Whereas , Community health centers expand access to quality health care and contain health care costs by fostering prevention and integrating the delivery of primary health care with aggressive outreach, patient education, translation, and other enabling services; and,

Whereas , Community health centers have made great strides in the Michigan health care system by maintaining high standards of accountability, demonstrating cost effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of health care, and empowering communities to address unmet health needs in order to reduce health disparities,  preventable deaths, costly disabilities, and communicable diseases; and,

Whereas, Community health centers are staffed by doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other health care professionals who have chosen to serve in communities in need, helping to expand the reach of primary care and preventive health services; and

Whereas , There is a continuing need to support implementation of community health centers throughout the state of Michigan as part of Michigan's enduring commitment to the provision of quality primary health care; and,

Whereas , Community health centers promote 100 percent access and zero health disparities to help achieve health care for all people; and now therefore be it,

Resolved , That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim the week of August 10-16, 2008, as National Health Center Week in Michigan.  I urge citizens to recognize the important contributions of community health centers in safeguarding health and improving the quality of life for all people in the state of Michigan.