Whereas, Polio is a highly contagious disease that is caused by a virus that primarily lives in the intestines and human feces and once inside the body, the poliovirus multiplies in the throat and intestinal tract, then travels through the bloodstream where it infects the brain and spinal cord; and,

Whereas, Paralysis can occur because the virus attacks the nervous system and damages or destroys the nerves that send messages between the brain and the muscles; and,

Whereas, Approximately 70 percent of paralytic polio survivors and 40 percent of non-paralytic polio survivors develop Post-Polio Sequelae (PPS), and exhibit symptoms such as overwhelming fatigue, muscle weakness, muscle and joint pain, sleep disorders, heightened sensitivity, and difficulty breathing and swallowing; and,

Whereas, With nearly 2 million North American survivors of the polio epidemics of the 1940's, 50's and early 60's, it is important that they and their health care professional be made aware of the existence of PPS and its proper treatment; and,

Whereas, In the past two years, polio has been reported in five unvaccinated citizens in the United States; and,

Whereas, The Centers of Disease Control reports that 10 percent of U.S. children under 3 years old, totaling over one million children are not vaccinated against polio; and,

Whereas, Polio cases have recently been increasing in India and Africa, and for every case of reported polio, it is estimated there are between 70-200 silent virus carriers; and,

Whereas, With polio cases on the rise internationally and vaccinations on the decline domestically, it is important to raise awareness of polio and the importance of vaccinations in protecting the health of our children, Michigan's future generation; and not therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim September 2007, as Polio Awareness Month.