[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 62 (Wednesday, May 18, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 18, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS

  The following petitions and memorials were laid before the Senate and 
were referred or ordered to lie on the table as indicated:

       POM-497. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Maine; to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.
       ``Whereas, the Federal Government has mandated new programs 
     and transferred the responsibility of funding these programs 
     to the several states and their political subdivisions; and
       ``Whereas, the Federal Government has also reduced or 
     eliminated funding for certain programs administered at the 
     state or local government level; and
       ``Whereas, the several states and their political 
     subdivisions, as a result of economic recession and the 
     substantial costs of these programs, experiencing severe 
     revenue shortfalls and budget imbalances, which are further 
     exacerbated by the need to fund these unfunded federal 
     mandates; and
       ``Whereas, the several states, unlike the Federal 
     Government, are required by their constitutions to balance 
     their budgets, which further reduces their ability to absorb 
     unfunded federal mandates; and
       ``Whereas, the State of Maine, recognizing the inequity of 
     passing unfunded mandates on to its political subdivisions, 
     amended its constitution in November of 1992 to prohibit 
     state legislation or state administrative rules that require 
     additional local government expenditures unless the Maine 
     State Legislature funds those mandates; and
       ``Whereas, the federal practice of deferring program costs 
     to the states is inherently unfair because many states, such 
     as Maine, lack the resources to fund these programs; and
       ``Whereas, the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, 
     enacted recently by the United States Congress and effective 
     on February 1994, although laudable in its goals, represents 
     yet another unfunded federal mandate that is leading the 
     State of Maine and its municipalities to incur new expenses 
     related to conducting criminal background checks; now, 
     therefore, be it
       ``Resolved, That we, your memorialists, respectfully 
     recommend that the Attorney General of the State of Maine 
     initiate a lawsuit soon as possible that specifically 
     challenges the continuing practice of enacting unfunded 
     federal mandates as evidenced by the Brady Handgun Violence 
     Prevention Act; and be it further
       ``Resolved, That the Attorney General of the State of 
     Maine, to the extent possible, work in concert with any other 
     state that is filing or contemplating the filing of a similar 
     lawsuit; and be it further
       ``Resolved, That suitable copies of this Memorial, duly 
     authenticated by the Secretary of State, be transmitted to 
     the Honorable William Clinton, President of the United 
     States, to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the 
     House of Representatives of the Congress of the United 
     States, to the Attorney General of the State of Maine and to 
     each Member of the Maine Congressional Delegation.''
                                  ____

       POM-498. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the Commonwealth of Virginia; to the Committee on 
     Governmental Affairs.

                    ``House Joint Resolution No. 138

       ``Whereas, the District of Columbia has operated the Lorton 
     Penitentiary in Fairfax County through the benevolence of all 
     Virginians; and
       ``Whereas, the District of Columbia has run the Lorton 
     Penitentiary inefficiently, without respect or accountability 
     to the neighboring citizens of Fairfax Station and Mason 
     Neck; and
       ``Whereas, the District of Columbia has shown gross neglect 
     by its failure to use standard and appropriate correctional 
     practices; and
       ``Whereas, the surrounding community lives in constant fear 
     and danger from repeated escapes from the Lorton 
     Penitentiary; and
       ``Whereas, the property values of the homeowners and 
     business owners in the neighboring communities have dropped 
     significantly over recent years because of the public menace 
     and danger posed by the Lorton Penitentiary; and
       ``Whereas, officials from the District of Columbia 
     Department of Corrections routinely fail to report escapes to 
     the Fairfax County police in a timely manner; and
       ``Whereas, during a 10-month period in 1993, 12 prisoners 
     at the Lorton Penitentiary escaped, eight from the minimum 
     security facility and four from the maximum security prison; 
     and
       ``Whereas, 11 of these escapees have not been apprehended 
     and are still at large; and
       ``Whereas, since June 30, 1993, the citizens and police 
     expended $16,079.60 in tax dollars and hundreds of man hours 
     to aid in the search for escapees and to protect the 
     community's safety; now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved by the House of Delegates, the Senate 
     concurring, That the President and the Congress of the United 
     States be requested to promptly and expediently revoke the 
     District of Columbia's authority to operate the Lorton 
     Penitentiary; and, be it
       ``Resolved further, That the Clerk of the House of 
     Representatives transmit copies of this resolution to the 
     President of the United States, the Speaker of the United 
     States House of Representatives, the President of the United 
     States Senate, and the members of the Virginia Congressional 
     Delegation so that they may be apprised of the sense of the 
     General Assembly of Virginia.''
                                  ____

