[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 11, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5029-S5036]
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-84. A resolution adopted by the Land Use and Zoning 
     Authority, City of Dearborn Heights, Michigan relative to 
     pending federal land use and zoning legislation; to the 
     Committee on the Judiciary.
       POM-85. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of South Dakota; to the Committee on 
     Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

                   Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 4

       Whereas, ongoing depressed prices at the market place for 
     agricultural products have created an economic emergency for 
     rural America; and
       Whereas, an investigation into the causes of the crisis in 
     the agricultural economy, including a full investigation of 
     market competitiveness in livestock and crops and a 
     reexamination of trade agreements is warranted and necessary; 
     and
       Whereas, action is necessary at the federal state level to 
     stabilize this nation's food producers, main street 
     businesses, and rural America as a whole: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, by the Senate of the Seventy-fourth Legislature 
     of the State of South Dakota (the House of Representatives 
     concurring therein), That the South Dakota Legislature 
     requests the following actions by the Congress and the 
     executive agencies of the federal government:
       (1) The commencement of vigorous antitrust investigations 
     into the concentration of ownership in meat packing, grain 
     handling, and retail agricultural operations;
       (2) A block of the proposed Cargill-Continental Grain 
     merger;
       (3) Country-of-origin labeling of meat and meat products 
     and a limitation of the USDA label to United States 
     production;
       (4) Mandatory price reporting for livestock and grain;
       (5) Shift the responsibility for the regulation of packers 
     and stockyards and enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards 
     Act from the United States Department of Agriculture to the 
     Justice Department;
       (6) Inspections of imported agricultural products to ensure 
     that such products have met standards equivalent to United 
     States standards for food safety and environmental and worker 
     protection; and
       (7) Actions to ensure that farm and ranch producer 
     interests are represented at the 1999 World Trade 
     Organization negotiations.
                                  ____

       POM-86. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the Commonwealth of Virginia; to the Committee on Energy and 
     Natural Resources.

                    Senate Joint Resolution No. 440

       Whereas, federal legislation entitled the ``Conservation 
     and Reinvestment Act of 1999'' has been introduced in the 
     106th Session of Congress which would provide financial 
     assistance to meet the outdoor conservation and recreation 
     needs of the American people; and
       Whereas, funds received pursuant to the Act may be used for 
     projects and activities related to air quality, water 
     quality, fish and wildlife, wetlands, or other coastal 
     resources, including shoreline protection and coastal 
     restoration; and

[[Page S5030]]

       Whereas, this measure, if enacted, would divert 50 percent 
     of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act funds from the 
     federal treasury directly to states to meet their outdoor 
     conservation and recreation needs; and
       Whereas, it is estimated that Virginia's allocation, if 
     such legislation is enacted, would be $27 million;
       Whereas, the money is to be allocated to both the 
     Commonwealth and its eligible political subdivisions; and
       Whereas, Virginia, as evidenced by its laws and the 
     allocation of financial resources, has remained committed to 
     protecting its environment and conserving its natural 
     wildlife resources; and
       Whereas, a partnership between the federal government and 
     the states would further enhance the various efforts that 
     states have made to protect their land, water, and wildlife 
     resources; and
       Whereas, the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 
     embodied a visionary concept that a portion of the proceeds 
     from Outer Continental Shelf leasing revenues and the 
     depletion of nonrenewable natural resources should result in 
     a legacy of public places accessible for recreation; and
       Whereas, the demand for recreation and conservation areas, 
     at the state and local level, remains a high priority for 
     Virginians; and
       Whereas, compleition for limited federal moneys has 
     resulted in the states not receiving an equitable proportion 
     of funds for land acquisition; and
       Whereas, to develop a comprehensive conservation legacy 
     that will not only protect open space but will also provide 
     funding for sustaining the wildlife that use the lands, it is 
     essential to establish a permanent funding source for state-
     level wildlife conservation, conservation education, and 
     wildlife-related recreation programs that promote wildlife 
     diversity; and
       Whereas, through enactment of the Federal Aid in Wildlife 
     Restoration Act and the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration 
     Act, hunters and anglers have for more than 60 years 
     willingly paid user fees in the form of federal excise taxes 
     on hunting and fishing equipment to support wildlife 
     diversity and abundance; and
       Whereas, state, programs, conducted in coordination with 
     federal, state, tribal, and private landowners and interested 
     organizations, must serve as a vital link in a nationwide 
     effort to protect and enhance wildlife diversity through 
     comprehensive wildlife-management programs that benefit both 
     game and nongame species; and
       Whereas, the investment of these Conservation and 
     Reinvestment Act funds in wildlife-related programs would 
     support natural resources related to tourism and wildlife 
     viewing that generate millions of dollars annually to the 
     economy of Virginia: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Delegates concurring), 
     That Congress be urged to enact the ``Conservation and 
     Reinvestment Act'' which will provide federal matching funds 
     for such projects; and, be it
       Resolved further, That Congress be urged to enact the 
     proposed House of Representatives version of the Act, House 
     Resolution No. 701, that would raise the total diversion of 
     Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act revenues to 60 percent by 
     increasing the allocation of such revenues in the proposed 
     Title II provisions from 16 to 23 percent and Title III 
     provisions from 7 to 10 percent; and, be it
       Resolved finally, That the Clerk of the Senate 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 Virginia General Assembly in this matter.
                                  ____

       POM-87. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Kansas; to the Committee on Agriculture, 
     Nutrition, and Forestry.

