Senator Van Woerkom offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 37.

            A resolution proclaiming the week of April 19-25, 2009, in conjunction with Earth Day, as Plant Michigan Green Week.

            Whereas, Earth Day is April 22, 2009; and

            Whereas, The Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association has created the Plant Michigan Green Initiative; and

            Whereas, The Plant Michigan Green Initiative’s goal is to keep Michigan’s environment healthy by planting trees; and

            Whereas, Trees are natural air filters, and just one tree removes 26 pounds of carbon dioxide from the air each year and can produce enough oxygen for a family of four to live on; and

            Whereas, Proper selection and placement of trees, shrubs, and perennials can lower heating and cooling costs by 20 percent and reduce noise pollution by 50 percent; and

            Whereas, A healthy lawn is not only your family’s playground, but it also provides for air, water, and soil conservation; and

            Whereas, Michigan’s nursery, perennial plant production, Christmas tree, sod producers, landscaping, and lawn care industries contribute $1.2 billion to Michigan’s economy; and

            Whereas, Nursery and perennial plant producers generate $291 million in annual sales and distribute their products in 35 states, Mexico, and Canada, making it the second-largest agriculture commodity group in Michigan and the fifth-largest nursery industry in the nation; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we hereby proclaim the week of April 19-25, 2009, in conjunction with Earth Day, as Plant Michigan Green Week; and be it further

            Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association with our highest esteem.