       POM-499. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the Commonwealth of Virginia; to the Committee on 
     Governmental Affairs.

                    ``House Joint Resolution No. 216

       ``Whereas, mandates imposed by the federal government on 
     states have increased greatly over the last several decades 
     while federal funding of mandated programs has been sharply 
     reduced; and
       ``Whereas, unfunded federal mandates result in substantial 
     costs to state governments and place a severe strain on the 
     states at a time when fiscal restraint is necessary; and
       ``Whereas, the federal government unfortunately has tended 
     to respond to the deficit crisis and its own budgetary 
     constraints by mandating that states carry out new programs 
     without providing appropriate financial support for the 
     programs and without regard to the costs imposed on the 
     states; and
       ``Whereas, states already are struggling to balance their 
     own budgets and further expansion of federal mandates would 
     result in fiscal conditions that many states would find 
     unmanageable; and
       ``Whereas, federally mandated programs not only are 
     increasingly underfunded but are excessively specific and 
     restrictive, limiting the flexibility and choices that states 
     may exercise in carrying them out; and
       ``Whereas, state governments are best positioned to 
     ascertain the attitudes and needs of their own citizens and 
     to make informed decisions as to how the goals for which 
     federal programs have been established can best be carried 
     out within their particular jurisdictions, and, indeed, were 
     intended so to do by the framers of our constitutional 
     system; now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved by the House of Delegates, the Senate 
     concurring, That the General Assembly hereby memorialize the 
     Congress of the United States to cease its pattern of 
     burdening state governments with unfunded mandates by not 
     enacting any new programs unless sufficient funding is 
     provided, by fully funding those mandates now in place that 
     are deemed essential, and by eliminating mandates wherever 
     possible; and, be it
       ``Resolved further, That the General Assembly also 
     memorialize Congress to restore state authority to fashion 
     mandated programs to best meet the particular needs of its 
     own citizens by providing federal support in the form of 
     block grants rather than narrow, specific categorical grants 
     and set-aside elements; and, be it
       ``Resolved finally, That the Clerk of the House of 
     Delegates transmit copies of this resolution to the Speaker 
     of the United States House of Representatives, the President 
     of the United States Senate, and the members of the Virginia 
     Congressional Delegation to apprise them of the sense of the 
     Virginia General Assembly on the matter of unfunded and over-
     regulated federal mandates.''
                                  ____

