[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 40 (Thursday, March 21, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2642-S2646]
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-503. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Maine; to the Committee on Agriculture, 
     Nutrition, and Forestry.

                           ``Joint Resolution

       ``Whereas, the federal budget allocates less heating 
     assistance for low-income homeowners than provided in 
     previous years; and
       ``Whereas, food stamp assistance under certain 
     circumstances is linked to heating assistance; and
       ``Whereas, the significant reduction in heating assistance 
     to 54,000 households in Maine, 12,000 of which involve 
     subsidized housing and 7,000 of this 12,000 involve elderly 
     households, will have a severe impact on Maine people, 
     especially those receiving food stamps; and
       ``Whereas, cuts to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance 
     Program are concurrent with cutbacks in the prescription drug 
     program, increases in Medicare premiums and the loss of food 
     stamps. These cuts will be especially hard felt by Maine 
     seniors and the disabled community who rely on these programs 
     in their day-to-day existence; now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved, That we, your Memorialists, respectfully 
     recommend and urge the Congress of the United States to 
     change current federal policy to allow persons who meet the 
     eligibility requirements for food stamps but who do not 
     receive heating assistance under the Low-Income Home Energy 
     Assistance Program to receive food stamps in the same amount 
     as they would have received had

[[Page S2643]]

     they received heating assistance; and be it further
       ``Resolved, That we, your Memorialists, respectfully 
     recommend and urge the Congress of the United States to 
     restore heating assistance and weatherization funds that have 
     been recently cut in order that states such as Maine, which 
     ranks 33rd in the nation with respect to median household 
     income, do not have to make the choice whether people starve 
     or freeze; and be it further
       ``Resolved, That suitable copies of this Memorial, duly 
     authenticated by the Secretary of State, be transmitted to 
     the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives of the Congress of the United States and to 
     each Member of the Maine Congressional Delegation.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-504. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Washington; to the Committee on Agriculture, 
     Nutrition, and Forestry.

                      ``House Joint Memorial 4017

       ``Whereas, nonnative noxious weeds pose a substantial and 
     significant threat to the economic welfare of the citizens of 
     the state of Washington in that noxious weeds are detrimental 
     or destructive of crops, fruit, trees, shrubs, valuable 
     plants, forage, other cultivation, and agricultural plants or 
     produce; and
       ``Whereas, in recognition of the substantial threat to 
     economic welfare, the state of Washington has mandated the 
     control and eradication of nonnative noxious weeds on all 
     privately held and state-held lands, which has up to this 
     time been effectively managed by the state of Washington; and
       ``Whereas, nonnative noxious weeds continue to proliferate 
     and burgeon on lands that are the property of the United 
     States of America, or under the control of the United States; 
     and
       ``Whereas, the failure of the federal government of the 
     United States to control or eradicate nonnative noxious weeds 
     poses a substantial and significant threat to the economic 
     welfare of the citizens of the state of Washington in that 
     these weeds are detrimental or destructive of crops, fruits, 
     trees, shrubs, valuable plants, forage, other cultivation, 
     and agricultural plants or produce; and
       ``Whereas, this nonfeasance and malfeasance of the federal 
     government, committed by and through the principal 
     instrumentality of the United States Forest Service, is in 
     direct violation of federal law and regulation; namely, the 
     Carlson-Foley Act and Federal Noxious Weed Act; and
       ``Whereas, the previously mentioned unrestrained 
     propagation and exponential reproduction of nonnative noxious 
     weeds is an exigent economic and agricultural peril; and
       ``Now, therefore, your Memorialists respectfully pray that 
     Congress recognize the enormous threat to the economic and 
     agricultural welfare of the state of Washington, caused by 
     the failure of the federal government to control or eradicate 
     the agricultural and economic menacing nonnative noxious 
     weeds, within the borders of the state of Washington and upon 
     property of the United States of America or property under 
     control of the United States, and as much, immediately direct 
     all federal instrumentalities and agencies managing or 
     controlling this property to comply with all relevant laws 
     and regulations regarding control or eradication of nonnative 
     noxious weeds in the state of Washington; and 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-505. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; to the 
     Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

