WHEREAS, water is a basic and essential need of humankind, as our health, comfort and standard of living depend upon an abundant supply of safe water; and

        WHEREAS, Idaho recognizes that an adequate and dependable supply of water is crucial to the economic well being of its agricultural and industrial economies; and

        WHEREAS, Idaho residents and businesses rely on economical electrical energy generated by hydroelectric facilities situated on Idaho rivers and canals; and

        WHEREAS, Idaho residents and visitors cite the environmental beauty and productivity of Idaho's lakes, rivers and ground water as a reason for visiting or living here; and

        WHEREAS, some 12,000 Idaho sixth-grade students across the state are concentrating their studies this week on the role of water in their life and in the livelihood of their state; and

        WHEREAS, water education activities being held around Idaho include water festivals, field trips and classroom presentations for the benefit of our youth; and

        WHEREAS, water truly is Idaho's most precious natural resource – the lifeblood of our state – it is appropriate to set aside a special time to call upon all Idahoans, young and old, to learn about the importance of water in their lives and how they can protect and conserve our precious water resources;

        NOW, THEREFORE, I C.L. “BUTCH” OTTER, Governor of the State of Idaho, do hereby proclaim the week of May 5 through 9, 2008 to be

I D A H O   W A T E R   A W A R E N E S S   W E E K

and I encourage all Idahoans and visitors to make every effort to conserve and keep our water resources clean and safe. I also urge all our citizens to recognize the value, importance and fragility of our water resources, since without water our land and our future would dry up.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho at the Capitol in Boise on this 1st day of May in the year of our Lord two-thousand and eight and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirty-second and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred eighteenth.

BEN YSURSA
SECRETARY OF STATE