Whereas, Intellectual disabilities have been named the fastest growing disabilities in the world by "Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics;" and,

Whereas, Autism rates have reached one in every 160 births and one of every 94 male births; and,

Whereas, There are more than 500 known causes for various types of intellectual disabilities, and according to the World Health Organization, 3 percent of the world's population is intellectually disabled; and,

Whereas, Approximately 302,869 Michigan residents who are intellectually disabled qualify to participate in the life-changing programs of the Special Olympics; and,

Whereas, Special Olympics Michigan serves more than 15,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities, providing them with year-round sports training and competitions in 23 Olympic-type sports; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim March 2008 as Intellectual Disability Awareness Month in Michigan.