Rep. Geiss offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 189. 

            A resolution of gratitude to the people of the state of Michigan, the people of the United States of America, the President and Congress for their continued support of the domestic automobile industry.

            Whereas, In manufacturing, is it important to create a product that is high in quality yet affordable to the target market and is concurrently sustainable and profitable for the producer; and

Whereas, Our economy, the domestic auto industry in particular, was faced with unprecedented challenges. These challenges, which in large part emanated from a maelstrom of rising energy costs, a massive credit crunch, and other global economic forces, combined in a way that threatened the existence of our nation's domestic automakers; and

Whereas, Clearly, this key segment of our economy was far too important to the state of Michigan and the United States to be allowed to whither and potentially fail; and

Whereas, The U.S. automotive industry and the advancements associated with automotive transportation have been the lifeblood of the American economy for decades. American automakers have been responsible for many of the most important manufacturing advancements in the past century, and they were the "Arsenal of Democracy" that helped assure our victory in time of war; and

Whereas, The automotive industry is now a key force in the growth and development of the advanced technology that is so critical to our future. Indeed, the American automobile has defined our very culture and events such as Michigan's Woodward Dream Cruise stand as testimony to the unadulterated power and the classic beauty of the American automobile; and

Whereas, Today more than 3 million direct and indirect American jobs and countless numbers of retirees are dependent on the domestic automotive industry. Therefore, a strong showing of support for our domestic automakers was critical at that important juncture in our nation's history; and

Whereas, By our action or inaction, we the people were ultimately responsible for making sure that this indispensable piece of our domestic economy was not allowed to collapse on itself, destroying thousands of well-paying jobs for Michigan families; and

Whereas, Latest reports indicate strong profits are being earned across the board by all three domestic auto manufacturers; and

Whereas, By taking difficult but necessary action, the American people have helped the auto industry add back more than 200,000 jobs, the best period of job growth for the industry in more than a decade; and

Whereas, In part, the automotive industry and its partners define our state and our people; now, therefore, be it,

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we hereby bestow our highest gratitude to those consumers in this state and this country who believed that the domestic auto industry was too important to let die; and be it further

Resolved, That our highest praise fall on our domestic auto industry, who on their darkest day, found a way to continue to do business in a way that is both profitable and sustainable for generations to come; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.