[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 93 (Thursday, June 8, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8023-S8033]
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-167. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of California; ordered to lie on the table.

                ``Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 25

       ``Whereas, every three hours one person in the United State 
     dies while awaiting organ transplantation, and in 1994, 3,098 
     persons died while awaiting transplants because too few 
     families agreed to give the `Gift of Life' by consenting to 
     organ donation on behalf of their deceased loved ones; and
       ``Whereas, in addition to solid organs, transplants can be 
     performed using tissues such as heart valves for cardiac 
     patients, corneas for patients with corneal blindness, skin 
     for patients with critical burns who require skin grafts, and 
     bone and cartilage for reconstructive or rehabilitative 
     orthopedic transplants; and
       ``Whereas, more than 18,000 organ transplants were 
     performed in the United States in 1994, of which 2,400 were 
     performed in California; and
       ``Whereas, the national waiting list of patients in need of 
     solid organ transplants now exceeds 38,000 men, women, and 
     children; and
       ``Whereas, more than 400,000 tissue transplants were 
     performed in the United States in 1994, of which more than 
     40,000 were performed in California, most of which were skin, 
     bone, tendon, and cartilage allografts; and
       ``Whereas, at any given time the number of patients in the 
     United States waiting to receive tissue transplants exceeds 
     10,000 men, women, and children; and
       ``Whereas, more than 41,000 corneal transplants were 
     performed in the United States in 1994, of which 4,736 were 
     performed in California; and
       ``Whereas, the national waiting list of patients in need of 
     corneal transplants exceeds 6,000 men, women, and children; 
     and
       ``Whereas, evidence about a person's willingness to be an 
     organ and tissue donor, even in the form of a signed Organ 
     Donor Declaration on a California driver's license under the 
     Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, often can be outweighed when 
     families elect not to consent to donation; and
       ``Whereas, in 1994, more than 2,400 California families 
     gave the `Gift of Life' to critically ill people in 
     California, across the United States, and even in other 
     countries, by consenting to the prompt recovery of organs and 
     tissues on behalf of their deceased family members, even 
     during their time of grief and bereavement; and
       ``Whereas, one California family, the family of the late 
     Nicholas Green of Bodega Bay, has received international 
     recognition for their altruistic decision to donate Nicholas' 
     organs and tissues to desperately ill children and adults in 
     Italy, where Nicholas tragically perished in October 1994, at 
     the age of seven; and
       ``Whereas, in California there is a need for increased 
     education and awareness about the supply and demand for organ 
     and tissue donation so that patients, families, and their 
     physicians can speak openly about organ and tissue donation, 
     participate in family discussions, prepare Advance Directives 
     stipulating their wishes regarding organ and tissue donation, 
     and recognize that organ and tissue donation is a lifesaving 
     memorial tribute to deceased loved ones. Now, therefore, be 
     it
       ``Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the 
     Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby 
     proclaims Monday, April 17, 1995, as California Donor Family 
     Recognition Day to coincide with National Organ and Tissue 
     Donor Awareness Week from April 16, 1995 through April 22, 
     1995, so that the citizens of California may be made aware of 
     the need for organ and tissue donation and the opportunity 
     that organ and tissue donation offers as a lifesaving 
     memorial tribute to deceased loved ones; and be it further
       ``Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit 
     copies of this resolution to the Governor of the State of 
     California, to the President and Vice President of the United 
     States, to each Senator and Representative from California in 
     the Congress of the United States, to the Secretary of Health 
     and Human Services, and to the Director of the United Network 
     for Organ Sharing, advising them of the special recognition 
     afforded by the Legislature to those families who have given 
     the `Gift of Life.'''
                                                                    ____

       POM-168. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the State of Georgia; ordered to lie on the 
     table.

                             ``A Resolution

       ``Whereas, the State of Georgia and other states have a 
     constitutional provision that prohibits its legislative body 
     from creating a budget deficit in its appropriations process; 
     and
       ``Whereas, the State of Georgia has various constitutional 
     and statutory constraints relative to debt financing which 
     require the state to maintain a very tight credit strategy; 
     and
       ``Whereas, the economic welfare of the United States and 
     its citizens depends on a stable dollar and a sound economy; 
     and
       ``Whereas, the federal budget deficit has had a deleterious 
     impact on the nation's financial health and has impeded 
     severely investment productivity and growth; and
       ``Whereas, the members of the United States House of 
     Representatives cast a vote of overwhelming support for a 
     balanced budget amendment to the federal Constitution; and
       ``Whereas, the Georgia General Assembly has supported an 
     amendment requiring a balanced federal budget for many years, 
     having specifically applied to the United States Congress to 
     call a convention for the purpose of proposing such an 
     amendment in 1976: Now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved by the Senate That the members of this body urge 
     the United States Senate to adopt the balanced budget 
     amendment and applaud the United States House of 
     Representatives for overwhelmingly supporting the proposed 
     amendment; Be it further
       ``Resolved by the Senate That the Secretary of the Senate 
     is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of 
     this resolution to the Secretary of the Senate of the United 
     States Congress, the Clerk of the [[Page S8024]] House of 
     Representatives of the United States Congress, and to each 
     member of the Georgia congressional delegation.''
     
                                                                    ____
       POM-169. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Colorado; ordered to lie on the table.
       ``Whereas, the Contract with America was formed in an 
     effort to turn the government of the United States of America 
     in a new direction; and
       ``Whereas, the American people have spoken clearly 
     regarding the Contract with America, overwhelmingly endorsing 
     the concepts of the Contract; and
       ``Whereas, while we have taken the first steps, the real 
     work to implement the will of the American people, as 
     embodied in the Contract with America, is just beginning; and
       ``Whereas, it is essential at this crucial time that the 
     members of the General Assembly of Colorado, as well as 
     leaders throughout the country, make known our support for 
     the efforts underway in the United States Congress: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       ``Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Sixtieth 
     General Assembly of the State of Colorado, the Senate 
     concurring herein: That we, the members of General Assembly 
     of the state of Colorado, hereby support the Contract with 
     America and hereby urge all government leaders throughout the 
     country to voice their support of the vital work being done 
     to realize the desires of the American people as described in 
     the Contract with America; be it further
       ``Resolved, That the General Assembly requests that the 
     members of the Congressional delegation of Colorado work 
     diligently to implement the legislation necessary to fulfill 
     the promises made to the citizens of the United States in the 
     Contract with America; be it further
       ``Resolved, That copies of this Resolution be provided to 
     Governor Roy Romer, the Speaker of the House and the 
     President of the Senate of the state legislature in each of 
     the other states, President Bill Clinton, Vice President Al 
     Gore, Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, Speaker of the House 
     Newt Gingrich, Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, House 
     Minority Leader Richard Gephardt, United States Senator Hank 
     Brown, Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Representative Dan 
     Schaefer, Representative Joel Hefley, Representative Wayne 
     Allard, Representative Scott McInnis, Representative Pat 
     Schroeder, and Representative David Skaggs.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-170. A resolution adopted by the Board of Commissioners 
     of the County of Franklin, North Carolina relative to 
     tobacco; to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.
       POM-171. A resolution adopted by the Board of Commissioners 
     of the County of Martin, North Carolina relative to tobacco; 
     to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.
       POM-172. A resolution adopted by the American Bar 
     Association relative to victims of domestic violence; to the 
     Committee on Labor and Human Resources.
       POM-173. A resolution adopted by the Student Government of 
     George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia relative to 
     Federal student financial aid; to the Committee on Labor and 
     Human Resources.
       POM-174. A resolution adopted by the Texas Society Sons of 
     the American Revolution relative to the National History 
     Standards; to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.
       POM-175. A resolution adopted by the Legislature of the 
     State of Hawaii; to the Committee on Labor and Human 
     Resources.

