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It's no secret that we're going through tough times here in Michigan right now. Behind every layoff, behind every corporate downsizing is a Michigan family that's hurting.  Both of my colleagues have stated that there are 731,000 residents out of work.  Let me say that again and emphasize that; 731,000 people. These people are our family, they're our friends, they're our neighbors, we all know somebody that's been affected by this economic recession. Someone who's lost their job, or been forced to move or to part time work. And let's face it, anyone of us could find ourselves in this exact same position. Even more alarming is the fact that nearly 100,000 of our hardworking men and women are about to see their unemployment lifeline exhausted by years end. That's why there's simply no excuse for Senate leaders to drag their feet any longer. Our plan sayst hat Michigan values hard work, that big banks and lenders aren't the only ones that should get help in these troubled times. Our working families deserve help too. The senate should agree and vote to extend funding to our working families in need.  These are federal stimulus dollars and they will directly help the men and women who have worked hard all of their lives only to see their jobs outsourced and downsize. Our workers will use this money to put food on the table, keep a roof over their heads, provide for their families and get retrained in new fields. They will shop at local stores for groceries, clothes for their children. All helping our local communities hang on in these tough times. If senate leaders continue to sit idly by, refuse to act on this plan, Michigan workers will be out 138 million dollars, that's there to help them get back on their feet and retrain for good paying jobs in the 21st century economy.  Passing this plan is the right thing to do. The right thing for our workers, the right thing for our economy, the right thing for our state. I implored our senate to take action now. With that, I thank you.