Reps. Elsenheimer, Bolger, Booher, Terry Brown, Caul, Constan, Crawford, Denby, Durhal, Haines, Hansen, Horn, Rick Jones, Kowall, Kurtz, Leland, Lori, Lund, Marleau, McDowell, Neumann, Opsommer, Pearce, Proos, Wayne Schmidt, Tyler and Walsh offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 201.

            A resolution to urge the United States Coast Guard to operate a cutter ship out of Charlevoix.

            Whereas, The United States Coast Guard used to operate three ships out of Duluth, Port Huron, and Charlevoix until the 2006 decommissioning of the Acacia, which was kept in Charlevoix. Since the Acacia was decommissioned by the United States Coast Guard, no ship has been housed in Charlevoix to replace it; and

            Whereas, The United States Coast Guard Cutter Acacia, built in 1944, provided essential navigational, search and rescue, and other services in Lake Michigan. Its work tending to nearly 200 navigation aids and keeping channels open by breaking ice was paramount to public safety; and

            Whereas, Reducing the number of ships providing buoy-tending and ice-cutting services continues to be a major concern to the individuals and businesses that relied upon the services of the Acacia; and

            Whereas, Charlevoix's role in lifesaving and promoting safe and efficient transportation on the Great Lakes is well established. The Coast Guard has operated a nautical rescue station in Charlevoix since 1889. The work carried out by the Acacia was an important component of these services and a valued resource for the community and the area. The loss of such a vessel has raised tremendous concern about the future of these services and the impact on several levels of the area's economy; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the United States Coast Guard to resume operation of a cutter ship out of Charlevoix to replace the lack of services since the decommissioning of the Acacia; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the United States Coast Guard 9th District Headquarters in Cleveland, the United States Secretary of Transportation, the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.