                          ``Senate Resolution

       ``Whereas, seven years after the national Family Support 
     Act was passed in 1988, Hawaii and the nation's welfare rolls 
     have soared to record levels; and
       ``Whereas, according to the American Public Welfare 
     Association, Hawaii's Aid to Families with Dependent Children 
     (AFDC) caseload from July, 1989 to November, 1993 increased 
     by 43.2 per cent; and
       ``Whereas, nearly one in seven American children is 
     receiving AFDC assistance, and fewer than one per cent of 
     those on welfare work for their benefits, yet this body 
     believes the majority of people now on welfare want to 
     support themselves and their families, and will do so if 
     given the proper encouragement and support; and
       ``Whereas, the poor economic condition of the State, 
     including increased unemployment, will continue to increase 
     the number of participants in all welfare programs, most 
     especially AFDC, general assistance (GA), the food stamp 
     program, MedQuest, and Medicaid; and
       ``Whereas, this surge in eligible recipients has occurred 
     more dramatically and rapidly than the Department of Human 
     Services could be expected to predict; and
       ``Whereas, for three of the last five years, the Department 
     of Human Services has faced shortfalls requiring emergency 
     appropriation of funds to continue operation of its scores of 
     programs, and in 1995 request $22,000,000 from this body 
     because of budget shortfalls in the AFDC, MedQuest and Aid to 
     the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (ABD) programs; and
       ``Whereas, the number of persons who will be unemployed and 
     therefore eligible for medical benefits and financial 
     assistance will continue to alarmingly deplete the already 
     strained financial resources of the State; and
       ``Whereas, in June, 1994, the AFDC caseload count was 
     20,843 of which 95.8 per cent were citizens; and
       ``Whereas, in June 1994, the ABD caseload count was 2,211 
     of which 65.2 per cent were citizens while permanent aliens 
     accounted for 33 per cent and refugees accounted for 1.2 per 
     cent; and
       ``Whereas, the ABD population in Hawaii, as in most States, 
     is the fastest growing population in the Medicaid program and 
     the costs of providing services are growing at a faster rate 
     than costs in the overall Medicaid program; and
       ``Whereas, in June, 1994, the GA caseload count was 9,057 
     and the recipient total count was 12,961 of which 92.1 
     percent of single recipients are citizens and 84.7 per cent 
     of family recipients are citizens; and
       ``Whereas, the 104th Congress is now dominated by a 
     Republican majority which will attempt to:
       ``(1) Provide tax relief to the middle class;
       ``(2) Increase defense spending;
       ``(3) Continue to insist on deficit reduction; and
       ``(4) Transfer many of the country's most pressing problems 
     to the states for resolution; and
       ``Whereas, the President and the Congress will be searching 
     for revenues to fund these various commitments, and prominent 
     on the agenda are proposed reductions in the federal 
     contribution to the public assistance programs, particularly 
     the Medicaid program; and
       ``Whereas, the President of the United States has called 
     for comprehensive massive welfare reform; and
       ``Whereas, this body agrees that reform of the State's 
     welfare system be completed before the threat to the State's 
     financial security becomes more burdensome; and
       ``Whereas, there is general agreement that able-bodied 
     welfare recipients should not expect the government to 
     support and raise their families indefinitely and should be 
     required to choose among work, school, community service, or 
     termination of benefits alternatives; and
       ``Whereas, nationally, approximately one-third of public 
     assistance recipients cannot read a street map or fill out a 
     Social Security card application; and
       ``Whereas, it is estimated that two-thirds of AFDC 
     recipients who have been on welfare for more than two years 
     have not graduated from high school and the average adult on 
     welfare has eighth grade level reading and math skills; and
       ``Whereas, welfare recipients who want to work should be 
     rewarded with incentives and not financially punished by 
     having benefits immediately withdrawn upon receipt of the 
     first paycheck; and
       ``Whereas, many states and the federal government recognize 
     that most Americans are no longer willing to pay increased 
     taxes to continue supporting America's out-of-control welfare 
     system; and
       ``Whereas, the federal Health Care Financing Administration 
     has authorized waivers for twenty-six states to experiment 
     with various welfare schemes. Now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved by the Senate of the Eighteenth Legislature of 
     the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 1995, That the 
     Department of Human Services is requested to report on the 
     cost-effectiveness, if any, of the following measures, 
     including any cost savings stemming from changes to its 
     operations:
       ``(1) Ways to encourage self-sufficiency and support egress 
     from the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) 
     program, recognizing that a lack of self-esteem, education, 
     and self-confidence created and perpetuate the welfare 
     treadmill, and recognizing that the JOBS program has a 
     waiting list of approximately ten thousand but that in five 
     years of existence has found jobs for approximately only four 
     hundred fifty participants so that significant success of the 
     JOBS program is far from imminent;
       ``(2) Limiting to two the number of children for whom the 
     State will provide financial and medical support, together 
     with any evidence that this limitation is an incentive to 
     AFDC mothers to control the number of children they bear 
     while relying on the state and federal governments for 
     support;
       ``(3) Limiting able-bodied mothers' AFDC assistance to two 
     years, with continuation of the children's benefits only 
     after annual reevaluation;
       ``(4) Termination or denial of AFDC benefits to children:
       ``(A) Whose paternity has not been established unless:
       ``(i) A paternity suit has been initiated;
       ``(ii) the parent or guardian is proven to be deceased, or 
     missing; or
       ``(iii) The State determines the physical wellbeing of the 
     mother or child is threatened by that identification; or
       ``(B) For failure to fully cooperate with the Child Support 
     Enforcement Agency;
       ``(5) Increasing sponsorship of legal immigrants from three 
     to five years if the immigrant commits a felony or becomes 
     eligible for public assistance;
       ``(6) The feasibility of reporting to the Immigration and 
     Naturalization Service for possible deportation legal aliens 
     who have lived in the United States for less than five years 
     who have received welfare benefits for more than twelve 
     months and who have been convicted of a felony related to 
     welfare fraud;
       ``(7) Termination of benefits including benefits from the 
     food stamp program, which is one hundred per cent federally 
     funded upon failure to voluntarily participate in a 
     transition-to-work, a work program, or both. This would not 
     apply to those who:
       ``(A) Are physically unable;
       ``(B) Are of advanced age;
        [[Page S8025]] ``(C) Are attending school full-time;
       ``(D) Are providing full-time care for a disabled 
     dependent;
       ``(E) Are making satisfactory progress in a substance abuse 
     program; or
       ``(F) Have had a child within six months;
       ``(8) Requiring the performance of community service for 
     those welfare recipients awaiting placement in a transition-
     to-work program, such as the JOBS or JOBS Works program. 
     These community service opportunities could be offered by 
     state and city and county agencies who are faced with hiring 
     freezes and are in desperate need of help to perform their 
     day-to-day assigned functions. These welfare recipients could 
     also be utilized to help maintain public buildings, schools, 
     universities, nursing homes, hospitals, and other agencies 
     and organizations that are suffering financially because of 
     reductions in reimbursement or in approved positions;
       ``(9) Whether states can require unemployed, noncustodial 
     parents who are two months or more in arrears on child 
     support payments to participate in a work or community 
     service program;
       ``(10) Termination of welfare benefits to identified 
     substance abusers who refuse to participate in a 
     rehabilitation program, or do not show satisfactory 
     rehabilitation progress;
       ``(11) Termination, or at minimum, reevaluation of welfare 
     benefits to identified individuals who refuse medical or 
     psychological treatment for their conditions. It has been 
     determined that there are significant numbers of recipients 
     who have been classified as ``mentally or physically 
     disabled'',
      who fail to show improvement or benefit from treatment, and 
     have been receiving ``treatments'' for more than fifteen 
     years;
       ``(12) Replacing free no-fault insurance for welfare 
     recipients with a $20 per month bus pass in counties having a 
     public transportation system. Hawaii's financially exhausted 
     citizens legitimately resent having to pay for this 
     extravagant benefit when the island of Oahu enjoys the 
     privilege of having a nationally recognized public 
     transportation system. The Department of Human Services is 
     requested to research other states that have rural 
     populations and recommend alternatives to providing free auto 
     insurance;
       ``(13) Alternatives being considered in Congress and in 
     other states to address the uncontrolled increases in welfare 
     expenditures;
       ``(14) The feasibility of implementation of a ``Learnfare'' 
     program, based on the Wisconsin model, whereby welfare 
     benefits are cut to families whose teenagers are chronically 
     truant. Americans believe that welfare families have an 
     obligation to not only assume financial responsibility for 
     their own lives but also most certainly have an obligation to 
     make sure that their children attend school; and
       ``(15) The success of a Wisconsin law requiring some 
     parents of teenage mothers and fathers to support their 
     grandchildren; and be it further
       ``Resolved That this body recognizes that the avenue to 
     welfare reform is paved with education, enhancement of self-
     respect, and the perpetuation of human dignity. This body 
     also recognizes that the current system was established by a 
     benevolent Democratic Congress to provide temporary financial 
     and medical assistance to vulnerable and impoverished 
     Americans, not to mire our citizens, especially our most 
     precious commodity--our youth--in the quicksand of despair, 
     hopelessness, and self-loathing which are the results of the 
     existing system; and be it further
       ``Resolved That the Department of Human Services is 
     requested to report findings and recommendations to the 
     Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening 
     of the 1996 Regular Session; and be it further
       ``Resolved That certified copies of this Resolution be 
     transmitted to the Director of Human Services and to the 
     President of the United States Senate and the Speaker of the 
     House of the United States House of Representative to support 
     the denial of welfare benefits to all legal immigrants 
     admitted to the United States after January 1, 1996, other 
     than those admitted to this country seeking political 
     asylum.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-176. A resolution adopted by the Senate of Legislature 
     of the State of Hawaii; to the Committee on Labor and Human 
     Resources.

                          ``Senate Resolution

       ``Whereas, Community Action was introduced to Hawaii in 
     1965 by enactment of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 for 
     the sole purpose of ameliorating the causes and conditions of 
     poverty in the State; and
       ``Whereas, four agencies were established to carry out this 
     mandate: Honolulu Community Action Program, Inc., Hawaii 
     County Economic Opportunity Council, Maui Economic 
     Opportunity, Inc., and Kauai Economic Opportunity, 
     Incorporated; and
       ``Whereas, these agencies have provided needed services to 
     the low-income population in areas of employment and 
     educational opportunities, income management, housing, 
     transportation, economic development, emergency assistance, 
     and self-sufficiency projects; and
       ``Whereas, they have extended opportunities to low-income 
     families and individuals through better participation in the 
     affairs of the community; and
       ``Whereas, they have coordinated and established linkages 
     between governmental and other social programs to assure the 
     effective delivery of services to low-income individuals; and
       ``Whereas, they have encouraged the use of entities in the 
     private sector in efforts to alleviate poverty in the 
     community; and
       ``Whereas, United States Congress has recently indicated 
     that it intends to either eliminate or reduce Community 
     Services Block Grant funds that currently support these 
     agencies in the amount of $2,222,460; and
       ``Whereas, the loss of this grant will jeopardize the 
     continuation of providing anti-poverty efforts in the form of 
     community action and the positive impact of sustaining other 
     state and federal grants within the agencies that presently 
     exceed $20,000,000; and
       ``Whereas, this loss would seriously affect the eight 
     hundred fifty employees that are currently employed by these 
     agencies; and
       ``Whereas, the elimination of the Community Services Block 
     Grant will severely halt services provided to the target 
     population of 105,100 low-income persons; Now, therefore, be 
     it
       ``Resolved by the Senate of the Eighteenth Legislature of 
     the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 1995, That Hawaii's 
     congressional delegation is urged to help preserve the 
     Community Services Block Grants that support the Community 
     Action agencies in Hawaii; 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 to 
     the members of Hawaii's congressional delegation.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-177. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Maine; to the Committee on Labor and Human 
     Resources.

``Joint Resolution Memorializing the President and the Congress of the 
 United States To Support the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

       ``Whereas, the federal House Appropriations Subcommittee 
     has voted to eliminate funding for the Low Income Home Energy 
     Assistance Program; and
       ``Whereas, approximately 60,000 families in Maine receive 
     aid through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program; 
     and
       ``Whereas, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is 
     crucial to the Maine families who rely on the federal program 
     to help with weatherization costs for their homes and winter 
     fuel bills; Now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved That We, your Memorialists, respectfully urge 
     that legislation be enacted by the Senate and the House of 
     Representatives of the Congress of the United States to 
     restore funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance 
     Program; and be it further
       ``Resolved That suitable copies of this resolution, 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-178. A joint resolution adopted by the General Assembly 
     of the State of Vermont; to the Committee on Labor and Human 
     Resources.
       ``Whereas, the Program of Action of the Cairo International 
     Conference on Population and Development, which received 
     consensus from all 183 participating nations is a significant 
     blueprint for investing in humanity and the world's 
     biosphere, and
       ``Whereas, human overpopulation poses a serious threat to 
     all life on earth including human life, and
       ``Whereas, the problem of preserving the earth's capacity 
     to sustain human beings and other species is enormous and 
     immediate, and
       ``Whereas, the quality of life will vary inversely to the 
     number of people living on the earth and the intensity of the 
     population's use of natural resources, and
       ``Whereas, the United States comprises only five percent of 
     the world's population but consumes 25 percent of the world's 
     commercial energy and produces the greatest volume of solid 
     waste, and
       ``Whereas, at current rates of fertility and immigration, 
     the United States population will grow from the present 250 
     million to over 400 million people by the year 2050, and
       ``Whereas, at current rates of fertility the world's 
     population will grow from its present level of 5.7 billion to 
     11.5 billion people by the year 2050: Now therefore be it
       ``Resolved, by the Senate and House of 
     Representatives, That the Vermont General Assembly 
     urges the Vermont Congressional delegation to bring before 
     the United State Congress legislation that requires the 
     United States to adopt a national population policy aimed at 
     stabilizing the United States' population considering its 
     patterns of consumption; and be it further
       ``Resolved, That the Vermont Congressional delegation is 
     urged to support policies that recognize the connection 
     between population dynamics and the education and economic 
     status of women; and be it further
       ``Resolved, That the delegation is urged to support 
     policies that further the United States State Department's 
     brief on Population and Development, including the 
     elimination of legal and social barriers to gender 
     [[Page S8026]] equality, population policies that encompass 
     economic opportunity for women, and that family planning be a 
     part of primary and reproductive health initiatives; and be 
     it further
       ``Resolved, That the delegation is urged to support 
     policies that will inform our citizens about family size, 
     unsustainable resource use and their combined impact on world 
     resource depletion; and be it further
       ``Resolved, That to lessen international chaos and 
     worldwide environmental degradation caused by population 
     pressures, the delegation is urged to support efforts to 
     raise federal funding to implement international population 
     stabilization programs, as devised by the governments 
     involved in the 1989 Amsterdam Conference, to four percent of 
     the total United States foreign aid appropriation as was 
     agreed upon at the conference; and be it further
       ``Resolved, That the Secretary of State be directed to send 
     copies of this resolution to the President and Vice-President 
     of the United States, the Speaker of the United States House 
     of Representatives and to each member of the Vermont 
     Congressional delegation.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-179. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Hawaii; to the Committee on Agriculture, 
     Nutrition, and Forestry.

