Lawmaker: Michigan map isn't complete without U.P.

[July 16, 2009]  LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- There's more to Michigan than the mitten.

That's only the Lower Peninsula. To make sure the Upper Peninsula is not forgotten, state lawmaker Michael Lahti proposed legislation requiring that both be included on official publications that include an image or map. A state House committee unanimously approved the measure Tuesday.

The U.P. has nearly one-third of Michigan's land area but just 3 percent of its population. Some "Yoopers," as residents call themselves, felt slighted last year when a state-sponsored tourism commercial only showed the more populous Lower Peninsula. The television ad was later fixed.

People have also seen maps elsewhere that show the U.P. as part of Wisconsin or Canada -- or not at all.

[Associated Press; By DAVID EGGERT]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.