[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 85 (Tuesday, June 11, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6080-S6082]
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-575. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the State of Hawaii; to the Committee on 
     Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

                       ``Senate Resolution No. 49

       ``Whereas, the Hawaiian islands are among the most 
     environmentally sensitive areas in the world, containing 
     unique and extremely fragile ecosystems; and
       ``Whereas, the State's 150 recognized ecosystems are home 
     to more than one-third of the 526 plant species and 88 bird 
     species on the United States endangered and threatened 
     species list; and
       ``Whereas, conservationists call Hawaii the `Endangered 
     Species Capital of the World,' as three-fourths of the 
     nation's extinct plant and bird species once lived only on 
     our islands; and
       ``Whereas, alien pest species are considered the single 
     greatest threat to the survival of our native Hawaiian plant 
     and bird species; and
       ``Whereas, the island of Guam is now devoid of any and all 
     avian life due to the devastation of a well-known alien pest, 
     the brown tree snake; and
       ``Whereas, 19 new insect species found their way into the 
     environment in 1994, even though the State Department of 
     Agriculture inspected 13 million agricultural parcels 
     entering the State and intercepted 131 alien insects and 183 
     illegal animals; and
       ``Whereas, on average, 20 new insect species arrive in 
     Hawaii each year, of which ten become pests; and
       ``Whereas, federal quarantine law gives the United States 
     Department of Agriculture the legal authority to inspect 
     baggage and passengers bound for the mainland from Hawaii in 
     order to protect the mainland's environment, but does not 
     grant the same authority to inspect baggage and passengers 
     bound for Hawaii from the mainland to protect Hawaii's 
     environment; and
       ``Whereas, Governor Benjamin J. Cayetano established the 
     `Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species' (CGAPS), a 
     group comprised of representatives from the State 
     Department of Agriculture, State Department of 
     Transportation, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Hawaii 
     Visitors Bureau, Nature Conservancy of Hawaii, National 
     Park Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 
     United States Customs Service, United States Fish and 
     Wildlife Service, United States Navy, United States Postal 
     Inspection Service, and United States Postal Service; and
       ``Whereas, the Governor's Agriculture Coordinating, 
     Committee provided funding for CGAPS efforts to focus public 
     attention on the need to prevent new alien pest species from 
     entering the State and to control pests which are already 
     established; and
       ``Whereas, as a result of information obtained through 
     CGAPS efforts, state departments may be proposing specific 
     programs aimed at accelerating the eradication of established 
     pest species and improving mechanisms to prevent the 
     introduction of alien pest species; and
       ``Whereas, state budget concerns will have a serious impact 
     on the agencies which contribute to these prevention and 
     control efforts; and
       ``Whereas, the costs of these efforts pale in comparison to 
     the price we would pay in terms of losses to industries such 
     as tourism and agriculture which depend on environment 
     quality, if our environment is not preserved and protected; 
     and
       ``Whereas, in recognition of the long-term cost benefits of 
     immediate action, funding for the implementation of those 
     programs may be included in the budgets of those state 
     departments; and

[[Page S6081]]

       ``Whereas, in addition to programs proposed by state 
     departments, other CGAPS members may seek grants to 
     accomplish the same purposes; and
       ``Whereas, the Legislature may appropriate funds for grants 
     to those private conservation, agricultural, and tourism 
     organizations; Now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved, by the Senate of the Eighteenth Legislature of 
     the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 1996, That the 
     Governor is respectfully urged to place a high administrative 
     priority on existing pest eradication and prevention 
     programs, as well as the development and implementation of 
     new programs recommended by the CGAPS members; and
       ``Be it further resolved, That the President of the United 
     States and the United States Congress are respectfully urged 
     to advocate legislation and programs to eradicate pests and 
     prevent their introduction into Hawaii; and
       ``Be it further resolved, That certified copies of this 
     Resolution be transmitted to the President of the United 
     States, the President of the United States Senate, the 
     Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, 
     Hawaii's congressional delegation, and the Governor of the 
     State of Hawaii.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-576. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Hawaii programs; to the Committee on 
     Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

