Rep. Tobocman offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 249.

A resolution proclaiming February 12, 2008, through February 12, 2010, as Michigan’s official observance of the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth.

Whereas, Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States and one of the nation’s greatest leaders, demonstrated courage, compassion, and integrity during one of the most turbulent and violent periods in American history; and

            Whereas, Abraham Lincoln was born of humble beginnings in a log cabin in Kentucky and rose to the presidency through a legacy of honesty, intelligence, and determination, as well as a strong dedication to the nation he served; and

Whereas, With the belief that all men are created equal, President Abraham Lincoln led the national effort that would ultimately free all slaves in the United States.  The first step in freeing the slaves was President Lincoln’s signing of the Emancipation Proclamation; and

Whereas, Abraham Lincoln delivered his immortal speech in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on November 19, 1863, invoking the basic principles of human equality as outlined in the Declaration of Independence, thereby broadening the objective of the American Civil War from saving the Union to fostering "a new birth of freedom" and re-emphasizing the underlying purpose of government to be an institution "of the people, by the people, and for the people"; and

Whereas, Despite the tragedy and turmoil of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln demonstrated through words and actions a generosity of heart and greatness of character that generated a spirit of reconciliation with "malice toward none and charity for all"; and

Whereas, Through his work and service to our nation, Lincoln made a lasting impact on our state as acknowledged by the following historic events and memorabilia located here in Michigan; and

Whereas, In 1848, Abraham Lincoln traveled the Great Lakes and Detroit River aboard the steamboat Globe; and

Whereas, On July 27, 1848, Abraham Lincoln coined the word "Michigander" when, as part of a speech in the U.S. House of Representatives, he referred to one of Michigan’s Senators as a great Michigander; and

Whereas, Abraham Lincoln visited Kalamazoo, Michigan, during the presidential campaign of 1856 to give a speech for presidential nominee, John C. Fremont, at a Republican Party rally in what is now Bronson Park, Kalamazoo; and

Whereas, Congress passed and President Lincoln signed into law the Morrill Act that gave birth to land grant colleges, with Michigan State University, founded in 1855, being the first land grant college established in the nation; and

Whereas, A Lincoln statue for Alaska was created at the University of Michigan; and

Whereas, The Logan County, Illinois, courthouse, where Abraham Lincoln practiced law, is now part of the historic buildings collection at Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan; and

Whereas, The Grace Bedell letter suggesting that Lincoln would improve his appearance if he grew a beard is in the Burton Historical Collections, Detroit Public Library; and

Whereas, The Ford’s Theatre chair President Lincoln was seated in when he was assassinated, along with his shawl and theatre playbill, are located at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan; and

Whereas, "The Lincoln Funeral March" was published in Detroit, Michigan; and

Whereas, The Abraham Lincoln Civil War Roundtable of Michigan, founded in 1952, was the fourth roundtable founded in the United States; and

Whereas, There are more than 67 towns and places named for our 16th President and more than 35 statues dedicated to Abraham Lincoln in Michigan; and

Whereas, The Congress of the United States has created the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission to study and recommend worthy national activities to honor Abraham Lincoln in 2008; and

Whereas, The people of Michigan are beginning preparations for events and programs for a statewide commemoration of the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth; and

Whereas, The residents of Michigan and indeed all Americans may derive inspiration and benefit from the study of the life, words, and deeds of our nation’s 16th President; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body proclaim February 12, 2008, through February 12, 2010, to be the official observance in Michigan of the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. We invite all Michigan residents to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth on Thursday, February 12, 2009; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and Dr. William Anderson, director of the Michigan Department of History, Arts, and Libraries and chair of the Michigan Lincoln Bicentennial Committee.