                 Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 1616

       Whereas, Economic sanctions hinder the export of 
     agricultural products, exacerbating the transportation of 
     such products and possibly lowering the price received by the 
     Kansas farmer for such agricultural products; and
       Whereas, The export of agricultural commodities has 
     provided the United States the only positive return on its 
     balance of trade; and
       Whereas, The only way to ensure that a positive return on 
     the balance of trade continues is to allow international 
     markets to remain open; and
       Whereas, The use of unilateral economic sanctions rarely 
     achieves its goal, but cause substantial harm to the 
     producers of products; and
       Whereas, Not only do the sanctions imposed by the United 
     States cause lost market opportunities for the Kansas farmer, 
     but so do the unfair trade barriers and sanctions imposed on 
     agricultural products by other countries; and
       Whereas, The storage of grain on the ground in Kansas is 
     just one example of the adverse affects sanctions have on 
     agricultural products: Now, therefore, be it
       Revolved by the Senate of the State of Kansas (the House of 
     Representatives concurring therein): That Congress remove or 
     restrict the use of trade sanctions as they apply to 
     agricultural products and that Congress ensure that the use 
     of trade sanctions will result in meaningful results;
       Whereas, The export enhancement program is one tool which 
     can expand foreign market opportunities; and
       Whereas, If the Kansas farmer is to have the opportunity to 
     prosper and grow, the agricultural products produced by the 
     farmer must be able to reach foreign markets; and
       Whereas, The stockpiling of grain is just one example of 
     where the lack of access to foreign markets hurts not only 
     the Kansas farmer but all American farmers and the economy of 
     the United States in general: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved; That the secretary of the United States 
     department of agriculture is urged to take greater advantage 
     of the export enhancement program; and be it further
       Resolved: That Congress work for the reduction and 
     elimination of trade barriers and sanctions imposed by other 
     countries against agricultural products; and
       Whereas, Foreign meat and dairy products must be raised or 
     produced under the same regulatory standards to ensure 
     consumer health and safety as meat and dairy products raised 
     and produced in the United States; and
       Whereas, Numerous cattle producers have testified before 
     the Kansas Legislature that this issue needs to be 
     investigated and decided in Congress: Now therefore, be it
       Resolved: That Congress pass laws that require country of 
     origin labeling on foreign meat and dairy products with such 
     labeling on the final consumer product; and
       Whereas, Pork and beef associations presented resolutions 
     and testimony on the need and value of mandatory price 
     reporting; and
       Whereas, Discriminatory pricing and retaliatory actions are 
     unacceptable in an open market system; and
       Whereas, Pork and beef associations also support a 
     marketing system free from unnecessary government 
     regulations; and
       Whereas, Producers should consider participating in 
     marketing alliances, cooperatives and other innovative 
     methods of marketing livestock in order to focus on changing 
     consumer demands and to regain market share; and
       Whereas, Pork and beef associations support a system free 
     of government restrictions on livestock ownership, unless 
     such livestock ownership restricts free and competitive 
     markets or is a violation of antitrust laws; Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved: That Congress continue to investigate mandatory 
     price reporting in the livestock industry and, if warranted, 
     pass appropriate legislation that will assure a free and open 
     market for our independent farmers and ranchers; and
       Whereas, Concentration of segments of the beef and pork 
     industries is occurring; and
       Whereas, Such concentration must not result in lower 
     commodity prices for Kansas farmers and ranchers and higher 
     food prices for American consumers; and
       Whereas, Pending mergers of grain companies could result in 
     disproportionate control of the grain market; and
       Whereas, Renewed investigative efforts, including 
     enforcement of the antitrust laws, must be generated by the 
     justice department and the packers and stockyards division of 
     the United States department of agriculture to ensure the 
     competitive market structure: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved: That the justice department and the packers and 
     stockyard division of the United States department of 
     agriculture enforce the antitrust laws in the livestock and 
     grain industry; and be it further
       Resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send 
     enrolled copies of this resolution to the President of the 
     United States, the Vice-President of the United States, 
     Majority Leaders and Minority Leader of the United States 
     Senate, the Speaker, Majority Leader and Minority Leader of 
     the United States House of Representatives, the Secretary of 
     the United States Department of Agriculture, the Attorney 
     General of the United States and to each member of the Kansas 
     Congressional Delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-88. A resolution adopted by the Southern Governors' 
     Association relative to the pricing of imported steel; to the 
     Committee on Finance.
       POM-89. A resolution adopted by the Southern Governors' 
     Association relative to political self-determination for 
     Puerto Rico; to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources.
       POM-90. A resolution adopted by the Southern Governors' 
     Association relative to deepwater ports and inland waterways; 
     to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
       POM-91. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the Commonwealth of Virginia; to the Committee on Banking, 
     Housing, and Urban Affairs.

                     House Joint Resolution No. 245

       Whereas, Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution of the 
     United States grants to the Congress the power to coin money; 
     and
       Whereas, many Americans are unaware of the provisions of 
     the Constitution, one of the most remarkable and important 
     documents in world history; and
       Whereas, an abbreviated version of this essential document, 
     consisting of the Preamble and the Bill of Rights could 
     easily be placed on the reverse of the one-dollar bill; and
       Whereas, placing the Preamble and the Bill of Rights on the 
     one-dollar bill, a unit of currency used daily by virtually 
     all Americans, would serve to remind the people of the 
     historical importance of the Constitution and its impact on 
     their lives today; and

[[Page S5031]]

       Whereas, Americans would be reminded by the Preamble of the 
     blessings of liberty and by the amendments of the historical 
     changes to the document that forms the very core of the 
     American experience; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Delegates (the Senate concurring), 
     That the Congress of the United States be urged to direct 
     that the United States one-dollar bill be redesigned to place 
     the Preamble of the Constitution of the United States and the 
     Bill of Rights on its reverse side; 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, the Speaker of the United States House of 
     Representatives, the President of the United States Senate, 
     and the members of the Congressional Delegation of Virginia 
     so that they may be apprised of the sense of the General 
     Assembly of Virginia in this matter.
                                  ____

       POM-92. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the Commonwealth of Virginia; to the Committee on the 
     Judiciary.

                     House Joint Resolution No. 499

       Whereas, the 10th Amendment of 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 this 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 state and local 
     governments, thereby removing power and flexibility from the 
     units of government closest to the people and increasing 
     central control in Washington; and
       Whereas, in 1995 the General Assembly of Virginia passed 
     several resolutions strongly urging the federal government to 
     observe the principles of federalism embodied in the 10th 
     Amendment and to cease and desist, effective immediately, 
     imposing mandates that are beyond the scope of its 
     constitutionally delegated powers; and
       Whereas, despite the General Assembly's admonitions, 
     another attempt to disrupt the delicate balance between the 
     powers of the federal government and the states occurred on 
     May 14, 1998, when President Clinton issued Executive Order 
     No. 13083, which dramatically changed the way the federal 
     government deals with state and local governments; and
       Whereas, the effect of Executive Order No. 13083 was to 
     revoke previous protections for states from federal agency 
     action and widen the areas for preemption and the imposition 
     of federal mandates; and
       Whereas, on August 6, 1998, in response to negative 
     reaction from congressional, state, and local officials, 
     President Clinton retreated from his position and announced 
     the suspension of Executive Order No. 13083 on federalism; 
     and
       Whereas, Congress took further action to ensure the 
     effective repeal of Executive Order No. 13083 by amending 
     H.R. 4328, the omnibus appropriations act, to provide that no 
     federal funds could be used to implement, administer, or 
     enforce the executive order; and
       Whereas, although a major assault on the principles of 
     sovereignty was averted, the attack by the federal government 
     on the principles of federalism does not appear to be 
     abating; and
       Whereas, many Virginia citizens, disturbed by these recent 
     events and the federal government's unwillingness to limit 
     its powers as required by the 10th Amendment, are calling for 
     Virginia to reassert its constitutional right of sovereignty; 
     now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Delegates (the Senate concurring), 
     That the General Assembly of Virginia reaffirm its notice to 
     the federal government that the Commonwealth strongly opposes 
     any effort to weaken the powers reserved to the states and 
     the people by the 10th Amendment of the Constitution of the 
     United States; 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, the Speaker of the United States House of 
     Representatives, the President of the United States Senate, 
     and the members of the Congressional Delegation of Virginia 
     so that they may be apprised of the sense of the General 
     Assembly of Virginia in this matter.
                                  ____

