Whereas, The Michigan Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons is a professional organization whose mission is to ensure quality medical eye care and to raise awareness of potentially blinding eye diseases; and, 

Whereas, Eye doctors who have patients who are legally blind are encouraged to refer these individuals to the Michigan Commission for the Blind; and, 

Whereas, The Michigan Commission for the Blind provides training and other services to help blind and visually impaired individuals achieve independence and employment; and,

Whereas, Leader Dogs for the Blind educates the community and employers about blindness and offers work rehabilitation and special programs, including Trekker Training, to enhance the lives of blind and visually impaired individuals and is the only leader dog school in the country that offers a deaf/blind program; and,

Whereas, The Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology hosts one of the largest free support groups for the elderly blind and visually impaired in America and assists people who are blind or visually impaired in maintaining independence through education, support, and socialization; and,

Whereas, These and other organizations are working together to increase public awareness that blindness is often preventable and that blind and visually impaired people can lead independent and productive lives with the training and services available; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That, I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim April 2008 as Michigan Blindness Prevention and Services Month.