                  ``House Concurrent Resolution No. 16

       ``Whereas, the Hawaiian islands are among the most 
     environmentally sensitive areas in the world, containing 
     unique and extremely fragile ecosystems; and
       ``Whereas, the State's 150 recognized ecosystems are home 
     to more than one-third of the 526 plant species and 88 bird 
     species on the United States endangered and threatened 
     species list; and
       ``Whereas, conservationists call Hawaii the ``Endangered 
     Species Capital of the World,'' as three-fourths of the 
     nation's extinct plant and bird species once lived only on 
     our islands; and
       ``Whereas, alien pest species are considered the single 
     greatest threat to the survival of our native Hawaiian plant 
     and bird species; and
       ``Whereas, the island of Guam is now devoid of any and all 
     avian life due to the devastation of a well-known alien pest, 
     the brown tree snake; and
       ``Whereas, the economic impact of alien pest species in the 
     State of Hawaii exceeds $400 million annually, yet the State 
     spends only $25 million per annum on prevention; and
       ``Whereas, 19 new insect species found their way into the 
     environment in 1994, even though the State Department of 
     Agriculture inspected 13 million agricultural parcels 
     entering the State and intercepted 131 alien insects and 183 
     illegal animals; and
       ``Whereas, on average, 20 new insect species arrive in 
     Hawaii each year, of which ten become pests; and
       ``Whereas, federal quarantine law gives the United States 
     Department of Agriculture the legal authority to inspect 
     baggage and passengers bound for the mainland from Hawaii in 
     order to protect the mainland's environment, but does not 
     grant the same authority to inspect baggage and passengers 
     bound for Hawaii from the mainland to protect Hawaii's 
     environment; and
       ``Whereas, Governor Benjamin J. Cayetano established the 
     `Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species' (CGAPS), a group 
     comprised of representatives from the State Department of 
     Agriculture, State Department of Health, State Department of 
     Land and Natural Resources, State Department of 
     Transportation, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Hawaii 
     Visitors Bureau, Nature Conservancy of Hawaii, National Park 
     Service, United States Department of Agriculture, United 
     States Custom Service, United States Fish and Wildlife 
     Service, United States Navy, United States Postal Inspection 
     Service, and United States Postal Service; and
       ``Whereas, the Governor's Agriculture Coordinating 
     Committee provided funding for CGAPS efforts to focus public 
     attention on the need to prevent new alien pest species from 
     entering the State and to control pests which are already 
     established; and
       ``Whereas, as a result of information obtained through 
     CGAPS efforts, State Departments may be proposing specific 
     programs aimed at accelerating the eradication of established 
     pest species and improving mechanisms to prevent the 
     introduction of alien pest species; and
       ``Whereas, State budget concerns will have a serious impact 
     on the agencies which contribute to these prevention and 
     control efforts; and
       ``Whereas, the costs of these efforts pale in comparison to 
     the price we would pay if our environment, and therefore 
     industries such as tourism and agriculture which depend on 
     environmental quality, is not preserved and protected; and
       ``Whereas, in recognition of the long-term cost benefits of 
     immediate action, funding for the implementation of those 
     programs may be included in the budgets for those State 
     departments; and
       ``Whereas, in addition to programs proposed by State 
     departments, other CGAPS members may seek grants to 
     accomplish the same purposes; and
       ``Whereas, the State Legislature may appropriate funds for 
     grants to those private conservation, agricultural, and 
     tourism organizations; Now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved, by the House of Representatives of the 
     Eighteenth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular 
     Session of 1996, the Senate concurring, That the Governor is 
     respectfully urged to place a high administrative priority on 
     existing pest eradication and prevention programs, as well as 
     the development and implementation of new programs 
     recommended by the CGAPS members; and
       ``Be it further resolved, That the President of the United 
     States and the United States Congress are respectfully urged 
     to advocate legislation and programs to eradicate pests and 
     prevent their introduction into Hawaii; and
       ``Be it further resolved, That certified copies of this 
     Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the 
     United States, the President of the United States Senate, the 
     Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, 
     Hawaii's congressional delegation, and the Governor of the 
     State of Hawaii.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-577. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Hawaii; to the Committee on Armed Services.

                  ``House Concurrent Resolution No. 20

       ``Whereas, since October 1, 1994, the HING DDR has 
     conducted 155 activities utilizing 249 HING volunteers and 
     141 civilian volunteers to reduce the demand for drugs in the 
     State of Hawaii; and
       ``Whereas, during a twelve-month period (October 1, 1994-
     September 30, 1995), DDR activities have reached a total 
     audience of over 35,818 individuals; and
       ``Whereas, while working with the Honolulu Police 
     Department's `No Hope In Dope Program,' HING DDR has provided 
     positive role models to speak to elementary, intermediate, 
     and high school youths throughout the State of Hawaii; and
       ``Whereas, HING DDR has coordinated with the Hawaii Air 
     National Guard C-130 Squadron to provide airlift support to 
     transport the `No Hope In Dope Program' to the outer islands; 
     and
       ``Whereas, HING DDR has coordinated with Hawaii Air and 
     Army National Guard units to provide static displays at drug-
     free parades and concerts; and
       ``Whereas, HING DDR volunteers have trained community 
     leaders, parents, and other individuals on being a mentor for 
     the youths who have graduated from the Hawaii National Guard 
     Youth Challenge Program; and
       ``Whereas, HING DDR volunteers have been involved with 
     recruiting youths and mentors, and working with the Advisory 
     Committee in support of the Hawaii National Guard Youth 
     Challenge Program; and
       ``Whereas, HING DDR volunteers have started PRIDE Parent 
     Training, a nine-hour seminar that will help parents identify 
     the signs of possible drug use and gang activity and is 
     designed for parents of youths between the ages of seven and 
     seventeen years of age; and
       ``Whereas, HING DDR has an extensive video library on drugs 
     and gangs which is available for home viewing; and
       ``Whereas, HING DDR has educational material and activity 
     books on drugs, drug use, and peer pressure available for 
     parents, teens, and children; and
       ``Whereas, HING DDR is a member of the Youth Gang Response 
     System-Oahu Team which is a partnership of government; 
     private agencies, and community groups working together to 
     address youth gang and drug problems in Hawaii in a unified 
     and holistic manner; and
       ``Whereas, HING DDR volunteers supported the Adult Friends 
     For Youth-Moving Up Transition Convention by providing 
     positive role models to escort youths for the day; and
       ``Whereas, HING DDR volunteers supported the PACT (Parents 
     and Children Together) Kid's Day Newspaper Drive; and
       ``Whereas, the Hawaii National Guard's Drug Demand 
     Reduction Program is committed to fighting this war on drugs 
     through prevention and education in collaboration with the 
     community; Now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved, by the House of Representatives of the 
     Eighteenth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular 
     Session of 1996, the Senate concurring, That the United 
     States Congress is hereby urged to support legislation to 
     support the Hawaii National Guard's Drug Demand Reduction 
     Program; and
       ``Be it further resolved, That certified copies of this 
     concurrent resolution be transmitted to the President of the 
     United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House 
     of Representatives, and the members of Hawaii's congressional 
     delegations.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-78. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Idaho to the Committee on Armed Services.