       POM-93. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the Commonwealth of Virginia to the Committee on Health, 
     Education, Labor, and Pensions.
       Whereas, the McCarran-Ferguson Act, passed by the Congress 
     of the United States in 1945, established a statutory 
     framework whereby responsibility for regulating the insurance 
     industry was left largely to the states; and
       Whereas, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act 
     (ERISA) of 1974 significantly altered this concept by 
     creating a federal framework for regulating employer-based 
     health, pension and welfare-benefit plans; and
       Whereas, the provisions of ERISA prevent states from 
     directly regulating most employer-based health plans that are 
     not deemed to be ``insurance'' for purposes of federal laws; 
     and
       Whereas, available data suggests that self-funding of 
     employer-based health plans is increasing at a significant 
     rate; among both large and small businesses; and
       Whereas, between 1989 and 1993, the General Accounting 
     Office estimates that the number of self-funded plan 
     enrollees increased by about six million; and
       Whereas, approximately 40-50 percent of the employer-based 
     health plans are presently self-funded by employers, who 
     retain most or all of the financial risk for their respective 
     health plans; and
       Whereas, as self-funding of health plans has grown, states 
     have lost regulatory oversight of this growing portion of the 
     health insurance market; and
       Whereas, the federal government has been slow to enact 
     meaningful patient protections such as mechanisms for the 
     recovery of benefits due plan participants, recovery of 
     compensatory damages from the fiduciary caused by its failure 
     to pay benefits due under the plan, enforcement of the plan-
     participant's rights under the terms of the plan, assurance 
     of timely payment, and clarification of the plan-
     participant's right to future benefits under the terms of the 
     plan; and
       Whereas, in the absence of federal patient protections, 
     state-level action is needed; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Delegates (the Senate concurring), 
     That the Congress of the United States be urged to either 
     enact meaningful patient protections at the federal level 
     with respect to employer self-funded plans or, in the absence 
     of such federal action, amend the Employee Retirement Income 
     Security Act (ERISA) of 1974 to grant authority to all 
     individual states to monitor and regulate self-funded, 
     employer-based health plans; 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, the Speaker of the United States House of 
     Representatives, the President of the United States Senate, 
     the Secretary of the United States Department of Labor, the 
     Congressional Delegation of Virginia, and to the presiding 
     officer of each house of each state's legislative body so 
     that they may be apprised of the sense of the General 
     Assembly of Virginia in this matter.
                                  ____

       POM-94. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the Commonwealth of Virginia; to the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation.

                     House Joint Resolution No. 568

       Whereas, the air transportation needs of the metropolitan 
     Washington region are addressed through a finely balanced, 
     comprehensive regional airport plan; and
       Whereas, under that plan, Ronald Reagan Washington National 
     Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport each 
     perform a separate and unique function in that regional 
     airport plan; and
       Whereas, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport 
     functions as the local and regional airport, serving cities 
     within a 1,250-mile radius; and
       Whereas, Washington Dulles International Airport serves as 
     the national and international airport; and
       Whereas, significant local decisions about airport 
     investment and development plans have been based on this 
     locally and federally endorsed balance of traffic; and
       Whereas, the allocation of roles to each airport under the 
     plan has stimulated the growth and development of Washington 
     Dulles International Airport; and
       Whereas, the development of Washington Dulles International 
     Airport has improved the quality of regional, domestic, and 
     international air transportation for all citizens of the 
     region; and
       Whereas, the improvement in air transportation alternatives 
     has brought to local passengers the benefits of increased 
     competition in the form of competitive fares and a broad 
     array of new service options between these two airports; and
       Whereas, the region has benefited from investments by many 
     new firms in Northern Virginia that have located to this area 
     because of the presence of a major international airport, 
     Washington Dulles International Airport, and the strength and 
     continued viability of competitive air service offerings at 
     both Washington Dulles International Airport and Ronald 
     Reagan Washington National Airport; and
       Whereas, the increased business activity has produced 
     substantial economic benefits for the region; and
       Whereas, a linchpin of this balanced regional air 
     transportation system is the rule at Ronald Reagan Washington 
     National Airport limiting flights to 1,250 miles from the 
     airport; and
       Whereas, as one of only four high-density airports in the 
     country, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is subject 
     to a ``slot rule'' reservation system which limits the total 
     number of flights per hour to sixty; and
       Whereas, changes to the perimeter rule would threaten air 
     service to smaller communities within the perimeter that now 
     enjoy convenient access to Northern Virginia by air; and
       Whereas, the perimeter rule and the slot rule were enacted 
     as Section 6012 of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Act 
     of 1986; and

[[Page S5032]]

       Whereas, legislation is being considered in the Congress of 
     the United States that would provide for exemptions from the 
     perimeter rule and slot rule; and
       Whereas, any change in the current perimeter rule and slot 
     rule would threaten the benefits now enjoyed by citizens of 
     the region as a result of the balance of services among the 
     regional airports, as well as threaten the existing noise 
     mitigation policy that is provided with the slot rule; and
       Whereas, maintaining the perimeter rule and the slot rule 
     is critical to the continued effectiveness of the balanced 
     regional air transportation plan; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, 
     That the retention of the 1,250-mile perimeter rule and slot 
     rule at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport be 
     supported and that any relaxation of, exemption from, or 
     amendment to Section 6012 of the Metropolitan Washington 
     Airports Act of 1986 or the regulations promulgated pursuant 
     thereto be opposed; 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, United States Senator John McCain, and 
     the members of the Congressional Delegation of Virginia in 
     order that they may be apprised of the sense of the General 
     Assembly of Virginia in this matter.
                                  ____

       POM-95. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the Commonwealth of Virginia; to the Committee on Finance.

