Dear Colleagues:

With the holidays just around the corner, I want to wish all of you wonderful times with family and friends.  I also want to thank you for your continued dedication and commitment to doing great things for Michigan citizens.

Despite some tough challenges this year, we have a number of accomplishments of which we can all be proud.  You, as state employees, helped to strengthen our schools, retrain displaced workers, expand access to health care, revitalize our cities and our infrastructure, and protect our kids.  And I thank you.  

You've probably heard me say it before, but I will say it again - I believe public service is among the greatest of callings.  It's not easy and it is sometimes messy, but the rewards are priceless.  So I am looking forward to 2008 and the opportunity to continue to serve the citizens of Michigan.

Again, thank you.  And may the peace of the season embrace you and your families now and throughout the New Year. 

Warm regards,
Jennifer M. Granholm
Governor

P.S. Our friends at the Department of Agriculture are working hard to promote Michigan products, so if you have any holiday shopping left to do, I encourage you to 'Buy Michigan' when you shop for gifts this holiday season and all year 'round.

Another great source for unique Michigan history and heritage gifts is The Museum Store at the Michigan Historical Museum in Lansing.  During the Museum Store's Double Discount Days - December 17-21, 2007 - state employees receive a 20 percent discount.  For more information, visit the Web site at:  http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-17445_19273_19338---,00.html