Reps. Gosselin, Stahl, Acciavatti, Palmer, Garfield, Hummel, Pastor, Rocca, Shaffer, Schuitmaker, Marleau, LaJoy, Ward, Steil, Robertson, Huizenga, Hoogendyk, Kooiman, Sheen, Hildenbrand, Hune, Baxter, Casperson, Emmons, Pavlov, Lemmons, III, Caswell, Elsenheimer, Jones, Lemmons, Jr., Meyer, Mortimer, Nitz, Sheltrown, Vander Veen and Walker offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 24.

            A resolution to urge the Michigan Capitol Committee to recommend that a display of the Ten Commandments be placed in the Capitol.

            Whereas, The system of governance and the process of lawmaking that are symbolized by Michigan's Capitol have their roots in history and culture that have developed over the generations.  Prominent among the landmarks of history that shape our society are the Ten Commandments.  The fundamental values reflected in these laws are as relevant today as ever; and

            Whereas, With principles of human behavior that cross all faiths, the Ten Commandments are often referred to by scholars as a building block of the legal system we know today.  It is appropriate for us to take steps acknowledging this link; and

            Whereas, The Michigan Capitol Committee was created by 1987 PA 123 to make recommendations to the leadership of the House, the Senate, and the Governor on the maintenance of the Capitol and its grounds.  This committee, which is comprised of four members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker, four members of the Senate appointed by the Majority Leader, and four members from the Executive Branch appointed by the Governor, may make recommendations to the Speaker, the Majority Leader, and the Governor regarding the implementation of all permanent physical changes to be made in or on the Capitol.  Under the provisions of MCL § 4.1702, "Such recommendations shall take effect 15 days after the submission to the governor, senate majority leader and speaker of the house of representatives unless rejected in writing by the governor, senate majority leader or speaker of the house of representatives"; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the Michigan Capitol Committee to recommend to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Senate Majority Leader, and the Governor that a display of the Ten Commandments be placed in the Capitol; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the members of the Michigan Capitol Committee.