Reps. Polidori, Lisa Brown, Geiss, Haveman, Knollenberg, Lahti, LeBlanc, Leland, Lipton, Liss, Pearce, Rocca, Stanley, Valentine, Barnett, Byrnes, Dean, Robert Jones, Terry Brown, Constan, Crawford, Haugh, Rick Jones, Kandrevas, Lemmons, Miller, Neumann, Spade, Clemente, Cushingberry and Walsh offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 112.

            A resolution to urge the U.S. Department of State to work with Italian authorities to do all they can to maintain the Italian Consulate in Detroit.

            Whereas, The history of the people of Michigan and the people of Italy has been marked by generations of personal, educational, cultural, and commercial relationships. The depth of these relationships is well expressed by the fact that the people of Italy have had a formal presence of their government in Detroit since 1899, when a consular agent was appointed; and

            Whereas, Today, the Detroit Consulate of Italy has jurisdiction not only throughout Michigan, but also across Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. This facility, located in the Buhl Building in downtown Detroit, offers vital services to those seeking visas, businesses from America working with their counterparts in Italy, and Italian businesses operating in this country. Students, families, and entrepreneurs benefit from the assistance and cultural information booklets offered at the Italian Consulate; and

            Whereas, The recent announcement by the Italian government of plans to close the Italian Consulate in Detroit has been met with surprise and concern throughout Michigan. With the historic realignment of the auto industry that includes the purchase by Italian car maker Fiat of major assets of Chrysler, it would seem as if the need for the services offered by the consulate would be increasing. Clearly, this transaction alone would seem more likely to create more demand for the official presence of the Italian government rather than less; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the U.S. Department of State to work with Italian authorities to do all they can to maintain the Italian Consulate in Detroit; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Office of the United States Secretary of State and to the Italian Consulate in Detroit.