                     ``Senate Concurrent Resolution

       ``Whereas, Hawaii's sugar industry has grown and processed 
     sugarcane continuously for 160 years; and
       ``Whereas, the sugar industry is one of the State of 
     Hawaii's most important sources of export revenues, 
     generating total revenues of $279 million on the export sales 
     of raw sugar and molasses and sales of electricity to island 
     energy grids; and
       ``Whereas, the sugar industry is Hawaii's largest 
     agricultural activity and generates more than one-third of 
     the agriculture industry's total annual revenues of $655 
     million; and
       ``Whereas, Hawaii's sugar industry provides employment, 
     directly and indirectly, for nearly 10,000 people, including 
     good paying jobs in rural areas, and generates, directly and 
     indirectly, more than $800 million of annual economic 
     activity in the State; and
       ``Whereas the lush green fields of sugarcane provide a 
     pleasing aesthetic backdrop for lifestyle activities and 
     contribute significantly to the positive experiences of 
     visitors to Hawaii; and
       ``Whereas, Hawaii's sugar industry is an integral part of 
     the U.S. sweetener industry, comprised of beet sugar, cane 
     sugar, and corn sweetener producers and processors, providing 
     both directly and indirectly, employment for 420,000 people 
     in 42 states and $26.2 billion in annual economic activity; 
     and
       ``Whereas the U.S. sugar program protects Hawaii's and the 
     nation's other domestic sweetener producers from unfair, 
     heavily subsidized foreign competition; and
       ``Whereas, the U.S. sugar program is mandated by Congress 
     to operate at no cost to the taxpayer and actually generates 
     over $30 million annually in revenues for the U.S. Treasury 
     in marketing assessments, helping to reduce the federal 
     budget deficit; and
       ``Whereas, the U.S. sugar program has assured the consumer 
     of ample supplies of high-quality refined sugar products at 
     an average retail that is lower than the world average retail 
     price and among the lowest retail prices in the world's 
     developed countries; and
       ``Whereas, international trade reforms undertaken under the 
     auspices of the Uruguay Round of the General Agreement on 
     Tariffs and Trade and under the North American Free Trade 
     Agreement make the U.S. sugar program consistent with all 
     U.S. international trade agreement obligations; and
       ``Whereas, the elimination of the U.S. sugar program would 
     threaten the stability, quality, and price of sugar supplies 
     for U.S. consumers, and jeopardize the livelihoods of 
     efficient U.S. sugar farmers and the state and local 
     economies to which they make important contributions in jobs 
     and revenues; 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 Legislature respectfully 
     urges the United States Congress to renew the highly 
     successful U.S. sugar program in the 1955 Farm Bill; and be 
     it further
       Resolved, That certified copies of this Concurrent 
     Resolution be transmitted to the Speaker of the U.S. House of 
     Representatives and the Chair of the House Committee on 
     Agriculture, the President of the U.S. Senate and the Chair 
     of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, each member of 
     Hawaii's congressional delegation, the Secretary of the U.S. 
     Department of Agriculture, and the Governor of the State of 
     Hawaii.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-180. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Nevada; to the Committee on Appropriations.

                    ``Senate Joint Resolution No. 8

       ``Whereas, the Endangered Species Act of 1973 was enacted 
     for the express purpose of providing a program for the 
     conservation of endangered and threatened species of 
     wildlife, fish and plants and to provide a means whereby the 
     various ecosystems upon which such species depend may be 
     conserved; and
       ``Whereas, since its enactment, the Endangered Species Act 
     of 1973 and the several amendments thereto have been 
     successful in protecting various species of wildlife from 
     extinction, including the American bald eagle, and have 
     increased the awareness of the American public as to the need 
     for protecting the many diverse and unique species of 
     wildlife in the United States; and
       ``Whereas, despite its successes, the Endangered Species 
     Act of 1973 has also been criticized as containing draconian 
     and intransigent provisions which do not allow for the 
     consideration of its impact upon the ever-present need for 
     human growth and development; and
       ``Whereas, the enforcement of the provisions of the Act 
     often requires restrictions to be placed upon economic growth 
     and development in the geographic areas in which protected 
     habitats are located, thereby creating hardships upon the 
     persons residing within those geographic areas; and
       ``Whereas, the recent controversy surrounding the 
     protection of the spotted owl in the Northwestern United 
     States and its impact upon the logging industry provides a 
     dramatic example of the need to balance competing interests 
     in the area of wildlife protection; and
       ``Whereas, the Congress of the United States has made 
     several appropriations of money to assist in carrying out the 
     provisions of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and is 
     currently considering making another such appropriation; and
       ``Whereas, in conjunction with making such an 
     appropriation, Congress may also consider the enactment of 
     various amendments to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, 
     thereby creating an opportunity for Congress to restructure 
     the provisions of the Act and to carry out a more balanced 
     approach to the protection of endangered and threatened 
     species of wildlife; Now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved by the Senate and Assembly of the State of 
     Nevada, jointly, That the Congress of the United States is 
     hereby urged to include in the appropriations act that is 
     currently under consideration to fund the Endangered Species 
     Act of 1973, an amendment which would provide for a 
     consideration of the impact the Act may have on the economic 
     growth and development of those geographical areas in which 
     protected species of wildlife, fish and plants are located; 
     and be it further
       ``Resolved, That Congress is further urged to amend the 
     Endangered Species Act of 1973 to require the United States 
     Fish and Wildlife Service to prepare and cause to be 
     published a proposed recovery plan for each species declared 
     endangered or threatened, including an analysis of the costs 
     and benefits of the plan and an assessment of its impact on 
     private property that will be affected by the plan, before 
     taking any regulatory actions or carrying out any management 
     activities for that species; and be it further
       ``Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate prepare and 
     transmit a copy of this resolution to the Vice President of 
     the United States as the presiding officer of the Senate, the 
     Speaker of the House of Representatives and each member of 
     the Nevada Congressional Delegation; and be it further
       ``Resolved, That this resolution becomes effective upon 
     passage and approval.''
                                                                    ____

       POM--181. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Washington; to the Committee on Appropriations.

                      ``Senate Joint Memorial 8014

       ``Whereas, Congress traditionally has deferred to state 
     regulation of water; and
       ``Whereas, Congress enacted the McCarran Amendment, 43 
     U.S.C. Sec. 666, to allow the joinder of the United States in 
     state general stream adjudications; and
       ``Whereas, Congress intended the United States to be 
     subject to the same procedures as all other water users 
     joined in state stream adjudications; and
       ``Whereas, many of the western states' general stream 
     adjudication procedures require claimants to pay a fee to 
     offset a part of the state's expenses arising from state 
     general stream adjudications; and
       ``Whereas, many of the western states are conducting 
     general stream adjudications in state courts for the purpose 
     of quantifying all water right claims in accordance with the 
     McCarran Amendment; and
       ``Whereas, the United States is a large claimant of water 
     rights in these general stream adjudications; and
       ``Whereas, the United States often provides legal 
     representation of Indian tribes claiming reserved rights in 
     state general stream adjudications, and these rights stem 
     from agreements with the United States; and
       ``Whereas, the adjudication of federal and Indian water 
     right claims takes a great deal of the state courts' and 
     state water rights agencies' time, effort, and resources; and
       ``Whereas, in some instances, federal agencies have 
     promised financial support to states in these adjudications 
     which the western states have included in their budgets; and
       ``Whereas, the United States has in the past paid 
     adjudication filing fees in some western states; and
       ``Whereas, the United States Supreme Court interpreted the 
     McCarran Amendment as not waiving the United States' 
     sovereign immunity to payment of state adjudication fees; and
       ``Whereas, this suit by the federal government is contrary 
     to promises and assertions made by various federal officials 
     to provide financial assistance to states for the conduct of 
     the adjudication; and
       ``Whereas, equity and fairness dictate that the United 
     States share the financial burden [[Page S8027]] borne by 
     other claimants and the state in funding these adjudications; 
     Now, therefore, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that 
     Congress require federal agencies to pay state adjudication 
     fees to the same extent as required of other claimants; and 
     be it ``Resolved, That Congress require the Bureau of Indian 
     Affairs to pay state adjudication fees for Indian reserved 
     claims to the same extent as required by other claimants; and 
     be it further ``Resolved, That Your Memorialists urge 
     Congress to appropriate moneys for payments to states that 
     have incurred costs as a result of federal or Indian reserved 
     claims or objections to private claims in a state general 
     stream adjudication for services that the respective states 
     have provided to the federal government in quantifying its 
     water rights; be it ``Resolved, That copies of this Memorial 
     be immediately transmitted to the Honorable Bill Clinton, 
     President of the United States, the President of the United 
     States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 
     and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-182. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; to the 
     Committee on Armed Services.

