Reps. McDowell, Bieda, Brown, Byrnes, Casperson, Dean, Farrah, Gonzales, Hopgood, Kathleen Law, Leland, Meadows, Proos, Scott, Shaffer, Stahl, Tobocman, Vagnozzi, Warren and Constan offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 193.

A resolution proclaiming Friday, September 28, 2007 as Michigan Indian Day.

            Whereas, In 1984, Governor William Milliken, during his administration, proclaimed the fourth Friday of the month of September as Michigan Indian Day; and

Whereas, Michigan Indian Day is an excellent opportunity for Michigan citizens to better understand and appreciate the many contributions that people of Native American descent have made to our state; and

Whereas, The state of Michigan has the 9th largest population of American Indians in the country - more than 125,000; and

Whereas, Native American people have made vast contributions to the landscape, culture, history, politics, and economy of Michigan; and

Whereas, Today, Native American people significantly contribute to environmental protection by setting an example of good stewardship, intergovernmental cooperation in police and fire protection, as well as leadership in securing an international accord to oppose diversion of Great Lakes Basin waters.  It should be noted that Michigan is a French adaptation of the Ojibwe term mishigami, meaning "large water" or "large lake”; and

Whereas, Michigan should designate a day to focus attention on the many cultural and historical contributions of Michigan’s Native American community; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body proclaim this fourth Friday of September 2007 as Michigan Indian Day.  We encourage all citizens to recognize the unique culture and vast contributions Native Americans have brought to our Great Lakes State.