[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 88 (Friday, June 14, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6303-S6305]
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-595. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Arizona to the Committee on Environment and 
     Public Works.

                   ``Senate Concurrent Memorial 1002

       ``Whereas, it is essential that new federal highway 
     reauthorization legislation be enacted before the expiration 
     of the federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency 
     Act of 1991 (ISTEA) to allow states to make transportation 
     programming decisions based on solid estimates of federal 
     highway trust funding; and
       ``Whereas, the current equity program ensures, at a 
     minimum, a ninety per cent return to all states; and
       ``Whereas, a fundamental premise of ISTEA is that each 
     state's authorized highway spending levels be fully funded; 
     and
       ``Whereas, the Congress of the United States violated the 
     premise of fully funded authorization levels by establishing 
     obligation authority limits on states to artificially reduce 
     the federal deficit; and
       ``Whereas, ISTEA was designed to give states greater 
     flexibility in determining the distribution of federal 
     highway monies for their transportation systems, but in 
     practice, the federal program contains numerous funding 
     ``set-aside'' mandates such as highway safety programs 
     and enhancement programs that have considerably reduced 
     the amount of actual monies available for significant 
     surface transportation needs; and
       ``Whereas, ISTEA and annual federal appropriation bills 
     have historically funded numerous demonstration projects that 
     significantly reduced federal highway funds that this state 
     and other states would have received under established 
     highway funding formulas; and
       ``Whereas, a 1995 Federal Highway Administration report 
     indicated that in federal fiscal years 1994-1995, 
     congressional funding of transportation demonstration 
     projects totaled over $2.7 billion, thereby reducing this 
     state's share of federal highway funds by more than $29 
     million.
       ``Wherefore your memorialist, the Senate of the State of 
     Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring, prays:
       ``1. That the Congress of the United States begin the 
     process of establishing a new surface transportation act 
     during the 1996 congressional session so that this vital 
     legislation can be enacted before the expiration of ISTEA.
       ``2. That the President and Congress of the United States 
     make the highway trust fund and the user fees accruing to it 
     a permanent fund to ensure that reliable funding sources are 
     available to the states for constructing, rehabilitating and 
     otherwise improving the highways and bridges that are so 
     essential to the vigor of the States of Arizona and the 
     national economy.
       ``3. That the President and Congress of the United States 
     protect the highway trust fund from legislative proposals 
     that divert highway user revenues to programs entirely 
     unrelated to the transportation purposes for which this fund 
     was established.
       ``4. That the Congress of the United States remove the 
     federal highway trust fund from the federal unified budget, 
     release sequestered transportation fund and remove forever 
     the specter of using dedicated highway funds for budget 
     reducing measures, thus making these funds available for the 
     purpose for which they were collected and intended, the 
     nation's highway infrastructure.
       ``5. That the Congress of the United States not impose 
     obligation authority limits in the future so that each 
     state's highway authorization levels will be fully funded.
       ``6. That the Congress of the United States ceases to fund 
     so-called demonstration projects and that all highway trust 
     fund revenues be distributed to the states through an 
     equitable and fair highway funding formula.
       ``7. That the Congress of the United States eliminate 
     mandatory ``set-aside'' programs in the next surface 
     transportation act, thereby giving states more monies for 
     actual highway construction and maintenance projects.
       ``8. That the Congress of the United States ensure that all 
     states receive at least a ninety-five percent return on 
     payments made to the Federal Highway Trust Fund.
       ``9. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona 
     transmit copies of this Memorial to the President of the 
     United States, the President of the Senate of the United 
     States, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the 
     United States and to each member of the Arizona Congressional 
     Delegation.''
                                                                    ____

       POM-596. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Idaho; to the Committee on Environment and 
     Public Works.

                      ``House Joint Memorial No. 6

       ``Whereas, during the settlement of what is now the state 
     of Idaho and the years immediately following, grizzly bear 
     and human

[[Page S6304]]

     interaction occurred to the extent that it became necessary 
     to reduce the populations of grizzly bear in the interests of 
     personal safety and the protection of private property; and
       ``Whereas, the natural result of these efforts, over time, 
     has been the establishment of a de facto and maximum 
     acceptable ratio of such bears to humans in areas where their 
     populations remain; and
       ``Whereas, the reintroduction of grizzly bears to Idaho 
     will disrupt this bear-to-human ratio to the detriment of 
     humans resulting in injury, death, and loss of personal 
     freedoms to the citizens of Idaho; and
       ``Whereas, our neighboring state of Montana has experienced 
     unnecessary loss of human life, unacceptable land use 
     restrictions and legal denial of the right to protect private 
     property, which current reintroduction proposals for Idaho 
     also threaten and echo; and
       ``Whereas, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service has 
     elected to abdicate previously existing grizzly management 
     agreements with one or more state game management agencies 
     under pressure from special interest groups; and
       ``Whereas, the forced reintroduction of grizzly bears into 
     areas of this state without citizen support represents 
     unwarranted intrusion into the rights of our citizens; and
       ``Whereas, the Governor of the state of Idaho is vested 
     with the supreme executive power within this state; 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 
     urgently request the Congress of the United States to take 
     immediate action to protect Idaho citizens from undue injury 
     and loss of life, as well as unacceptable land use 
     restrictions, that will occur under a federal grizzly bear 
     reintroduction program. We specifically request that all 
     funding and authorization for a forced grizzly bear 
     reintroduction program be completely withdrawn from all 
     federal agencies involved, be it further
       ``Resolved, That we urgently request the Governor of the 
     state of Idaho to take any and all actions necessary to stop 
     the reintroduction of grizzly bears into the state of Idaho 
     by any federal agency or nongovernmental group; and be it 
     further
       ``Resolved, That we encourage the Governor to make use of 
     the Constitutional Defense Fund, in accordance with existing 
     statutes, to defend the rights of this state and its citizens 
     against any action or challenge regarding grizzly bear 
     reintroduction by the federal government; and 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 and the 
     Governor of the state of Idaho.
                                                                    ____

