Whereas, The National Institute of Justice indicates that nearly 1.5 million people are victims of stalking annually in the United States, 1 in 12 women and 1 in 45 men will be stalked in their lifetime, and 81 percent of women stalked by a current or former intimate partner are also physically assaulted by that partner; and,

Whereas, The "Stalking and Intimate Partner Femicide" study found that 76 percent of femicide victims and 85 percent of attempted femicide victims had been stalked by their intimate partners in the year prior to their murder; and,

Whereas, Many stalkers are former romantic partners of their victims; and,

Whereas, Stalking is a crime under the laws of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the federal government; and,

Whereas, Michigan passed some of the country's strongest stalking laws in 1993, which subsequently withstood constitutional scrutiny and challenge; and,

Whereas, The crime of stalking violates an individual's privacy, dignity and security; and,

Whereas, Stalking Awareness Month provides an excellent opportunity for citizens to learn more about stalking and to show support for the numerous organizations and individuals who are providing advocacy efforts, services and assistance to stalking victims;

Now, Therefore, be it Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, governor of the state of Michigan, do hereby proclaim January 2009 Stalking Awareness Month, and I urge all citizens to join in efforts to end this serious problem.