                              ``Resolution

       ``Whereas, commencing on January 7, 1996, the Commonwealth 
     suffered from the loss of lives and severe property and 
     economic damages as a result of the Blizzard of 1996, which 
     was followed by unreasonable thaws, torrential rains and 
     resulting flooding; and
       ``Whereas, the President of the United States has declared 
     this entire Commonwealth a major disaster area because of 
     extensive flooding, making individuals and businesses 
     eligible for disaster assistance for flood damages, but not 
     for similar blizzard-related damages; and
       ``Whereas, the President of the United States has also 
     declared that 17 of 58 counties in this Commonwealth affected 
     by flooding are eligible for Federal public disaster 
     assistance on account of the flooding; and
       ``Whereas, the cost of responding to the Blizzard of 1996 
     left many municipalities without sufficient resources to 
     react to and recover from severe flooding which resulted when 
     melting snow and ice combined with heavy rain across this 
     Commonwealth; and
       ``Whereas, the Federal Government has yet to acknowledge 
     that the Blizzard of 1996 and the resulting flooding were 
     related events that combined to cause a single major 
     disaster; and
       ``Whereas, failure to treat the blizzard and flooding as 
     one major disaster will result in undue hardship; and
       ``Whereas, failure to include the 41 additional counties 
     among those declared eligible for Federal public disaster 
     assistance will result in the lack of sufficient funds to 
     return many communities in this Commonwealth to an acceptable 
     level of public health and safety; and
       ``Whereas, the threat of additional snow and rain continues 
     to present serious risk to the health, safety and welfare of 
     the citizens of this Commonwealth; and
       ``Whereas, the Commonwealth and its citizens, businesses 
     and municipalities are in need of immediate and comprehensive 
     financial assistance to recover from the combined effects of 
     snow, ice and flooding that resulted from the Blizzard of 
     1996; therefore, be it
       ``Resolved, That the Senate join with the Governor in 
     respectfully petitioning the President of the United States 
     to direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency to:
       ``(1) acknowledge that the Blizzard of 1996 and resulting 
     flooding were related events that combined to cause a single 
     major disaster;
       ``(2) declare 41 additional counties eligible to receive 
     Federal public disaster assistance as a result of that 
     disaster; and
       ``(3) expedite the process of providing and prioritizing 
     disaster assistance; and be it further
       ``Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be delivered to 
     the President of the United States and the Director of the 
     Federal Emergency Management Agency for immediate action; and 
     be it further
       ``Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted 
     to the presiding officers of each house of Congress and to 
     each member of Congress from Pennsylvania.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-506. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of California; to the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation.

                   ``Assembly Joint Resolution No. 41

       ``Whereas, it is necessary for the United States to seize 
     the opportunities presented by commercial space activity and, 
     for the benefit of all Americans, regain the position of 
     leadership in this highly competitive, multi-billion dollar 
     international market; and
       ``Whereas, investment in commercial space activity will 
     lead to the creation of jobs, the expansion of economic 
     opportunity, and the continuance of American world-
     leadership; and
       ``Whereas, it is important to assess where America stands 
     in a rapidly expanding world marketplace and the direction in 
     which America needs to proceed in order to compete in that 
     marketplace; and
       ``Whereas, the United States was once the world leader in 
     the provision of commercial space launch services and has, 
     over the past few years, ceded this leadership to the 
     European Space Agency, which now controls over 60 percent of 
     this booming industry; and
       ``Whereas, in the newly emerging low-earth orbit satellite 
     market, the area where California has the best opportunity to 
     lead, the Chinese have taken the inside track, assisted in 
     part by the favorable trade policies of the present federal 
     administration; and
       ``Whereas, California is uniquely well-placed to serve as 
     one of the leading commercial spaceport locations in the 
     nation; and
       ``Whereas, enactment of a national spaceport program will 
     put the United States in a stronger position to compete in 
     the commercial space activity industry because it will enable 
     this nation to fill in the missing piece of the commercial 
     space activity circle, launch facilities; now, therefore, be 
     it
       ``Resolved by the Assembly and Senate of the State of 
     California, jointly, That the Legislature of the State of 
     California hereby declares its support for the enactment of a 
     national spaceport program; and be it further
       ``Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit 
     copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President 
     of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives, and to each Senator and Representative from 
     California in the Congress of the United States.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-507. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Washington; to the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation.

