Reps. Mayes, Accavitti, Adamini, Ball, Bieda, Brown, Byrnes, Byrum, Clack, Condino, Dillon, Donigan, Elsenheimer, Espinoza, Farrah, Garfield, Gillard, Gleason, Gonzales, Hansen, Hildenbrand, Huizenga, Kehrl, Kolb, Kooiman, Kathleen Law, Leland, Lemmons, III, Lemmons, Jr., Lipsey, McDowell, Meisner, Meyer, Miller, Mortimer, Murphy, Nitz, Nofs, Pavlov, Pearce, Phillips, Plakas, Polidori, Proos, Sak, Sheltrown, Alma Smith, Spade, Stahl, Stewart, Tobocman, Vagnozzi, Waters, Wojno and Zelenko offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 69.

A resolution commemorating May 22 through May 28, 2005, as Regional Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, There are 700 million ash trees blanketing the great state of Michigan contributing to the quality of air, natural landscaping, recreational destinations, wildlife habitats, tourism, manufacturing, commerce, and property/land values; and

Whereas, Increasing public awareness and understanding of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), a destructive exotic beetle, benefits the state of Michigan by curtailing the artificial spread of the beetle through the movement of firewood; and

Whereas, Fostering a cooperative spirit and encouraging environmental stewardship throughout the state ultimately reducing the risk to the ash resource of Michigan as well as the 8 billion ash trees of North America; and

Whereas, Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of the travel and tourism season in Michigan; and

Whereas, Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week is an opportunity for government to join forces with business, industry, environmental and conservation groups, community organizations, tourists, and citizens to take action against the artificial spread and introduction of EAB; and

Whereas, By citizens understanding and becoming aware of the EAB quarantine, they will contribute to the protections of Michigan’s forests and reduce the spread of the EAB’s costly damage; now, therefore, be it,

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body commemorate May 22 through May 28, 2005, as Regional Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week in the state of Michigan in partnership with our neighboring states of Ohio and Indiana.  This legislative body encourages all citizens and visitors to increase their understanding of EAB and its environmental, ecological, and economic impact in Michigan and the nation; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Michigan Departments of Agriculture and Natural Resources.