Reps. Ward, Accavitti, Adamini, Anderson, Bieda, Brandenburg, DeRossett, Ehardt, Emmons, Garfield, Gillard, Howell, Hummel, Hune, Jamnick, Koetje, Law, Meyer, Middaugh, Milosch, Nitz, Palsrok, Pastor, Rocca, Shaffer, Shulman, Stakoe, Stallworth, Tobocman, Vagnozzi, Vander Veen, Voorhees, Wojno, Brown, Byrum, Huizenga, Lipsey and Sak offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 209.

A resolution recognizing March 6-12, 2004, as National Voter Registration Week.

Whereas, The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America declares, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." It further proclaims, "That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,…"; and

Whereas, The United States of America was founded on democratic principles and the word "democracy" literally means government by the people; and

Whereas, Many who have gone before us have risked their lives for this right and by exercising the privilege of voting, we honor those brave individuals who sacrificed much to win us the right to vote; and

Whereas, Voting in the United States is central to our democratic way of life, giving each of us a feeling of being a part of America when we get involved in the decision-making process by exercising our right to vote; and

Whereas, In 1994, the United States Congress passed the National Voter Registration Act, which took effect on January 1, 1995. This milestone voter registration law requires states to allow citizens to register to vote when they obtain or renew their driver's licenses or at designated government agencies, including those serving public assistance recipients and people with disabilities; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body recognize March 6-12, 2004, as National Voter Registration Week.  We acknowledge our country is a better country and our state a better state when its citizens exercise their voice in the democratic process; and, be it further

Resolved, That the members recognize that each vote is priceless and we encourage all eligible citizens in the state of Michigan to register to vote.