                       House Joint Memorial No. 8

       ``Whereas, the 366th Wing at Mountain Home Air Force Base, 
     Idaho, is the Air Force's only air intervention composite 
     wing providing lethal, integrated air power worldwide;
       ``Whereas, the 366th Wing is unique because it is a 
     composite force already built and trained, ready to fight and 
     intervene anytime, anywhere;
       ``Whereas, one of the primary benefits of a composite wing 
     structure is the opportunity for aircrews to train every day 
     under more realistic conditions, with a variety of aircraft 
     flying multiple missions;
       ``Whereas, the 366th Wing exceeded all of Air Combat 
     Command's tough standards at

[[Page S6082]]

     the wing's first Air Force inspection in July, 1995, the 
     first ever for a composite wing and the largest in Air Force 
     history; and
       ``Whereas, the opening of a training range near Mountain 
     Home Air Force Base is essential to maintain the readiness 
     and strike force capabilities of this unique military asset:
       Now, therefore, be it ``Resolved, by the members of the 
     Second Regular Session of the Fifty-third Idaho Legislature, 
     the House of Representatives and the Senate concurring 
     therein, That we urge the Congress of the United States to 
     pass necessary legislation to establish and fund the training 
     range at the Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho.
       ``Be it further resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the House 
     of Representatives be, and she is hereby authorized and 
     directed to forward a copy of this Memorial to the President 
     of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives 
     of Congress, and the congressional delegation representing 
     the State of Idaho in the Congress of the United States.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-579. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Alaska; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
     and Transportation.

                            ``Resolve No. 39

       ``Whereas more fish were discarded in the federally managed 
     fisheries of the North Pacific Ocean than were landed by 
     American fishermen in the North Atlantic Ocean in 1992; and
       ``Whereas, in 1994, 25,881,596 kilograms of halibut and 
     1,866,272 kilograms of herring were discarded by fisheries in 
     the North Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea; and
       ``Whereas, in 1994, 15,459,253 crab were discarded by 
     fisheries in the North Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea; and
       ``Whereas, in 1994, 195,609 salmon were harvested in 
     groundfish fisheries of the North Pacific Ocean and the 
     Bering Sea; and
       ``Whereas these discarded herring, crab, and salmon are 
     resources managed by the State of Alaska that were 
     intercepted in offshore federal waters; and
       ``Whereas these resources are the economic and cultural 
     lifeblood for many Alaskans who depend on the sea for their 
     livelihoods and subsistence; and
       ``Whereas marine wildlife species in Alaska marine waters 
     that depend on fish for food are faced with declining 
     populations and a potential listing as endangered species; 
     and
       ``Whereas this continued wanton waste undermines any long-
     term management strategy for sustained commercial, 
     subsistence, and recreational fisheries, and places the rural 
     communities of Alaska at risk; and
       ``Whereas efforts to implement severe penalties against 
     vessels responsible for high bycatch and discard rates have 
     failed; and
       ``Whereas minimizing the catch of undersized fish and 
     reducing wanton waste will conserve fisheries resources for 
     present and future generations of subsistence users, 
     commercial and recreational fishermen, seafood industries, 
     coastal communities, consumers, and the nation; and
       ``Whereas fisheries can technically or operationally reduce 
     waste and the incidental taking of nontarget species if given 
     economic incentives or if appropriate regulatory measures are 
     applied; be it
       ``Resolved, by the Alaska State Legislature That the wanton 
     waste now occurring in federal fisheries of the North Pacific 
     Ocean and the Bering Sea is of utmost ecological, social, and 
     economical importance; and be it
       ``Further resolved, That the Alaska State Legislature 
     respectfully urges the Congress to amend the Magnuson Fishery 
     Conservation and Management Act, or to enact other 
     legislation, encompassing a broad range of measures to reduce 
     wanton waste in North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea fisheries, 
     including harvest priority incentives for clean fishing 
     practices and other management tools.''

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