Whereas, Entrepreneurship is vital to Michigan's growth and prosperity in the highly competitive global economy; and,

Whereas, Entrepreneurship provides an opportunity for economic development and helps meet labor market demands and training needs for today's job market; and,

Whereas, Most of the new jobs created in Michigan in the past several decades have come from the creative efforts of entrepreneurs and small businesses; and,

Whereas, The Partnership for 21^st Century Skills has identified entrepreneurial literacy as one of the areas critical to success in communities and workplaces; and,

Whereas, Working to expand the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of Michigan's youth and adults to help them become successful entrepreneurs is crucial to the long-term growth of local communities, the state, and the nation; and,

Whereas, Michigan Entrepreneurship Week provides an opportunity to focus on the innovative ways in which entrepreneurship education can bring together the core academic, technical, and problem solving skills essential for future entrepreneurs and successful workers in work places; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim the week of February 23, 2008, as Michigan Entrepreneurship Week.