Reps. Sak, Kooiman, Plakas, Spade, Vagnozzi, Condino, Hunter, McConico, Stallworth, Gieleghem, Woodward, Zelenko, Anderson, Brown, Adamini, Kolb, Palsrok, Sheltrown, Gillard, Bieda, Gleason, Elkins, Meisner, Van Regenmorter, Pappageorge, DeRoche, Clack, Law, Murphy, Hopgood, Paletko, Tobocman, Wojno, Accavitti, Byrum, Waters, Rivet, Hood, Jamnick, Minore, Richardville, Williams, Reeves, Farrah, O'Neil, Dennis, Huizenga, Newell, Caswell, Howell, Pastor, LaJoy, Hager, Voorhees, Lipsey, Sheen, Hoogendyk, Meyer, Nitz, Farhat, Stakoe, Taub and Emmons offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 172.

A resolution honoring veterans and recognizing November 11, 2003, as Veterans' Day.

            Whereas, World War I ended on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918; and

            Whereas, On November 11, 1921, an American soldier of World War I, his name “known but to God” was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.  His burial symbolizing a nation’s reverence for America’s veterans who served in that great war; and

            Whereas, November 11^th received an official designation as Armistice Day in 1926 and became a national holiday in 1938; and

            Whereas, After the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen in the nation’s history to fight World War II and after U.S. forces fought communist aggression in Korea, November 11^th was renamed Veterans' Day in 1954; and

            Whereas, It is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving, prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and

            Whereas, Over 25 million veterans live in our nation and over 845,000 veterans live in the state of Michigan; and

            Whereas, We are now freshly reminded of the danger and threat to our peace and liberty, we recognize the many, here and abroad, who now stand watch, as they execute the difficult military missions required to preserve, restore and build democracy throughout the world; and

            Whereas, We should pause on Veterans' Day to remember the historical importance of the day and honor America’s veterans for their patriotic spirit, their service and sacrifice for our nation; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body recognize November 11, 2003, as Veterans' Day in the state of Michigan and we urge the citizens of the state to recognize America’s veterans and military personnel with public ceremonies and private reflection.