                              ``Resolution

       ``Whereas, Fort Indiantown Gap is vital to the training of 
     the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and the Pennsylvania 
     Army Air National Guard, the United States Army Reserve, the 
     United States Army, the United States Marine Corps and 
     several other Federal and State agencies; and
       ``Whereas, Fort Indiantown Gap provides a true, seamless 
     training partnership among the forces; and
       ``Whereas, Fort Indiantown Gap has maintained a successful 
     training partnership for over 55 years; and
       ``Whereas, the current cost of $19 million to operate the 
     installation is a sound financial investment for the Federal 
     Government in return for the excellent training facilities; 
     and
       ``Whereas, the training expenditures of Fort Indiantown Gap 
     are extremely cost efficient with over 177,000 personnel 
     trained annually at a per capita cost of $91.50; and
       ``Whereas, the National Guard Bureau is not adequately 
     funded to assume the training mission of Fort Indiantown Gap; 
     and
       ``Whereas, the National Guard Bureau could not maintain the 
     status quo at Fort Indiantown Gap in terms of training, 
     safety, security and services provided without substantial 
     additional funding; and
       ``Whereas, the withdrawal of the United States Army 
     Garrison from Fort Indiantown Gap will reduce the quality of 
     life for the remaining tenants of the installation; and
       ``Whereas, the withdrawal of the United States Army 
     Garrison from Fort Indiantown Gap will diminish the safety of 
     operation on the installation and increase the expense of 
     training; and
       ``Whereas, the withdrawal of the United States Army 
     Garrison from Fort Indiantown Gap will result in the loss of 
     a neutral training buffer and operations facilitator for the 
     forces who conduct training at Fort Indiantown Gap; and
       ``Whereas, the withdrawal of the United States Army 
     Garrison from Fort Indiantown Gap will diminish the security 
     of the installation; and
       ``Whereas, a reduction in training operations at Fort 
     Indiantown Gap will result in an increase in training 
     expense, liability for injury to third parties, injury to 
     personnel, damage and wear and tear to vehicles and equipment 
     and danger to the environment as a result of travel to 
     alternate training sites; and
       ``Whereas, the withdrawal of the United States Army 
     Garrison from Fort Indiantown Gap will have a negative impact 
     upon the local economy and will result in the loss of 
     services to the locale; and
       ``Whereas, the withdrawal of the United States Army 
     Garrison from Fort Indiantown Gap is an abrogation of the 
     responsibility of the Department of Defense to support the 
     training and readiness of the reserve components of the 
     National Guard and the United States Army Reserve; Therefore 
     be it
       ``Resolved, That the Senate of Pennsylvania urge the 
     Department of Defense, the Base Realignment and Closure 
     Commission and the Congress of the United States, in order to 
     maintain maximum military capability at minimum cost, to 
     immediately suspend any further effort to close Fort 
     Indiantown Gap or reduce the training mission of that 
     facility; and be it further
       ``Resolved, That the Senate support maintaining the status 
     quo at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, and urge the 
     Department of Defense and Congress to support the same; and 
     be it further
       ``Resolved, That the Senate urge the Department of Defense 
     and Congress not to reduce the mission of the 10th Mountain 
     Division by eliminating the Garrison at Fort Indiantown Gap, 
     Pennsylvania.
       ``Resolved, That copies of this resolution be forwarded to 
     the United States Secretary of Defense, the Base Realignment 
     and Closure Commission, the chairmen of the Armed Forces 
     Committees of the United States Senate and the United States 
     House of Representatives, the United States Senators Arlen 
     Specter and Rick Santorum and the members of the United 
     States House of Representatives representing the Commonwealth 
     of Pennsylvania.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-183. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; to the 
     Committee on Armed Services.
       ``Whereas, the Greater Pittsburgh International Airport Air 
     Reserve Station in Moon Township (911th) has been recommended 
     for closure by the Secretary of Defense and the 1995 Defense 
     Base Realignment and Closure Commission; and
       ``Whereas, the 911th Airlift Wing's presence in the 
     Pittsburgh region of the State adds nearly $62 million to the 
     economy and services 1300 reservists; and
       ``Whereas, the 911th participated in military operations in 
     the Persian Gulf, Bosnian Airlift, Somalia and Haiti and 
     domestic relief efforts in response to Hurricane Hugo, 
     Hurricane Andrew and air disasters; and
       ``Whereas, the 911th is used as a base for emergency 
     management operations for western Pennsylvania and other 
     regional sites; and
       ``Whereas, the 911th's strategic location, military 
     worthiness, emergency preparedness and historical 
     contributions demand reconsideration of the 1995 Defense Base 
     Realignment and Closure Commission's decision to recommend 
     closure; Therefore be it
       ``Resolved, That the Senate of Pennsylvania urge Congress, 
     the Department of Defense and the Base Realignment and 
     Closure Commission to immediately suspend any further effort 
     to close the 911th Airlift Wing or reduce the training 
     mission of that facility; and be it further
       ``Resolved, That the Senate of Pennsylvania support 
     maintaining the facility at the Greater Pittsburgh 
     International Airport Reserve Station, Moon Township, 
     Pennsylvania, and urge Congress and the Department of Defense 
     to support the same; and be it further
       ``Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted 
     to the presiding officers of each house of Congress, to the 
     Secretary of Defense and to each member of Congress from 
     Pennsylvania.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-184. A joint resolution adopted by the General Assembly 
     of the Commonwealth of Virginia; to the Committee on Armed 
     Services.

                      ``House Joint Resolution 573

       ``Whereas, the recent worldwide conflicts have highlighted 
     again the contributions of this nation's military and retired 
     veterans; and
       ``Whereas, integral to the success of our military forces 
     are those servicemen and servicewomen who have made a career 
     of defending their country, who in peacetime may be called 
     away to places remote from their families and loved ones, and 
     who is war face the prospect of death or of serious disabling 
     wounds as a constant possibility; and
       ``Whereas, legislation has been introduced in the United 
     States Congress to remedy an inequity applicable to military 
     careerists; and
       ``Whereas, the inequity concerns those veterans who are 
     both retired and disabled and who, because of an antiquated 
     law that dates to the nineteenth century, are denied 
     concurrent receipt of full retirement pay and disability 
     compensation pay, but instead may receive one or the other or 
     must waive an amount of retirement pay equal to the amount of 
     disability compensation pay; and
       ``Whereas, no such deduction applies to the federal civil 
     service so that a disabled veteran who has held a nomilitary 
     federal job for a requisite duration receives full longevity 
     retirement pay undiminished by the subtraction of disability 
     compensation pay; and
       ``Whereas, a statutory change is necessary to correct this 
     injustice and discrimination in order that America's 
     occasional commitment to war in pursuit of national and 
     international goals may be matched by an allegiance to those 
     who sacrificed on behalf of those goals; Now, therefore, be 
     it
       ``Resolved by the House of Delegates, the Senate 
     concurring, That Congress be urged to amend United States 
     Code Chapter 71, relating to the compensation of retired 
     military personnel, to permit full concurrent receipt of 
     military longevity retirement pay and service-connected 
     disability compensation pay; 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, to the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives, the President of the United States Senate, 
     and to the members of the Virginia Congressional Delegation 
     that they may be apprised of the sense of the General 
     Assembly of Virginia in this matter.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-185 A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Alaska; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, 
     and Urban Affairs.

                           ``Resolution No. 5

       ``Be it Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Alaska:
       ``Whereas the President of the United States has, by 
     executive order, continued the ban on the export of Alaska 
     North Slope crude oil contained in 50 U.S.C.S. Appx. 2406(d) 
     (sec. 7(d), Export Administration Act of 1979) that 
     prohibits, with tightly restrictive exceptions, the export of 
     domestically produced crude oil transported by pipeline over 
     the right-of-way granted by 43 U.S.C. 1652 (sec. 203 of the 
     Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act); and
       ``Whereas the ban on the export of Alaska North Slope crude 
     oil effectively limits its sale to the domestic American 
     market, and
       ``Whereas Alaska North Slope crude oil required to be 
     transported and delivered for [[Page S8028]] sale in the 
     domestic market incurs approximately $2-$4 per barrel in 
     higher transportation charges than if the oil could be 
     exported to Pacific Rim countries; and
       ``Whereas the higher transportation cost associated with 
     shipping Alaska North Slope crude oil to the Gulf Coast 
     states reduces the wellhead price of the oil; and
       ``Whereas, over a seven-year period of time, Alaska would 
     gain $700,000,000 to $1,600,000,000 in state taxes and 
     royalties if the ban is lifted; and
       ``Whereas lower wellhead prices make uneconomic the 
     threshold for exploring for and producing all North Slope oil 
     and, as a result, production from certain existing and newly 
     discovered oil fields is currently uneconomic; and
       ``Whereas the transportation cost savings from lifting the 
     Alaska North Slope crude oil export ban will be available for 
     reinvestment in domestic exploration, and development of 
     marginal and newly discovered oil reserves will increase 
     production and enhance the nation's energy and economic 
     security; and
       ``Whereas, according to the June 1994 U.S. Department of 
     Energy report on exporting Alaskan North Slope crude oil, 
     reserve additions in Alaska alone could be as large as 
     200,000,000 to 400,000,000 barrels, a size that roughly 
     equals the known reserves in major North Slope fields, such 
     as Point McIntyre; and
       ``Whereas the export ban singles out Alaska, effectively 
     penalizing the state and reducing revenue needed for vital 
     state programs; and
       ``Whereas, according to the U.S. Department of Energy June 
     1994 report, exporting Alaska North Slope crude oil to 
     Pacific Rim nations will decrease the substantial trade 
     deficit with nations that have expressed a strong interest in 
     purchasing Alaska produced oil; and
       ``Whereas the proposal to lift the Alaska North Slope crude 
     oil ban has enjoyed strong support in the Legislature of the 
     State of Alaska, the Legislature of the State of California, 
     and the United States Congress; and
       ``Whereas lifting the oil export ban would result in a net 
     increase in United States employment from 11,000 to 25,000 
     jobs nationwide; be it
       ``Resolved That the Alaska State Legislature supports 
     lifting the ban on export of Alaska North Slope crude oil; 
     and be it further
       ``Resolved That the President is respectfully requested to 
     present to the United States Congress a recommendation that 
     it is both in the national interest to lift the ban on the 
     export of Alaska North Slope crude oil and discriminatory to 
     the state to maintain the ban; and be it further
       ``Resolved That the Alaska State Legislature endorses H.R. 
     70 and S. 70, pending companion federal legislation removing 
     the restraints on the export of Alaska North Slope crude 
     oil.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-186. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Nevada; to the Committee on the Budget.

                    ``Senate Joint Resolution No. 16

       ``Whereas, the United States Geological Survey was 
     established by Congress in 1879; and
       ``Whereas, in preparing the budget for the next federal 
     fiscal year, Congress is considering the elimination of the 
     United States Geological Survey; and
       ``Whereas, the United States Geological Survey has provided 
     valuable services in measuring and studying the quality and 
     quantity of the surface-water and ground-water resources of 
     the State of Nevada; and
       ``Whereas, the data provided by the United States 
     Geological Survey is vital to the services provided by the 
     State Engineer and other governmental and educational 
     entities within the State of Nevada which are responsible for 
     the control of floods, the teaching of biological sciences, 
     the protection and preservation of endangered species and the 
     protection of water quality; and
       ``Whereas, it is imperative that the United States 
     Geological Survey continue its studies of the hydrology and 
     geology of the State of Nevada before a decision is made 
     concerning the possible disposal of high-level radioactive 
     waste in the State of Nevada; and
       ``Whereas, it is anticipated that if the United States 
     Geological Survey is maintained, it will continue its 
     cooperation with the State of Nevada and assist in several 
     projects essential to the future of the State of Nevada, 
     including, without limitation:
       ``1. A study of the cumulative effects of mining below the 
     water table in the northeastern portion of the State of 
     Nevada;
       ``2. An analysis of reasonable alternatives for resolving 
     disputes concerning various rivers in the State of Nevada;
       ``3. Studies of possible policies and programs to meet the 
     rapidly growing requirements for water in Clark County, 
     Nevada; and
       ``4. An analysis of the deep carbonate systems underlying 
     much of the eastern and southern portions of the State of 
     Nevada; Now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved by the Senate and Assembly of the State of 
     Nevada, jointly, That the Nevada Legislature urges Congress 
     to maintain the United States Geological Survey; and be it 
     further
       ``Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate of the State 
     of Nevada prepare and transmit a copy of this resolution to 
     the Vice President of the United States as presiding officer 
     of the Senate of the United States, the Speaker of the House 
     of Representatives, each member of the Nevada Congressional 
     Delegation, the Director of the United States Geological 
     Survey, the Secretary of the Interior and the Assistant 
     Secretary for Water and Science of the Department of the 
     Interior; and be it further
       ``Resolved, That this resolution becomes effective upon 
     passage and approval.''
       POM-187. A joint resolution adopted by the General Assembly 
     of the Commonwealth of Virginia; to the Committee on 
     Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

