Reps. Spade, Sak, Accavitti, Ball, Bauer, Bieda, Booher, Brown, Byrnes, Casperson, Caswell, Clack, Clemente, Condino, Constan, Dean, Donigan, Farrah, Garfield, Gonzales, Green, Griffin, Hammel, Hammon, Hansen, Hopgood, Huizenga, Rick Jones, Robert Jones, Knollenberg, Kathleen Law, LeBlanc, Lemmons, Marleau, Mayes, Meadows, Meekhof, Meltzer, Miller, Moss, Nofs, Opsommer, Palmer, Polidori, Proos, Rocca, Scott, Shaffer, Sheltrown, Simpson, Stahl, Steil, Tobocman, Vagnozzi, Warren, Lahti and Leland offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 388.

A resolution declaring June 10, 2008, as Leader Dogs for the Blind Day in the state of Michigan and recognizing the contributions of Leader Dogs for the Blind.

Whereas, Founded in Michigan in 1939 by Lions Club members, Charles Nutting, Don Schuur and S.A. Dodge, Leader Dogs for the Blind has successfully matched and graduated over 13,000 person/dog teams since its inception. The dream of these men became vision and independence for thousands; and

Whereas, The dedicated staff at Leader Dogs for the Blind is over 100 strong. The facilities, located on the original 14 acres first purchased by the founders, have morphed from a farm with numerous outbuildings to a superb residence center, a stellar kennel, and well-manicured grounds. This complex is home to students, dogs, all services departments and the support staff that enable Leader Dogs for the Blind to enhance the lives of blind and visually impaired individuals from all over the world; and

Whereas, As the second dog guide school founded in the U.S., it is proud of its programs offered, its graduates who live the mission each year and the thousands of lives that have been touched directly from the services provided by Leader Dogs for the Blind. To maintain the high standard of excellence, it is a member of the U.S. Council of Dog Guide Schools and the International Guide Dog Federation. These bodies keep dog guide schools accountable for their actions, program additions and modifications. The International Guide Dog Federation reassesses members every five years. The last assessment conducted reflected the great efforts of its staff and volunteers. The veteran assessor with 36 years in the field had only positive comments. He impressed upon the management and staff that Leader Dogs for the Blind was among the best he had ever seen; and

Whereas, Its ultimate goal is to be recognized as a full service resource center for individuals who are blind and visually impaired. Its vision is to become the most innovative and forward thinking organization in the profession; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare June 10, 2008, as Leader Dogs for the Blind Day in state of Michigan.