Senator Jones offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 61.

            A resolution commemorating October 15, 2015, as Community Dispute Resolution Day and recognizing the 25th Anniversary of the Community Dispute Resolution Program.

            Whereas, Alternative dispute resolution encompasses mediation, arbitration, facilitation, restorative practices, collaborative decision making, and other responses to conflict; 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, community colleges, universities, law schools, graduate programs throughout Michigan, and the world as a way of solving disputes and 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, Michigan 1988 PA 260, known as the Community Dispute Resolution Act, authorized the establishment of Community Dispute Resolution Centers throughout Michigan under the oversight and administration of the Michigan Supreme Court; and

            Whereas, The State Court Administrative Office, Office of Dispute Resolution supports and oversees 18 centers throughout the state which provide conciliation, mediation, and other forms of alternative dispute resolution to Michigan citizens, schools, and businesses; and

            Whereas, For the past 25 years, thousands of professionals and volunteers have served as mediators, facilitators, and conciliators in a variety of situations, resulting in less time and expense to reach mutually satisfactory solutions; 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 the members of this legislative body commemorate October 15, 2015, as Dispute Resolution Day in Michigan and congratulate the Community Dispute Resolution Program on 25 years of service to the citizens of Michigan. We encourage all citizens to acknowledge the value of alternative dispute resolution methods to resolve disputes and to support the availability and use of alternative dispute resolution services throughout Michigan; and be it further

            Resolved, That a copy of the resolution be transmitted to the Lansing Conflict Resolution Center as evidence of our esteem.