GRANHOLM - Governor Granholm Inaugural Events Announced

December 13, 2006

Ceremony, open houses to celebrate "Next" Michigan

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and Lt. Governor John D. Cherry today announced a statewide schedule of inaugural events designed to include thousands of Michigan citizens in the celebration.

The theme of the 2007 inaugural is "Celebrating the Next Michigan," which underscores the Governor's commitment to create a Michigan with a diverse, robust economy and jobs, where every student has an opportunity to attend college, where every family has access to affordable healthcare, and where our quality of life is second to none.

A total of thirteen events will begin on December 31 and conclude on January 21. The Governor and Lt. Governor, along with other statewide elected officials, will take the oaths of office on Monday, January 1, in an 11:30 a.m. ceremony on the east steps of the state Capitol, a long-standing tradition in Michigan. The ceremony will be followed by a formal program at the Lansing Center where in addition to the Governor, remarks will be given by the Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, and Attorney General. The Capitol ceremony will also be simulcast at the Lansing Center by the Michigan Cable Telecommunications Association for those who prefer to watch it indoors.

Ten of the inaugural events, including the oaths of office and three interdenominational prayer services, are free and open to the public. Proceeds from three ticketed evening events in Grand Rapids, Detroit, and Marquette, will benefit Mentor Michigan, a statewide initiative led by Granholm and First Gentleman Daniel G. Mulhern to raise awareness of the need for mentors and the associated with mentoring.

Governor Granholm will again be sworn into office by United States Court of Appeals Judge Damon Keith, and Lt. Governor Cherry will be sworn in by Genesee County Probate Judge Robert Weiss. Also being sworn in on the Capitol steps will be Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, Attorney General Mike Cox, and those members of the Michigan Supreme Court, Michigan Court of Appeals, State Board of Education, University of Michigan Board of Regents, Michigan State University Board of Trustees, and Wayne State Board of Governors who were elected November 7.

As is tradition, the Michigan National Guard will provide a 19-gun cannon salute, and the Michigan Air National Guard will provide a fly-over during the ceremony.

The event schedule is as follows:

Sunday, December 31, 2006
4:00 p.m.
Interfaith Prayer Service
People's Church of East Lansing
200 W. Grand River Ave.
East Lansing

Monday, January 1, 2007
11:30 a.m.
The Oaths of Office
State Capitol steps
Downtown Lansing

12:30 p.m.
Inaugural Program and Addresses
Lansing Center
333 East Michigan Avenue
Lansing

Tuesday, January 2, 2007
1:00-4:00 p.m.
Western Michigan Open House
Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Texas Township Campus
6767 West O Avenue
Kalamazoo

Wednesday, January 3, 2007
1:00-4:00 p.m.
Mid-Michigan Open House
Flint Institute of Arts
1120 East Kearsley St.
Flint

Thursday, January 4, 2007
1:00-4:00 p.m.
Metro Detroit Open House
Lawrence Technological University
Buell Management Building Atrium
21000 West Ten Mile Road
Southfield

Friday, January 5, 2007
1:00-4:00 p.m.
Northern Michigan Open House
Tree Tops Resort Convention Center
3962 Wilkenson Road
Gaylord

Saturday, January 6, 2007
8:00 p.m.
Western Michigan Inaugural Evening
Noto's Old World Italian Dining
6600 28th Street SE
Grand Rapids
Tickets: $100

Sunday, January 7, 2007
5:00 p.m.
Interdenominational Prayer Service
Renaissance Church of God in Christ
1001 33rd Street
Grand Rapids

Saturday, January 13, 2007
1:00-4:00 p.m.
Detroit Open House
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
315 East Warren Avenue
Detroit

8:00 p.m.
Southeastern Michigan Inaugural Evening
Marriott Hotel at The Renaissance Center
Detroit
Tickets: $150

Saturday, January 20, 2007
6:00 p.m.
Upper Peninsula Inaugural Evening
Great Lakes Rooms of Northern Michigan University
Marquette
Tickets: $25

Sunday, January 21, 2007
5:00 p.m.
Interdenominational Prayer Service
Fellowship Chapel
7707 West Outer Drive
Detroit

RSVPs are requested for all inaugural events, and tickets must be purchased for the evening events. Beginning Friday, December 15, citizens can visit www.granholmcherry.com or call 877-830-0608 to RSVP or purchase tickets.

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