       POM-500. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Colorado; to the Committee on Governmental 
     Affairs.
       ``Whereas, Several mechanisms were created in the 1980's to 
     help limit the growth in federal regulation of state 
     governments, including the congressional fiscal note 
     requirements, the federal ``Paperwork Reduction Act of 
     1980'', and the federal ``Regulatory Flexibility Act''; and
       ``Whereas, While these mechanisms offered potential for 
     limiting and mitigating the federal regulation burdens of 
     state governments, the mechanisms were not perfect and the 
     growth of mandates has continued at a rapid pace; and
       ``Whereas, Between 1981 and 1990, the Congress of the 
     United States enacted twenty-seven new laws or major 
     amendments that added significant requirements for state and 
     local governments; and
       ``Whereas, House Joint Resolution 93-1012, enacted at the 
     first regular session of the fifty-ninth general assembly, 
     continued the activities of the Federal Budget Task Force; 
     and
       ``Whereas, The Federal Budget Task Force has been 
     authorized to continue the study of the impact of a 
     reordering of federal government budget priorities on 
     Colorado in light of probable reductions in the federal 
     budget; and
       ``Whereas, A survey of Colorado state departments 
     identified one hundred ninety-five federal programs 
     containing mandates for state or local governments, over 
     one hundred of which contained direct orders for which 
     noncompliance will result in sanctions or the loss of 
     federal aid; and
       ``Whereas, The Federal Budget Task Force has met on three 
     occasions during the 1993 legislative interim and has made 
     its recommendations to the governor and the general assembly 
     no later than the required reporting date of January 1, 1994; 
     and
       ``Whereas, In Colorado's 1993 fiscal year, $793.9 million 
     or 11.9 percent of the total state budget and $715.8 million 
     or 23.2 percent of general fund spending were to comply with 
     federal mandates or conditions of aid; and
       ``Whereas, The Congress is currently considering at least 
     sixty bills that contain some form of mandates or 
     requirements for state or local governments; now, therefore,
       ``Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the 
     Fifty-ninth General Assembly of the State of Colorado, the 
     Senate concurring herein:
       ``(1) That state departments identify those bills pending 
     in Congress and regulations to be prepared within the 
     executive branch of the federal government that may have 
     significant effects on state governments;
       ``(2) That state departments press committees and 
     subcommittees of Congress responsible for the identified 
     bills to consider the effect on state and local governments;
       ``(3) That state departments call for the preparation of 
     fiscal notes by the congressional budget office on 
     significant provisions of those bills before final 
     subcommittee and committee action;
       ``(4) That state governments educate the public about the 
     impact of federal regulation on state and local governments 
     and their respective budget;
       ``(5) That federal, state, and local governments continue 
     to evaluate ways to improve regulatory relief mechanisms and 
     give high priority to the development of a more effective, 
     efficient, and equitable intergovernmental partnership to 
     achieve shared objectives with minimal unilateral and costly 
     regulation.
       ``Be It Further Resolved, That copies of this resolution be 
     sent to the Secretary of State each of the several states in 
     the Union to disburse to the Speaker of the House and the 
     President of the Senate of the state legislature, the Clerk 
     of the United States House of Representatives, the Secretary 
     of the United States Senate, and to each member of the 
     Colorado Congressional Delegation.''
                                  ____

       POM-501. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the Commonwealth of Virginia; to the Committee on Indian 
     Affairs.

                    ``House Joint Resolution No. 25

       ``Whereas, by resolution of the General Assembly, eight 
     Indian tribes have been recognized by the Commonwealth; and
       ``Whereas, the Chickahominy; the Chickahominy, Eastern 
     Division; the Mattaponi; the Upper Mattaponi; the 
     Rappahannock; and the Pamunkey tribes were recognized by 
     House Joint Resolution No. 54 in 1983; the Nansemond tribe by 
     House Joint Resolution No. 205 in 1985; and the Monacan tribe 
     by House Joint Resolution No. 390 in 1989; and
       ``Whereas, the existence of these tribes has also been 
     recognized by the Virginia Council on Indians, and the 
     Mattaponi have received federal recognition of their tribal 
     status; and
       ``Whereas, the members of the remaining seven Indian tribes 
     have expressed the desire, through their leadership, for 
     greater autonomy and local authority to deal with issues 
     affecting tribal members; and
       ``Whereas, among these local issues are housing, health 
     care, and education; and
       ``Whereas, the preservation of tribal identity, culture, 
     and tradition is also a concern of the leadership of the 
     seven tribes; and
       ``Whereas, federal recognition of the tribal status of 
     these seven Virgina Indian tribes would greatly enhance the 
     ability of the tribes to preserve their tribal cultures and 
     address pressing local problems affecting tribal members; 
     now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved by the House of Delegates, the Senate 
     concurring, That the Congress of the United States be hereby 
     memoralized to grant federal recognition to the Chickahominy; 
     the Chickhominy, Eastern Division; the Upper Mattaponi; the 
     Rappahannock; the Pamunkey; the Nansemond; and the Monacan as 
     Indian tribes under federal law; and, be it
       ``Resolved further, That the Clerk of the House of 
     Delegates transmit copies of this resolution to the President 
     of the United States, the Speaker of the United States House 
     of Representatives, the President of the United States 
     Senate, and the members of the Virginia Congressional 
     Delegation so that they may be apprised of the sense of the 
     General Assembly of Virginia on this matter.''
                                  ____