                    ``House Joint Resolution No. 424

       ``Whereas, Amtrak is an energy-efficient and 
     environmentally beneficial means of transportation, consuming 
     about one-half as much energy per passage mile as airline 
     travel and causing less air pollution; and
       ``Whereas, Amtrak provides mobility to citizens of many 
     smaller communities poorly served by air and bus service, as 
     well as senior citizens, disabled people, and people with 
     medical conditions that preclude flying; and
       ``Whereas, on a passenger-mile basis, Amtrak is nine times 
     safer that driving an automobile and operates safely even in 
     severe weather conditions; and
       ``Whereas, the number of passenger using Amtrak rose 48 
     percent from 1982 to 1993, allowing Amtrak to dramatically 
     improve coverage of its operating costs from revenues; and
       ``Whereas, expansion of Amtrak service by existing rail 
     rights-of-way would cost less and use less land than either 
     new highways or new airports and would further increase 
     Amtrak's energy-efficiency advantage; and
       ``Whereas, federal investment in Amtrak has fallen in the 
     last decade, while it has risen for both highways and 
     airports; and
       ``Whereas, states may use highway trust fund money as an 80 
     percent federal match for variety of nonhighway programs, but 
     they are prohibited from using such funds for Amtrak 
     projects; and
       ``Whereas, Amtrak pays a federal fuel tax that commercial 
     airlines do not pay; and
       ``Whereas, Amtrak workers and vendors pay more in taxes 
     that the federal government invests in Amtrak; now, 
     therefore, be it
       ``Resolved by the House of Delegates, the Senate 
     concurring, That the President and the Congress of the United 
     States be urged to make no further reduction in funding for 
     Amtrak; and, be it
       ``Resolved further, That the General Assembly request that 
     Amtrak be excused from paying federal fuel taxes that the 
     commercial airlines do not pay, that the states be permitted 
     to use federal highway trust fund moneys on Amtrak projects 
     if they so choose, and that federal officials include a 
     strong Amtrak component in any plans for a national 
     transportation system; and, be it
       ``Resolved finally, 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, and 
     the members of the Virginia Congressional Delegation so that 
     they may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly of 
     Virginia.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-188. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Texas; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
     and Transportation.

                     ``House Concurrent Resolution

       ``Whereas, Texas is proud to be home to the National 
     Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Johnson Space 
     Center and is a state where thousands of Texans have taken 
     part in NASA's goals, vision, missions, and accomplishments 
     in furthering space exploration; and
       ``Whereas, the approach of an integrated design and 
     development team concept implemented at Johnson Space Center 
     has a proven record of accomplishment, in the Mercury, 
     Gemini, Apollo, and Shuttle programs, and the International 
     Space Station program was purposely located at Johnson Space 
     Center to take advantage of the integrated product team 
     concept that has been so successful in previous NASA 
     programs; and
       ``Whereas, the human space integration missions at Johnson 
     Space Center, including spacecraft engineering, space shuttle 
     operations program management, the shuttle orbiter project, 
     and science programs, are vital to NASA's human space 
     program; and
       ``Whereas, a proposed plan developed by NASA to consolidate 
     operations portends an action that would severely impact 
     Johnson Space Center and the Texas economy; and
       ``Whereas, if the proposal is implemented, Texas stands to 
     lose thousands of primary and secondary jobs associated with 
     the aerospace industry and Johnson Space Center, thousands of 
     secondary, retail, and support jobs, and a significant share 
     of investment opportunities and associated investment 
     benefits; and
       ``Whereas, Texas was affected negatively as a consequence 
     of NASA's 1994 restructuring, downsizing, and space station 
     redesign at Johnson Space Center; and
       ``Whereas, Texans support the general goal of reducing 
     government waste and jobs; how the goal is achieved in the 
     case of NASA's proposed reorganization is a key point that 
     needs clarification; Now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas 
     respectfully urge the Congress of the United States to review 
     fully NASA's proposed reorganization plan and to analyze the 
     cost/benefit of the plan, including proposed mission 
     transfers and relocations, with the purpose of preserving and 
     [[Page S8029]] protecting the United States' leadership in 
     space technology and exploration; and be it further
       ``Resolved, That the Texas secretary of state forward 
     official copies of this resolution to the administrator of 
     the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, to the 
     president of the United States, to the speaker of the house 
     of representatives and president of the senate of the United 
     States Congress, and to all members of the Texas 
     congressional delegation with the request that it be 
     officially entered into the Congressional Record of the 
     United States of America.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-189. A resolution adopted by the Illinois Commerce 
     Commission relative to nuclear waste; to the Committee on 
     Energy and Natural Resources.
       POM-190. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Nevada; to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources.

                    ``Senate Joint Resolution No. 27

       ``Whereas, the State of Nevada has a strong moral claim 
     upon the public land retained by the Federal Government 
     within Nevada's borders; and
       ``Whereas, on October 31, 1864, the Territory of Nevada was 
     admitted to statehood on the condition that it forever 
     disclaim all right and title to unappropriated public land 
     within its boundaries; and
       ``Whereas, Nevada received the least amount of land, 
     2,572,478 acres, and the smallest percentage of its total 
     area, 3.9 percent, of the land grant states in the Far West 
     admitted after 1864, while states of comparable location and 
     soil, including Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, received 
     approximately 11 percent of their total area in federal land 
     grants; and
       ``Whereas, the State of Texas, when admitted to the Union 
     in 1845, retained ownership of all unappropriated land within 
     its borders; and
       ``Whereas, the federal holdings in the State of Nevada 
     constitute 86.7 percent of the area of the state, and in 
     Esmeralda, Lincoln, Mineral, Nye and White Pine counties the 
     Federal Government controls from 97 to 99 percent of the 
     land; and
       ``Whereas, the federal jurisdiction over the public domain 
     is shared among several federal agencies or departments which 
     cause problems concerning the proper management of the land 
     and disrupts the normal relationship between a state, its 
     residents and its property; and
       ``Whereas, the intent of the framers of the Constitution of 
     the United States was to guarantee to each of the states 
     sovereignty over all matters within its boundaries except for 
     those powers specifically granted to the United States as 
     agent of the states; and
       ``Whereas, the exercise of dominion and control of the 
     public lands within the State of Nevada by the United States 
     works a severe, continuous and debilitating hardship upon the 
     people of the State of Nevada: Now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved by the Senate and Assembly of the State of 
     Nevada, jointly, That the ordinance of the constitution of 
     the State of Nevada be amended to read as follows:
       ``In obedience to the requirements of an act of the 
     Congress of the United States, approved March twenty-first, 
     A.D. eighteen hundred and sixty-four, to enable the people of 
     Nevada to form a constitution and state government, the 
     convention, elected and convened in obedience to said 
     enabling act, do ordain as follows, and this ordinance shall 
     be irrevocable, without the consent of the United States and 
     the people of the State of Nevada:
       ``First. That there shall be in this state neither slavery 
     nor involuntary servitude, otherwise than in the punishment 
     for crimes, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted.
       ``Second. That perfect toleration of religious sentiment 
     shall be secured and no inhabitant of said state shall ever 
     be molested, in person or property, on account of his or her 
     mode of religious worship.
       ``Third. That the people inhabiting said territory do agree 
     and declare, that [they forever disclaim all right and title 
     to the unappropriated public lands lying with said territory, 
     and that the same shall be and remain at the sole and entire 
     disposition of the United States; and that] lands belonging 
     to citizens of the United States, residing without the said 
     state, shall never be taxed higher than the land belonging to 
     the residents thereof; and that no taxes shall be imposed by 
     said state on lands or property therein belonging to, or 
     which may hereafter be purchased by, the United States, 
     unless otherwise provided by the Congress of the United 
     States; and be it further
       ``Resolved, That the Legislature of the State of Nevada 
     hereby urges the Congress of the United States to consent to 
     the amendment of the ordinance of the Nevada constitution to 
     remove the disclaimer concerning the right of the Federal 
     Government to sole and entire disposition of the 
     unappropriated public lands in Nevada; and be it further
       ``Resolved, That, upon approval and ratification of the 
     amendment proposed by this resolution by the people of the 
     State of Nevada, copies of this resolution be prepared and 
     transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Vice 
     President of the United States as presiding officer of the 
     Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and each 
     member of the Nevada Congressional Delegation; and be it 
     further
       ``Resolved, That this resolution becomes effective upon 
     passage and approval, except that, notwithstanding any other 
     provision of law, the proposed amendment to the ordinance of 
     the constitution of the State of Nevada, if approved and 
     ratified by the people of the State of Nevada, does not 
     become effective until the Congress of the United States 
     consents to the amendment or upon a legal determination that 
     such consent is not necessary.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-191. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Nevada; to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources.

                   ``Assembly Joint Resolution No. 7

       ``Whereas, the drought which has occurred in the last 8 
     years in the Lake Tahoe Basin has created conditions in the 
     forests of the basin wherein there is widespread infestation 
     of beetles and other diseases causing an estimated 25 to 80 
     percent rate of mortality for trees and creating an extremely 
     dangerous and imminent catastrophic fire hazard, which 
     represents a severe threat to life and personal property; and
       ``Whereas, there are limited routes of ingress and egress 
     in the Lake Tahoe Basin which make any evacuations extremely 
     hazardous; and
       ``Whereas, the threat of fire and the drastic decline in 
     the health of the forests in the Lake Tahoe Basin presents a 
     serious threat to the natural and human environment in the 
     Lake Tahoe Basin; and
       ``Whereas, the Tahoe Basin Forest Health Consensus Group, 
     formed in October 1992, is a voluntary organization 
     consisting of interested residents of the basin and 
     specialists in the management of natural resources; and
       ``Whereas, the stated mission of the Tahoe Basin Forest 
     Health Consensus Group is to recommend to the Tahoe Regional 
     Planning Agency certain changes to the regional plan which 
     would assist in restoring the health of the ecosystem of the 
     forests in the Lake Tahoe Basin; and
       ``Whereas, to accomplish its mission, the Tahoe Basin 
     Forest Health Consensus Group has stated that it will, be 
     examining the ecosystem of the Lake Tahoe Basin in its 
     entirety, identify and define objectives and strategies 
     intended to educate and assist the public and the various 
     local, state, regional and federal agencies in the Lake Tahoe 
     Basin on the current and long-term dynamics of the ecosystem 
     of the forests; and
       ``Whereas, approximately 75 percent of the lands of the 
     Lake Tahoe Basin lie within the lands belonging to the 
     national forest; and
       ``Whereas, the United States Forest Service has indicated 
     that, when adequately funded, it could satisfactorily remove 
     the dead and dying trees in the basin; and
       ``Whereas, an effective and safe transition from the 
     current unhealthy condition of the forests to a healthy and 
     manageable condition requires vision and commitment from all 
     those concerned: Now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved by the Assembly and Senate of the State of 
     Nevada, jointly, That the Legislature of the State of Nevada 
     expresses its support for the mission of the Tahoe Basin 
     Forest Health Consensus Group in recommending to the Tahoe 
     Regional Planning Agency those changes to the regional plan 
     which would assist in restoring the health of the ecosystem 
     of the forests in the Lake Tahoe Basin and the reduction of 
     the threat of catastrophic fires; and be it further
       ``Resolved, That the Congress of the United States and the 
     various federal and state agencies that regulate activities 
     in the Lake Tahoe Basin are hereby urged to provide financial 
     and other assistance to the Tahoe Basin Forest Health 
     Consensus Group in the accomplishment of its mission; and be 
     it further
       ``Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly prepare 
     and transmit a copy of this resolution to the Vice President 
     of the United States as presiding officer of the Senate, the 
     Speaker of the House of Representatives, each member of the 
     Nevada Congressional Delegation, the United States as 
     presiding officer of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives, each member of the Nevada Congressional 
     Delegation, the United States Forest Service, the Department 
     of Transportation of the State of Nevada, and the Division of 
     Forestry, Division of State Lands, Division of State Parks, 
     and Division of Wildlife of the State Department of 
     Conservation and Natural Resources of the State of Nevada; 
     and be it further
       ``Resolved, That this resolution becomes effective upon 
     passage and approval.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-192. A resolution adopted by the Federal Bar 
     Association relative to the Oklahoma City tragedy; to the 
     Committee on Environment and Public Works.
       POM-193. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Texas; to the Committee on Environment and 
     Public Works.

