Rep. Kolb offered the following concurrent resolution:

            House Concurrent Resolution No. 59.

            A concurrent resolution supporting the establishment of a sister-state relationship with the German state of Baden-Württemberg and urging the Governor to execute a sister-state agreement together with the Minister President of Baden-Württemberg, and to implement programs to forge a stronger relationship between the two states.

            Whereas, The people of Michigan and Germany share a bond of freedom that has propelled our states to heights of liberty and prosperity. Michigan is home to many whose ancestors called Germany their homeland. Indeed, 2.6 million Michiganians can claim a German heritage. For 60 years, our two countries have remained allies and friends through difficult times, and today the bonds of friendship and commerce remain strong. Michigan's ties to Germany are clear; and

            Whereas, Baden-Württemberg and Michigan are well positioned to build on our nations' shared history with state-to-state initiatives. Our people value education and cutting edge research, and are driving forces in our national economic performances. Our two states, each with 10,000,000 people and culturally diverse as well, are homes to world-class automobile manufacturers, including a German-American company that has taken our shared expertise to the world stage; and

            Whereas, Our states have a solid foundation of cooperation upon which to build a stronger shared future. The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and Lawrence Technological University have extensive ties with universities in Baden-Württemberg. Ann Arbor boasts a sister-city relationship with Tubingen. In the economic realm, Michigan has agreements in place with two Baden-Württemberg economic development organizations that could boost state-to-state efforts in new technologies and trade, and has followed up with discussions on cooperation; and

            Whereas, Promoting international understanding in our globalizing world is a key component of economic prosperity and political freedom. The Michigan Legislature hosted a delegation from Baden-Württemberg that included members of their state parliament in a demonstration of our interest in a state-to-state relationship. Michigan and Baden-Württemberg can do much more to promote dialogue, cooperation, and exchanges on economic, cultural, and educational issues. We encourage officials in both states to build on current initiatives and seek new paths to mutual understanding to encourage the synergy that cooperation between two industrious and forward-looking people can generate; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That we support the establishment of a sister-state relationship with the German state of Baden-Württemberg and urge the Governor to execute a sister-state agreement together with the Minister President of Baden-Württemberg, and to implement programs to forge a stronger relationship between the two states; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the Baden-Württemberg State Parliament, the Minister President of Baden-Württemberg, and the Governor of Michigan.