By Elisabeth Bont

Community News Editor

Michigan Secretary of State Candice S. Miller announced Monday a plan to create special patriotic license plates to raise funds for the American Red Cross disaster relief activities.

The plates will bear an American flag and the slogan ``Proud to be American,'' said Secretary Miller.

``America is a compassionate nation and the attacks of September 11 have people everywhere showing our spirit of unity,'' said Secretary Miller. ``The `Proud to be American' fundraising license plate reflects the spirit of patriotism here in Michigan.''

According to the Lansing State Journal, Michigan already has 22 fund-raising license plates--15 for public universities and seven for a variety of causes, such as the Children's Trust Fund, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and organizations working to preserve Michigan's lighthouses and wildlife habitats.

Similar in format to the other fund-raising license plates, the new plate will feature a blue silhouette of Michigan with an American flag along one side and the words ``Proud to be American'' at the bottom.

Residents buying the new plate will pay $35 in addition to the annual registration fee, $25 of which will benefit the American Red Cross. The remaining $10 will pay for production and mailing of the plate.

In addition, $10 will be collected every time the ``Proud to be American'' plate is renewed.

Secretary Miller said she is encouraged that there will be bipartisan support in the legislature for the new license plate proposal, which will be presented to state lawmakers this week.

If it passes, the plate will be available within weeks.