                     ``House Concurrent Resolution

       ``Whereas, the enactment of the Water Pollution Control Act 
     of 1987, also known as the Clean Water Act, marked a renewed 
     commitment and resolve by the federal government to purify 
     and protect our nation's water; and
       ``Whereas, While the goals of the federal Clean Water Act 
     are shared by the citizens of this country, a balance must be 
     struck between the steps to be taken to reduce water 
     contamination and the adverse impact those steps may have on 
     individuals, the economy, and government; and [[Page S8030]] 
       ``Whereas, under the Water Pollution Control Act, all 
     municipalities with populations of less than 100,000 must 
     obtain a permit from the Environmental Protection Agency for 
     every stormwater discharge point in the city; and
       ``Whereas, this unfunded federal mandate on municipal 
     stormwater discharges is estimated to cost cities across the 
     country as much as $625,000 per permit; and
       ``Whereas, thousands of cities will now have to grapple 
     with the enormous costs, complexity, and liability of meeting 
     this new, unfunded federal mandate; and
       ``Whereas, the failure of the United States Congress to 
     provide adequate funding to implement the Clean Water Act and 
     other federal legislation has placed state and local 
     governments in the untenable position of attempting to fund 
     the federal requirements with diminishing amounts of 
     available revenue or, by failing to do so, jeopardizing state 
     and local eligibility for certain federal funds; and
       ``Whereas, the 102nd Congress of the United States 
     previously addressed the issue of unfunded mandates by 
     enacting legislation that provided a two-year moratorium on 
     unfunded state and local mandates, which included the 
     municipal stormwater discharge mandate; and
       ``Whereas, the 103rd Congress adjourned without extending 
     the moratorium, thus triggering the municipal stormwater 
     discharge permit requirement: Now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas 
     hereby strongly urge the Congress of the United States to 
     amend the Water Pollution Control Act to exempt cities with 
     populations of less than 100,000 from obtaining permits from 
     the Environmental Protection Agency for stormwater discharge 
     points; and, be it further
       ``Resolved, That the Texas secretary of state forward 
     official copies of this resolution to the president of the 
     United States, to the speaker of the house of representatives 
     and president of the senate of the United States Congress, 
     and to all members of the Texas delegation to the congress 
     with the request that it be officially entered in the 
     Congressional Record as a memorial to the Congress of the 
     United States of America.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-194. A joint resolution adopted by the General Assembly 
     of the Commonwealth of Virginia to the Committee on 
     Environment and Public Works.

                    ``House Joint Resolution No. 598

       ``Whereas, the major purpose of the enactment of the 
     federal Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (Public Law No. 101-
     549) was the improvement and protection of air quality 
     through control of air pollution and its sources; and
       ``Whereas, in concentrating on control and elimination of 
     air pollution, the provisions of the Clean Air Act Amendments 
     (CAAA) themselves and the regulations promulgated by the 
     federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in furtherance 
     of the CAAA overlook the full range of costs which anti-
     pollution measures impose on businesses, industries, state 
     and local governments, families, and individuals; and
       ``Whereas, supporting regulations of both the CAAA and EPA 
     contain numerous deadlines and compliance schedules that, in 
     seeking to speed the pace of air pollution control and 
     reduction technology, have proven to be unrealistic and 
     inflexible; and
       ``Whereas, neither the CAAA nor EPA's regulations grant the 
     states adequate latitude in or credit for exploring, 
     developing, and implementing air pollution control and 
     reduction techniques and programs that take into account 
     state and regional differences in pollution problems, 
     geography, climate, political culture, and lifestyle; and
       ``Whereas, the more the public perceives there to be an 
     imbalance between air pollution control measures' costs and 
     their environmental benefits, the less the public will 
     support the full implementation and vigorous enforcement of 
     such measures; and
       ``Whereas, an erosion of public support of air pollution 
     reduction and control programs could ultimately lead to a 
     failure or abandonment of those programs and others aimed at 
     promoting and protecting environmental quality: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       ``Resolved by the House of Delegates, the Senate 
     concurring, That the Congress be hereby requested to review 
     and reconsider the provisions of the federal Clean Air Act 
     Amendments of 1990 and policies and regulations of the 
     federal Environmental Protection Agency adopted or 
     promulgated in furtherance of that Act in order to ensure, 
     through appropriate amendments and other changes, that 
     federal and federally mandated air pollution reduction and 
     control programs, policies, procedures, requirements, and 
     implementation schedules be, to the maximum extent prudent, 
     practical, cost-effective, and flexible enough to take into 
     account the often widely diverging needs; varying air 
     pollution problems; existing, proposed, and developing state 
     and local air pollution reduction and control programs; and 
     differing life-styles of America's states and regions; and, 
     be it
       ``Resolved further, 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 in order that they may be apprised 
     of the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia in this 
     matter.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-195. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of New Hampshire; to the Committee on Finance.

                        ``House Joint Resolution

       ``Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 
     in General Court convened:
       ``Whereas, the northern forest comprises 26 million acres 
     of forest land stretching from eastern Maine through New 
     Hampshire and Vermont across northern New York almost to Lake 
     Ontario; and
       ``Whereas, the northern forest is one of the largest 
     expanses of continuously forested land in the nation; and
       ``Whereas, the northern forest is valuable in many ways to 
     the people who live within its boundaries, work with its 
     resources, use its products, visit it, and care about it; and
       ``Whereas, nearly 85 percent of the northern forest is 
     privately owned and has provided a diversity of environmental 
     and economic benefits; and
       ``Whereas, the forest-based industries of this region have 
     profound impacts on the economies of the 4 states; and
       ``Whereas, within the 4 states, forest-related jobs, 
     including manufacturing and tourism, account for a total 
     annual payroll of over 3 billion dollars; and
       ``Whereas, the northern forest provides products to people 
     around the world; and
       ``Whereas, the northern forest is also valued by those who 
     live outside the region; and
       ``Whereas, 70 million people live within a day's drive of 
     the northern forest and many come for outdoor recreation, 
     escape and adventure; and
       ``Whereas, the visitors to the northern forest spend over 
     16 billion dollars annually, generating 750 million dollars 
     in state and local taxes; and
       ``Whereas, the northern forest is recognized as an 
     important source of clean water and clear air and as an 
     essential source of rich plant and animal diversity; and
       ``Whereas, in the 1980's, complex social and economic 
     forces have led to competing and conflicting uses of the 
     northern forest; and
       ``Whereas, the concern about present and future conversion 
     of forest land to non-forest uses in the northern forest 
     region prompted Congress and the governors of Mine, New 
     Hampshire, New York, and Vermont to create the Northern 
     Forest Lands study and subsequently the Northern Forest Lands 
     Council; and
       ``Whereas, the study and the council have focused efforts 
     on changes in the region which are, or potentially might be, 
     leading to a loss of public and private values of these 
     lands; and
       ``Whereas, the values of these lands include long-term 
     stewardship of the forest resource for timber, wildlife, 
     wildlife habitats, and ecosystems; and
       ``Whereas, in September 1994, the Northern Forest Lands 
     Council presented its recommendations for the northern 
     forests: Now, therefore be it
       ``Resolved by the Senate and the House of Representatives 
     in general court convened:
       ``That the general court of New Hampshire hereby urges the 
     federal government to implement the recommendations of the 
     Northern Forest Lands Council; and
       ``That Congress support funding of the forest legacy which 
     is a federal program which provides funds to the United 
     States Department of Agriculture Forest Service and other 
     easement acquisition programs; and
       ``That, a part of the forest legacy program, local 
     jurisdictions be given maximum flexibility and discretion in 
     administering any federal funds that may be made available 
     through this and other similar programs; and
       ``That Congress support the Stewardship Incentive Program 
     by eliminating the 25 percent constraint on funds used for 
     developing forest management plans, raising the maximum 
     eligibility from 1,000 to 5,000 acres, allowing states to 
     provide cost share funds for expenses related to voluntary 
     land protection, and requiring landowners to reimburse the 
     granting agency if conversion to non-forest use occurs within 
     10 years of receiving the cost-share funds; and
       ``That certain federal laws be changed to allow heirs to 
     make post mortem donations of conservation easements of 
     undeveloped estate land and to allow the valuation of 
     undeveloped land at current use values for estate tax 
     purposes of owners or heirs who agree to maintain the land in 
     its current use for a minimum of 25 years; and
       ``That Congress change the Income Tax Code to allow the 
     cost of timber to be set at the value of the timber when it 
     was acquired, providing landowners with the incentive to keep 
     timber in production; and
       ``That Congress change the Income Tax Code to allow small 
     private forest landowners to deduct, from their income tax, 
     the forest management costs for less than 100 hours of work 
     per year; and
       ``That Congress change the Income Tax Code to exclude from 
     income tax a portion of the gain received from the sale of 
     qualified forest land and conservation easements from private 
     to public conservation agencies; and
       ``That, as future acquisitions of forest land take place, 
     local jurisdictions be held harmless for the loss of local 
     tax revenues; and
       ``That Congress fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund a 
     the currently authorized level with at least 60 percent of 
     the funds going to the states; and
       ``That Congress authorize and fund community development 
     financial institutions or similar programs to steer capital 
     to distressed communities in order to attract 
     [[Page S8031]] small industries and promote diversification; 
     and
       ``That Congress provide the necessary funds for the U.S. 
     Forest Service to conduct and publish decennial forest 
     surveys, ensuring that the funding is adequate enough so that 
     it takes place every 10 years; and
       ``That the general court of New Hampshire hereby urges the 
     United States Congress to review and implement the 
     recommendations of the Northern Forest Lands Council; and
       ``That copies of this resolution, signed by the president 
     of the senate and the speaker of the house, be forwarded by 
     the house clerk to the President of the United States, to the 
     President of the United States Senate, to the speaker of the 
     United States House of Representatives, and to each member of 
     the New Hampshire Congressional delegation.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-196. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Nevada; to the Committee on Finance.

