Reps. Voorhees, Adamini, Brandenburg, Caswell, Caul, DeRossett, Farhat, Hummel, Meyer, Nofs, Richardville, Shaffer, Spade, Stahl, Taub, Vander Veen, Acciavatti, Gillard, Gleason, Hager, Hoogendyk, Howell, Huizenga, Ruth Johnson, Koetje, Kooiman, Middaugh, Murphy, Newell, Palmer, Pappageorge, Rocca, Sak, Sheen, Shulman and Stewart offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 199.

A resolution recognizing February 7-14 as Marriage Week USA.

Whereas, Marriage, one of our most fundamental institutions, strengthens our society when two people enter into a mutual lifelong agreement to support each other in sickness, difficult financial times, and old age; and

Whereas, Marriage enriches the couple, their children, and the community around them

by providing opportunities to extend love, support, and the understanding of a mutual cooperation; and

Whereas, Couples and children blessed with healthy marriages tend to engage in less risky behavior, enjoy better physical and mental health, be more financially secure, and attain higher levels of education and employment; and

Whereas, President George W. Bush has announced a Healthy Marriage Initiative to highlight programs teaching marriage skills and education, to promote marriage mentoring and enrichment programs, to reduce disincentives to marriage, and to promote the value of marriage to our culture; and

Whereas, Because the President launched the Healthy Marriage Initiative, the Michigan House of Representatives and the Michigan Senate appropriated $750,000 to fund a marriage initiative in Michigan; and

Whereas, Marriage is both a personal and private relationship and a public commitment licensed by the state of Michigan; and

Whereas, Many of the expenditures by the state are closely tied to people harmed by failed or never formed marriages and any long-term strategy for reducing dependency on state social services and ensuring economic growth must include a strategy for encouraging healthy marriages; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body recognize February 7-14 as Marriage Week USA; and be it further

Resolved, To call upon elected officials at every level and citizens of all walks of life to determine during Marriage Week USA, and particularly on Valentine’s Day, to consider ways that they can strengthen their own marriages and support the marriages of others throughout the state of Michigan and across the country.