Senators Cropsey, Garcia, Pappageorge, Richardville, Birkholz, McManus, Jansen, Hardiman, Brown, Stamas, Kuipers, Van Woerkom, Sanborn, Gilbert, Allen, Jelinek, Kahn, Cassis, Bishop, Patterson, Clarke and Prusi offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 84.

            A resolution recognizing October 15, 2009, as Conflict Resolution Day in the state of Michigan.

            Whereas, Conflict resolution encompasses mediation, arbitration, facilitation, collaborative decision making, and other responses to differences; and

            Whereas, The conflict resolution process empowers individuals, families, communities, organizations, and businesses to foster communication and devise solutions that are acceptable to the needs and interests of all parties involved; and

            Whereas, Conflict resolution is taught and practiced by citizens in many school systems, universities, and graduate programs throughout Michigan and the world as a way of solving disputes and also as a means toward achieving a more peaceful society; and

            Whereas, Community-based programs fairly and equitably resolve neighborhood and community conflicts, thereby strengthening local relationships and relieving the parties and the courts of costly litigation; and

            Whereas, Professional associations of conflict mediators and facilitators promote peaceful and creative resolutions to problems; and

            Whereas, Michigan 1988 PA 260, known as the Community Dispute Resolution Act, authorized the establishment of Community Dispute Resolution Centers throughout the state of Michigan under the oversight and administration of the State Supreme Court. The Michigan Supreme Court Office of Dispute Resolution supports and oversees 20 Community Resolution Centers throughout the state that provide conciliation, mediation, and other forms of dispute resolution for Michigan citizens, schools, and businesses; and

            Whereas, Professional and volunteer conflict resolvers, all of whom have completed a 40-hour training program approved by the State Court Administrative Office and a supervised internship, serve as mediators, facilitators, and conciliators in a variety of situations, resulting in less time and expense to reach mutually satisfactory solutions, rather than solutions imposed on the parties; and

            Whereas, Recognition of these efforts provides an opportunity for increased public understanding of peaceful and constructive ways to resolve interpersonal and intergroup conflicts of all types; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we hereby recognize October 15, 2009, as Conflict Resolution Day in Michigan, in the hope that all possible support will continue to promote the availability and use of conflict resolution methods throughout Michigan, the country, and the world; and be it further

            Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to The Resolution Services Center of Central Michigan with our highest esteem.