Whereas, Whenever called upon to defend our national security at home or abroad, the men and women who serve in the National Guard and Reserves, and in the active service components of the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard have responded immediately and effectively, placing the national interests above their own personal safety; and,

Whereas, More than 48 million of these citizen-soldiers have served the United States of American, and more than one-million of them have made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives for our country, and over 1.5 million more of them have been wounded; and,

Whereas, Today our men and women in uniform put their lives at risk each day, seeking to secure the blessing of freedom and liberty for oppressed people around the globe; and,

Whereas, In 1944, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the G.I. Bill into law, he observed that more than anything else, American servicemen and women wanted “the assurance of satisfactory employment” upon their return to civilian life; and,

Whereas, Veterans today desire the same economic opportunities as their forebears, and bring to the modern workplace skills, education, leadership, maturity and dedication they have learned and demonstrated in military service; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim June 2005, as Hire a Veteran Month in Michigan.