Whereas, The U.S. Mint’s “50 State Quarters Program” was created by Public Law 105-124 “to honor the unique Federal Republic of 50 States that comprise the United States; and to promote the diffusion of knowledge among the youth of the United States about the individual states, their history and geography, and the rich diversity of the national heritage”; and,

Whereas, The 50 State Quarters Program is a 10-year (1999-2008) coin initiative commemorating each of the nation’s states in the order they were admitted into the Union; and,

Whereas, Approximately every 10 weeks through 2008, a new, limited-edition quarter, which displays an individual state’s design, is released into general circulation; and,

Whereas, The Michigan quarter is the first quarter of 2004, and the 26th in the 50 State Quarters Program; and,

Whereas, The Michigan quarter design features images of our state’s two uniquely beautiful peninsulas, the five Great Lakes, and the motto “Great Lakes State”; and,

Whereas, With more miles of freshwater shoreline than any other state in the nation, Michigan’s geography and history are entwined with that of the Great Lakes, five of the largest freshwater lakes in the world; and,

Whereas, The lure of furs and religious converts attracted French explorers to the Great Lakes in the mid-17th century, leading to the settlement of Sault Sainte Marie in 1668, Saint Ignace in 1671, and Detroit in 1701; and,

Whereas, The transportation possibilities afforded by the Great Lakes spurred the rapid economic development in Michigan of natural resource industries, such as copper and iron mining, lumber, agriculture, and manufacturing industries including furniture, chemicals, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, cereal, steel, paper products, tires and baby food; and,

Whereas, Michigan is blessed with a rich heritage and it is worthwhile to educate our young people about that history as Michigan is home to a community of passionate, dedicated and knowledgeable teachers who have an excellent opportunity to bring this momentous event and the history of Michigan’s statehood into the classroom; and,

Whereas, On January 26, 2004, a ceremony will be held on the Capitol steps in Lansing, Michigan to officially launch Michigan’s quarter into circulation; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim January 26, 2004, as State Quarter Day in the Classroom in the State of Michigan.