Reps. Steil, Accavitti, Bieda, Brown, Byrum, Clack, Condino, Constan, Cushingberry, Elsenheimer, Farrah, Garfield, Gillard, Green, Hammel, Hammon, Hildenbrand, Hopgood, Rick Jones, Robert Jones, Lahti, Kathleen Law, LeBlanc, Leland, Lemmons, Marleau, Mayes, McDowell, Meadows, Meekhof, Miller, Opsommer, Palmer, Palsrok, Pastor, Pearce, Polidori, Rocca, Sak, Shaffer, Simpson, Alma Smith, Spade, Vagnozzi and Valentine offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 118.

A resolution commemorating June 10 - 16, 2007, as Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week in the state of Michigan.

            Whereas, There are over 700 million ash trees that blanket the great state of Michigan that contribute to the air quality, natural beauty, ecosystem health, recreation desirability, commerce growth rates and property/land values in our state; and

            Whereas, Nearly 15 million of this valuable species have already fallen victim to the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), a destructive, invasive, exotic beetle, spread artificially through the movement of firewood; and

Whereas, Increased public awareness benefits the state of Michigan by reducing the need for government, businesses, industry and citizens to expend additional financial and human resources to control and eradicate new EAB infestations, while ultimately reducing the risk to the greater ash resource of Michigan and encouraging environmental stewardship; and

Whereas, The month of June marks the beginning of summer vacation and high-tourism season in Michigan; and

            Whereas, In conjunction with Great Outdoors Month, Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week is an opportunity for government to join forces with business, industry, environmental groups, community organizations and citizens to take action against the artificial spread and introduction of EAB; and

            Whereas, Public education of quarantine locations and regulations will contribute to the protection of one of Michigan's most valuable natural resources, its forests, further reducing the spread of the EAB's damage; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body commemorate June 10 - 16, 2007, as Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week in the state of Michigan; and be it further;

            Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Michigan Department of Agriculture.