       POM-597. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Iowa to the Committee on Environment and 
     Public Works.

                 ``Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 105

       ``Whereas, barges operating on United States inland 
     waterways are the dominant carriers of United States grains 
     to export port facilities; and
       ``Whereas, the barge share of grain movement to export 
     ports increased from 43 percent in 1974 to 54 percent in 1991 
     and the majority of this barge grain traffic is on the 
     Mississippi River system; and
       ``Whereas, the Upper Mississippi River is the dominant 
     originator of grain barge traffic for export; and
       ``Whereas, 95 percent of the world's population live 
     outside the United States; and
       ``Whereas, economies and populations continue to grow 
     worldwide and these agricultural export markets are essential 
     to the economic future of the upper Midwest including Iowa; 
     and
       ``Whereas, barriers to increased international trade 
     continue to decline making export markets even more likely to 
     grow; and
       ``Whereas, international markets are very competitive and 
     opportunities can be gained or lost based on very small 
     differences in price; and
       ``Whereas, the United States Army Corps of Engineers 
     projects Upper Mississippi River barge traffic to double 
     between 1987 and 2020; and
       ``Whereas, increased barge traffic will continue to place a 
     burden on the river transportation system which is more than 
     50 years old; and
       ``Whereas, the original design specifications for the locks 
     and dams have been surpassed by modern barge technology 
     resulting in delays because tows must be broken down to move 
     through the locks; and
       ``Whereas, delays now costing $35 million per year are 
     projected to rise as high as $200 million per year; and
       ``Whereas, shipping products by rail or truck would 
     significantly increase costs and consumption of fuel and the 
     emission of pollutants into the atmosphere; and
       ``Whereas, a consistent, economical, and reliable inland 
     waterway system is critical to our economy; and
       ``Whereas, the national economic and public benefit of the 
     Upper Mississippi River System is more than $1 billion per 
     year and the maintenance costs are only $130 million; now 
     therefore, be it
       ``Resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives 
     concurring, That the maintenance of the Upper Mississippi 
     River system is essential to the economic well-being of Iowa 
     and the Midwest; and be it further
       ``Resolved, That the Congress should continue full funding 
     for the Upper Mississippi River--Illinois Waterway Navigation 
     Feasibility Study; provide adequate funding for major 
     rehabilitation efforts on the Upper Mississippi River; 
     clearly recognize that transportation activities on the river 
     must continue; and expedite the current study process being 
     undertaken by the United States Army Corps of Engineers 
     regarding the system's use through the year 2050; and be it 
     further
       ``Resolved, That copies of this Resolution be sent to the 
     President of the United States; the Chief of Engineers, 
     United States Army Corps of Engineers, North Central 
     Division; the United States Secretary of Transportation; the 
     Speaker of the United States House of Representatives; and 
     the members of Iowa's congressional delegation.
                                                                    ____

       POM-598. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Michigan to the Committee on Environment and 
     Public Works.

                 ``Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 265

       ``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 (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), 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.
                                                                    ____


                 ``Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 266

       ``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

[[Page S6305]]

     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 Highway Trust Fund, and only $520 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 (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), 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-599. A resolution adopted by the Legislature of the 
     State of New Hampshire to the Committee on Environment and 
     Public Works.

                  ``House Concurrent Resolution No. 27

       ``Whereas, certain aspects of the Safe Drinking Water Act 
     require municipalities to make costly changes to municipal 
     water supply systems; and
       ``Whereas, the municipalities pass these costs on to the 
     ratepayers through water bills; and
       ``Whereas, certain requirements under the current Safe 
     Drinking Water Act affect water quality and result in higher 
     costs to citizens and businesses; now, therefore, be it
       ``Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate 
     concurring, That the general court of New Hampshire hereby 
     urges the United States Congress to pass S.1316, 
     reauthorizing only certain aspects of the Safe Drinking Water 
     Act which will attempt to make it less costly for 
     municipalities to implement, while preserving water quality; 
     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.''

                          ____________________