                     House Joint Resolution No. 581

       Whereas, on November 23, 1998, the Attorneys General and 
     other representatives of forty-six states, Puerto Rico, the 
     U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the 
     District of Columbia signed an agreement with the five 
     largest tobacco manufacturers which ended a four year legal 
     battle with the states and the industry which began in 1994 
     when Mississippi became the first state to sue the tobacco 
     industry; and
       Whereas, the four other states had previously settled with 
     the tobacco manufacturers which means that now all fifty 
     states have settled with the largest tobacco companies; and
       Whereas, over the next twenty-five years starting in June 
     2000, the states will receive an estimated $206 billion under 
     the Master Settlement Agreement; and
       Whereas, the states' agreement with the tobacco 
     manufacturers focused on public health and youth access 
     issues by prohibiting youth targeting, advertising, marketing 
     and promotions, by banning cartoon character advertising, by 
     restricting brand name sponsorship of events with significant 
     youth audiences, by banning outdoor advertising and youth 
     access to free samples, and by creating a national, 
     foundation and a public education fund; and
       Whereas, this agreement also changed the corporate culture 
     of the tobacco industry by requiring the industry to make a 
     significant commitment to reducing youth access and 
     consumption, by disbanding tobacco trade associations, by 
     restricting industry lobbying, and opening the industry 
     records and research to the public; and
       Whereas, the tobacco settlement provided for court 
     jurisdiction for the implementation and enforcement of the 
     Tobacco Settlement Agreement amount the states; and
       Whereas, federal legislation was not required or needed to 
     implement the Master Settlement Agreement which has been 
     reached by the five largest tobacco manufacturers and all 
     fifty states; and
       Whereas, certain elements of the federal government in the 
     U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have attempted 
     to stake claim to the states' Tobacco Settlement dollars 
     under the existing Medicaid law claiming recovery made on 
     behalf of Medicaid clients should be shared with the federal 
     government based on the federal Medicaid match in the states; 
     and
       Whereas, the states have settled with the tobacco industry 
     with no help from the federal government; and
       Whereas, there may be a temptation by some to seize this 
     large sum of dollars that has been agreed to by the states 
     and the tobacco industry; now, therefore, be it.
       Resolved by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, 
     That the Congress of the United States be urged to enact 
     legislation to prevent the seizure of state tobacco 
     settlement funds by the federal government, and that the 
     federal government be urged not to interfere in the tobacco 
     settlement which has been reached between the fifty states 
     and the largest tobacco manufacturers; and, be it.
       Resolved further, That the Congressional Delegation of 
     Virginia introduce legislation to ensure that this occurs; 
     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 
     and the members of the Congressional Delegation of Virginia 
     so they may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly 
     of Virginia in this matter.
                                  ____

       POM-96. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the Commonwealth of Virginia; to the Committee on Environment 
     and Public Works.

                     House Joint Resolution No. 598

       Whereas, Virginia ranks second in the nation in the amount 
     of municipal waste imported from other states and the tonnage 
     imported is likely to increase as other states close 
     landfills; and
       Whereas, Virginia has ample public and private municipal 
     waste disposal capacity for waste generated in the 
     Commonwealth; and
       Whereas, the negative impacts of truck, rail, and barge 
     traffic and litter, odors, and noise associated with waste 
     imports occur not just at the location of final disposal but 
     also along waste transportation routes, and current landfill 
     technology has the potential to fail, leading to long-term 
     cleanup and other associated costs; and
       Whereas, the importation of waste runs counter to the 
     repeatedly expressed strong desire of Virginia's citizens for 
     clean air, land, and water and for the preservation of 
     Virginia's unique historic and cultural character, and it is 
     essential to promote and preserve these attributes; and
       Whereas, the Commonwealth has demonstrated the ability to 
     attract good jobs and to promote sound economic development 
     without relying on the importation of garbage; and
       Whereas, in 1995, 23 governors wrote to the Commerce 
     Committee of the United States Congress urging passage of 
     legislation allowing states and localities the power to 
     regulate waste entering their jurisdictions; and
       Whereas, legislation is pending before the Commerce 
     Committee that would provide states and localities with the 
     authority to control the importation of waste, a power that 
     is essential to the public health, safety, and welfare of all 
     citizens of Virginia; therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, 
     That the Congress of the United States be urged to enact 
     legislation giving states and localities the power to control 
     waste imports into their jurisdictions. The study shall 
     include: (i) a ban on waste imports in the absence of 
     specific approval from the disposal site host community and 
     governor of the host state; (ii) authorization for governors 
     to freeze solid waste imports at 1993 levels; (iii) 
     authorization for states to consider whether a disposal 
     facility if needed locally when deciding whether to grant a 
     permit; and (iv) authorization for states to limit the 
     percentage of a disposal facility's capacity that can be 
     filed with waste from other states; 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 Congressional 
     Delegation of Virginia in order that they may be apprised of 
     the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia in this matter.
                                  ____

       POM-97. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the Commonwealth of Virginia; to the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation.

                     House Joint Resolution No. 640

       Whereas, areas are now capable of having more than two 
     cellular service providers in a single area; and
       Whereas, the northern sections of Buchanan County and the 
     section of Dickenson County that includes the Breaks 
     Interstate Park are not currently included in the local 
     cellular calling area administered by ALLTEL Corporation; and
       Whereas, the communication system must be considered as 
     highways that separate those parts of Buchanan County and 
     Dickenson County from the Cumberland Plateau Planning 
     District, the Virginia Coalfield Coalition, the Coalfield 
     Economic Development Authority, and the Coalfield Regional 
     Tourism Authority; and
       Whereas, the current local cellular calling area divides 
     Buchanan County and removes it from the planning and growth 
     activities of surrounding localities in regional Southwest 
     Virginia; and
       Whereas, significant efforts to bolster the lifestyle and 
     prosperity of this region are underway and depend on the 
     availability of reliable and affordable telecommunications, 
     with such service especially needed for the Appalachian 
     School of Law, which is beginning its second year of training 
     attorneys, and the Breaks Interstate Park, which attracted 
     over 420,000 visitors last year; and
       Whereas, these and other developments require 
     telecommunications service that will enable the region to 
     continue to grow; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, 
     That the Congress of the United States be urged to direct the 
     Federal Communications Commission to study the feasibility of 
     including all of Buchanan County, Virginia, and all of 
     Dickenson County, Virginia, into the Southwest Virginia 
     Network; 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, the Secretary of the United States Department 
     of Labor, the Speaker of the United States House of 
     Representatives, the President of the United States Senate, 
     and the members of the Congressional District of Virginia in 
     order that they may be apprised of the sense of the General 
     Assembly of Virginia in this matter.
                                  ____

       POM-98. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the Commonwealth of Virginia; to the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation.

