The month is barely a week old, and already Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has already issued proclamations marking the month as special on several fronts including:
- National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- Michigan College Month
- Michigan Cybersecurity Awareness Month
- Michigan Agritourism Month
- Michigan Fire Prevention Month
- Today, October 7th, as Michigan Energy Efficiency Day
Yesterday, the governor proclaimed October as College Month to connect Michiganders with educational and financial resources and to help close the skills gap and move the state closer to reaching the governor’s goal of 60-percent post-secondary educational attainment by 2030.
She says, “Since day one, I have been committed to ensuring all Michiganders have a path to opportunity, and have worked across the aisle to help provide pathways to a post-secondary education,” and adds, “I just signed the fiscal year 2021 budget, which includes funding for the Michigan Reconnect program, which provides a tuition-free pathway for adults looking to earn a posts-econdary certificate or associate degree. And I announced the Futures for Frontliners program, which offers a tuition free pathway to a postsecondary degree or certificate for those frontline workers who worked on our behalf during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the program opened, more than 60,000 people have applied. During college month, I hope Michiganders everywhere explore these opportunities to see if they’re right for them.”
According to the Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce, 70-percent of all jobs in Michigan will require some post-secondary education or training beyond high school by 2020. To encourage Michiganders to apply for college, during the month of October, all Michigan colleges will accept the National Associated for College Admission Counseling application fee waiver for any student who has demonstrated financial need.
To view proclamation, click this link: College-Month-2020
On Monday, Gov. Whitmer proclaimed October 2020 as Michigan Cybersecurity Awareness Month to encourage state residents, businesses, financial institutions, schools, and others to take the steps necessary to stop cyber criminals. Last year in Michigan there were over 6,000 victims of cybercrime, costing Michiganders almost $36 million.
The governor says, “Michigan residents, businesses, schools, and organizations are more active online in 2020 than ever before,” and adds, “It is up to all of us to become more aware about the tactics cyber criminals use and the ways we can protect ourselves from becoming a victim of cybercrime.”
2020 marks the 10th straight year Michigan has recognized October as Michigan Cybersecurity Awareness Month. To help increase understanding of good cyber hygiene, the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB) and the Michigan State Police (MSP) will be educating Michiganders on ways to remain safe and secure online throughout the month of October.
Michigan will also participate in the Stop.Think.Connect. Campaign, a national awareness effort from the National Cyber Security Alliance that aims to increase the understanding of cyber threats and how the American public can be safe and secure online. The theme for this year’s campaign, which was announced earlier this year, is Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart.
To view that proclamation, click this link: Cybersecurity-Awareness-Month-2020
Last Friday, Governor Whitmer proclaimed October as Michigan Agritourism Month. The month-long celebration recognizes the economic and social benefits of agritourism to our state’s farms and communities. Michigan Agritourism Month is a special time to acknowledge and experience the vast, integrated network of family farmers, processors, wholesalers, and retailers who produce a safe and nutritious food supply, as well as provide fun and unique farm experiences.
Whitmer says, “Agritourism is a great opportunity to enjoy all that Pure Michigan has to offer, and as we head into fall in our state, I want to encourage everyone who takes part in things like corn mazes and wagon rides to do so safely,” adding, “When you combine agriculture and tourism, you not only get fresh apples, pumpkins and baked goods, but you also get the experiences and lifelong memories that goes along with them. Fall is the perfect time of year to celebrate this month in Michigan. Please remember to always be safe and help protect yourself and others from COVID-19 by wearing a mask and maintaining six feet of distance.”
Agritourism is a niche form of tourism and defines the places where agriculture and tourism connect, including any time a farming operation opens its doors to the public and invites visitors to enjoy their products and services. Agriculture and tourism are leading economic drivers in Michigan, and agritourism provides ways for farmers to diversify their operations by offering value-added products and activities to protect their businesses against challenging weather conditions and market fluctuations.
Examples include farmers markets, on-farm markets, wineries, roadside produce stands, on-farm weddings and events, corn mazes and much more. Agritourism is a year-round business for many farms in Michigan, but Agritourism Month is celebrated in October at the peak of harvest and during a time when people traditionally visit farms, pumpkin patches and cider mills.
