first offense, and to as much as 25 years and a $100,000 fine for three or more offenses. Senate Bills 108 and 109 would allow for the one-year imprisonment of anyone convicted of committing assault and battery on a vulnerable adult, and five years for a second or successive offense.

Elder abuse and neglect often go underreported or unrecognized. We should work to strengthen Michigan laws to better protect our seniors.

Grandparents are role models, our biggest fans, and some of our oldest and best friends. On this Grandparents’ Day, join me in taking time to honor, remember, appreciate and celebrate our grandparents.

For more information, visit GrandparentsDay.org.