[[Page S5033]]

                     House Joint Resolution No. 649

       Whereas, encryption technology plays a pivotal role in 
     protecting and enhancing the privacy and security of 
     communications over the Internet, especially those containing 
     personal information or information of commercial value, from 
     criminal and other unwarranted intrusion or interference; and
       Whereas, each citizen should be free to employ the level of 
     encryption technology he sees fit to protect the privacy and 
     security of his communications over the Internet; and
       Whereas, the ability to use encryption technology will 
     provide safe, secure, and private transactions via the 
     Internet; and
       Whereas, because such transactions will enhance electronic 
     commerce, the use of encryption technology by private and 
     corporate citizens should not be curtailed for any legitimate 
     purpose; and
       Whereas, there is pending in the United States House of 
     Representatives the Security and Freedom through Encryption 
     Act, which substantially eases federal export controls on 
     American cryptographic products; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, 
     That availability and unfettered usage of strong encryption 
     technology for any legitimate purpose will enable and 
     facilitate the growth of the information economy and 
     therefore should be encouraged and supported by government at 
     all levels; and, be it
       Resolved further, That the Congress and the President of 
     the United States be urged to take immediate action to revise 
     the current federal export controls on the export by American 
     companies of cryptographic products; and,be it
       Resolved finally, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates 
     transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice 
     President of the United States, the Speaker of the United 
     States House of Representatives and the President pro tempore 
     of the United States Senate, and to each member of the 
     Congressional Delegate of Virginia that they may be apprised 
     of the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia in this 
     matter.
                                  ____

       POM-99. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the Commonwealth of Virginia; to the Committee on Health, 
     Education, Labor, and Pensions.

                     House Joint Resolution No. 650

       Whereas, the federal Individuals with Disabilities 
     Education Act (IDEA) governs the delivery of education 
     services to disabled students; and
       Whereas, disabled students are entitled to ``free and 
     appropriate education,'' which includes special education and 
     related services and requires the development and 
     implementation of an individualized education plan; and
       Whereas, procedural safeguards are provided to students 
     with disabilities who have been identified as eligible for 
     special education, including a variety of notice, hearing and 
     appeals requirements; and
       Whereas, the majority of students with disabilities behave 
     well in school; and
       Whereas, there are, however, some students with 
     disabilities who have serious behavior problems, resulting in 
     violence and disruption in the educational environment; and
       Whereas, prior to the early 1990s, students with 
     disabilities were subject to expulsion for the same 
     infractions as other students if there was no causal 
     connection between the student's behavior and the student's 
     disability and the student was appropriately placed at the 
     time of the misconduct; and
       Whereas, in the first half of the decade, Virginia was in 
     litigation with the federal Department of Education as a 
     result of federal demands that the Commonwealth's plan for 
     special education include a provision requiring continuation 
     of educational services to students with disabilities upon 
     expulsion from school attendance, even if the discipline 
     resulted from behavior unrelated to the child's disability; 
     and
       Whereas, pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities 
     Education Act, federal funds are conditioned on compliance 
     with federal law and regulations; and
       Whereas, for several years, Virginia's grant funds under 
     IDEA were in limbo because of the litigation; however, in 
     1976 the Fourth Circuit Court ruled in favor of Virginia; and
       Whereas, after the Fourth Circuit Court decision, Congress 
     amended IDEA during the reauthorization process to require 
     continuation of services to expelled students with 
     disabilities; and
       Whereas, it has been Virginia's contention throughout this 
     process that allowing students with disabilities to be exempt 
     from the consequences of their actions is a policy which does 
     not benefit the student with disabilities or the educational 
     environment and is patently unfair to other students; and
       Whereas, the school divisions in Virginia have continued to 
     serve students with disabilities who have been expelled from 
     school through a variety of methods, such as visiting 
     teachers, distance learning, and alternative programs; and
       Whereas, Virginia's school divisions are dedicated to 
     providing quality education to students with disabilities 
     while maintaining good discipline and an atmosphere conducive 
     to learning; and
       Whereas, the Commonwealth would like to have a policy which 
     provides uniform sanctions for violent students; however, 
     federal law prevents the application of standardized 
     disciplinary penalties; and
       Whereas, the public schools throughout the nation are 
     seeking to develop mechanisms to prevent the outbreaks of 
     violence, particularly incidences of shootings; and
       Whereas, the Commonwealth's education community believes 
     that Congress should examine the consequences of its mandate 
     to continue educational services to expelled students in 
     terms of fairness to all students, school safety for all 
     students and the maintenance of a positive educational 
     atmosphere; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, 
     That the Congress of the United States be urged to reconsider 
     federal restrictions on discipline of certain students with 
     disabilities; 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, 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-100. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the Commonwealth of Virginia; to the Committee on Indian 
     Affairs.

                     House Joint Resolution No. 754

       Whereas, by resolution of the General Assembly, eight 
     Indian tribes have been recognized by the Commonwealth; and
       Whereas, the Chickahominy; the Chickahominy, Eastern 
     Division; the Mattaponi; the Upper Mattaponi; the Pamunkey; 
     and the Rappahannock tribes were recognized by House Joint 
     Resolution No. 54 (1983); the Nansemond tribe by House Joint 
     Resolution No. 205 (1985); and the Monacan tribe by House 
     Joint Resolution No. 390 (1989); and
       Whereas, the existence of those tribes has been recognized 
     by the Virginia Council on Indians, since they were 
     indigenous to and occupied a specific site in what is now 
     Virginia the time of the arrival of the first European 
     Settlers; the current members are Indian descendants of those 
     tribes as demonstrated by various records; the tribes have 
     established tribal organizations with appropriate records and 
     historical documentation; and other similar criteria; and
       Whereas, the members of the Indian tribes have expressed 
     the desire, through their leadership, for greater autonomy 
     and local authority to deal with issues affecting tribal 
     members and have represented that they have no intent in 
     operating commercial gaming on their lands; and
       Whereas, among these local issues are housing, health care, 
     and education; and
       Whereas, the preservation of tribal identity, culture, and 
     tradition is also a concern of the leadership of the several 
     tribes; and
       Whereas, historic congressional federal recognition of the 
     tribal status of these Virginia Indian tribes would greatly 
     enhance the ability of the tribes to preserve their tribal 
     cultures and address pressing local problems affecting tribal 
     members; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, 
     That the Congress of the United States be urged to grant 
     historic congressional federal recognition to the 
     Chickahominy; the Chinkahominy, Eastern Division; the 
     Mattaponi; the Monacan; the Nansemond; the Pamunkey; the 
     Rappahannock; and the Upper Mattaponi as Indian tribes under 
     federal law; and, be it
       Resolved, further, That the Congressional Delegation of 
     Virginia be requested to take all necessary steps forthwith 
     to gain historic congressional federal recognition for the 
     eight Virginia Indian tribes; 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 House of Representatives, the President of the 
     United States Senate, and the members of the Congressional 
     Delegation of Virginia in order that they may be apprised of 
     the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia in this matter.
                                  ____