                      ``House Joint Memorial 4014

       ``Whereas, Washington's economy depends heavily on 
     international trade, shipbuilding, seafaring, and tourism; 
     and
       ``Whereas, the United States merchant marine continues to 
     play a vital role in meeting the economic, military defense, 
     and international aid objectives of our nation; and
       ``Whereas, the cruise ship industry has grown on average 
     9.3 percent annually since 1980 and is expected to double by 
     the year 2000; and
       ``Whereas, the cruise ship trade, which now features 
     Alaska, could grow even faster if it also featured Washington 
     state; and
       ``Whereas, the cruise ship industry could potentially 
     provide an additional one hundred million dollars to the 
     Washington state economy if a United States coastwise cruise 
     ship trade were established, with United States vessels 
     transporting passengers between Washington state and other 
     states, such as Alaska; and
       ``Whereas, representatives from United States ports, labor 
     organizations, government agencies, and the maritime industry 
     have met to develop an agreement on the successful 
     advancement of a United States coastwise cruise ship trade; 
     and
       ``Whereas, the United States Congress has been considering 
     legislation that provides financial incentives and operating 
     provisions

[[Page S2644]]

     to effectively establish a United States coastwise cruise 
     ship trade;
       ``Now, therefore, your memorialists respectfully pray that 
     the United States Congress and President William J. Clinton 
     establish a United States cruise ship industry, thereby 
     developing a United States cruise ship registry, United 
     States jobs, and a United States coastwise cruise ship trade, 
     be it
       ``Resolved, That copies of this Memorial be immediately 
     transmitted to the Honorable William J. 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-508. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the State of Washington; to the Committee on 
     Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

                     ``Senate Resolution 1996-8695

       ``Whereas, tourism is of vital economic and cultural 
     importance to the states and provinces of the Pacific 
     Northwest comprised of Washington, Alaska, Alberta, British 
     Columbia, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon; and
       ``Whereas, the State and Provincial governments of the 
     Pacific Northwest are members of the Pacific Northwest 
     Economic Region, a nonprofit public-private partnership 
     established to promote regional economic cooperation; and
       ``Whereas, the States and Provinces of the Pacific 
     Northwest Region expend in excess of $50 million per year to 
     promote the tourism industry and attract millions of tourists 
     from throughout North America and the World; and
       ``Whereas, the tourism industry constitutes billions of 
     dollars in economic activity for the States and Provinces of 
     the Pacific Northwest Region; and
       ``Whereas, the States and Provinces of the Pacific 
     Northwest Economic Region have undertaken numerous 
     collaborative and innovative tourism initiatives that have 
     been successful in promoting tourism in the region and have 
     laid the ground work for ongoing cooperative tourism 
     development efforts; and
       ``Whereas, current proposals before Congress to establish a 
     National Tourism Board and a National Tourism Organization to 
     develop a national travel and tourism strategy to promote 
     tourism in the United States is of considerable importance to 
     the States of the Pacific Northwest; and
       ``Whereas, participation on the National Tourism Board and 
     the National Tourism Organization is of vital interest and 
     importance to the States of the Pacific Northwest; now, 
     therefore, be it
       ``Resolved, that the Senate of the state of Washington 
     respectfully request that a public and a private sector 
     representative of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region be 
     appointed to the National Tourism Board and the National 
     Tourism Organization respectively; and be it further
       ``Resolved, That copies of this resolution be immediately 
     transmitted to the Honorable William J. 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-509. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of California; to the Committee on Environment and 
     Public Works.

