Whereas, Professionals in the purchasing and materials management field are employed in both the private and public sector as well as in profit and nonprofit organizations; and,

Whereas, Purchasing and materials management professionals are responsible for executing, implementing and administrating contracts to purchase goods and services; and,

Whereas, Purchasing and materials management professionals also engage in developing forecast and procurement strategies, supervising and monitoring the flow and storage of materials, and developing working relationships with suppliers and other departments within organizations; and,

Whereas, Purchasing and materials management professionals in the public sector make important contributions to assure the efficient use of taxpayer dollars by providing efficient service while maintaining high standards; and,

Whereas, Local, state and federal purchasing and materials management professionals are responsible for managing and monitoring billions of dollars worth of goods and services every year that directly influence national and international economics; and,

Whereas, During these tumultuous economic times, the Michigan Public Purchasing Officers Association is working to make every tax dollar stretch farther than ever before; and,

Whereas, The Michigan Public Purchasing Officers Association also helps to train and educate purchasing professional to keep up with the ever changing business market in our state;

Now, Therefore, be it Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, governor of the state of Michigan, do hereby proclaim March 2009 Purchasing Month in Michigan. I encourage all citizens to learn more about the exciting field of purchasing and materials management and to see first-hand how this field affects our everyday lives.