Reps. Horn, Poleski, Shirkey, Johnson, McBroom, Barnett, Bauer, Brown, Constan, Crawford, Darany, Denby, Heise, Kurtz, Lindberg, Liss, Price, Slavens, Talabi and Tyler offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 330.  

            A resolution to declare December 6, 2012, as Utility Workers Safety Awareness Day in the state of Michigan.

            Whereas, Utility workers put their lives on the line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year; and

            Whereas, These brave men and women are often the first people at the scene of a storm or catastrophic event; and

            Whereas, Utility workers regularly perform their duties along the roadside as identified by circulating amber lights and designated signs and cones; and

            Whereas, There are numerous near misses every month where utility workers are almost hit because drivers do not slow down or pull to the side when utility workers are roadside; and

            Whereas, The fines and liabilities of hitting a roadside utility worker are identical to those of roadside construction workers and police officers; and

            Whereas, Everyone can assist in creating a safer environment through better awareness to utility workers and vehicles operating roadside; and

Whereas, All citizens need to understand the sacrifice and risk these men and women undergo to ensure our daily schedules are not interrupted; and

Whereas, During Utility Workers Safety Awareness Day, the goal is to better educate the public about the need to “slow down and go around” utility workers, just as they do for police, fire trucks and ambulances; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare December 6, 2012, as Utility Workers Safety Awareness Day in the state of Michigan.