[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 96 (Thursday, July 1, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8082-S8083]
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-231. A resolution adopted by the House of the 
     Legislature of the State of Michigan relative to the Kyoto 
     Protocol on greenhouse gas emissions; to the Committee on 
     Foreign Relations.

                        House Resolution No. 98

       Whereas, The people of Michigan join other Americans in the 
     concern that emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse 
     gases may pose a risk of adding to natural long-term changes 
     in climate, such as warming of the Earth, shifts in climate 
     patterns and weather conditions, and other atmospheric 
     aberrations; and
       Whereas, Scientists are continuing to investigate and 
     debate the merits of existing evidence of climate change. 
     Researchers are developing more information about the extent, 
     causes, and solutions related to greenhouse gases; and
       Whereas, Michigan's citizens want government leaders to 
     seek affordable, effective ways to address climate change; 
     and
       Whereas, in July 1997, the United States Senate adopted 
     Senate Resolution 98, which directs the United States not to 
     adopt any agreement emerging from the Kyoto, Japan, summit on 
     climate change that would commit this nation to limits or 
     reductions in greenhouse gas emissions without also requiring 
     commitments by developing nations or that would impose undue 
     economic burdens on all Americans; and
       Whereas, Despite well-documented uncertainties about the 
     scientific basis of climate change and contrary to the 
     directives contained in Senate Resolution 98, the United 
     States signed the Kyoto Climate Treaty. This treaty, often 
     referred to as the Kyoto Protocol, commits this nation to 
     reducing its emissions of greenhouse gases to amounts that 
     are seven percent below their 1990 levels between the years 
     2008 and 2012 (an amount requiring more than a 30 percent 
     reduction in projected United States carbon emissions 
     achieved by reductions in energy use). The treaty, however, 
     exempts more than 130 developing nations from similar 
     constraints; and
       Whereas, Energy provides valuable services to citizens 
     through the heating and cooling of homes, transportation, 
     processing of fuel, and other services vital to our citizens' 
     well-being and our security; and
       Whereas, Achieving the Kyoto Protocol targets will not 
     mitigate climate changes or its effects, but according to the 
     United States Department of Energy's Energy Information 
     Administration, it may cause the loss of 2.4 million jobs 
     throughout most industry sectors and increase the price of 
     electricity (up to 86%), gasoline (66 cents per gallon), fuel 
     oil (76%), and natural gas (147%); and
       Whereas, Studies by the Heartland Institute and the Sparks 
     Companies show that the Kyoto Protocol would increase 
     production costs and cut farmers' incomes by one-quarter to 
     one-half. This would force many family farms out of business, 
     reduce agricultural exports, and increase food prices, which 
     would be especially detrimental to America's poorest 
     families; and
       Whereas, According to the United States Energy Information 
     Administration, meeting the emissions reduction targets in 
     the Kyoto Protocol could cost the average household in the 
     United States $4,100 per year beginning in 2010 resulting 
     from the increase in the price of utilities, fuel, and 
     consumer goods and services. It is projected to cause the 
     loss of 96,500 jobs in Michigan; and
       Whereas, Other alternatives to reducing greenhouse gas 
     emissions, such as research and development and voluntary 
     emissions reduction programs, should be investigated and 
     considered. It is vital to use a balanced approach to 
     promoting economic progress and protecting the environment; 
     now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we oppose 
     the provisions of the Kyoto Protocol and memorialize the 
     United States Senate not to ratify the Kyoto Climate Treaty. 
     We urge federal authorities to consider strategies to protect 
     the environment that apply to all nations and encourage 
     alternative, voluntary proposals to reduce greenhouse gases; 
     and be it further
       Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to 
     the President of the United States, the President of the 
     United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House 
     of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan 
     congressional delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-232. A resolution adopted by the House of the 
     Legislature of the State of Illinois relative to Social 
     Security; to the Committee on Finance.

