Rep. Sak offered the following concurrent resolution:

            House Concurrent Resolution No. 72.

            A concurrent resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to extend unemployment benefits as a key part of the federal economic stimulus package.

            Whereas, Our nation, and the state of Michigan in particular, faces one of the most challenging economies of recent decades. Global economic and social forces have led to a tsunami of challenges in the marketplace and painful job losses. The recently announced economic stimulus package, however, offers a sterling opportunity to revitalize our economy and bring new hope to the many hardworking men and women who have been victimized by our financial hardships; and

            Whereas, Indeed, the financial stimulus package contains proposals for income tax rebates, business incentives, and increased federal aid for state human service provision. Above all, the package proposals have included a 26-week extension of unemployment benefits. This extension would be invaluable in helping provide financial stability and basic human dignity to those who, through no fault of their own, have both lost their jobs and run out of employment security benefits; and

            Whereas, A federal extension of employment security benefits is a key component of a successful economic revitalization initiative. This aspect of the stimulus package could truly mean everything to the unemployed facing spiraling energy costs, a challenging job market, and declining housing values. Clearly, with unemployment levels projected to hover around eight percent for the remainder of the decade, it is critical for this state to be able to offer an extension of unemployment benefits; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That we hereby memorialize the Congress of the United States to extend unemployment benefits as a key part of the federal economic stimulus package; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.