Reps. DeRoche, Emmons, Ward, Mortimer, Hummel, Newell, Tabor, Voorhees, Garfield, Van Regenmorter, Stakoe, Pumford, Caul, Rocca, Pappageorge, Huizenga, Farhat, Caswell, Kooiman, Pastor, Acciavatti, Amos, Brandenburg, Byrum, DeRossett, Ehardt, Elkins, Farrah, Gillard, Hune, Julian, Meyer, Milosch, Nitz, Richardville, Sak, Shaffer, Shulman, Taub, Tobocman, and Vander Veen offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 193.

            A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to increase the level of federal funds available to the states for DNA testing.

            Whereas, One of the most significant breakthroughs in the area of crime fighting is DNA testing.  This scientific technology has had a dramatic impact in protecting innocent people accused of crimes and identifying murderers, rapists, and other violent criminals.  Because of the effectiveness of this tool, there is enormous frustration among citizens and law enforcement professionals that there is a large backlog of cases awaiting laboratory testing, both here in Michigan and across the country; and

            Whereas, In spite of state and federal efforts to date, there remains in Michigan a backlog of over 74,000 cases awaiting DNA testing.  It is estimated that Michigan State Police labs can expect 50,000 new DNA samples per year.  At the current level of funding available, it is expected that only 42,000 of these can be processed annually, adding to the backlog of cases; and

            Whereas, This lag in testing represents a genuine threat to public safety.  There have been well-publicized reports of new violent crimes being committed by people who were on the streets solely because tests were still pending.  Police across the state are confident that, if the backlog of cases were to be eliminated, thousands of unsolved serious crimes, including murders and rapes, would be solved.  The magnitude of removing so many violent criminals from society cannot be ignored; and

            Whereas, The issue of finding ample resources to conduct DNA tests on a timely basis is a substantial security issue for our nation.  The federal nature of this issue is further underscored by the fact that violent criminals often move around the country.  Clearly, this issue is vital to the safety of our citizens; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the Congress of the United States to increase the level of federal funds available to the states for DNA testing; 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.