Reps. Gaffney, Brandenburg, Acciavatti, Stahl, Accavitti, Hager, Howell, Pappageorge, Pastor, Rocca, Shulman and Voorhees offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 30.

            A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to designate Lake St. Clair as one of the Great Lakes.

            Whereas, The people of the state of Michigan have consistently demonstrated the importance they place on protecting Michigan’s unique environmental quality; and

            Whereas, Maintaining our remarkable water resources is of paramount importance to the Michigan Legislature and the entire Great Lake State.  All steps that could bring about increased protection of the Great Lakes must be taken at the state, national, and international levels; and

            Whereas, Lake St. Clair exerts an impact far beyond its size.  It is the source of drinking water for 6 million people.  It is the source of one-third of all the fish taken from the Great Lakes and nearly half of all the recreational fishing activity in Michigan.  It is traversed by 3,000 freighters each year, and 135,000 registered boats call it home.  Lake St. Clair, the largest freshwater coastal delta in the Great Lakes, is also home to an amazing diversity of plant and animal life; and

            Whereas, Although Lake St. Clair is considered by many to be the heart of the Great Lakes—for both its shape and its usage—it is clear that this priceless resource does not receive a commensurate level of funding.  The serious problems with pollution from multiple sources can only be addressed by a more appropriate level of public commitment; and

            Whereas, Area residents, strongly committed to Lake St. Clair, have initiated an ambitious drive to have Lake St. Clair designated the sixth Great Lake.  Public bodies that have called for the designation of Lake St. Clair as the sixth Great Lake include the Central Macomb Chamber of Commerce, St. Clair Shores City Council, Clinton Township Board of Trustees, Ira Township Board of Trustees, Ray Township Board of Trustees, Wayne County Board of Commissioners, and Macomb County Board of Commissioners.  With the formal designation of Lake St. Clair as a Great Lake, more attention, money, and focus would be directed to this vitally important body of water; now, therefore be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the Congress of the United States to designate Lake St. Clair as one of 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.