Reps. Vander Veen, Anderson, Bieda, Casperson, Dennis, Ehardt, Elkins, Farhat, Hager, Jamnick, O'Neil, Sak, Vagnozzi, Zelenko, Accavitti, Adamini, Bradstreet, Brown, Byrum, Caswell, Caul, Condino, DeRossett, Farrah, Garfield, Gillard, Gleason, Hardman, Hopgood, Koetje, Kolb, LaSata, Lipsey, Meisner, Meyer, Milosch, Minore, Murphy, Nofs, Palmer, Pappageorge, Pastor, Phillips, Rocca, Shackleton, Shaffer, Sheltrown, Shulman, Spade, Stahl, Stakoe, Stallworth, Steil, Tabor, Taub, Tobocman, Voorhees and Wojno offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 293.

A resolution recognizing the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival’s 80th anniversary which honors the United States Coast Guard’s 150 years of lifesaving services on the Great Lakes.

Whereas, On July 30, 2004, Grand Haven will celebrate 80 years of honoring the Coast Guard in the United States; and

Whereas, In 1924, the local community came together at a birthday picnic to honor the Coast Guard.  The Coast Guard has grown from a crew of volunteers of the U.S. Life-Saving Service and the Lighthouse Service which began in 1854 to being a forefront in National Defense for the Department of Homeland Security; and

Whereas, The Life-Saving Service officially began on the Great Lakes with the commissioning of 11 stations divided among Lakes Erie, Ontario, and Huron.  In 1877, stations were added to include Lake Superior and Lake Michigan.  This expansion continued in 1915 when the Revenue Cutter Service and the U.S. Life-Saving Service were combined to form the modern day Coast Guard.  In 1939, the Lighthouse Service was also merged with the Coast Guard.  The maritime law enforcement agency has grown to include over 1,800 active duty members, 67 civilians, 600 Reservists, and 4,500 Auxiliarists in the Ninth Coast Guard District, which encompasses the Great Lakes; and

Whereas, The 2004 Coast Guard Festival takes great pride in honoring the men and women of the United States Coast Guard for the brave work they conduct each and every day.  The festival is able to host an array of fun, family activities, and excitement every year.  Few departments have had a greater impact on the lives of people around the country than the U.S. Coast Guard.  The Coast Guard was one of the first to respond to terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, and on an average day they conduct 109 search and rescue cases, save 10 lives and assist 192 people in distress; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body recognize Grand Haven’s Coast Guard Festival on their 80th anniversary which honors the United States Coast Guard.  May the United States Coast Guard continue to offer safe waterways for all of the citizens surrounding the Great Lakes; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Ninth District Coast Guard Station and the Executive Committee of the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival.