[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 55 (Friday, March 24, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4570-S4573]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.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-40. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of California; to the Committee on Armed Services.

                    Assembly Joint Resolution No. 5

       ``Whereas, the state has endured billions of dollars in 
     losses through a disproportionate share of federal Department 
     of Defense facilities closures mandated by the federally 
     appointed Base Closure and Realignment Commissions in 1988, 
     1991 and 1993; and
       ``Whereas, it has been documented that this state has 
     suffered more than its share of economic devastation during 
     the current worldwide economic recession, and is the last of 
     the states to show signs of positive recovery; and
       ``Whereas, the state has sustained disasters, both natural 
     and manmade, in recent years from earthquakes in the San 
     Francisco and Los Angeles areas, fires in northern and 
     southern California, and from riots in the greater Los 
     Angeles area; and
       ``Whereas, Southern California, through its particular 
     world preeminence in the technologies of earth and space 
     travel, military defense systems, and interglobal 
     communications has been the free world's guarantor of peace 
     through strength of leadership; and
       ``Whereas, the Long Beach Naval Shipyard is being 
     considered for closure as part of the military base closure 
     and realignment process; and
       ``Whereas, built in 1943, the Long Beach Naval Shipyard is 
     the Navy's primary surface ship repair facility on the west 
     coast in addition to having the highest aircraft carrier 
     usage of any public shipyard; and
       ``Whereas, the Long Beach Naval Shipyard is a large, full 
     service facility that includes 347 acres, four industrial 
     piers, two wharves, and three drydocks; and
       ``Whereas, the Long Beach Naval Shipyard represents 
     approximately $757,000,000 in total local spending and 10,100 
     jobs in the southern California region so that closing the 
     shipyard would have a devastating impact on that area of the 
     state; now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved by the Assembly and Senate of the State of 
     California, jointly, That the Legislature hereby memorializes 
     the President and the Congress of the United States to 
     provide for the continued operation of the Long Beach Naval 
     Shipyard as an essential facility and as an integral part of 
     the southern California economy; and be it further
       ``Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit 
     copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President 
     of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives, and to each Senator and Representative from 
     California in the Congress of the United States.''
       POM-41. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Maine; to the Committee on Armed Services.

                U.S. Naval Air Station at Brunswick, ME.

       ``Whereas, the Department of the Navy has maintained a 
     naval air station at Brunswick, Maine during World War II and 
     continuously since 1951; and
       ``Whereas, the United States Naval Air Station at Brunswick 
     has performed in an exemplary manner throughout its more than 
     4 decades of history; and
       ``Whereas, the United States Naval Air Station at Brunswick 
     is one of the most up-to-date facilities available in the 
     United States for long-range maritime patrol; and
       ``Whereas, the United States Naval Air Station at Brunswick 
     is the only remaining operational naval air station in the 
     northeast quadrant of the United States and the only military 
     airfield in northern New England; and
       ``Whereas, on the entire east coast, only the United States 
     Naval Air Station at Brunswick and Key West has been 
     identified as having ``strategic military value''; and
       ``Whereas, the United States Naval Air Station at Brunswick 
     offers unencumbered air space, no encroachment problems and 
     expansion capability to handle all 7 of the projected 
     Atlantic Fleet VP squadrons with no additional military 
     construction required; and
       ``Whereas, the State of Maine is firmly committed to 
     actively supporting the continuation of the United States 
     Naval Air Station at Brunswick; now therefore, be it
       ``Resolved: That We, your Memorialists, respectfully 
     recommend and urge the Congress of the United States to 
     continue to operate, develop and diversify the United States 
     Naval Air Station at Brunswick, Maine; and be it further
       ``Resolved: That We further urge the Congress of the United 
     States to take all necessary action to ensure that the 
     United 
     [[Page S4571]] States Naval Air Station at Brunswick remains 
     an integral part of our nation's defense; and be it further
       ``Resolved: That suitable copies of this Memorial, duly 
     authenticated by the Secretary of State, be transmitted to 
     the Honorable William J. 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 
     and to each member of the Maine Congressional Delegation.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-42. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Maine; to the Committee on Armed Services.

                   U.S. Naval Shipyard at Kittery, ME

       Whereas, the Department of the Navy has maintained a 
     shipyard at Kittery, Maine since June 12, 1800; and
       Whereas, the United States Naval Shipyard at Kittery has 
     performed duties in an exemplary manner throughout its almost 
     2 centuries of history; and
       Whereas, the Kittery shipyard is one of the most up-to-date 
     facilities available in the United States for the repair, 
     overhauling and refueling of naval vessels; and
       Whereas, the communities in Maine, New Hampshire and 
     Massachusetts located near the Kittery shipyard offer an 
     abundance of highly trained, skilled and experienced workers 
     who have an outstanding work ethic; and
       Whereas, the State of Maine is firmly committed to actively 
     supporting the continuation of the United States Naval 
     Shipyard at Kittery; now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved: That We, your Memorialists, respectfully 
     recommend and urge the Congress of the United States to 
     continue to operate, develop and diversify the United States 
     Naval Shipyard at Kittery, Maine; and be it further
       ``Resolved: That we further urge the Congress of the United 
     States to take all necessary action to ensure that the 
     Kittery shipyard remains an integral component in a post-Cold 
     War defense strategy; and be it further
       ``Resolved: That suitable copies of this Memorial, duly 
     authenticated by the Secretary of State, be transmitted to 
     the Honorable William J. 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 
     and to each Member of the Maine Congressional Delegation.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-43. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of New Jersey; to the Committee on Armed Services.

                      Assembly Resolution No. 130

       ``Whereas, the Pentagon is recommending the closure of the 
     Bayonne Military Ocean Terminal; and
       ``Whereas, the closure of the terminal would cost 100 
     military and over 1,200 civilian jobs and indirectly almost 
     750 additional jobs; and
       ``Whereas, even though some of the present employees could 
     be relocated to Fort Monmouth in Eatontown, New Jersey, this 
     closure would create a significant disruption in employees' 
     lives; and
       ``Whereas, the closure would also create a significant 
     disruption in the economic life of Bayonne with the loss of 
     about $44 million annually in contracts with New Jersey firms 
     and about $71 million annually in salaries; and
       ``Whereas, the terminal performs critical functions in 
     shipping and storing military cargo, providing sealift 
     capability for the Pentagon, and handling traffic management 
     for East Coast ports; and
       ``Whereas, with the location at the Bayonne Military Ocean 
     Terminal of the Military Transportation Management Command 
     Eastern Area Headquarters and the traffic management portion 
     of the 1301st Major Port Command, the terminal is an integral 
     part of the United States military operations; and
       ``Whereas, the closure of this terminal would not reflect 
     sound financial or military logic; now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New 
     Jersey:
       ``1. This House calls upon the Base Closure and Realignment 
     Commission to remove the Bayonne Military Ocean Terminal from 
     the list of base closings recommended by the Pentagon and to 
     maintain the operation of the terminal.
       ``2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed 
     by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the 
     Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to the Base Closure and 
     Realignment Commission, the President of the United States, 
     the Vice President of the United States, the Speaker of the 
     House of Representatives, and every member of Congress 
     elected from this State.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-44. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; to the 
     Committee on Armed Services.

