GRANHOLM - Governor Granholm Pays Tribute to Nurses, State Employees

May 9, 2008

Extends appreciation to well-wishers as she continues her recovery

LANSING - In her weekly radio address recorded from her residence in Lansing, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today paid tribute to nurses and state employees during a week that has been set aside to recognize them, and thanked citizens who have extended their get-well wishes as she recovers from surgery.

"I want to thank everyone who kept my family and me in their thoughts and prayers as surgery addressed a complication that resulted from a taxi cab accident I was involved in over 15 years ago," Granholm said. "And to the outstanding team of doctors, nurses and medical technicians at Sparrow Hospital who provided me with top-notch care … thank you.

"It seems only right that I share my gratitude for their amazing professionalism during this time when we celebrate Michigan Nurses Week, when we pay tribute to all of the men and women who work as nurses in our hospitals, nursing homes, and medical facilities across our state."

This week is also State Employee Appreciation Week, and Granholm recognized the 50,000 men and women whose commitment to their fellow citizens has led them to a career in public service.

"Thanks to their dedication, our vulnerable citizens, our seniors, our children, and people with disabilities are cared for," Granholm said. "Thanks to them, our fantastic natural resources are protected, our communities are patrolled and safe and welcoming, and our government is accessible and responsive. To them, our public servants, our state employees, and to all of you, I say thank you. I intend to have a speedy recovery and look forward to getting back to the office very soon."

The governor's weekly radio address is released each Friday morning and may be heard on broadcast stations across the state. The address is available on the governor's Web site at ( www.michigan.gov/gov ) for download, together with a clip of the quote above. The radio address is also available as a podcast on the Web site, as well as on iTunes and via RSS feed for general distribution to personal MP3 players and home computers. Links to the audio files and text of today's address follow.

GOVERNOR JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM
Radio Address - Thank you
May 9, 2008

Full: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Gov144_Full_233878_7.mp3
Edited: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Gov144_Edit_233879_7.mp3
Quote: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Gov144_Quote_233882_7.mp3

This is Governor Jennifer Granholm.

Now, typically, this time each week is my opportunity to talk with you about important events happening in our state. In fact, I expected to be reporting to you today on the exciting possibilities for new jobs in Michigan resulting from my investment mission to the Middle East.

But unfortunately that trip had to be postponed last week when I had unexpected surgery. So instead of giving you a progress report on jobs, this week, I simply want to say thank you.

Thank you to the many citizens who took the time to send me a note or a card or flowers and those who made a contribution to one of my favorite nonprofit organizations, Mentor Michigan.

I want to thank everyone who kept my family and me in their thoughts and prayers as surgery addressed a complication that resulted from a taxi cab accident I was in over 15 years ago.

And to the outstanding team of doctors, nurses, and medical technicians at Sparrow Hospital who provided me with top-notch care…thank you. It seems only right that I share my gratitude for their amazing professionalism during this time when we celebrate Michigan Nurses Week.

This week, we pay tribute to all of the men and women who work as nurses in our hospitals, nursing homes, and medical facilities across our state. It takes a very special person with a servant's heart to give care the way that nurses do, and I want to thank them for their service.

This is also State Employee Appreciation Week, and this year, more than ever I am also grateful for the 50,000 men and women whose commitment to their fellow citizens has led them to a career in public service.

Thanks to their dedication, our vulnerable citizens, our seniors, our children, people with disabilities are cared for. Thanks to them, our fantastic natural resources are protected, our communities are patrolled and safe and welcoming, our government is accessible and responsive, and so much more.

So to them, our public servants, our state employees, and to all of you, I say thank you. I intend to have a speedy recovery and look forward to getting back to the office very soon.

Thank you for listening.

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