       POM-502. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Arizona; to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

                 ``Senate Concurrent Memorial No. 1012

       ``Whereas, the people of the State of Arizona view with 
     concern the current lack of funding for construction of the 
     proposed Dilkon Health Center by the Indian Health Services; 
     and
       ``Whereas, the people of the State of Arizona recognize the 
     special needs for health services in Dilkon; and
       ``Whereas, the Dilkon community has spent the past ten 
     years preparing for the health center by upgrading the 
     highway system and increasing water and electrical capacity 
     for the surrounding area.
       ``Wherefore your memoralist, the Senate of the State of 
     Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring, prays:
       ``1. That the President of the United States and the One 
     Hundred Third Congress of the United States direct the Indian 
     Health Services agency to fund construction of the Dilkon 
     Health Center.
       ``2. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona 
     transmit copies of this Concurrent Memorial to the President 
     of the United States, the President of the United States 
     Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of 
     Representatives and to each Member of the Arizona 
     Congressional Delegation.''
                                  ____

       POM-503. A resolution adopted by the Chamber of Commerce, 
     Key West, Florida relative to the ``Save Our Everglades 
     Constitutional Amendment''; to the Committee on the 
     Judiciary.
       POM-504. A petition from citizens of the State of New 
     Hampshire relative to crime; to the Committee on the 
     Judiciary.
       POM-505. A resolution adopted by the Intercounty 
     Association of Western New York relative to the right to keep 
     and bear arms; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
       POM-506. A resolution adopted by the City of Sunrise, 
     Florida relative to crime; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
       POM-507. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Arizona; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

                 ``Senate Concurrent Memorial No. 1006

       ``Whereas, although the right of free expression is part of 
     the foundation of the United States Constitution, very 
     carefully drawn limits on expression in specific instances 
     have long been recognized as legitimate means of maintaining 
     public safety and decency, as well as orderliness and the 
     productive value of public debate; and
       ``Whereas, certain actions, although arguably related to 
     one person's free expression, nevertheless raise issues 
     concerning public decency, public peace and the rights of 
     expression and sacred values of others; and
       ``Whereas, the American Flag to this day is a most 
     honorable and worthy banner of a nation that is thankful for 
     its strengths and that is committed to curing its faults and 
     remains the destination of millions of immigrants attracted 
     by the universal power of the American ideal; and
       ``Whereas, the law as interpreted by the United States 
     Supreme Court no longer accords to the Stars and Stripes that 
     reverence, respect and dignity befitting the banner of that 
     most noble experiment of a nation-state; and
       ``Whereas, it is only fitting that people everywhere should 
     lend their voices to a forceful call for restoration to the 
     Stars and Stripes of a proper station under law and decency.
       ``Wherefore your memorialist, the Senate of the State of 
     Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring, prays:
       ``1. That the United States Congress propose to the people 
     an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, as 
     provided by law to add to the Constitution of the United 
     States, an article providing as follows:
       ``Section 1. The Congress and the states have power to 
     prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United 
     States.
       ``2. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona 
     transmit copies of this Memorial to the President of the 
     United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House 
     of Representatives and each Member of the Arizona 
     Congressional Delegation.''
                                  ____

       POM-508. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Arizona; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

                 ``Senate Concurrent Memorial No. 1001

       ``Whereas, the United States Congress has agreed in a 
     process of appropriations that has prevented the President of 
     the United States from exercising his constitutional veto 
     powers in order to protect the nation's fiscal integrity; and
       ``Whereas, the people of the State of Arizona view with 
     growing concern the passage of extravagant legislation by 
     Congress and the inability of the President to separate such 
     legislation from an otherwise worthwhile bill.
       ``Wherefore your memorialist, the Senate of the State of 
     Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring, prays:
       ``1. That the Congress of the United States propose and 
     submit for ratification by the states an amendment to the 
     Constitution of the United States to authorize the President 
     of the United States to disapprove and veto any appropriation 
     or provision of an appropriation bill while approving the 
     remainder of the bill.
       ``2. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona 
     transmit copies of this Concurrent Memorial to the President 
     of the United States Senate, to the Speaker of the United 
     States House of Representatives, to each Member of the 
     Arizona Congressional Delegation and to the President of the 
     Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of 
     each of the states in this nation, together with the hopes 
     and request of the Arizona Legislature that such state 
     legislative bodies will swiftly adopt a similar Memorial.''
                                  ____