                              Base Closure

       ``Whereas, military installations in this Commonwealth 
     provide employment for 163,000 Pennsylvanians; and
       ``Whereas, military installations in this Commonwealth 
     constitute 2.9 percent of all State employment and 4.1 
     percent of all State output and represent 2.7 percent of the 
     Department of Defense budget spent within this Commonwealth; 
     and
       ``Whereas, the closure or realignment of military 
     installations in this Commonwealth could result in the 
     termination of not only those jobs on operating bases, but 
     also thousands of base-related jobs and the loss of millions 
     of dollars in total income; and
       ``Whereas, this Commonwealth has lost 11.5 percent of all 
     defense jobs eliminated in the United States as a result of 
     the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission's 1991 
     and 1993 recommendations; therefore be it
       ``Resolved, that the Senate of the Commonwealth of 
     Pennsylvania memorialize the President of the United States 
     and Congress to oppose the closure or realignment of military 
     installations in Pennsylvania for the reasons stated in this 
     resolution; and be it further
       ``Resolved, that copies of this resolution be transmitted 
     to the President of the United States, to the presiding 
     officers of each house of Congress, to each member of 
     Congress from Pennsylvania and to the members of the Defense 
     Base Closure and Realignment Committee.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-45. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the State of Hawaii; to the Committee on 
     Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
       ``Whereas, the future success of Hawaii's economy and the 
     future welfare of its citizens rests upon its ability to 
     increase the employment skills and competitiveness of its 
     people and to stimulate economic growth; and
       ``Whereas, the improvement of Hawaii's employment 
     capabilities and competitiveness of its people requires high 
     quality education; and
       ``Whereas, increases in the productivity and 
     competitiveness of Hawaii's education and library system are 
     essential to upgrading the quality of the existing education 
     system; and
       ``Whereas, the development of an advanced state-of-the-art 
     telecommunications infrastructure, utilizing modern 
     information processing technology in Hawaii's education and 
     library system, linked locally, nationally, and 
     internationally to businesses, residences, and other public 
     and private services, is essential for achieving a quality 
     educational system in a cost-effective manner; and
       ``Whereas, the development of an advanced state-of-the-art 
     telecommunications infrastructure in Hawaii is essential to 
     promoting the economic competitiveness of the State, 
     improving the literacy and employment skill level of its 
     citizens, and ensuring the future vitality of its educational 
     and library systems; and
       ``Whereas, Hawaii must ensure that the State benefits from 
     telecommunications infrastructure advances and ensure 
     universal access to information and education resources for 
     all residents of the State; and
       ``Whereas, Hawaii must assume a position of economic 
     leadership and national prominence in the information age by 
     funding school and library information infrastructure; and
       ``Whereas, current funding mechanisms may not provide 
     Hawaii's schools and libraries with the funds needed to 
     construct the infrastructure necessary to take advantage of 
     telecommunications technologies and services, to purchase 
     those services, or to provide the educational, training, and 
     information they are intended to service; and
       ``Whereas, the current Congress of the United States has 
     expressed its belief in the concept that the individual 
     states are better able to determine their individual needs 
     and are better positioned to determine who moneys should be 
     spent to address those needs; and
       ``Whereas, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is 
     charged with the responsibility of administering the radio 
     frequency spectrum as a national asset for the benefit of the 
     American public; and
       ``Whereas, the FCC is currently conducting an auction of 
     radio spectrum that will be used by winners of that auction 
     to provide personal communications services (PCS); and
       ``Whereas, the FCC auction will generate moneys in excess 
     of $4,000,000,000 that should be shared with the individual 
     states such that they will be better able to construct their 
     education infrastructure; now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved by the Senate of the Eighteenth Legislature of 
     the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 1995, That the 
     Congress of the United States is requested to enact whatever 
     laws are necessary to allow the individual states to share in 
     the proceeds of the current Federal Communications Commission 
     auction of radio spectrum for purposes of funding the states' 
     schools' and libraries' telecommunications and information 
     infrastructure; and
       ``Be it further resolved, That the Public Utilities 
     Commission, the Consumer Advocate, and the Department of 
     Education are requested to prepare a plan for the efficient 
     expenditure of revenues received by the State of Hawaii as a 
     result of this Resolution; and
       ``Be it further resolved, That certified copies of this 
     Resolution be transmitted to the President of the United 
     States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of 
     Representatives, and the members of Hawaii's congressional 
     delegation.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-46. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Hawaii; to the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation.

[[Page S4572]]

