Reps. Walker, Ball, Baxter, Booher, Brandenburg, Brown, Caul, Clack, Cushingberry, Elsenheimer, Farhat, Gleason, Gosselin, Hildenbrand, Jones, Kooiman, David Law, Lipsey, Marleau, Mayes, McDowell, Meyer, Moolenaar, Mortimer, Murphy, Nitz, Palmer, Pearce, Proos, Sak, Alma Smith, Stahl, Taub, Tobocman, Vander Veen and Zelenko offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 264.

            A resolution celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Northwestern Michigan College's annual barbecue in Traverse City, Michigan.

            Whereas, Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) hosts an annual barbecue each May on their beautiful campus, welcoming the state of Michigan to their college; and

            Whereas, Over 500 volunteers donate energy, time, and enthusiasm to make the annual NMC barbecue a success; and

            Whereas, Over 10,000 Michiganians attend the barbecue each year, continuing the tradition in Traverse City that NMC is a college built by the community for the community; and

            Whereas, Local grocer Gerald Oleson and his wife Frances started the annual picnic in 1956 by asking the community if they would help with the event if he donated the food.  Over 4,900 people attended the first event making the barbecue a huge success; and

            Whereas, Oleson’s Food Stores have donated the food for every barbecue since that first one, serving over 2,000 pounds each of buffalo meat, potato salad, and baked beans at every barbecue; and

            Whereas, The annual NMC barbecue has raised more than 1.3 million dollars for projects at the college, including facilities like the NMC Dennos Museum Center, the NMC University Center, classroom equipment to enhance learning, and programs that contribute to education for the community; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Northwestern Michigan College's annual barbecue in Traverse City, Michigan.  We also recognize the Oleson Family for their foresight and generosity for the past 50 years.