Senators Hardiman, Brown, Allen, Birkholz, Jelinek, Sikkema and Cropsey offered the following concurrent resolution:

            Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 41.

            A concurrent resolution urging the Republican National Committee to consider Detroit as the host site for the 2008 Republican National Convention.

            Whereas, Detroit is one of 31 cities to receive invitations to bid for the 2008 Republican National Convention. Cities have been asked to make their proposals to the National Republican Committee by early June 2006, and a decision on the site is expected to be made by February 1, 2007; and

            Whereas, The capacity of the Motor City to host as large an event as a national political party convention can hardly be questioned, for in the past year Detroit successfully hosted the 2005 Major League Baseball All Star Game and Super Bowl XL. In addition, in 2005 the Progressive  National Baptist Convention met in the Motor City, and in 2004 the National Urban League and the Lions Clubs International held their conventions  in Detroit; and

            Whereas, If the Republican National Committee chooses Detroit as the site for the 2008 presidential nomination convention, it would not be the first time Detroit was selected for a Republican National Convention, since it was the site of the 1980 GOP  National Convention that launched Ronald Reagan into the presidency; and

            Whereas, The selection of Detroit as the host city for the 2008 Republican National Convention would be an important step in the rejuvenation of Detroit as a major urban center. In recent years, the city has made great economic strides with the relocation of the Compuware Corporation to downtown Detroit and the nearly $500 million investment that General Motors has made to its Renaissance Center global headquarters. The Super Bowl infused more than $300 million dollars into the local economy, and the hosting of the 2008 Republican National Convention would be another boost in the rejuvenation of this great and unique city; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That we urge the Republican National Committee to select Detroit as the site of the 2008 Republican Convention; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Republican National Committee.