Whereas, Our vast and complex system of justice cannot function without the skills and dedication of our nation’s legal support professionals; and,

Whereas, Legal support professionals provide vital administrative and technical assistance to our courts, government, business, and private law; and,

Whereas, The National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS), together with its state and local associations, has initiated an educational program to increase opportunities for legal support professionals to observe and learn about courtroom proceedings; and,

Whereas, During “Court Observance Week” legal support professionals throughout Michigan will participate in programs to enhance their knowledge of the system which they so ably serve; and,

Whereas, Legal support professionals, along with judges and lawyers, participate in one of life’s most satisfying endeavors-the administration of justice; and,

Whereas, Many legal support professionals have never had any first-hand exposure to courtroom situations to see the inner working of the judicial branch of our government with which they are so closely associated by reason of their profession; and,

Whereas, One of the main aims and purposes of NALS is to increase the skill, competence, and usefulness of legal support professionals so that they may better serve their employers; and

Whereas, Within the working of our judicial system, the legal support professional plays an integral role; and,

Whereas, NALS of Michigan seeks to continually enhance the skills and increase the competence of legal support professionals; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim the week of October 13, 2003, as Court Observance Week in Michigan, and I urge all citizens to recognize the contributions of legal support professionals to our system of justice and to commend their efforts to develop their professional knowledge and capabilities.