       POM-101. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Ohio; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

                           H. Con. Res. No. 6

       Whereas, the United States is a signatory to the 1992 
     United Nations Framework Convention on Global Climate Change 
     (FCCC); and
       Whereas, a proposed protocol to expand the scope of the 
     FCCC was negotiated in December 1997 in Kyoto, Japan, 
     potentially requiring the United States to reduce emissions 
     of greenhouse gases by seven percent from 1990 levels during 
     the period from 2008 to 2012, with potentially larger 
     emission reductions thereafter; and
       Whereas, developing nations are exempt from greenhouse gas 
     emission limitation requirements in the FCCC, and refused in 
     the Kyoto negotiations to accept any new commitments for 
     greenhouse gas emission limitation through the Kyoto 
     Protocol; and
       Whereas, achieving the emission reductions proposed by the 
     Kyoto Protocol would require a thirty-eight per cent 
     reduction in projected United States greenhouse gas emissions 
     during the period from 2008 to 2012; and
       Whereas, the legally binding goals to reduce emissions to 
     the levels stipulated in the Kyoto Protocol would weaken the 
     economy of the United States, impair the competitiveness of 
     its industries in the growing global market, and cause 
     economic dislocation in the United States, including job 
     loss, major

[[Page S5034]]

     economic restructuring, and increased levels of poverty; and
       Whereas, if the requirements of the Kyoto Protocol were 
     implemented, Americans would experience increased prices for 
     energy, emergency services, education, finished goods, and 
     transportation; and
       Whereas, the economic consequences of complying with the 
     Kyoto Protocol merit rejection of the treaty and 
     consideration of policies that promote a more studied, 
     balanced, and constructive approach; and
       Whereas, the results of scientific studies evaluating 
     greenhouse gas emissions and their effect on the earth's 
     environment are inconclusive; and
       Whereas, the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol will allow 
     foreign interests to control and limit the growth of the 
     United States economy; now therefore be it
       Resolved, That we, the members of the 123rd General 
     Assembly of the State of Ohio, respectively memorialize the 
     members of the United States Senate not to ratify the Kyoto 
     Protocol related to the control of greenhouse gases; and be 
     it further
       Resolved, That we, the members of the 123rd General 
     Assembly of the State of Ohio, strongly recommend that the 
     United Stated protect and improve the environment by adopting 
     incentives for the development, commercialization, and use of 
     technologies that promote energy efficiency and reduce 
     pollution rather than through coercive and excessive 
     government regulation; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Representatives 
     transmit copies of this resolution to the President Pro 
     Tempore and the Secretary of the United States Senate.
                                  ____

       POM-102. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of West Virginia; to the Committee on Energy and 
     Natural Resources.

                  Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 35

       Whereas, the Legislature works tirelessly to improve the 
     quality of life for the citizens of the Mountain State; and
       Whereas, coal mining has been, and continues to be, one of 
     the primary industries responsible for the economic success 
     of West Virginia and its citizens; and
       Whereas, thousands of West Virginians are employed, either 
     directly or indirectly, by the coal mining industry which 
     generates payrolls totaling over $2 billion; and
       Whereas, surface coal mining, including the practice of 
     mountaintop removal, currently represents one third of the 
     total coal production in West Virginia; and
       Whereas, surface mining currently accounts for the payment 
     of millions of dollars in severance taxes, millions of 
     dollars in income taxes, and millions of dollars in other 
     related taxes paid to the State of West Virginia; and
       Whereas, county governments and county school systems 
     throughout the state rely on the taxes from coal companies 
     and coal miners to fund many valuable programs, including 
     public education, ambulance services and law enforcement; and
       Whereas, the loss of any of West Virginia's coal mines and 
     the loss of any mining-related employment ultimately results 
     in significant harm to all West Virginians; and
       Whereas, the world marketplace for coal is severely 
     competitive and supports only mining companies that are 
     dependable, low cost sources of coal; and
       Whereas, concerns have been raised about the method of 
     mining known as mountaintop removal and the Governor and the 
     Legislature have responded to those concerns; and
       Whereas, by executive order, the Governor did appoint a 
     task force to explore the issue of mountaintop removal mining 
     and related practices. That task force conducted numerous 
     public meetings and collected significant amounts of 
     information prior to issuing a comprehensive report 
     containing numerous recommendations to the Governor and the 
     Legislature; and
       Whereas, the Legislature did request a study of the issues 
     surrounding blasting to be conducted by a joint interim 
     subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Government 
     Organization and that subcommittee recommended numerous bills 
     to address the concerns of blasting; and
       Whereas, the 1999 Legislature, through the passage of 
     Senate Bill No. 681, has considered the reports and 
     recommendations of the Governor's task force and the interim 
     subcommittee and has affirmatively responded to concerns 
     which have been raised about the issue of mountaintop removal 
     mining by doing the following:
       Strengthening the laws and regulations which are designed 
     to control blasting by extending the pre-blast survey areas, 
     requiring site-specific blasting plans when blasting is to 
     occur near structures, imposing new penalties for blasting 
     violations causing damage to property, establishing a 
     presumption of liability where damage is done to water wells 
     within certain distances of water wells and establishing an 
     economical and efficient claims process for those aggrieved 
     by blasting operations; and
       Establishing the office of blasting to review and regulate 
     blasting operations in surface mining;
       Establishing the office of coalfield community development 
     to require the various stakeholders in the mining process to 
     address the issues of community development, regional 
     development, property acquisitions and other issues relevant 
     to the future of the areas of the state where coal mining 
     occurs;
       Repealing the provisions of legislation which was enacted 
     during the 1998 session of the Legislature thereby restoring 
     the stream mitigation program to its previous status; and
       Addressing other issues of concern in the areas of 
     mountaintop removal mining; and
       Whereas, actions and inactions by federal regulatory 
     agencies which have had the effect of closing surface coal 
     mines are more frequent and result in the loss of hundreds of 
     mining and other jobs in West Virginia; and
       Whereas, in an effort to address these problems and to 
     solicit cooperation with the federal agencies, the Governor, 
     the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of 
     Delegates jointly prepared and sent to Carol M. Browner, 
     Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection 
     Agency, a letter inquiring about mining standards and agency 
     actions. At the present time, there has been no response to 
     the letter; therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia, that
       The Legislature hereby recognizes the importance of the 
     coal mining industry and encourages all federal and state 
     agencies regulating the coal mining industry to demonstrate 
     affirmative responsiveness by returning to fair and objective 
     behavior, particularly in the issuance of mining permits and 
     other regulation of the coal industry; and, be it
       Further Resolved, That the Legislature supports the 
     continued mining of coal in West Virginia, including surface 
     mining by all methods recognized by state and federal law, 
     and is prepared to cooperate with all federal agencies in an 
     effort to resolve quickly any outstanding issues which are 
     preventing the mining of coal and which are contributing to 
     the loss of jobs in West Virginia; and, be it
       Further Resolved, that the Legislature requests West 
     Virginia's congressional delegation to join in the efforts to 
     support the coal industry in West Virginia and to make every 
     effort possible to assist in securing the needed cooperation 
     from federal agencies to allow the continuation of the mining 
     of coal and to protect the jobs of coal miners and others who 
     derive their employment from coal mining; and, be it
       Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby 
     directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the 
     President and Vice President of the United States, the 
     Governor of West Virginia, members of West Virginia's 
     congressional delegation and the directors of each of the 
     federal and state agencies that regulate the coal mining 
     industry in West Virginia.
                                  ____

