Rep. Pastor offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 73.

            A resolution to condemn the actions of the Warren County Prosecutor in New York in seeking only misdemeanor charges in the capsizing deaths of twenty passengers, including seven senior citizens in the Livonia Travel Club.

            Whereas, In October 2005, twelve members of the Livonia Travel Club joined other passengers for a fall colors tour on Lake George in New York. The ship, operated by Shoreline Cruises, capsized, leading to the deaths of twenty passengers. Seven of those passengers were Michiganians traveling with the Livonia Travel Club. The tragedy of that day has scarred Michigan; and

            Whereas, The people of Michigan, as well as the victims of that senseless accident, have received no comfort from the legal proceedings in New York that have followed. It took fifteen months for any charges to be filed at all. The charges themselves failed to match the magnitude of the human toll this ship's sinking caused. Originally charged with criminal negligence for their roles in the deaths of twenty passengers and injuries to eighteen others, the company and captain of the ship pled guilty to mere misdemeanor charges of violating navigation law. This action trivialized the entire incident. To make matters worse, the captain and boating company were each fined $250, only half of what was possible, in addition to community service for the captain; and

            Whereas, Twelve residents of Michigan traveled to New York to enjoy a fall trip, and instead of a pleasant lake outing, endured terror and, for seven of them, senseless death. We are outraged that efforts to seek justice have failed through delays in bringing charges against the captain and company, inadequate prosecution, and sentences that make a mockery of the lives of twenty innocents lost that fall day in 2005; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we condemn the actions of the Warren County Prosecutor in New York in seeking only misdemeanor charges in the capsizing deaths of twenty passengers, including seven senior citizens in the Livonia Travel Club; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Warren County Prosecutor in New York.