SR-178, As Adopted by Senate, April 24, 2008

            Senators Hunter, Clarke, Thomas, Scott, Clark-Coleman, Jelinek and Anderson offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 178.

            A resolution proclaiming April 26, 2008, as Global Youth Service Day.

            Whereas, It is a distinct privilege to recognize YouthVille Detroit, a program of the Detroit Youth Foundation focused on positive youth development in metro Detroit, as it mobilizes more than 600 young people to participate in the 20th Annual National and Global Youth Service Day on April 26, 2008. Youth in the metro Detroit area join millions of youth across the United States and in 116 other nations to participate in community service projects and events to celebrate this occasion. It is a privilege to thank the youth and the organizers of this extraordinary event; and

            Whereas, The 2008 YouthVille Global Youth Service Day project is known as "ComeUnity Now: Youth Drive Our Future." The project collaborates with the city of Detroit’s Motor City Makeover, Motor City Blight Busters, Habitat for Humanity, and Greening of Detroit to provide volunteers of adults and youth in a unified effort in revitalizing all Southeast Michigan. It also benefits the region by providing other partnerships and resources for youth to serve in their local communities; and

            Whereas, Young people from 11 years old through college students are participating in the event. Urban, suburban, and rural youth, as well as young people from church youth groups and university clubs, have joined together to make a difference and change communities locally and around the world; and

            Whereas, A program of Youth Service America, Global Youth Service Day is the largest youth service event in the world. Global Youth Service Day is a year-round effort to expand the impact of the youth service movement. The initiative launches new service organizations, policy changes, and sustainable service programs to create a culture of engaged youth. State Farm Companies Foundation is the presenting sponsor. More than 120 national partners and 75 lead agencies throughout the United States organize projects. Overseas, national lead agencies in more than 100 countries participate; and

            Whereas, Youth Service America is an international nonprofit resource center that partners with thousands of organizations in more than 100 countries and is committed to increasing the quality and quantity of volunteer opportunities for young people ages 5-25 to serve locally, nationally, and globally. Founded in 1986, Youth Service America’s mission is to expand the impact of the youth service movement with communities, schools, corporations, and governments; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That April 26, 2008, be proclaimed Global Youth Service Day; and be it further

            Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to YouthVille Detroit as a token of our esteem.