Whereas, The people of Michigan value our most important resource, our children, the foundation and future of the Great Lakes State; and,

Whereas, The people of Michigan support institutions that provide care and attention for children who no longer live with birth families; and,

Whereas, Despairing young parents may not be ready for parenthood and may abandon their unwanted children in unsafe places; and,

Whereas, These anxious parents need safe choices for their newborns, and the Safe Delivery of Newborns Act of 2001 focuses on safe places for newborn babies less than 72 hours old; and,

Whereas, The Safe Delivery of Newborns Act designates hospitals, fire stations and police departments as safe delivery sites and includes a paramedic or emergency medical technician who responds to a 9-1-1 emergency call; and,

Whereas, The Safe Delivery of Newborns Act has resulted in parents surrendering over 50 newborn infants to authorities since the act was introduced; and,

Whereas, Newborns turned over to authorities under the Safe Delivery of Newborns Act are placed with adoptive families; and,

Whereas, Safe Delivery of Newborns Day in Michigan is an opportunity for all citizens and professionals to become more aware of the Safe Delivery of Newborns Act; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That 1, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim the week of April 14, 2008, as Safe Delivery of Newborns Week in Michigan and encourage all citizens to join in this observance and learn more about the safe delivery of newborns.