                    ``Senate Joint Resolution No. 15

       ``Whereas, Nevada is one of the fastest growing states in 
     the union; and
       ``Whereas, the continuous influx of persons into this state 
     promotes a growing, healthy and diversified economy; and
       ``Whereas, many persons who migrate into this state are 
     retired and live on limited and fixed incomes; and
       ``Whereas, many of these persons retire to Nevada with the 
     expectation of being exempt from any state income tax and 
     have planned their finances accordingly; and
       ``Whereas, for many of these persons, the income that they 
     earn from their pension, savings and other investments is 
     barely sufficient to pay their expenses and offset inflation; 
     and
       ``Whereas, other states have enacted legislation that 
     authorizes the imposition of a tax on income from a pension 
     that originates in those states, even if the person who earns 
     the income resides in another state; and
       ``Whereas, as a result, many persons who have retird to 
     Nevada are required to pay a tax imposed by other states on 
     the income from their pensions; and
       ``Whereas, these laws have placed an unexpected and often 
     insurmountable financial burden on many of these persons; and
       ``Whereas, United States Representative Barbara Vucanovich 
     has introduced a bill in the House of Representatives, H.R. 
     394 of the 104th Congress, 1st Session (1995), which would 
     prohibit each state from imposing a tax on the income from a 
     pension of any person who is not a resident of that state; 
     and
       ``Whereas, United States Senator Harry Reid has introduced 
     a similar bill in the Senate, S. 44 of the 104 Congress, 1st 
     Session (1995): Now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved by the Senate and Assembly of the State of 
     Nevada, jointly That the Nevada Legislature urges the 
     Congress of the United States to pass H.R. 394 or S. 44 of 
     the 104th Congress, 1st Session (1995), which would prohibit 
     each state from imposing a tax on the income from a pension 
     of any person who is not a resident of that state; and be it 
     further
       ``Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate prepare and 
     transmit a copy of this resolution to the Vice President of 
     the United States as presiding officer of the Senate, the 
     Speaker of the House of Representatives and each member of 
     the Nevada Congressional Delegation; and be it further
       ``Resolved, That this resolution becomes effective upon 
     passage and approval.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-197. A joint resolution adopted by the General Assembly 
     of the Commonwealth of Virginia; to the Committee on 
     Governmental Affairs.

                    ``House Joint Resolution No. 411

       ``Whereas, the 10th Amendment to the Constitution of the 
     United States clearly limits the powers of the federal 
     government by stating that ``the powers not delegated to the 
     United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to 
     the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to 
     the people''; and
       ``Whereas, the debate over the powers of the federal 
     government in relation to the several states has raged 
     throughout our history, but the recent actions of the federal 
     government, particularly in the area of unfunded mandates, 
     have rekindled the controversy; and
       ``Whereas, the restriction on the power of the federal 
     government, so simply and elegantly stated in the 10th 
     Amendment, is the essence of the federalism envisioned by the 
     framers of the Constitution; and
       ``Whereas, that vision of federalism, with the states 
     retaining those powers not specifically delegated by the 
     Constitution to the federal government, has been subverted by 
     an insolvent federal government that imposes increasingly 
     onerous and costly mandates on the states; and
       ``Whereas, the assault by the Congress of the United States 
     on the 10th Amendment showing no signs of abating, the time 
     for the states to exert their constitutional rights has come; 
     now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved by the House of Delegates, the Senate 
     concurring, That the Congress of the United States be hereby 
     requested to pay greater heed to the clear restrictions 
     placed by the 10th Amendment to the Constitution on the 
     powers of the federal government; and, be it
       ``Resolved further, That the Commonwealth join with the 
     several other states that have taken steps to convene a 
     ``summit on federalism''; and, be it
       ``Resolved finally, 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, the Attorney General of Virginia, and the members of 
     the Virginia Congressional Delegation so that they may be 
     apprised of the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-198. A joint resolution adopted by the General Assembly 
     of the Commonwealth of Virginia; to the Committee on 
     Governmental Affairs.

                    ``House Joint Resolution No. 606

       ``Whereas, the 10th Amendment to the Constitution of the 
     United States specifies that the ``powers not delegated to 
     the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it 
     to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to 
     the people''; and
       ``Whereas, the founders of our Republic and the framers of 
     the Constitution of the United States understood that 
     centralized power is inconsistent with republican ideals, and 
     accordingly limited the federal government to certain 
     enumerated powers and reserved all other powers to the states 
     and the people through the 10th Amendment; and
       ``Whereas, the federal government has exceeded the clear 
     bounds of its jurisdiction under the Constitution of the 
     United States and has imposed ever-growing numbers of 
     mandates, regulations, and restrictions upon states and the 
     local governments, thereby removing power and flexibility 
     from the units of government closest to the people and 
     increasing central control in Washington; and
       ``Whereas, the United States Supreme Court recognized in 
     New York v. United States, 112 S. Ct. 2408 (1992), that the 
     constitutional limitations on federal power have continuing 
     vitality, notwithstanding the general failure of the federal 
     courts to afford remedies to the states and their citizens 
     for violations of the 10th Amendment; and
       ``Whereas, in holding that the states generally must rely 
     on political processes in Washington for their protection, 
     the federal courts have permitted Congress and federal 
     agencies to treat the states as though they are merely part 
     of the regulated community, rather than as sovereign partners 
     in a federal system of shared powers; and
       ``Whereas, federal mandates have imposed enormous costs on 
     states and localities, draining away resources and preventing 
     state governments from addressing pressing local needs such 
     as education and law enforcement; and
       ``Whereas, facing a persistent budget deficit, the federal 
     government has forced the burden of funding federal programs 
     onto state and local governments, resulting in an excessive 
     tax burden at the state and local levels; and
       ``Whereas, federal mandates and preemptive measures impose 
     ``one size fits all'' requirements that deprive state and 
     local governments of the ability to set priorities, thereby 
     diminishing their ability to allocate resources and tailor 
     programs in the way best suited to meet local needs; and
       ``Whereas, states and localities are burdened not only by 
     federal legislation, but also by mushrooming numbers of 
     costly, complex, lengthy, and often incomprehensible 
     regulations drafted by bureaucrats who are not accountable to 
     the people; and
       ``Whereas, the exercise of increasing power by Congress, 
     the federal courts, and the federal bureaucracy has 
     diminished the ability of citizens to influence the course of 
     their government and has produced an ever-widening gulf 
     between citizens' demands for change and the ability of state 
     and local officials to effect that change; and
       ``Whereas, experience has taught that the framers' design 
     of a balanced federal system of shared powers and dual 
     sovereignty can only be restored through federal 
     constitutional changes that secure the rights and 
     prerogatives of the states; and
       ``Whereas, proposals for structural change likely to be 
     considered by the United States Congress and the Council of 
     State Governments' proposed Conference of the States include 
     constitutional amendments that would:
       ``1. Require a balanced federal budget;
       ``2. Prohibit the imposition of unfunded federal mandates;
       ``3. Require the federal courts to render enforceable 
     decisions in cases or controversies arising under the 10th 
     Amendment.
       ``4. Give a super-majority of the states the power to 
     initiate constitutional amendments and repeal improper 
     federal legislation, subject to veto by a super-majority of 
     the United States Congress; and
       ``5. Provide other safeguards against unwarranted federal 
     intrusion into the affairs of the sovereign states and their 
     local subdivisions; and
       ``Whereas, as a sovereign government under the Constitution 
     of the United States, the Commonwealth of Virginia has not 
     only the right but also the duty to defend the prerogatives 
     of the people of Virginia against federal government 
     excesses; and
       ``Whereas, the Commonwealth of Virginia currently is 
     attempting to enforce the 10th Amendment rights of its 
     citizens through appropriate litigation: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       ``Resolved by the House of Delegates, the Senate 
     concurring, That Congress be urged to observe the principles 
     of federalism as required by the 10th Amendment of the 
     Constitution of the United States. The Commonwealth of 
     Virginia hereby asserts its sovereignty under the 10th 
     Amendment to the Constitution of the United States over all 
     powers neither [[Page S8032]] prohibited to the Commonwealth 
     of Virginia nor enumerated and granted to the federal 
     government by the Constitution of the United States; and, be 
     it
       ``Resolved further, That this resolution serve as notice 
     and demand to the federal government to cease and desist 
     immediately the imposition and enforcement of mandates that 
     are beyond the scope of its constitutionally delegated 
     powers; and, be it
       ``Resolved further, That the General Assembly of Virginia 
     endorse and support the efforts of the Governor and other 
     representatives of the people of Virginia, including the 
     members of the United States Congress, to secure adherence to 
     and enforcement of the 10th Amendment rights of the 
     Commonwealth of Virginia and its citizens and to secure 
     structural changes at the federal level that will restore the 
     states as full partners in a federal system of shared powers 
     and dual sovereignty; and, be it
       ``Resolved finally, 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 so 
     that they may be apprised of the sense of the General 
     Assembly of Virginia in this matter.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-199. A joint resolution adopted by the General Assembly 
     of the Commonwealth of Virginia; to the Committee on 
     Governmental Affairs.

                    ``House Joint Resolution No. 633

       ``Whereas, the 10th Amendment to the Constitution of the 
     United States clearly limits the powers of the federal 
     government by stating that ``the powers not delegated to the 
     United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to 
     the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to 
     the people''; and
       ``Whereas, the debate over the powers of the federal 
     government in relation to the several states has raged 
     throughout our history, but the recent actions of the federal 
     government, particularly in the area of unfunded mandates, 
     have rekindled the controversy; and
       ``Whereas, state authority has been eroded primarily by (i) 
     federal assumption of powers reserved to the states under the 
     10th Amendment; (ii) unreasonable interpretations of the 
     ``commerce clause'' that authorize federal pre-emption with 
     respect to any issue that has any faint or circuitous 
     connection to interstate commerce; (iii) constant threats of 
     withholding, withdrawing, or diverting federal funds to 
     coerce compliance with federal practices; and (iv) failure on 
     the part of the states to challenge federal intrusion, while 
     at the same time showing passive endorsement of federal 
     usurpation by seeking federal funding and by accepting 
     federal delegations of power; and
       ``Whereas, that vision of federalism, with the states 
     retaining those powers not specifically delegated by the 
     Constitution to the federal government, has been subverted by 
     an insolvent federal government that imposes increasingly 
     onerous and costly mandates on the states; and
       ``Whereas, the assault by the Congress of the United States 
     on the 10th Amendment showing no signs of abating, the time 
     for the states to exert their constitutional rights has come; 
     Now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved by the House of Delegates, the Senate 
     concurring, That Congress be urged to observe the 10th 
     Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. The 
     Commonwealth of Virginia hereby claims sovereignty under the 
     10th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States over 
     all powers not otherwise enumerated and granted to the 
     federal government by the Constitution; and, be it
       ``Resolved further, That this resolution serve as the 
     Commonwealth of Virginia's notice and demand to the federal 
     government, as our agent, to cease and desist, effective 
     immediately, mandates that are beyond the scope of its 
     constitutionally delegated powers; and, be it
       ``Resolved finally, 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, the Attorney General of Virginia, and the members of 
     the Virginia Congressional Delegation so that they may be 
     apprised of the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-200. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Washington; to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

