Whereas, The tradition of the clown can be traced from ancient Egypt to the Greco-Roman world, to the royal jesters of Europe, and finally to Emmet Kelly and Lou Jacobs of America; and,

Whereas, The clown gladdens the heart, lightens the spirit, and brings smiles to the faces of children and adults alike, and for a few precious moments reminds us of the healing power of humor in our daily lives; and,

Whereas, The clown can be seen performing at such places as charitable organizations, community celebrations, and public institutions for no other reason than to help boost the morale of those around them; and,

Whereas, The men and women who dedicate their lives to this tradition should be recognized for the outstanding and meaningful contributions they make in our Great Lakes State; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim the week of August 1, 2006, as Clown Week in the State of Michigan and urge all citizens to join in sharing their message of joy and laughter.