Whereas, These fires erode the tax base and cause a severe loss to our cities, villages and neighborhoods, and can destroy property and the security of employment; and,

Whereas, Arson fires can disrupt our educational system, destroy irreplaceable historical buildings and artifacts, render natural resources useless for long periods of time and inflict countless human deaths and injuries; and,

Whereas, Direct costs of arson are estimated by the Michigan Arson Prevention Committee to be in the millions each year in Michigan alone, and arson has a significant impact on insurance premiums and tax dollars that must be used to pay for extinguishing and investigating these maliciously set fires; and,

Whereas, Costs associated with arson, both financial and emotional, include funerals, medical bills, legal work, lost wages, business interruptions, firefighting and law enforcement costs, which all exceed direct damage costs many times over; and,

Whereas, It is fitting to commend the Michigan Arson Prevention Committee for its efforts to combat the problem of arson through educational and public information programs and the tip-reward program that aids in the arrests of approximately 50 arsonists each year; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim the week of May 4, 2003, as Arson Awareness Week throughout our State and I encourage all citizens to recognize the costly consequences of arson.