       POM-509. A resolution adopted by the Legislature of the 
     State of Minnesota; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

                           ``Resolution No. 5

       ``Whereas, the American flag, to this day, is a most 
     honorable and worthy banner of a nation that is thankful for 
     its strengths and committed to curing its faults; and
       ``Whereas, the country represented by the Stars and Stripes 
     remains the destination of millions of immigrants attracted 
     by the universal power of the American ideal; and
       ``Whereas, the law as interpreted by the United States 
     Supreme Court no longer accords to the Stars and Stripes that 
     reverence, respect, and dignity befitting the banner of the 
     United States; Now, therefore,
       ``Be it resolved by the Legislature of the State of 
     Minnesota, That it urges the Congress of the United States to 
     propose an amendment to the United States Constitution, for 
     ratification by the states, specifying that Congress and the 
     states shall have power to prohibit the physical desecration 
     of the flag of the United States.
       ``Be it further resolved, That the Secretary of State of 
     the State of Minnesota is directed to prepare copies of this 
     memorial and transmit them to the President and Secretary of 
     the United States Senate, the Speaker and Clerk of the United 
     States House of Representatives, and Minnesota's Senator and 
     Representatives in Congress.''
                                  ____

       POM-510. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the Commonwealth of Virginia; to the Committee on Labor and 
     Human Resources.

                    ``House Joint Resolution No. 292

       ``Whereas, Part H of the Individuals with Disabilities 
     Education Act is a discretionary five-year federal grant 
     program of early intervention services to infants and 
     toddlers with disabilities and to their families; and
       ``Whereas, Part H of the Education of the Handicapped Act 
     was enacted by Congress in October 1986 as an amendment to 
     P.L. 94-142 because of a strong congressional desire to serve 
     children starting at birth; and
       ``Whereas, Part H of the Education of the Handicapped Act 
     was subsequently reauthorized by Congress as Part H of the 
     Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, reflecting the 
     preference for the use of ``disabled'' over ``handicapped''; 
     and
       ``Whereas, Virginia has participated in the grant program 
     since 1987 and entered into full implementation in September 
     1993 when it commenced its fifth year of the five-year grant 
     program; and
       ``Whereas, Virginia has received a considerable amount of 
     technical and financial assistance from the federal 
     government in expanding and improving its early intervention 
     services since it first began participation in the federal 
     grant program; and
       ``Whereas, the expansion and improvement of early 
     intervention services in Virginia have provided substantial 
     support for the families of infants and toddlers with 
     disabilities and have enhanced the quality of life not only 
     for the child with disabilities, but also for all members of 
     the child's family; and
       ``Whereas, early intervention services are of vital 
     importance to Virginia's families with infants and toddlers 
     with disabilities and because early intervention services can 
     prevent or mitigate numerous problems, the expansion of early 
     intervention services ultimately benefits all citizens of the 
     Commonwealth and the United States; and
       ``Whereas, studies show that early intervention programs 
     for infants and toddlers with disabilities reduce 
     expenditures for special education, residential placements, 
     and other human services; and
       ``Whereas, numerous state and local agencies have worked 
     very hard to develop and implement a statewide, 
     comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary, interagency 
     Part H Program in Virginia; and
       ``Whereas, the Virginia General Assembly established the 
     Joint Subcommittee Studying Early Intervention Services for 
     Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities in 1990 to study the 
     fiscal and programmatic impact of adopting public policy for 
     the implementation of Part H, and the joint subcommittee has 
     continued in existence because of the complexity and 
     importance of funding and service delivery issues; and
       ``Whereas, early intervention works and saves money; and 
     the improvements that Virginia has attained cannot be 
     maintained without participation in the federal grant 
     program; now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved by the House of Delegates, the Senate 
     concurring, That Congress be urged to reauthorize Part H of 
     the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act so that 
     Virginia can maintain and improve the early intervention 
     services that are currently available in the Commonwealth so 
     that more lives can be impacted; and, be it
       ``Resolved further, That the Clerk of the House of 
     Delegates transmit copies of this resolution to the President 
     of the United States, the Speaker of the United States House 
     of Representatives, the President of the United States 
     Senate, and the Virginia Congressional Delegation so that 
     they may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly of 
     Virginia.''
                                  ____

