Whereas, The suffering and agony that pain causes each day also creates a great burden on our country's economy with additional medical expenses, lost wages, and reduced productivity in the workplace; and,

Whereas, While pain is the body's way of letting us know something is wrong, no one should have to endure it longer than necessary; and,

Whereas, More than 95 percent of pain can be managed by talking with a healthcare professional and taking the first steps in fighting it;

Now, Therefore, be it Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, governor of the state of Michigan, do hereby proclaim September 2009 as Pain Awareness Month in Michigan.