                   ``Assembly Joint Resolution No. 39

       ``Whereas, the Clinton Administration has proposed to end 
     the United States Army Corps of Engineers' involvement in 
     flood control projects in this state; and
       ``Whereas, the flooding that arose from the March storms 
     resulted in catastrophic damages to lives and property, 
     including statewide agricultural losses of $363,700,000, 
     following $97,000,000 in losses in January; and
       ``Whereas, the recent storms illustrate the need to 
     maintain the proactive and cooperative efforts of the federal 
     government and the state to anticipate flood control needs; 
     and
       ``Whereas, the citizens of the state are calling upon the 
     federal government to continue the 80-year presence of the 
     United States Army Corps of Engineers in this state, and 
     allow the corps to continue working successfully with state 
     and local officials in preparing and implementing flood 
     control projects and policies; and
       ``Whereas, the federal proposal to withdraw the United 
     States Army Corps of Engineers from active involvement in 
     state flood control efforts, thus ending the working 
     relationship between the federal government and the state 
     regarding flood control, should be reviewed critically; now, 
     therefore, be it
       ``Resolved by the Assembly and Senate of the State of 
     California, jointly, That the Legislature of the State of 
     California recognizes the importance of preserving the 
     existing partnership between the United States Army Corps of 
     Engineers and the state in pursuing flood control projects, 
     and respectfully memorializes the President and Congress of 
     the United States to review and reevaluate the federal 
     proposal to end the involvement of the United States Army 
     Corps of Engineers in flood control projects in the state; 
     and be it further
       ``Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit 
     copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President 
     of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives, and to each Senator and Representative from 
     California in the Congress of the United States.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-510. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Washington; to the Committee on Environment and 
     Public Works.

                      ``House Joint Memorial 4043

       ``Whereas, the proposed conference mark for Mitchell Act 
     funds is three and one-half million dollars less than the 
     previous fiscal year; and
       ``Whereas, this proposed cut to Mitchell Act funds is in 
     addition to cuts to this fund source over the past several 
     years; and
       ``Whereas, the Mitchell Act was created to mitigate for the 
     loss of naturally spawning salmon due to the federal power 
     system developed on the Columbia River; and
       ``Whereas, a reduction in Mitchell Act funds will 
     significantly reduce the quantity of hatchery-produced salmon 
     produced in the Columbia River; and
       ``Whereas, reduced Mitchell Act funding will make it 
     significantly more difficult to enter into an equitable 
     treaty with Canada under the United States/Canada Pacific 
     Salmon Treaty and will result in increased levels of wild 
     salmon being harvested by Canadian fishers; and
       ``Whereas, commercial fishing families already hard hit by 
     the effects of adverse ocean conditions, endangered species 
     act restrictions, and recent natural disasters will be dealt 
     yet another blow if full Mitchell Act funding is not 
     restored; and
       ``Whereas, local economies dependent on cash inflow from 
     recreational fishing activity will also be severely impacted 
     by the effects of reduced Mitchell Act funding; and
       ``Whereas, Federal funding for fish hatcheries on the 
     Columbia River is of critical importance to the states of 
     Washington, Oregon, and Idaho;
       ``Now, therefore, your Memorialists respectfully pray that 
     full Mitchell Act funding of eighteen and one-half million 
     dollars be restored, be it
       ``Resolved, That copies of this Memorial be immediately 
     transmitted to the Honorable William J. 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--511. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of California; to the Committee on Finance.

                   ``Assembly Joint Resolution No. 22

       ``Whereas, social security laws, with respect to the taxing 
     of social security as income at the federal level, have not 
     been changed since the additional law was passed in 1983; and
       ``Whereas, social security is still taxable if personal 
     income is more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) if 
     single, or thirty-two thousand dollars ($32,000) if married; 
     and
       ``Whereas, during that period of time, inflation has 
     increased more than 35 percent, with no change in the limits 
     of taxable income; and
       ``Whereas, on top of the initial tier of social security 
     taxes, a federal law that imposes an additional higher social 
     security tax was recently enacted whereby, under specified 
     conditions, in the case of a single person earning thirty-
     four thousand dollars ($34,000) and a married couple earning 
     forty-four thousand dollars ($44,000), 85 percent of social 
     security benefits are added to taxable income without an 
     upward shift in the first tier threshold of taxable income; 
     and
       ``Whereas, senior income increases at a very low percentage 
     but the amount of social security that is taxed is increasing 
     each year; and
       ``Whereas, the people who are affected by this inflation 
     are the people who can least afford it; and
       ``Whereas, those income limits, which include both social 
     security and any tax-free income, no longer represent a fair 
     amount of earnings to warrant tax on social security; now, 
     therefore, be it
       ``Resolved by the Assembly and Senate of the State of 
     California, jointly, That the Legislature of the State of 
     California respectfully memorializes the Congress and the 
     President to enact appropriate legislation which would 
     provide that the two tier taxation of social security 
     benefits be eliminated by allowing a single person to earn 
     thirty-four thousand dollars ($34,000) and a married couple 
     to earn forty-four thousand dollars ($44,000) before any 
     portion of their social security income is taxed, and that 
     those income limits be indexed to inflation; and be it 
     further
       ``Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit 
     copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President 
     of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives, to the Chairpersons of the House and Senate 
     Committees on Aging, and to each Senator and Representative 
     from California in the Congress of the United States.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-512. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of California; to the Committee on Finance.