       POM-511. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Idaho; to the Committee on Labor and Human 
     Resources.

                    ``Senate Joint Memorial No. 114

       ``Whereas, the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the 
     United States reserves to the states or to the people powers 
     not delegated to the United States by the Constitution nor 
     prohibited by it to the states; and
       ``Whereas, the Constitution of the United States does not 
     reserve to the federal government any exclusive or limited 
     powers relating to the control of education, nor does it 
     prohibit states from exercising such powers; and
       ``Whereas, the State of Idaho enjoys a strong educational 
     system; and
       ``Whereas, the strength of our educational system is 
     derived in great part from the flexibility and versatility of 
     our state policy which allows for the delivery of education 
     in a variety of environments to meet a broad range of needs; 
     and
       ``Whereas, the private schools and home schools of our 
     state are an integral part of that educational delivery 
     system; and
       ``Whereas, the State of Idaho recognizes the value of our 
     nontraditional, nonpublic schools and can verify their 
     contributions; and
       ``Whereas, private schools and home schools educate and 
     graduate students at a level of academic achievement 
     comparable to and often exceeding state and national averages 
     of academic achievement; and
       ``Whereas, local control of education is vital to the 
     maintenance of our republican form of government; and
       ``Whereas, any forced imposition of federal standards 
     jeopardizes the foundation on which our form of government is 
     based; and
       ``Whereas, it is the position of the State of Idaho that 
     the role of the state in educating her people, including the 
     preparation and monitoring of those personnel who are 
     responsible for providing that education, is reserved to the 
     state, the local school districts and to the parents.
       ``Now, therefore, be it resolved, By the members of the 
     Second Regular Session of the Fifty-second Idaho Legislature, 
     the Senate and the House of Representatives concurring 
     therein, that we emphatically urge resistance to and total 
     rejection of any attempt by the federal government to 
     interject itself into the educational affairs of the 
     nontraditional, nonpublic schools of this state.
       ``Be it further resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate 
     be, and she is hereby authorized and directed to forward a 
     copy of this Memorial to the President of the United States, 
     the Honorable Bill Clinton, to the President of the Senate 
     and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Congress, 
     and the congressional delegation representing the State of 
     Idaho in the Congress of the United States.''
                                  ____

       POM-512. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the Commonwealth of Virginia; to the Committee on Labor and 
     Human Resources.

                    ``House Joint Resolution No. 287

       ``Whereas, minorities have traditionally depended on access 
     to education to increase their life options; and
       ``Whereas, minorities are usually least able to afford a 
     college education, and the dramatic increase in tuition costs 
     makes attaining a college education more difficult for such 
     students; and
       ``Whereas, although the Congress has recently eased the 
     requirements for financial aid, making college possible for 
     many who had no hope of attending; and
       ``Whereas, historically ``black'' colleges and universities 
     have contributed significantly to producing capable minority 
     lawyers, judges, physicians, teachers, professors, 
     tradespeople, and others who have excelled in their chosen 
     professions; and
       ``Whereas, these institutions have provided this invaluable 
     service to the nation during dark and difficult times in the 
     nation's history, often not funded at a level commensurate 
     with ``white'' institutions providing the similar services; 
     and
       ``Whereas, these institutions have educated the majority of 
     the nation's minorities, whom they have accepted when other 
     institutions would not, and at great sacrifice because many 
     of their constituents have been unable to afford a college 
     education; and
       ``Whereas, there have been recent court decisions affecting 
     the desegregation of public institutions, and new federal 
     laws link loan default rates to the accreditation of schools; 
     and
       ``Whereas, historically ``black'' colleges and universities 
     in Virginia require the attention and help of national policy 
     makers as well as financial assistance to continue their 
     illustrious work; now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved by the House of Delegates, the Senate 
     concurring, That Congress be hereby requested to increase the 
     funding for historically ``black'' colleges and universities; 
     and, be it
       ``Resolved further, That the Clerk of the House of 
     Delegates transmit a copy of this resolution to the President 
     of the United States, the Speaker of the United States House 
     of Representatives, the President of the United States 
     Senate, and the members of the Virginia Congressional 
     Delegation in order that they may be apprised of the sense of 
     the General Assembly of Virginia.''
                                  ____

