Contact: Debbie Monterrey-Millett Phone: 608-266-9806

For immediate release October 8, 2001

Governor proclaims Oct. 7-13 as Great Lakes Commission Week in Wisconsin

"I will continue to work toward environmental and economic prosperity for the Great Lakes region," says Governor

Madison, WI -- Wisconsin Gov. Scott McCallum has proclaimed the week of Oct. 7-13 "Great Lakes Commission Week" in Wisconsin. McCallum said Wisconsin is a proud member of the Great Lakes Commission, which is holding its annual meeting in Milwaukee Oct. 10-12.

"The Great Lakes are a precious state resource and I will continue to work toward environmental and economic prosperity for the Great Lakes region," McCallum said.

"Already I signed on to the Great Lakes Charter Annex 2001 with my fellow Great Lakes governors, enacted historic wetlands protection legislation, prohibited gas or oil drilling on the lakes and have commissioned a task force to study and combat the spread of invasive species," McCallum said. "It is my pleasure to proclaim this week Great Lakes Commission week."

The full proclamation by Gov. McCallum follows below.

A PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, the Great Lakes are a valuable ecological, economic and aesthetic state resource, and Lakes Superior and Michigan are recognized as vast water resource reservoirs that benefit Wisconsin; and

WHEREAS, Wisconsin has taken a leadership position in protecting the welfare of the Great Lakes by supporting Great Lakes Charter Annex 2001, enacting historic wetlands protection legislation, prohibiting gas and oil drilling in the Great Lakes, and combating the spread of invasive species in the waters and lands of the Great Lakes region; and

WHEREAS, the Great Lakes Commission is a binational agency that promotes the orderly, integrated and comprehensive development, use and conservation of the water and related natural resources of the Great Lakes basin and St. Lawrence River, and is a valued partner in Wisconsin's efforts to protect and preserve the Great Lakes; and

WHEREAS, the Great Lakes Commission will hold its annual meeting in Milwaukee from October 10-12, 2001;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, SCOTT McCALLUM, Governor of the State of Wisconsin, do hereby proclaim October 7-13, 2001

GREAT LAKES COMMISSION WEEK

in the State of Wisconsin, and welcome the delegates of the Great Lakes Commission to Milwaukee.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Wisconsin to be affixed. Done at the Capitol in the City of Madison this 8th day of October in the year two thousand and one.

SCOTT McCALLUM
Governor of Wisconsin

The Great Lakes Commission, chaired by Nathaniel E. Robinson (Wisconsin), is a nonpartisan, binational compact agency created by state and U.S. federal law and dedicated to promoting a strong economy, healthy environment and high quality of life for the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence region and its residents. The Commission consists of state legislators, agency officials, and governors’ appointees from its eight member states. Associate membership for Ontario and Québec was established through the signing of a "Declaration of Partnership." The Commission maintains a formal Observer program involving U.S. and Canadian federal agencies, tribal authorities, binational agencies and other regional interests. The Commission offices are located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.