                      ``Senate Joint Memorial 8004

       ``Whereas, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 was 
     passed by Congress to protect tribal and state interests as 
     they pertain to gambling; and
       ``Whereas, the primary intent of Congress was to allow for 
     tribal economic development and self-sufficiency consistent 
     with the state's public policy as it pertains to gambling; 
     and
       ``Whereas, under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the 
     conduct of class III gaming within the state's boundaries is 
     subject to the completion of a tribal-state compact; and
       ``Whereas, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act does allow 
     certain tribes to operate specific class III card games 
     without the completion of a tribal-state compact if the 
     tribes were operating these gaming activities on or before 
     May 1, 1988; and
       ``Whereas, the Puyallup Indian Tribe has requested the 
     National Indian Gaming Commission to allow the tribe to 
     operate class III card games without the benefit of a tribal-
     state compact despite the fact that the tribe was not 
     operating these card games on or before May 1, 1988; and
       ``Whereas, the Puyallup tribe is clearly attempting to 
     circumvent the legitimate tribal-state negotiation process 
     established by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act; and
       ``Whereas, the approval by the National Indian Gaming 
     Commission of such requests would clearly damage the current 
     state negotiation process and regulatory structure developed 
     under current compacts: Now, therefore, Your Memorialists 
     respectfully request that the Congress of the United States 
     direct the National Indian Gaming Commission to reject the 
     Puyallup Indian Tribe's request to operate card games without 
     the benefit of a tribal-state compact and require the 
     Puyallup tribe to proceed with the legitimate negotiation 
     process with the state of Washington that has been 
     established by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act in order to 
     be allowed to operate any class III gaming activities; be it
       ``Resolved, That copies of this Memorial be immediately 
     transmitted to the Honorable Bill Clinton, President of the 
     United States, the President of the United States Senate, the 
     Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of 
     Congress from the State of Washington, and the National 
     Indian Gaming Commission.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-201. A resolution adopted by the Association of 
     Property Owners and Residents of the Port Madison Area, 
     Suquamish, Washington relative to Indian tribes; to the 
     Committee on the Judiciary.
       POM-202. A joint resolution adopted by the General Assembly 
     of the Commonwealth of Virginia; to the Committee on the 
     Judiciary.
       ``Whereas, constitutional conventions played an important 
     role in the creation of American government; and
       ``Whereas, the convention has historically been the 
     expression of the people's right to create their own 
     governing authority and to consent actively to that 
     authority; and
       ``Whereas, although Article V of the Constitution of the 
     United States says that Congress shall call a convention for 
     the purpose of amending the Constitution whenever two-thirds 
     of the states request it, the article does not address 
     whether states can limit the convention to one or more 
     topics; and
       ``Whereas, this question raises immediate concerns since 
     most petitions received by Congress today apply for a limited 
     convention and Congress has not adopted legislation 
     addressing the validity of these petitions or how they are to 
     be counted for purposes of determining whether the requisite 
     number of states have applied for a convention; and
       ``Whereas, many states are reluctant to ask Congress to 
     call a national convention for fear of creating a ``runaway 
     convention'' that might undermine the delicate constitutional 
     framework the forefathers worked so hard to establish; and
       ``Whereas, it is time for Congress to lay to rest these 
     concerns by proposing a constitutional amendment to clarify 
     that the agenda of a constitutional convention may be set in 
     the application of the states: Now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved by the House of Delegates, the Senate 
     concurring, That the Congress of the United States be urged 
     to propose an amendment to Article V of the Constitution of 
     the United States which provides for the calling of limited 
     national constitutional conventions. The amendment provides 
     for the deletion of the language shown as stricken and the 
     insertion of the italicized language, in essence as follows:


                              ``article v

                    ``amendment of the constitution

       ``The Congress, whenever two-thirds of both houses shall 
     deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this 
     Constitution, or, on the applications of the legislatures of 
     two-thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for 
     proposing amendments. Except for applications asking Congress 
     to call an unlimited convention, each application shall 
     specify the subject or subjects which shall limit the agenda 
     of the constitutional convention. In determining whether two-
     thirds of the states have applied for the same limited 
     convention, Congress shall consider whether each request in 
     its entirely or in part calls for a substantially similar 
     need for change. Any amendments proposed by Congress or 
     convention shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as 
     part of this Constitution, when ratified by the legislatures 
     of three-fourths of the several states, or by conventions in 
     three-fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of 
     ratification may be proposed by the Congress; however, no 
     state, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal 
     suffrage in the Senate; and, be it
       ``Resolved further, That the General Assembly request the 
     legislatures of the several states to apply to Congress for 
     the proposal of this amendment to the Constitution of the 
     United States; 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 of Representatives, the President of the 
     United States Senate, the Archivist of the United States at 
     the National Archives and Records Administration of the 
     United [[Page S8033]] States, the members of the Virginia 
     Congressional Delegation, and the legislatures of each of the 
     several states attesting the adoption of this resolution.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-203. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Tennessee; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

                    ``Senate Joint Resolution No. 15

       ``Whereas, the founders of our nation appended to the 
     Constitution of the United States ten amendments commonly 
     known as the Bill of Rights; and
       ``Whereas, the First Amendment of the Constitution of the 
     United States provides that ``Congress shall make no law 
     respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the 
     free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or 
     of the press; or the right of the people peaceable to 
     assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of 
     grievances; and
       ``Whereas, the Ninth Amendment to the Constitution of the 
     United States provides that ``The enumeration in the 
     Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to 
     deny or disparage others retained by the people; and
       ``Whereas, the clear and express intent of the framers of 
     the Constitution was to prevent the Federal Government from 
     interfering with the right of the people to freely exercise 
     and express their religious beliefs; and
       ``Whereas, for more than one hundred and fifty years the 
     people, acting through their state and local governments, 
     enjoyed the freedom to provide for prayer and religious 
     expression in their schools and public assemblies; and
       ``Whereas, beginning in the 1960's the United States 
     Supreme Court has issued a series of rulings that have 
     systematically stripped from the people their historic and 
     constitutionally guaranteed right to provide for prayer, 
     religious study and religious expression in schools and 
     public assemblies; and
       ``Whereas, to date, the Congress of the United States has 
     failed or refused to restore to the people their right to 
     provide for prayer, religious study and religious expression 
     in schools and public assemblies; and
       ``Whereas, it is now time for the citizens of this nation 
     to reclaim and reassert our First Amendment rights which 
     constitutionally guarantee our freedom of religion and 
     freedom of religious expression; Now, therefore,
       Be it resolved by the Senate of the Ninety-ninth General 
     Assembly of the State of Tennessee, the House of 
     Representatives concurring, That this General Assembly hereby 
     memorializes the United States Congress to propose an 
     amendment to the United States Constitution to restore to the 
     American people the right to free religious expression, 
     including the right to allow non-sectarian prayer, religious 
     study and religious expression in public schools and other 
     public assemblies, and to submit such constitutional 
     amendment to the several states for proper ratification;
       Be it further resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Senate 
     is directed to transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution 
     to the Speaker and the Clerk of the U.S. House of 
     Representatives; the President and the Secretary of the U.S. 
     Senate; and to each member of Tennessee's Congressional 
     delegation.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-204. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the State of Hawaii; to the Committee on 
     Veterans' Affairs.

                          ``Senate Resolution

       ``Whereas, service-connected disability compensation for 
     veterans from World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the 
     Vietnam War, and the Persian Gulf War and any other 
     conflicts, as designated by the President of the United 
     States, is compensation for wounds or injuries, or both, 
     sustained while on active duty; and
       ``Whereas, social security disability compensation for 
     these same veterans injured while in the service of their 
     country is vital to the health and welfare of disabled 
     veterans and their families; and
       ``Whereas, the reduction, taxation, or elimination of 
     veterans' disability compensation and social security 
     disability compensation would, in effect, penalize the 
     service-connected disabled, who by the grace of opportunity 
     and the success of unusual determination, have overcome or 
     lessened the economic loss associated with their 
     disabilities; and
       ``Whereas, any taxation, reduction, or elimination of these 
     benefits will guarantee that disabled veterans and their 
     families can never enjoy the potential to rise above a 
     governmentally-mandated economic status and station in life, 
     without being penalized; and
       ``Whereas, veterans are not responsible for the current 
     federal deficit; and
       ``Whereas, these disabled veterans, in good faith, have 
     served their country in support of those ideals upon which 
     this country was founded and have answered the call to 
     protect and defend the Constitution of the United States; and
       ``Whereas, this nation has a solemn contract with her 
     veterans to provide health care and compensation for wounds 
     or injuries sustained: Now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved by the Senate of the Eighteenth Legislature of 
     the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 1995, That this body 
     urges Congress to support legislation to safeguard veterans' 
     disability compensation and social security disability 
     compensation from elimination, reduction, or taxation; 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 House of the United States House of 
     Representatives, the United States Secretary for Veterans' 
     Affairs, the members of Hawaii's congressional delegation, 
     and the Director of the State Office of Veterans' Services.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-205. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Tennessee; to the Committee on Veterans' 
     Affairs.

                    ``Senate Joint Resolution No. 71

       ``Whereas, the Honorable James H. Quillen has served the 
     good people of Tennessee's First Congressional District as 
     their representative to the U.S. Congress for the past 
     thirty-two years with the utmost in acumen, perspicacity, 
     devotion and industry; and
       ``Whereas, as a member of the 88th U.S. Congress through 
     the 104th U.S. Congress, James H. Quillen has distinguished 
     himself as a true statesman and an exemplary elected official 
     who can be relied upon to carry out the people's will 
     expeditiously; and
       ``Whereas, throughout his outstanding legislative career, 
     Congressman Quillen has proven himself to be a good friend 
     and stalwart supporter of the courageous veterans who risked 
     their lives in time of war to defend and preserve the many 
     blessed freedoms our nation and our state enjoy today; and
       ``Whereas, Congressman James H. Quillen has contributed 
     significantly to the quality and availability of health care 
     in the Northeast Tennessee community; and
       ``Whereas, he was instrumental in securing passage of the 
     legislative initiative known as the Teague-Cranston 
     legislation, which legislation provided for the establishment 
     of a number of new medical colleges in conjunction with 
     already existing Veterans Affairs facilities; and
       ``Whereas, Congressman Quillen also secured the addition of 
     Mountain Home Veterans Affairs Center to the list of 
     facilities covered under the terms of the Teague-Cranston 
     legislation; and
       ``Whereas, James H. Quillen was also instrumental in the 
     establishment of the School of Medicine at East Tennessee 
     State University, which now bears his name; and
       ``Whereas, he also worked assiduously to secure federal 
     funding for the construction of the modern Veterans Affairs 
     Medical Center at Mountain Home; and
       ``Whereas, because of the important role he played in the 
     establishment of this stellar medical facility, it is most 
     appropriate that the Mountain Home Veterans Affairs Medical 
     Center should bear the honorable name of James H. Quillen: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved by the Senate of the Ninety-ninth General 
     Assembly of the State of Tennessee, the House of 
     Representatives concurring, That this General Assembly hereby 
     most fervently urges and encourages the members of 
     Tennessee's delegation to the U.S. Congress to introduce and 
     work for the passage of legislation to redesignate the 
     Mountain Home Veterans Affairs Medical Center as ``The James 
     H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center'' at Mountain 
     Home, Tennessee in honor of Congressman Quillen's superlative 
     leadership and vision as a member of the U.S. Congress and 
     his lifetime of meritorious service to his constituents in 
     Northeast Tennessee; be it further
       ``Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Senate is directed 
     to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to each 
     member of Tennessee's congressional delegation; the Speaker 
     and the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives; and the 
     President and the Secretary of the U.S. Senate.''
     

                          ____________________