       POM-513. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of New Hampshire; to the Committee on Labor and 
     Human Resources.

                             ``A Resolution

       ``Whereas, reform of the American system of health care is 
     a pressing issue of national concern; and
       ``Whereas, long-term care services comprise a significant 
     portion of the American health care system; and
       ``Whereas, a committee was established by 1992, 276, a copy 
     of which is attached, to study the feasibility of developing 
     an in-home care pilot program; and
       ``Whereas, this committee has concluded its study, and 
     found that New Hampshire residents are living longer and 
     increasingly require assistance with activities of daily 
     living to remain independent; and
       ``Whereas, the provision of long-term care services should 
     be based on the needs of those who require such services and 
     should consider an individual's preference to remain at home 
     whenever appropriate; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate 
     concurring, That the general court urges that the development 
     and provision of long-term care services be based upon a 
     philosophy that:
       ``I. Is family centered;
       ``II. Supports and empowers the individual recipient;
       ``III. Is community based; and
       ``IV. Prioritizes the least restrictive alternative; and
       ``That copies of this resolution together with a copy of 
     1992, 276 be forwarded by the House clerk to the President of 
     the United States, the President of the United States Senate, 
     the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, 
     each member of the New Hampshire Congressional delegation, 
     the governor of the state of New Hampshire, and the 
     commissioner of the New Hampshire department of health and 
     human services.''
                                  ____

       POM-514. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of New Hampshire; to the Committee on Veterans' 
     Affairs.

                             ``A Resolution

       ``Whereas, New Hampshire's atomic veterans showed steadfast 
     dedication and undisputed loyalty to their country and made 
     intolerable sacrifices in service to their country; and
       ``Whereas, these atomic veterans gave their all during the 
     terribly hot atomic age to keep our country strong and free; 
     and
       ``Whereas, these atomic veterans were unknowingly placed in 
     the line of fire, after being assured that they faced no 
     harm, and were subjected to an ungodly bombardment of 
     ionizing radiation; and
       ``Whereas, the radiation to which they were exposed is now 
     and will continue to eat away at their bodies every second of 
     every day for the rest of their lives with no hope of 
     cessation or cure; and
       ``Whereas, because their wounds were not of the 
     conventional type, and were not caused by the enemy but by 
     the United States Government, the atomic veterans did not 
     receive service-connected medical and disability benefits and 
     did not receive a medal such as the Purple Heart; and
       ``Whereas, many atomic veterans have already died and 
     others will die a horrible and painful death; therefore, be 
     it;
       ``Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate 
     concurring, That atomic veterans be recognized by the federal 
     government; and
       ``That the United States Senators and Representatives from 
     New Hampshire propose or support legislation granting 
     service-connected medical and disability benefits to all 
     atomic veterans who were exposed to ionizing radiation and 
     legislation issuing a medal to atomic veterans to express the 
     gratitude of the people and government of the United States 
     for the dedication and sacrifices of these veterans; and
       ``That copies of this resolution be sent by the house clerk 
     to the President of the United States, the Vice President of 
     the United States, the Speaker of the House, the Secretary of 
     Defense, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Chairperson 
     of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, and members of the 
     New Hampshire Congressional delegation.''
                                  

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