Whereas, The National Society of Newspaper Columnists, founded in 1977, promotes and encourages these efforts through an annual conference, online and print publications, a column-writing contest, and presentation of various awards recognizing achievement by columnists; and,

Whereas, The National Society of Newspaper Columnists is the only professional association in journalism devoted solely to columnists and has members throughout the United States and Canada; and,

Whereas, Members of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists include general interest writers, consumer advocates, humorists, political commentators, and others from large and small circulation papers, with experience ranging from beginners to Pulitzer Prize nominees; and,

Whereas, To increase public understanding of the column-writing profession, the National Society of Newspaper Columnists established National Columnists Day to be observed each year on April 18, the date Ernie Pyle, who symbolized the best among columnists, was killed World War II; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim April 18, 2004, as Columnists Day in Michigan.