house resolution no.57
Reps. Kuppa, Cavanagh, Aiyash, Puri, Morse, Brixie, Hertel, Sabo, Thanedar, O'Neal, Anthony, Rogers, Cambensy, Steenland, Sowerby, Stone, Peterson, Garza, Shannon, Steckloff, Scott, Whitsett, Haadsma, Breen, Hope, Witwer, Neeley, Ellison, Clemente, Brabec, Tyrone Carter, Manoogian, Rabhi, Jones, LaGrand, Camilleri, Pohutsky, Young, Bolden, Hood, Yancey, Cherry, Liberati, Sneller and Weiss offered the following resolution:
Whereas, Since 1993, the United Nations has designated March 22nd as World Water Day. In 2010, the United Nations acknowledged "the importance of equitable access to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation as an integral component of the realization of all human rights"; and
Whereas, The theme of World Water Day 2021 is 'Valuing Water' and we recognize water-related issues beyond those of pricing to include the environmental, social, and cultural value people place on water; and
Whereas, Clean water is integral to the global economy and international security and nearly 1.5 billion laborers around the world work in water-related sectors. Reliable water infrastructure is integral to the health, safety, and well-being of people; and
Whereas, Water services should meet the needs of all Michiganders, including those who are the most vulnerable, so that their voices are heard in the decision-making process; and
Whereas, The Anishinaabek, the original people of the Great Lakes region, have a special relationship with the water and believe and teach that water is life necessary to sustain them both spiritually and physically. Based on these fundamental values, Anishinaabek people prioritize ensuring the waters of the Great Lakes are healthy and clean for future generations; and
Whereas, On admission to statehood, Michigan became the owner as sovereign to the waters of the Great Lakes and holds them under the public trust doctrine for the benefit of the people of the state of Michigan and constitute a public trust to protect the public s right to use the waters of the Great Lakes for purposes such as navigation, hunting, and fishing; and
Whereas, Michigan has the largest freshwater coastline in the United States and has more than 11,000 inland lakes. A Michigander is never more than six miles away from a fresh body of water; and
Whereas, The Great Lakes make up more than 20 percent of the world's fresh surface water supply and are a source of drinking water, sanitation, health, livelihood, and recreation for about 40 million people in addition to supporting more than 1.3 million jobs that generate $82 billion in wages annually; and
Whereas, Article IV, Section 52 of the Michigan Constitution holds that it is a paramount public concern of government to conserve and develop natural resources while protecting water and other natural resources from pollution, impairment and destruction; and
Whereas, The Michigan Environmental Protection Act calls for protection of the air, water, and other natural resources and the public trust in these resources from pollution, impairment, or destruction by government; and
Whereas, Michigan s jurisprudence and laws have long recognized and upheld the Public Trust Doctrine as a fundamental legal principle, according to which the duty of government as Trustee of the Public Trust is to maintain public ownership and control of surface water for the common good unimpaired from one generation to the next; and
Whereas, The International Joint Commission has recommended that the states and communities implement the public trust in water as an overarching, backstop framework and set of principles to protect the waters, natural resources, and integrity of watersheds and ecosystems within the Great Lakes Basin; and
Whereas, Michigan s waters and the Great Lakes are important to tourism and other industries, for travelers come from all over the world to swim, boat, and enjoy the grandeur of Michigan s coastline; and
Whereas, The waters of the Great Lakes and Michigan s tributary rivers, streams, and groundwater are a globally unique fresh water system and a magnificent and unparalleled natural resource endowment; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare March 22, 2021, as Michigan Water Day and World Water Day in the state of Michigan. It is with great honor and appreciation that we take this time to join other states and nations in expressing our commitment to ensuring that clean affordable drinking water is available to all Michiganders and commit ourselves to promotion of public awareness to prevent our precious water from pollution and depletion. On this day, we will celebrate and honor the pure water in our state, our country, and our world; and be it further
Resolved, That while we recognize the interconnectedness of humanity and appreciate global challenges, we also recognize our duty as Michiganders in protecting our natural resources and instilling a sense of pride in ourselves and our children for our Great Lakes; and be it further
Resolved, We cherish and acknowledge the special responsibility of protecting Michigan s waters for current and future generations.