Senator Scott offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 20.

            A resolution recognizing April 16-21, 2005, as Nonviolence Week in the state of Michigan.

            Whereas, A world without abuse and violence is a dream we all share; and

            Whereas, Any form of mistreatment of another is abuse, and all people have the moral and legal right to live free of abuse and violence; and

            Whereas, We are inspired by individuals such as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr., who led some of history’s major nonviolent movements, and we vividly recall the stirring remarks of Martin Luther King who said: "The choice is not between violence and nonviolence but between nonviolence and nonexistence"; and

            Whereas, Creating a culture of peace, nonviolence, and prosperity begins from within each of us; and

            Whereas, We are proud to play host to the 7th Annual Global Nonviolence Conference to be held this year in Detroit, Michigan, April 16-21, 2005; and

            Whereas, The primary goal of the conference is to institutionalize nonviolence by mobilizing, educating, and training leaders in nonviolence conflict reconciliation and assisting them with implementing nonviolence strategies in their respective communities; and

            Whereas, This has proven effective in addressing problems such as aggressive behavior, violence, and other human/race relations problems in homes, schools, police departments, churches, workplaces, and the community at large; and

            Whereas, We, together with communities from around the globe, recognize the need for a unified front as an effective tool and a key piece of the puzzle in promoting abuse and violence prevention education; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we hereby recognize April 16-21, 2005, as Nonviolence Week and express our support for the proactive leadership of the Michigan Institute for Nonviolence Education in the fight against violence in Michigan; and be it further

            Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Michigan Institute for Nonviolence Education as honorary co-chair of the 7th Annual Global Nonviolence Conference.