Whereas, LaKisha Jones was born on January 13, 1980, at Hurley Medical Center in Flint; and,

Whereas, LaKisha began her love affair with music at a young age and first performed at the age of 5 with the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church choir; and,

Whereas, LaKisha has pursued her dream of becoming a singer throughout her life, starting with her involvement  in theater and the choral group, the Madrigal Singers, during high school, followed by roles in productions staged by the University of Michigan-Flint, where she majored in music; and

Whereas, Formally trained in classical music but with a passion for gospel, LaKisha immediately gained the attention and affection of viewers across the state and the nation on the first night of performances by this year's 24 American Idol finalists with her show-stopping performance of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going"; and

Whereas, Week after week, song after song, LaKisha demonstrated her undeniable talent and powerhouse voice to win the praise of the judges and fans, and to earn a spot as one of American Idol's top 4 finalists in season 6; and,

Whereas, The Great Lakes State has been blessed to have been the home of Motown and to many of today's rock and roll stars and Michigan is proud to add the aptly nicknamed "New Mother of Soul," LaKisha Jones, to its roster of incredible performers; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim June 11, 2007, as LaKisha Jones Day.  I congratulate LaKisha on her top 4 finish on America Idol and I wish her success with the American Idols 2007 Tour and what I am sure will be a long and illustrious career in the music industry.