                   ``Assembly Joint Resolution No. 19


                        ``RESOLUTION CHAPTER 78

       ``Whereas, section 405 of Title 42 of the United States 
     Code mandates that states collect the social security account 
     numbers of parents when birth certificates are issued; and
       ``Whereas, due to their common use as individual 
     identifiers by both the public and

[[Page S2645]]

     private sectors, social security account numbers are 
     essential tools for enforcing child support obligations 
     because many of the child support enforcement actions 
     mandated by federal law cannot be successfully undertaken 
     without the use of social security account numbers; and
       ``Whereas, California has made tremendous progress in 
     collecting delinquent child support orders through use of the 
     state's tax collection agency, the Franchise Tax Board, and 
     by refusing to issue or renew licenses if an individual is 
     delinquent in paying his or her child support; and
       ``Whereas, these are model child support enforcement 
     programs that have been adopted in several other states; and
       ``Whereas, these programs will not continue to be 
     successful without utilization of the obligor's social 
     security account number; and
       ``Whereas, a further exception to federal law is needed for 
     documents used to enforce child support orders, specifically, 
     marriage certificates and family law court documents; and
       ``Whereas, in many cases, these documents represent the 
     only real opportunity to obtain the social security account 
     numbers of the petitioner and respondent; and
       ``Whereas, social security account numbers are not provided 
     on the marriage certificate at the beginning of the marriage, 
     nor on the dissolution court documents at the end of the 
     marriage, or on documents relating to the establishment of 
     paternity, and consequently, the gathering of this 
     information is entirely dependent on voluntary cooperation of 
     the petitioner and the respondent; and
       ``Whereas, as of December 31, 1994, there were 2,304,362 
     Title IV-D cases, of which 1,126,422 were cases in which 
     either a parent of the assets of a parent had not yet been 
     located; and
       ``Whereas, it is essential that federal law be amended to 
     allow the inclusion of social security account numbers on 
     applications for licenses and certificates of marriage and on 
     family law court records, and that federal law be further 
     clarified to permit the continued maintenance of social 
     security account numbers on court and other public agency 
     records where the numbers were collected prior to October 1, 
     1990, and to permit states to make the social security 
     account numbers available to child support agencies for the 
     exclusive purpose of child support enforcement in accordance 
     with federal and state law: Now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved, by the Assembly and Senate of the State of 
     California, jointly, That the Legislature of the State of 
     California respectfully memorializes the President and the 
     Congress of the United States to amend federal law (42 
     U.S.C.A. Sec. 405) to allow social security account numbers 
     to be included on applications for licenses and certificates 
     of marriage and on records related to petitions for 
     dissolution of marriage, and to clarify that social security 
     account numbers on court and other public agency records may 
     be maintained if they were collected prior to October 1, 
     1990, and permit states to make the social security account 
     numbers available to child support agencies for the exclusive 
     purpose of child support enforcement in accordance with 
     federal and state law; and be it further
       ``Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit 
     copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President 
     of the United States, the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives, and each Senator and Representative from 
     California in the Congress of the United States.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-513. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of California; to the Committee on Finance.