                             S.C.R. No. 20

       ``Whereas, the future success of Hawaii's economy and the 
     future welfare of its citizens rest upon its ability to 
     increase the employment skills and competitiveness of its 
     people and to stimulate economic growth; and
       ``Whereas, the improvement of Hawaii's employment 
     capabilities and competitiveness of its people require high 
     quality education; and
       ``Whereas, increases in the productivity and 
     competitiveness of Hawaii's education and library system are 
     essential to upgrading the quality of the existing education 
     system; and
       ``Whereas, the development of an advanced state-of-the-art 
     telecommunications infrastructure, utilizing modern 
     information professing technology in Hawaii's education and 
     library system, linked locally, nationally, and 
     internationally to businesses, residences, and other public 
     and private services, is essential for achieving a quality 
     educational system in a cost-effective manner; and
       ``Whereas, the development of an advanced state-of-the-art 
     telecommunications infrastructure in Hawaii is essential to 
     promoting the economic competitiveness of the State, 
     improving the literacy and employment skill level of its 
     citizens, and ensuring the future vitality of its educational 
     and library systems; and
       ``Whereas, Hawaii must ensure that the State benefits from 
     telecommunications infrastructure advances and ensure 
     universal access to information and education resources for 
     all residents of the State; and
       ``Whereas, Hawaii must assume a position of economic 
     leadership and national prominence in the information age by 
     funding school and library information infrastructure; and
       ``Whereas, current funding mechanisms may not provide 
     Hawaii's schools and libraries with the funds needed to 
     construct the infrastructure necessary to take advantage of 
     telecommunications technologies and services, to purchase 
     those services, or to provide the educational, training, and 
     information they are intended to service; and
       ``Whereas, the current Congress of the United States has 
     expressed its belief in the concept that the individual 
     states are better able to determine their individual needs 
     and are better positioned to determine how moneys should be 
     spent to address those needs; and
       ``Whereas, The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is 
     charged with the responsibility of administering the radio 
     frequency spectrum as a national asset for the benefit of the 
     American public; and
       ``Whereas, The FCC is currently conducting an auction of 
     radio spectrum that will be used by winners of that auction 
     to provide personal communications services (PCS); and
       ``Whereas, the FCC auction will generate moneys in excess 
     of $4,000,000,000 that should be shared with the individual 
     states such that they will be better able to construct their 
     education infrastructure; now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved by the Senate of the Eighteenth Legislature of 
     the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 1995, the House of 
     Representatives concurring, That the Congress of the United 
     States is requested to allow the individual states to share 
     in the proceeds of the current Federal Communications 
     Commission auction of radio spectrum for purposes of funding 
     the states' public schools', universities', and libraries' 
     telecommunications and information infrastructure; and
       ``Be it further resolved, That the Public Utilities 
     Commission, the Consumer Advocate, and the Department of 
     Education are requested to prepare a plan for the efficient 
     expenditure of revenues received by the State of Hawaii as a 
     result of this Concurrent Resolution; and
       ``Be it further resolved, That certified copies of this 
     Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the 
     United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House 
     of Representatives, the members of Hawaii's congressional 
     delegation, the public utility/public service commissions of 
     the fifty states, the National Association of Regulatory 
     Utility Commissioners, the National Governors Association, 
     the National Conference of State legislatures, the National 
     Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges, 
     and EDUCOM.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-47. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Iowa; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
     and Transportation.

                     House Concurrent Resolution 17

       ``Whereas, the Federal Trade Commission has published an 
     agreement containing a consent order, file number 941-0124, 
     dealing with the proposed acquisition of Alpo by Nestle Food 
     Company; and
       ``Whereas, Nestle Food Company owns a processing facility 
     in Fort Dodge, Iowa, operating as Friskies PetCare Products; 
     and
       ``Whereas, the consent order requires Nestle to divest the 
     Fort Dodge Friskies PetCare plant within 12 months; and
       ``Whereas, the Friskies PetCare Products has operated in 
     Fort Dodge for more than 19 years and has been an excellent 
     corporate citizen, providing good jobs and benefits to 141 
     employees; and
       ``Whereas, the direct economic impact of the Friskies plant 
     in Webster County and Fort Dodge approaches $100 million per 
     year; and
       ``Whereas, the complaint filed with the Federal Trade 
     Commission alleges that the acquisition of Alpo by the Nestle 
     Food Company will eliminate substantial actual competition 
     between Nestle and Alpo, increase the likelihood that Nestle 
     will unilaterally exercise market power in the relevant 
     market, and increase the likelihood of, or facilitate 
     collusion or coordinated interaction among, firms in the 
     relevant market; and
       ``Whereas, the relevant market in the complaint is the 
     manufacture and production of canned cat food for the 
     geographies market of the United States of America; and
       ``Whereas, the Fort Dodge facility produces 24,000,000 
     cases of canned pet food per year of which 66 percent is 
     canned cat food and 33 percent is canned dog food; and
       ``Whereas, Nestle officials have stated that they will 
     increase the production at other Nestle-owned plants to 
     replace the lost production from the sale of the Fort Dodge 
     plant; and
       ``Whereas, the Federal Trade Commission has indicated that 
     it is unlikely that it will allow the sale of the Fort Dodge 
     plant to any other major competitor in the pet food industry; 
     and
       ``Whereas, the citizens of Fort Dodge and Webster County, 
     the Mayor and City Council of Fort Dodge, the Webster County 
     Board of Supervisors, the employees of Friskies, and the 
     Webster County Industrial Development Commission all believe 
     that the remedy proposed by the Federal Trade Commission will 
     not accomplish the stated goals, and will, in fact, result in 
     the loss of 141 good jobs in Fort Dodge and have a disastrous 
     effect on the local economy, including the loss of more than 
     $200,000 per year in Iowa sales taxes; now therefore, be it 
     ``Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate 
     concurring, That the Federal Trade Commission is urged to 
     amend the agreement containing consent order, file number 
     941-0124, so that Nestle is not required to divest itself of 
     the Fort Dodge Friskies PetCare Plant; and
       ``Be it further resolved, That the entire Iowa 
     congressional delegation, Governor Branstad, and the Director 
     of the Iowa Department of Economic Development are urged to 
     support the citizens of Fort Dodge in their efforts to appeal 
     to the Federal Trade Commission to amend the consent order; 
     and
       ``Be it further resolved, That copies of this resolution be 
     sent to the Governor, the President of the United States, the 
     President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the 
     United States House of Representatives, the Chairperson of 
     the Federal Trade Commission, and members of the Iowa 
     congressional delegation.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-48. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislative of 
     the State of Maine; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
     and Transportation.

