Reps. Spade, Accavitti, Bieda, Condino, Farrah, Gillard, Jamnick, Lipsey, Milosch, Palsrok, Sheltrown, Vagnozzi, Wojno, Brandenburg, Byrum, DeRossett, Ehardt, Gieleghem, Hopgood, Kooiman, Law, Minore, O'Neil, Richardville, Sak, Taub, Voorhees, Zelenko, Clack, Garfield, Plakas, Stallworth, Acciavatti, Adamini, Anderson, Brown, Caswell, Daniels, Dennis, Elkins, Emmons, Gleason, Hardman, Murphy, Nitz, Shulman, Stakoe, Stewart, Tabor, Tobocman and Woodward offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 268.

            A resolution commemorating May 24 through May 30, 2004, as Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week in the state of Michigan.

            Whereas, There are 700 million ash trees that blanket the great state of Michigan contributing to air quality, natural landscapes, recreational destinations, wildlife habitats, tourism, manufacturing, commerce and property/land values; and

            Whereas,  Increasing public awareness and understanding of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), a destructive exotic beetle, benefits the state of Michigan by curtailing the artificial spread of the beetle through the movement of firewood thus reducing the need for government, businesses, industry and citizens to expend additional resources to control and eradicate new EAB infestations; and

            Whereas, Fostering a cooperative spirit and encouraging environmental stewardship throughout the state ultimately reduces the risk to the ash resource of Michigan and enables the redirection of financial and human resources to support the current Emerald Ash Borer Task Force and its response efforts; and

            Whereas, Spring and Memorial Day weekend mark the beginning of the travel and tourism season in Michigan; and

            Whereas, Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week is an opportunity for government to join forces with business, industry, environmental groups, community organizations and citizens to take action against the artificial spread and introduction of EAB; and

            Whereas, By citizens understanding and becoming aware of the EAB quarantine, they will contribute to the protection of Michigan's forests and reduce the spread of the EAB's costly damage; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body commemorate May 24 through May 30, 2004, as Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week in the state of Michigan; and be it further;

            Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Michigan Department of Agriculture.