Whereas, Maintaining and supporting public education for Michigan's youth is a fundamental duty of state government as established in Article VIII, Section 2 of the State Constitution of 1963; and,

Whereas, By creating a highly skilled, creative workforce Michigan's public school system greatly influences the competitiveness of our state's economy; and,

Whereas, Michigan's 4,200 elected school board members are helping school districts throughout the state build a strong, educated 21^st Century workforce; and,

Whereas, Since 1949, the Michigan Association of School Boards has exemplified civic duty by deliberating decisions that fundamentally enrich the quality of education for over 1.7 million Michigan students; and,

Whereas, The commitment of school board members to improve public education has contributed to 93 percent of Michigan public schools reaching Adequate Yearly Progress in 2007 under the No Child Left Behind Act; and,  

Whereas, The theme of this year's celebration reflects the efforts of board members whose actions and decisions help to tailor the education and future of our next generation so it can successfully compete in a global society; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim January 2008, as School Board Recognition Month in Michigan.  I encourage all citizens to recognize and appreciate the many contributions school board members make to our children and communities.