Whereas, The average American family spends more than $1300 annually on utility bills; and,

Whereas, That figure represents nearly 20% of a low-income family’s income and could approach 30% as fuel costs steadily rise; and,

Whereas, The Weatherization Assistance Program, using federal, state, local, and private dollars, benefits households and communities across the nation by providing cost-effective, energy-efficient retrofits to homes occupied by low-income Americans; and,

Whereas, The average energy cost savings for each home weatherized is more than $300 annually, allowing families to spend the money saved on groceries, doctor bills, prescriptions, and other needs, thereby making them more self-sufficient; and,

Whereas, Carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by an average of one ton per weatherized household, reducing pollution levels here in Michigan by an average of 4536 tons annually for the past three years; and,

Whereas, 52 direct jobs are created within the nation’s communities for each $1 million invested, resulting in 2080 jobs in Michigan in the past three years; and,

Whereas, 248,875 homes have been weatherized in Michigan since the program began in 1977; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim October 30, 2004, as Weatherization Day in Michigan, and I urge all citizens of this state to recognize the importance of energy conservation, pollution reduction, and safer homes through appropriate activities and ceremonies.