                     ``Assembly Joint Resolution 24

       ``Whereas, the ancient civilization of Assyria, located in 
     Bet-Nahirain (Mesopotamia) in what is now modern day Iraq, 
     was renown for its art and culture; and
       ``Whereas, in the eighth century B.C. King Assurnasirpal II 
     of Assyria built the palace at Nimrud which contained highly 
     descriptive bas-relief sculptures; and
       ``Whereas, an Assyrian relief from the palace at Nimrud was 
     recently purchased at auction for $11.9 million by an 
     anonymous buyer; and
       ``Whereas, Assyrians who are in diaspora throughout the 
     world today are united in their vehement objection to the 
     illicit sale and trafficking of Assyrian ancient antiquities 
     and artifacts; and
       ``Whereas, the illicit sale and trafficking of ancient 
     antiquities and artifacts is not limited to Assyrian 
     artifacts but involves the cultural treasures of historical 
     civilizations throughout the world, from the ancient temples 
     of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, to Native American villages in the 
     United States; and
       ``Whereas, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and 
     Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is seeking to establish an 
     international code of ethics for art dealers and cultural 
     professionals to help combat the rise in illicit trafficking 
     of cultural antiquities and artifacts throughout the world; 
     and
       ``Whereas, the illicit sale and purchase of cultural and 
     antiquities and artifacts by personal art collectors 
     diminishes their educational and aesthetic value, denigrates 
     the history, art, legacy, and culture of the ancient 
     civilizations that created those antiquities and artifacts, 
     displays a lack of sensitivity toward the descendants of 
     those civilizations, and demonstrates disrespect for the 
     cultural heritage of all of humankind; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Assembly and Senate of the State of 
     California, jointly, That the Legislature of the State of 
     California respectfully memorializes the President and 
     Congress of the United States to take measures to halt the 
     illicit sale and trafficking of cultural antiquities, 
     including Assyrian artifacts, and to support the efforts of 
     UNESCO to combat this serious problem; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit 
     copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President 
     of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives, and to each Senator and Representative from 
     California in the Congress of the United States.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-514. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the State of Michigan; to the Committee on 
     Finance.

                      ``Senate Resolution No. 222

       ``Whereas, an excellent highway network is vitally 
     important to Michigan's economic well-being. All of the 
     components of the state's economy are closely tied to the 
     quality of the roadways used in transporting goods, services, 
     and people throughout Michigan; and
       ``Whereas, Michigan's ability to maintain our 
     transportation infrastructure is seriously impaired by the 
     current policies of the federal government with regard to the 
     federal gas tax each individual and business pays with every 
     gallon of gasoline purchased. This unfair system costs the 
     state hundreds of millions of dollars each year. The result 
     is an increasing problem with the conditions of our roads and 
     bridges; and
       ``Whereas, the largest element of the overall gas tax is 
     the federal gas tax, which represents 18.4 cents of each 
     dollar of gasoline sold. Of all of the states required to 
     forward taxes to the federal government each year, Michigan 
     ranks among the lowest in the ratio of gas tax revenues being 
     returned to the citizens who paid the tax. In 1993, for 
     example, $733.7 million was paid to the Federal Highway Trust 
     Fund, and only $520.1 million was returned, a loss of $213.6 
     million, a loss that sets Michigan at a distinct disadvantage 
     when making road improvements. Considering the inequitable 
     manner in which this money is reallocated to the states of 
     the union, it is clear that Michigan is bearing an oppressive 
     burden through this taxation, a development of the tax 
     structure that must be changed; and
       ``Whereas, adding to Michigan's tremendous burden, during 
     the years 1990-1995, our state contributed $1.168 billion to 
     federal deficit reduction, dollars that were initially 
     collected to improve transportation routes in Michigan. This 
     amount comprises approximately 20 percent of the total amount 
     levied on Michigan citizens for the years 1990-1995. In 
     addition, by 1999 Michigan's total contributions to deficit 
     reduction are expected to total $2.099 billion, an amount 
     that would certainly enable us to better maintain our roads 
     and highways; and
       ``Whereas, clearly, Michigan is at a great disadvantage 
     with states that receive far higher returns on their gas tax 
     dollars marked for road improvements. In effect, we are 
     subsidizing transportation maintenance and projects elsewhere 
     when improvements are so desperately needed in our own state; 
     and
       ``Whereas, with the new approaches to budgetary matters in 
     Washington and a renewed willingness to examine the true 
     costs of all spending policies, the time is right to remedy 
     this unjust situation; now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved by the Senate, That we urgently and respectfully 
     request the Congress of the United States to return to 
     Michigan all of the revenue from the federal gas tax 
     collected in Michigan; and be it further
       ``Resolved, That 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 each 
     member of the Michigan congressional delegation with the 
     request that each member review this issue and offer a formal 
     response to this body, the Michigan State Senate.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-515. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the State of Michigan; to the Committee on 
     Finance.