       POM-103. A resolution adopted by the Okanogan Horticultural 
     Association relative to the financial plight of the apple 
     grower; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
     Forestry.
       POM-104. A resolution adopted by the Okanogan Horticultural 
     Association relative to agricultural water rights; to the 
     Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
       POM-105. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Wyoming; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

                     Senate Joint Resolution No. 1

       Whereas, the United States is a signatory to the 1992 
     United Nations Framework Convention on Global Climate Change 
     (``FCCC''); and
       Whereas, a proposed protocol to expand the scope of the 
     FCCC was negotiated (``Kyoto Protocol'') in December, 1997, 
     in Kyoto, Japan, potentially requiring the United States to 
     reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by seven percent (7%) 
     from 1990 levels during the period of 2008 to 2012, with 
     potentially larger emission reductions thereafter; and
       Whereas, the Kyoto Protocol would require other major 
     industrial nations to reduce emissions from 1990 levels by 
     six percent (6%) to eight percent (8%) during the period 2008 
     to 2012, with potentially larger emission reductions 
     thereafter; and
       Whereas, President William J. Clinton pledged on October 
     22, 1997, that the ``United States not assume binding 
     obligations unless key developing nations meaningfully 
     participate in this effort''; and
       Whereas, Article 2, Section 2 of the Constitution of the 
     United States requires a two-thirds concurrence of the United 
     States Senate before any treaty may be ratified; and
       Whereas, on July 25, 1997, the United States Senate adopted 
     Senate Resolution No. 98 by a vote of 95 to 0, expressing the 
     sense of the Senate that ``the United States should not be a 
     signatory to any protocol to or other agreement regarding the 
     Framework Convention on Climate Change . . . which would 
     require the advice and consent of the Senate to ratification, 
     and which would mandate new commitments to mitigate 
     greenhouse gas emissions for the developed country parties 
     unless the protocol or other agreement also mandates specific 
     scheduled commitments within the same compliance period to 
     mitigate greenhouse gas emissions for developing country 
     parties''; and
       Whereas, developing nations are exempt from greenhouse gas 
     emission limitations in the FCCC refused, in the Kyoto 
     negotiations, to accept any new commitments for greenhouse 
     gas emission limitations through the Kyoto Protocol; and
       Whereas, manmade emissions of greenhouse gases such as 
     carbon dioxide are caused primarily by the combustion of oil, 
     coal and natural gas fuels by industries, automobiles, homes 
     and other uses of energy; and

[[Page S5035]]

       Whereas, the United States relies on carbon-based fossil 
     fuels for more than ninety percent (90%) of its total energy 
     supply; and
       Whereas, achieving the emission reductions proposed by the 
     Kyoto Protocol would require a thirty-eight percent (38%) 
     reduction in projected United States carbon emissions during 
     the period of 2008 to 2012; and
       Whereas, developing countries exempt from emission 
     limitations under the Kyoto Protocol are expected to increase 
     their rates of fossil fuel use over the next two (2) decades 
     and surpass the United States and other industrialized 
     countries in total emissions of greenhouse gases; and
       Whereas, studies prepared by the economic forecasting 
     group, WEFA, estimate that legally binding requirements for 
     the reduction of United States greenhouse bases below 1990 
     emission levels would result in the loss of many Wyoming 
     jobs, while also experiencing higher energy, housing, medical 
     and food costs. Since Wyoming government is so highly reliant 
     on taxes and royalties from the production of fossil fuels 
     such as oil, gas and coal, the result of decreasing the 
     production of these minerals would result in economic 
     hardships; and
       Whereas, the failure to provide for commitments by 
     developing countries in the Kyoto Protocol creates an unfair 
     competitive imbalance between industrial and developing 
     nations, potentially leading to the transfer of jobs and 
     industrial development from the United States to developing 
     countries;
       Whereas, increased emissions of greenhouse gases by 
     developing counties would offset any environmental benefits 
     associated with emissions reductions achieved by the United 
     States and other industrial nations.
       Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved By The Members of the 
     Legislature of the State of Wyoming:
       Section 1. That the President of the United States not 
     attempt to use federal activities to initiate strategies to 
     mitigate greenhouses gases until and unless the Kyoto 
     Protocol is amended or otherwise revised so that it is 
     consistent with United States Senate Resolution No. 98 to 
     including specific scheduled commitments for developing 
     countries to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions within the 
     same compliance period required for industrial nations.
       Sec. 2. That the United States Senate reject any proposed 
     protocol or other amendment to the FCCC that is inconsistent 
     with this resolution or that does not comply fully with the 
     United States Senate Resolution No. 98.
       Sec. 3. That the Secretary of State of Wyoming transmit 
     copies of the resolution to the President of the United 
     States, to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the 
     House of Representatives of the United States Congress and to 
     the Wyoming Congressional Delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-106. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Wyoming; to the Committee on Finance.

