Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved that It Is Too Cold Outside

Well, I did it again. For the third time, I wrote resolutions that were adopted at the Kent County Democratic Convention and forwarded to the Michigan Democratoic Party Resolutions Committee.

What's likely going to happen is that the State Resolutions Committee will include them in the packet of resolutions we will adopt en masse at the State Convention in two weeks (though with some changes, including "be it resolved that the Michigan Democratic Party...")

The other resolutions we adopted have to do with the building of a new bridge between Detroit and Windsor; an "America Needs Jobs" resolution introduced by someone in the AFL-CIO; forming an MDP "precinct delegates caucus;" the Michigan Occupational Health and Safety Act (guess what Republicans want to do with that); opposing making Michigan a "right" to work (for less) state; and corporate personhood.

Enjoy!

RESOLUTION CELEBRATING PRESIDENT OBAMA’S HISTORIC ACHIEVEMENTS AND SUPPORTING HIS VISION FOR AMERICA

WHEREAS, founded by Thomas Jefferson, the Democratic Party envisions an America in which all people enjoy the rights to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness;”

WHEREAS, in his first two years in office, President Barack Obama has led the United States with character, courage, and competence during an extraordinary time in our nation’s history;

WHEREAS, President Obama and the Democratic-controlled 111th Congress worked together to pass an unusually high number of wide-ranging bills into law, including but not limited to: the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act; the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act; the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act; the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act; the Credit Card Accountability, Reform, and Disclosure Act; the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act; the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act; the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act; the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Repeal Act; the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act; and the Food Safety Modernization Act;

WHEREAS, other accomplishments have included, but are not limited to, an end to the combat mission in Iraq, expanded protections for the environment, renewal of the START Treaty with Russia, reform of the student financial aid system, and increased transparency and decreased waste and fraud in the federal government;

WHEREAS, 2010 saw more private-sector jobs created in one year than during the entire presidency of George W. Bush;

WHEREAS, in 2009 President Obama received the Nobel Peace Prize, an award bestowed upon only three other US Presidents since its inception 110 years ago;

WHEREAS, in his 2011 State of the Union Address, titled “Winning the Future,” President Obama laid out a visionary agenda that seeks to address the challenges that remain, including keeping America on the road to recovery, reducing America’s dependence on foreign energy, improving education, and strengthening America’s relations with other nations.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Kent County Democratic Party congratulates President Obama on the historic achievements of his first two years as President;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Kent County Democratic Party opposes any and all attempts to do away with these historic achievements; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Kent County Democratic Party reaffirms its support for President Obama and his efforts to achieve Jefferson’s vision of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

RESOLUTION HONORING JENNIFER GRANHOLM, JOHN CHERRY, AND THEIR ADMINISTRATION FOR THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS AND SERVICE TO THE STATE OF MICHIGAN

WHEREAS, Jennifer Granholm served the people of Michigan with distinction during her years as Governor, Attorney General, County Corporation Council, and clerk for Judge Damon Keith;

WHEREAS, John Cherry served the people of Michigan with distinction during his time as Lieutenant Governor, State Senator, State Representative, and aide to State Sen. Gary Corbin;

WHEREAS, the Granholm-Cherry Administration led Michigan through some of the most trying times Michigan has seen, marked by massive unemployment and structural budget deficits;

WHEREAS, the Granholm-Cherry Administration’s focus on diversifying Michigan’s economy has yielded growth for the clean energy, healthcare, tourism, and film sectors, among many others;

WHEREAS, the Granholm-Cherry Administration helped to create or save more than 650,000 jobs thanks to such efforts as the 21st Century Jobs Fund, No Worker Left Behind, and numerous trips overseas to encourage companies to invest in Michigan;

WHEREAS, the Granholm-Cherry Administration’s focus on education, including a law signed in 2006 that raised high school standards, has yielded an increase in the popularity of Advanced Placement courses in high schools, record university and college enrollment, increased scores on standardized tests, and a lower high school dropout rate;

WHEREAS, despite the enormous budgetary challenges facing state government, no person was removed from Michigan’s ‘safety net;’

WHEREAS, at the time she left office, Michigan’s unemployment rate was dropping three times as fast as the national unemployment rate;

WHEREAS, 80% of the goals Governor Granholm laid out in her State of the State addresses were achieved, despite the fact that throughout her governorship, Republicans controlled the State Senate and, in her first term, the State House of Representatives;

WHEREAS, the State of Michigan received a number of accolades for these efforts, including: Being named one of the best managed states in the nation (Governing Magazine); an increase in Michigan’s ranking as a business friendly state, from 27th in 2003 to 17th in 2010 (Tax Foundation), and being named one of the top three states for business expansions (Site Selection Magazine);

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Kent County Democratic Party wishes to thank Jennifer M. Granholm, John D. Cherry, Jr., and members of their administration for all they did for the people of the state of Michigan for the past eight years, while wishing them the best in their future endeavors.