Senator Bishop offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 132.

            A resolution commemorating December 16 as Michigan POW/MIA Recognition Day.

            Whereas, The United States has fought in many wars, and thousands of Americans who served in those wars were captured by the enemy or listed as missing in action; and

            Whereas, Many American prisoners of war were subjected to brutal and inhumane treatment by their enemy captors in violation of international codes and customs for the treatment of prisoners of war, and numerous  prisoners of war died from such treatment; and

            Whereas, A large number of these Americans are still missing and unaccounted for, and the uncertainty surrounding their fates has caused their families to suffer acute hardship; and

            Whereas, December 16 is the historic first day of the Battle of the Bulge, the largest American-fought battle of World War II, resulting in 23,544 prisoners of war and missing in action, more than any other battle during the war; and

            Whereas, Over 100 men of the Michigan 254th Engineer Combat Battalion were killed, captured, or went missing in action during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II; and

            Whereas, Of the four Americans serving in the current conflict in Iraq, as well as one serving in Operation Desert Storm, who are listed as missing in action, two of these soldiers, Specialist Ahmed K. Altaie and Private Byron W. Fouty, hail from the state of Michigan; and

            Whereas, The sacrifices of Americans still missing and unaccounted for and their families are deserving of our state's recognition and support for continued priority efforts to determine the outcome of those missing Americans; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That December 16 is hereby designated as Michigan POW/MIA Recognition Day. The Governor is encouraged to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the state of Michigan to recognize this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities; and be it further

            Resolved, That Michigan's residents are hereby urged to recognize National POW/MIA Recognition Day, during which all of our nation's prisoners of war and those missing in action, such as Specialist Alex R. Jimenez, Sergeant Keith "Matt" Maupin, and Lieutenant Commander Mike Scott Speicher, who also went missing while serving their country, are recognized for their valor and dedication to the freedom of our nation's citizens and people around the world; and be it further

            Resolved, That the National League of Families POW/MIA flag is hereby recognized officially and designated as the symbol of our state's concern and commitment to resolving the fates of Americans still prisoner, missing and unaccounted for, thus ending the uncertainty for their families and the nation.