Reps. Palsrok, LaSata, Middaugh, Pumford, Ehardt, Mortimer, Hager, Nitz, Palmer, Milosch, Acciavatti, Shackleton, Meyer, Stewart, Sheen, Walker, Huizenga, Brown, Gillard, Adamini, Sheltrown, Farhat, Vander Veen and Rivet offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 271.

            A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to provide increased funding to support research and education on rip currents in the Great Lakes.

            Whereas, The Great Lakes are known for their beauty, power, and importance to life in this region.  Less well known and understood are the dangers of rip currents, which threaten public safety and can cause deaths of swimmers at beaches along the Great Lakes.  While rip currents seem to be better known at the ocean, they are no less serious to bathers along Michigan's shores; and

            Whereas, Rip currents, which are sometimes mistakenly referred to as rip tides or undertows, are caused by sandbars offshore that break apart.  The current that results can be very strong, taking even an Olympic-caliber swimmer swiftly away from the shore.  The "rip" in the sandbar can be the result of high winds or large waves, and it can occur with absolutely no warning.  Rip currents can last a few minutes, several hours, or even days.  While there often is discoloration to the water that is swept away from the shore by the rip current, this is not always easy to see.  Although there is an effective strategy a swimmer can use to return to shore safely, this knowledge must be in place before such an incident occurs to prevent a tragedy; and

            Whereas, There is clearly a need for greater public awareness among beach visitors to the Great Lakes and more comprehensive research into rip currents.  Research could help determine better responses and quicker notification for swimmers as a rip current situation develops.  With the number of people swimming in the Great Lakes each summer, this research could save many lives; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the Congress of the United States to provide increased funding to support research and education on rip currents in the Great Lakes; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.