                             Support Amtrak

       ``Whereas, Amtrak is energy-efficient and environmentally 
     beneficial, consuming about \1/2\ as much energy per 
     passenger mile as airlines and causing less air pollution; 
     and
       ``Whereas, Amtrak provides mobility to citizens of many 
     smaller communities poorly served by air and bus services, as 
     well as to those senior citizens, people with disabilities, 
     students and people with medical conditions who need trains 
     as a travel option; and
       ``Whereas, Amtrak is 9 times safer than driving per 
     passenger mile and operates even in severe weather 
     conditions; and
       ``Whereas, Amtrak travel rose 48% from 1982 to 1993 and 
     Amtrak dramatically improved coverage of its operating costs 
     from revenues; and
       ``Whereas, expansion of Amtrak service using existing rail 
     rights-of-way would cost less and use less land than new 
     highways and airports and would further increase the 
     advantage of Amtrak's efficiency; and
       ``Whereas, federal investment in Amtrak has fallen in the 
     last decade while it has risen for airports and highways; and
       ``Whereas, states may use highway trust fund money as an 
     80% federal match for a variety of nonhighway programs but 
     are prohibited from using the money for Amtrak projects; and
       ``Whereas, Amtrak pays a fuel tax that airlines do not pay; 
     and
       ``Whereas, Amtrak workers and vendors pay more in taxes 
     than the Federal Government invests in Amtrak; now, 
     therefore, be it
       ``Resolved, That We, your Memorialists, respectfully urge 
     the President and Congress of the United States not to reduce 
     federal funding of Amtrak; to exempt Amtrak from paying fuel 
     taxes that airlines do not pay; to allow the states 
     flexibility in using federal highway trust fund money on 
     Amtrak projects; and to require that federal officials 
     include a strong Amtrak system in any plans for a national 
     transportation system; and be it further
       ``Resolved, That suitable copies of this Memorial, duly 
     authenticated by the Secretary of State, be transmitted to 
     the Honorable William J. Clinton, President of the United 
     States, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the 
     House of Representatives of the Congress of the United States 
     and to each Member of the Maine Congressional Delegation.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-49. A resolution adopted by the Legislative of the 
     State of Nebraska; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation.
                [[Page S4573]] Legislative Resolution 48

