Senators Basham, Gleason, Barcia, McManus, Kuipers, Cherry, Hunter, Clark-Coleman, Thomas, Van Woerkom and Richardville offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 51.

            A resolution designating May 19-25, 2007, as Safe Boating Week in Michigan.

            Whereas, An average of 700 people die each year in boating-related accidents in the United States according to the U.S. Coast Guard; and

            Whereas, The U.S. Coast Guard has estimated that nearly 70 percent of these fatalities are caused by drowning; and

            Whereas, The vast majority of these accidents are caused by human error or poor judgment and not by the boat, equipment, or environmental factors; and

            Whereas, A significant number of boaters who lose their lives by drowning each year would be alive today had they worn their life jackets; and

            Whereas, Modern life jackets are more comfortable, more attractive, and more wearable than styles of years past and deserve a fresh look by today’s boating public; and

            Whereas, The National Safe Boating Council will be starting its National Safe Boating Campaign on May 19, 2007; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we hereby designate May 19-25, 2007, as Safe Boating Week in Michigan and the start of the year-round effort to promote safe boating; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the United States Coast Guard, the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, the United States Power Squadron, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, and the Michigan Sheriffs' Association.