Rep. Sak offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 282.

            A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to reject the President's recommended budget cuts to federal programs that restore and protect the quality of the Great Lakes.

            Whereas, The Great Lakes are natural resources of national and international significance. The Great Lakes hold nearly 20 percent of the world's surface freshwater supply, provide recreational opportunities for millions of people, and support economic activity throughout the Midwest of the United States and Canada; and

            Whereas, The Great Lakes suffer from environmental damage inflicted over decades of use and remain vulnerable to more crippling impacts from new invasive species, continued sewer overflows, and other pollutants. Prompted by the President, federal, state, and local officials with the participation of thousands of stakeholders and experts have developed a comprehensive strategy to restore and protect the Great Lakes; and

            Whereas, Despite these efforts, the President's budget for fiscal year 2009 recommends millions of dollars in cuts to programs essential to restoring and protecting the Great Lakes. The budget would cut $56 million, or 16 percent, from current funding levels for controlling sea lamprey, preventing sewer overflows, and continuing other vital restoration programs. In addition, during now historic low lake levels, the budget would reduce by 35 percent funding for dredging navigation channels that help keep the Great Lakes open for business; and

            Whereas, These recommended funding levels are woefully inadequate to the challenges facing the Great Lakes and represent a short-sighted approach to a treasured resource. Economic studies indicate that investing $26 billion to restore and protect the Great Lakes would lead to more than $50 billion in long-term economic benefit to the national economy; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the Congress of the United States to reject the President's recommended budget cuts to federal programs that restore and protect the quality of the Great Lakes; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.