                      ``Senate Resolution No. 223

       ``Whereas, the quality of Michigan roadways has a great 
     deal to do with the state's competitiveness in attracting and 
     retaining jobs for our citizens. Every individual and every 
     business in Michigan is affected when Michigan roads suffer 
     from insufficient maintenance. Finding the means to meet this 
     financial challenge is of the utmost importance to both state 
     and local policymakers as we prepare for the twenty-first 
     century; and
       ``Whereas, the difficult task of providing excellence in 
     transportation in Michigan is made far worse by some of the 
     current practices of the federal government with regard to 
     the allocation of money raised by the federal gas tax; and
       ``Whereas, the current practices of the federal government 
     with regards to the allocation of dollars raised by the 
     federal tax make it difficult for Michigan to improve and 
     expand its transportation system. Of the states required to 
     send money to the federal government, in accordance with the 
     federal funding formula, Michigan sends significantly more 
     money to Washington than it receives back. In 1993, for 
     example, Michigan paid a total of $733.7 million to the 
     Federal

[[Page S2646]]

     Highway Trust Fund, and only $520.1 million was returned; and
       ``Whereas, in addition, even more money designated for 
     return to Michigan, and several other states, is being 
     withheld by federal transportation authorities. This money is 
     critical to our transportation infrastructure and a vital 
     component of the state's economic well-being.
       ``Whereas, the current budget debate offers an opportunity 
     to reexamine this critical aspect of public spending. This 
     examination should include immediately correcting the gross 
     inequities in allocating the funds generated by the federal 
     gas tax; now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved by the Senate, That we respectfully, but 
     urgently, ask the Congress of the United States to release to 
     the states, including Michigan, any federal road funding due 
     under the gas tax formula but currently being held back by 
     the federal government; and be it further
       ``Resolved, That 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 each 
     member of the Michigan congressional delegation with the 
     request that each member review this issue, offering a formal 
     response to this body, the Michigan State Senate.''
                                                                    ____

  POM-516. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the Legislature of the 
State of Washington; to the Committee on Finance.

                     ``Senate Resolution 1996-8696

       ``Whereas, the Pacific Northwest Region comprising of 
     Washington, Alaska, British Columbia, Alberta, Montana, 
     Idaho, and Oregon contains numerous border crossings between 
     the United States and Canada; and
       ``Whereas, cultural, social, and economic exchanges between 
     the citizens, organizations, and businesses of the region 
     have historically been and continue to be an integral part of 
     the regions economic and cultural development; and
       ``Whereas, the historically close and constant ties between 
     the two countries of Canada and the United States have been 
     forged and maintained by continuous cultural exchanges 
     ranging from fraternities, social, sports, and business clubs 
     to name but a few; and
       ``Whereas, the rapid changes in global affairs require 
     countries to renew and enhance their ties with neighboring 
     states and countries; and
       ``Whereas, millions of individuals cross the borders of the 
     Pacific Northwest per annum including numerous tourists 
     expending billions of dollars in the United States and 
     Canada; and
       ``Whereas, a border crossing fee as proposed by current 
     federal legislation would adversely impact both the economy, 
     culture, and quality of life for many of the regions' 
     citizens; now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved, That the Senate of the state of Washington 
     opposes any proposal that would levy a fee on any individuals 
     crossing the borders of the United States; and be it further
       ``Resolved, That copies of this resolution be immediately 
     transmitted to the Honorable William J. Clinton, President of 
     the United States, the President of the United States Senate, 
     the Speaker of the House of Representatives, each member of 
     Congress from the State of Washington, Oregon, Montana, and 
     Idaho, and the Secretary of the United States Customs and 
     Immigration Department.''

                          ____________________