Reps. Leland, Meadows, Kennedy, Womack, Bledsoe, Geiss, Johnson, Terry Brown, Constan, Cushingberry, Dean, Durhal, Gonzales, Robert Jones, Kowall, Lemmons, Neumann, Polidori, Rocca, Spade, Switalski, Valentine and Lipton offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 107.

            A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to maintain, or increase, FY 2010 funding for the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program.

            Whereas, Our nation, the state of Michigan in particular, has been buffeted by the tumultuous forces of the economy. With unemployment at the highest rate in decades, unprecedented numbers of home foreclosures, and ever-rising numbers of individuals seeking human services, the need for federal economic assistance is critical. Indeed, we are at a point of economic malaise not seen since the Great Depression; and

            Whereas, One of the jewels of the federal government's efforts to assist those in need has been the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program. This public-private initiative works with local communities in targeting food, housing, and support services to where they will have the greatest impact. Since its creation in 1983, it has disbursed over $3.3 billion to more than 12,000 local agencies in over 2,500 localities. In Michigan, the program works cooperatively with public and private entities to provide essential services to nearly every county in the state. Clearly, this outstanding program exemplifies all of the qualities we would hope for in governmental service; and

            Whereas, In recognition of the critical need for food, housing, and supportive services at this point in our nation's history, the Emergency Food and Shelter Program received an additional stipend under the recent stimulus package. Nonetheless, some in Congress have proposed a cut in the funding for this exemplary program. This short-sighted and ill-conceived cut in funding could not come at a more inopportune time for those in need in our country and in the Great Lakes State; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we hereby memorialize the Congress of the United States to maintain, or increase, FY 2010 funding for the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program; 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.