You can visit http://www.MichiganFarmFun.com for a directory of Michigan agritourism businesses. The directory is searchable by business name, product, and region.
To view that proclamation click this link: Agritourism-Month-2020
Yesterday, Gov. Whitmer took time out to recognize National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Michigan, saying that in Michigan, it is estimated there will be 8,800 new cases of breast cancer and that 1,380 women will die from the disease in 2020. To help continue to raise awareness of this disease, she has proclaimed October 2020 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In an effort to promote early diagnosis and reduce health disparities, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is providing information on what women can do to detect breast cancer early, as well as understand their risks and the lifestyle-related factors that can reduce them.
The governor notes, “Breast cancer has devastated thousands of Michigan families, and during breast cancer awareness month, I am hopeful that Michiganders everywhere will help raise awareness and educate themselves on how to detect breast cancer early,” and adds, “We must also recognize that the mortality rate for breast cancer is nearly 40 percent higher for Black women than white women. Every Michigander, no matter who they are, deserves access to quality, affordable care that will help prevent disparities like this. That’s why I have made a commitment to address health disparities in Michigan, and why I am fighting to protect the Affordable Care Act from Republican attacks.”
Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Chief Medical Executive and Chief Deputy for Health at MDHHS, says, “It’s important for women to know their risk for breast cancer and to talk to their health care provider about screening,” adding, “As women, our risk for breast cancer increases as we get older. Having dense breast tissue, which can mask or hide breast cancer, increases your risk as does having a personal or family history of breast cancer.”
To view the governor’s proclamation, click this link: Breast-Cancer-Awareness-Month-2020.pdf
At the beginning of the month, Gov. Whitmer issued a proclamation making October Fire Prevention Month in Michigan, in an effort to help spread the message of fire safety, protect Michigan residents, and save lives.
The governors says, “It is important for Michigan residents to recognize that fires can impact anyone, and we must all take action to protect ourselves and our families,” adding, “With these practical and essential preventive measures, people can help avoid fires in their homes and also be better prepared if a fire does occur.”
Based on fatal fire data collected by MI Prevention – a statewide community risk reduction effort led by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) in collaboration with the State Fire Marshal and Michigan’s fire safety organizations – most of Michigan’s fire deaths happen overnight, with 50-percent of fire deaths resulting from fires that started in the living room, 17-percent of fires that started in the kitchen, and 16-percent of fires that started in bedrooms.
Orlene Hawks, Director of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, says, “It is critical for each of us to practice fire safety in our home with our entire family, including our children,” adding, “Create a fire escape plan and practice it often as a family – it is a simple thing to do and it can save the lives of the people we love.”
To see that proclamation, click this link: Fire_Prevention_Month
On Tuesday, Governor Whitmer issued a proclamation encouraging Michigan residents to embrace energy efficiency habits as the cheapest, quickest and cleanest way to meet consumers’ energy needs and to make homes and workspaces healthier, safer and more comfortable, marking today, October 7th, as Michigan Energy Efficiency Day.
The governor says, “Michigan has felt the direct affects of climate change, with communities of color and low-income Michiganders suffering disproportionately. That is why I announced the MI Healthy Climate plan to put Michigan on a path toward 100-percent carbon neutrality by 2050,” and adds, “In order to achieve that goal we all have to do our part, and energy efficiency measures are easy ways to create a cleaner environment. I hope we all take this day to make a plan on how we can each be more energy efficient and put Michigan on the path to a cleaner, safer, and healthier Michigan.”
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) urges Michiganders to pick up some simple energy efficiency habits that will lead to reduced usage year round, lower utility bills and long-term benefits in coping with climate change. Whether switching out old lightbulbs for efficient LED bulbs at home or retrofitting manufacturing facilities, small steps can lead to big reductions in reducing energy use and utility bills.
You can see the wording of her proclamation at the link below:
https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/0,9309,7-387-90499_90639-540739–,00.html