                      House Joint Resolution No. 1

       Whereas, the livestock industry continues to play a vital 
     role in the culture and the economy of Wyoming; and
       Whereas, both the cattle industry and the sheep industry 
     are struggling to survive in the face of unprecedented 
     prolonged price decline for cattle, lambs and wool; and
       Whereas, there is compelling evidence that the decline in 
     cattle and lamb prices are being caused in strong part by 
     growing levels of imports of both live animals and meat 
     products; and
       Whereas, significant increases in imports may be occurring 
     in violation of the fair trade provisions of both the North 
     American Fair Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the General 
     Agreement on Trade and Tariffs (GATT).
       Now, Therefore, Be it Resolved By The Members of the 
     Legislature of the State of Wyoming:
       Sect. 1. That the Wyoming State Legislature fully supports 
     the antidumping and the countervailing duty petitions against 
     Canada as filed by the Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal 
     Foundation (R-CALF); and
       Sect. 2. That the Wyoming State Legislature fully supports 
     the Section 201 Trade Action as filed by the American Sheep 
     Industry Association with the United States International 
     Trade Commission; and
       Sect. 3. That the Wyoming State Legislature petitions the 
     United States Department of Commerce and the United States 
     International Trade Commission: (1) to act quickly to 
     determine the extent of any trade violations by countries 
     exporting cattle or lamb into the United States; and (2) if 
     violations are found, to take decisive steps to protect 
     Wyoming and other domestic cattle and sheep producers from 
     the negative effects of this unfair and unlawful competition.
       Sect. 4. That the Wyoming State Legislature requests that 
     the Governor act to the full extent of his authority to 
     support the actions filed by the Ranchers-Cattlemen Action 
     Legal Foundation (R-CALF) and the American Sheep Industry 
     Association.
       Sect. 5. That the Secretary of State of Wyoming transmit 
     copies of this resolution to the President of the United 
     States, to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the 
     House of Representatives of the United States Congress, to 
     the Secretary of Commerce, to the United States International 
     Trade Commission and to the Wyoming Congressional Delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-107. A resolution adopted by the House of the 
     Legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; to the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

                              Resolutions

       Whereas, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and 
     the North American Numbering Council (NANC) have been unable 
     and/or unwilling to address the area code crises throughout 
     the United States; and
       Whereas, the Department of Telecommunications and Energy, 
     should, after being given any and all appropriate waivers by 
     the FCC, be permitted to examine, test, and implement number 
     conservation initiatives to alleviate the necessity of adding 
     additional area codes, including but not limited to: Number 
     pooling, number utilization audits, and rate center 
     consolidation; and
       Whereas, the failure to immediately address this issue will 
     result in increased costs and inconvenience to 
     telecommunication customers in Massachusetts; and
       Whereas, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) should 
     re-evaluate its procedures for granting waivers to individual 
     states for the purpose of implementing number conservation 
     initiatives as soon as possible; and
       Whereas, the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation should 
     take all appropriate action to convince the Federal 
     Communications Commission (FCC) to grant to Massachusetts the 
     necessary waivers to independently implement number 
     conservation measures which are critical to 
     telecommunications customers in Massachusetts; therefore be 
     it
       Resolved, That the Department of Telecommunications and 
     Energy make initial reports of its investigation and 
     subsequent initiatives undertaken to address the area code 
     crises to the Governor and the Legislature no later than June 
     30, 1999; and be it further
       Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded by 
     the Clerk of the House of Representatives to his Excellency, 
     Governor Argeo Paul Cellucci, the Members of the 
     Massachusetts Congressional Delegation, the President of the 
     Massachusetts Senate and the Department of Telecommunications 
     and Energy.
                                  ____

       POM-108. A resolution adopted by the General Assembly of 
     the State of Georgia; to the Committee on Finance.

                               Resolution

       Whereas, the export of agricultural commodities has 
     provided the United States the only positive return on its 
     balance of trade; and
       Whereas, the only way to ensure that a positive return on 
     the balance of trade continues is to allow international 
     markets to remain open; and
       Whereas, the use of unilateral economic sanctions rarely 
     achieves its goal, but causes substantial harm to the 
     producers of products; and
       Whereas, not only do the sanctions imposed by the United 
     States cause great harm to the Georgia farmer, but so do the 
     unfair trade barriers and sanctions imposed on agricultural 
     products by other countries; and
       Whereas, economic sanctions hinder the export of 
     agricultural products, exacerbating the transportation of 
     such products and possibly lowering the price received by the 
     Georgia farmer for such agricultural products.
       Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the General Assembly of Georgia, That Congress 
     is urged to remove or restrict the use of trade sanctions as 
     they apply to agricultural products and that Congress ensures 
     that the use of trade sanctions will result in meaningful 
     results and to work for the reduction and elimination of 
     trade barriers and sanctions imposed by other countries 
     against agricultural products.
       Be it further resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate is 
     directed to send enrolled copies of this resolution to the 
     President of the United States, the Vice President of the 
     United States, Majority Leader and Minority Leader of the 
     United States Senate, the Speaker, Majority Leader and 
     Minority Leader of the United States House of 
     Representatives, the secretary of the United States 
     Department of State, the secretary of the United States 
     Department of Agriculture and to each member of the Georgia 
     Congressional Delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-109. A resolution adopted by the General Assembly of 
     the State of Georgia; to the Committee on Agriculture, 
     Nutrition, and Forestry.

                               Resolution

       Whereas, if the Georgia farmer is to have the opportunity 
     to prosper and grow, the agricultural products produced by 
     the farmer must be able to reach foreign markets; and
       Whereas, the export enhancement program is one tool which 
     can expand foreign market opportunities; and
       Whereas, the stockpiling of grain is just one example of 
     where the lack of access to foreign markets hurts not only 
     the Georgia farmer but all American farmers and the economy 
     of the United States in general.
       Now, therefore, be it resolved by the General Assembly of 
     Georgia, That the Secretary of the United States Department 
     of Agriculture is urged to take greater advantage of the 
     export enhancement program.
       Be it further resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate 
     shall forward appropriate copies of this resolution to the 
     President of the United States, the Vice President of the 
     United States, Majority Leader and Minority Leader of the 
     United States Senate, the Speaker, Majority Leader and 
     Minority

[[Page S5036]]

     Leader of the United States House of Representatives, the 
     Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture and 
     to each member of the Georgia Congressional Delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-110. A resolution adopted by the City Council of 
     Cincinnati, Ohio relative to Round II Urban Federal 
     Empowerment Zones: ordered to lie on the table.

                          ____________________