Reps. Robert Jones, Hoogendyk, Griffin, Leland, Gonzales, Polidori, Donigan, Brown, Espinoza, Lindberg, Valentine, Bennett, Bauer, Meadows, Byrum, Simpson, Young, Alma Smith, Warren, Melton, Hammel, Scott, Virgil Smith, Dean, Lemmons, Hood, Clack, Cheeks, Johnson, Coulouris, LeBlanc, Schuitmaker, Huizenga, Farrah, Ward, Rick Jones, Steil, Wenke, Horn, LaJoy, Ebli, Condino, Booher, Constan, Cushingberry, Green, Hammon, McDowell, Proos, Sak, Shaffer, Sheltrown and Spade offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 229.

            A resolution designating November 10-16, 2007, as Promise Week in the state of Michigan.

            Whereas, The Kalamazoo Promise scholarship program was announced approximately two years ago; and

            Whereas, The Kalamazoo Promise provides Kalamazoo Public School graduates with the opportunity to obtain post-secondary education, at any state of Michigan institution of higher learning, with up to a 100 percent tuition scholarship; and

            Whereas, The state of Michigan and the Greater Kalamazoo community recognize the importance of student success and educational excellence in creating vitality and economic development for the entire state; and

            Whereas, A strong correlation has been documented between educational attainment and a community’s quality of life; and

            Whereas, The Kalamazoo Promise not only dramatically intensifies the Kalamazoo area’s focus on and commitment to education, it also supports Governor Granholm’s emphasis on the need for greater higher education opportunity; and

            Whereas, The state is grateful to the generous anonymous donors who made the Kalamazoo Promise possible.  We also recognize the responsibility of every citizen to take ownership of, and build on the promise of, educational success and community vitality; and

            Whereas, The week of November 10-16, 2007 has been set aside as Promise Week to highlight and foster the work of Kalamazoo community task forces in the areas of student success, educational excellence, community vitality, and economic development.  We also encourage other Michigan communities to create similar higher educational opportunities; and

            Whereas, The Promise has been credited with a rise in housing prices within the school district, increased interest from developers, growth in enrollment for Kalamazoo's public schools and an increase in Kalamazoo public high school graduates who attend college; and

            Whereas, During Promise Week several Kalamazoo community conversations will be held to discuss topics relating to "Connecting Business and Education to Build a Stronger Workforce," "It Takes an Art Village," and "Sharing the Secret: How We Market Ourselves as a Community," all of which demonstrate the impact of the Promise on the greater region, and the ways in which individual citizens can get involved in ensuring the success of the Promise; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body designate November 10-16, 2007, as Promise Week                                                                                                                                                                                                        in the state of Michigan; and be it further

            Resolved, That we applaud the Kalamazoo Promise and its ensuing positive benefits, including a highly educated citizenry and increased economic development, both within the Kalamazoo Community and the Southwest Michigan region.  We encourage communities throughout our Great Lake State to observe Promise Week, by promoting a dialogue on the ways that similar programs may be implemented in communities throughout Michigan, and encourage ways in which we are able to build on the promise of a greater Kalamazoo for all of our youth and communities in Michigan through personal involvement and commitment.