       ``Whereas, the Nebraska Educational Telecommunications 
     Commission employees an impressive variety of television and 
     radio broadcast and non-broadcast technologies to serve the 
     residents of this state; and
       ``Whereas, the commission is a major cultural and 
     educational resource serving and unifying Nebraska residents 
     of all ages and locations; and
       ``Whereas, the commission is widely recognized as both the 
     pioneer employer of educational communications technologies 
     and one of the premiere statewide educational and public 
     telecommunications systems in the United States; and
       ``Whereas, the Commission assists every Nebraska 
     educational sector and institution, public and private, in 
     providing quality teaching and learning and making education 
     more readily accessible; and
       ``Whereas, the commission brings a wide variety of 
     national, international, and Nebraska-produced programs to 
     the schools and homes of the state, as well as repeatedly 
     brings national recognition to Nebraska; and
       ``Whereas, the commission is the only entity, public or 
     private, with both the capability to provide picture and 
     sound throughout Nebraska and the responsibility to employ 
     that capacity to pursue educational equity, maintain 
     educational quality, and provide responsible and constructive 
     programming for the people of Nebraska; and
       ``Whereas, the commission provides on a daily basis 
     children's, cultural, public affairs, informational, and 
     distance-learning programs of impressive substance and 
     quality; and
       ``Whereas, the commission employs an appropriate and 
     interdependent mix of state, federal, and private funding to 
     address this important mission on behalf of the people of 
     Nebraska; now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved by the Members of the ninety-fourth Legislative 
     of Nebraska, first session:
       ``1. That the Legislative commends the Nebraska Educational 
     Telecommunications Commission for forty years of exemplary 
     service, and urges the Congress of the United States, in 
     partnership with the people of Nebraska, to continue critical 
     support of educational and public telecommunications and the 
     national public broadcasting organizations providing programs 
     of significant quality to rural and urban residents alike, 
     which are of particular importance as Nebraska and the nation 
     move increasingly into the information age and the next 
     century.
       ``2. That the Clerk of the Legislative transmit a copy of 
     this resolution to the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives, and President of the Senate of the Congress 
     of the United States, to all members of the Nebraska 
     delegation to the Congress of the United States, and to the 
     President of the United States with the request that it be 
     officially entered in the Congressional Record as a memorial 
     to the Congress of the United States.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-50. A resolution adopted by the General Assembly of the 
     State of New Jersey; to the Committee on Armed Services.
       ``Whereas, Picatinny Arsenal at Dover, New Jersey, traces 
     its roots to the ``middle Forge'' which was established in 
     1749 at the foot of Picatinny Peak and later became part of 
     the Mount Hope Iron Works, which provided cannon shot, bar 
     iron, shovels and axes for the Revolutionary Army; and
       ``Whereas, the Army purchased the site and established the 
     Picatinny Powder Depot in 1880 when the War Department needed 
     a location which to construct a black powder magazine; and
       ``Whereas, Picatinny Arsenal produced high explosives and 
     ammunition from 1902 until 1977, when its role as an arsenal 
     changed from manufacturing to research and development; and
       ``Whereas, Picatinny Arsenal is the United States Army's 
     principal research, development and engineering facility for 
     assigned weapon systems, responsible for developing 90 
     percent of the Army's weaponry; and
       ``Whereas, the Army Armament Research, Development and 
     Engineering Center (ARDEC) at Picatinny Arsenal has 
     assignments which include artillery, infantry, surface 
     vehicle mounted and aircraft mounted weapons and ammunition; 
     rocket and missile warhead sections; fire control systems; 
     demolition munitions; mines, bombs and grenades, pyrotechnic 
     systems and munitions; explosives and propellants; and 
     practice and training munitions; and
       ``Whereas, for the past four years, ARDEC management has 
     downsized and reduced operating costs while retaining core 
     capabilities and the ability to expand to accommodate new 
     missions or to respond to national emergencies; and
       ``Whereas, Picatinny is staffed by more than 5,000 civilian 
     engineers, scientists and support personnel, with a technical 
     staff of whom more than 30 percent have graduate degrees; and
       ``Whereas, Picatinny Arsenal has a national mission and 
     represents a unique intellectual community that cannot easily 
     be duplicated; and
       ``Whereas, if the arsenal is closed, no assurance exists 
     that the functions therein performed can be replaced or will 
     be assumed anywhere else; and
       ``Whereas, the kind of institutional knowledge located at 
     Picatinny Arsenal is critical because U.S. laws restrict the 
     munitions and weapons marketplace, both domestic and 
     international, deterring industry from substantial investment 
     or retention of staff and facilities in a commodity arena 
     where there is no commercial market; and
       ``Whereas, Picatinny Arsenal, invaluable to the Nation's 
     defense with its specialized facilities on 6,500 acres, faces 
     possible consolidation or closure as the Department of 
     Defense reduces its budget with another round of base 
     closures; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New 
     Jersey:
       1. This House urges the President and the Congress of the 
     United States to carefully examine the impact of the closure 
     of the Picatinny Arsenal upon the Nation's defense readiness 
     and to reject such closure.
       2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by 
     the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk 
     thereof, shall be transmitted to the President of the United 
     States, the Vice President of the United States, the Speaker 
     of the House of Representatives and every member of Congress 
     elected from this State.''
     

                          ____________________