                        House Resolution No. 95

       Whereas, Social Security is America's premier family 
     protection system, providing working families with crucial 
     income insurance in the event of the retirement, death or 
     disability of a family wage earner; and
       Whereas, Social Security is the only secure source of 
     retirement income for the overwhelming majority of Americans, 
     with two in three older American households relying on Social 
     Security for half or more of their income; and
       Whereas, Many of the proposals being discussed would 
     require sharp and misguided benefit cuts, including raising 
     the normal retirement age and reducing the cost of living 
     adjustments; and
       Whereas, The Board of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and 
     Survivors Insurance and Disability Insurance Trust Funds are 
     reporting that Social Security is secure and can pay full 
     benefits until 2032, with 70 to 75 percent of benefits 
     covered by expected revenues after that time; and
       Whereas, Many Americans are concerned about Social 
     Security's long-term financial viability; therefore, be it
       Resolved, by the House of Representatives of the Ninety-
     First General Assembly of the State of Illinois, That (1) 
     Congress should take steps soon to strengthen Social Security 
     so that all Americans can be assured that the program will be 
     there for them; (2) Social Security should continue to 
     provide an unreduced foundation of economic security for 
     American families; (3) Social Security benefits should not be 
     subject to the whims of the market, and private investment 
     accounts should never be substituted for the core defined 
     benefits Social Security currently provides; (4) Working 
     families should be able to count on full disability and 
     survivor protections that grow to meet the needs of families, 
     including spouses and children; (5) Americans who do not 
     spend full careers in the paid workforce because they work at 
     home caring for children or other family members should not 
     be penalized by reform; and (6) Responsible Social Security 
     reforms must be based on realistic assumptions about the 
     economy as well as about the uncertainty and risk inherent in 
     markets; and be it further
       Resolved, That suitable copies of this resolution be 
     presented to the Speaker of the United States House of 
     Representatives, the President of the United States Senate, 
     and each member of the Illinois congressional delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-233. A resolution adopted by the House of the 
     Legislature of the State of Illinois relative to the Social 
     Service Block Grant/Title XX program; to the Committee on 
     Appropriations.

                        House Resolution No. 160

       Whereas, Congress and the White House have funded the 
     Social Service Block Grant/Title XX program at a relatively 
     stable level for the past 5 years; and
       Whereas, The FFY 99 funding level for this program 
     unexpectedly dropped 17% during budget negotiations at the 
     close of the last congressional session; and
       Whereas, This federally funded program is almost 
     exclusively devoted to community based human services 
     throughout the State of Illinois, including adoption 
     services, case coordination services, intervention for 
     victims of domestic violence, youth development services, day 
     care for children, employment development services, family 
     support, foster care for children, homemaker services, 
     outpatient treatment, protective intervention, rehabilitation 
     and training for handicapped adults, and treatment for 
     substance abuse, among other funded services, extending into 
     every county and legislative district in the State serving 
     over 130,000 individuals or families in Illinois; and
       Whereas, The National Conference of Mayors, the National 
     Council of State Legislatures, and the National Governors 
     Conference have all strongly recommended the restoration of 
     full funding to this important program; therefore be it
       Resolved, by the House of Representatives of the Ninety-
     First General Assembly of the State of Illinois, That the 
     Illinois congressional delegation be informed of our concern 
     regarding this essential source of funding for critically 
     important State programming and services; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Illinois House of Representatives urges 
     the Illinois congressional delegation to influence and guide 
     the federal budgeting process for FFY 2000 and beyond to 
     restore full funding for the Social Service Block Grant/Title 
     XX program and incrementally increase funding for this 
     essential program as future federal budget opportunities 
     present themselves; and be it further
       Resolved, That copies of this resolution be forwarded to 
     the members of the Illinois congressional delegation 
     immediately.
                                  ____

       POM-234. A resolution adopted by the House of the 
     Legislature of the State of Illinois relative to the proposed 
     ``Dollars to the Classroom Act''; to the Committee on Health, 
     Education, Labor, and Pensions.

                        House Resolution No. 228

       Whereas, H.R. 2 is a bill that was introduced this year in 
     the U.S. House of Representatives to send more dollars to the

[[Page S8083]]

     classroom and for certain other purposes; and
       Whereas, In this bill, Congress urges the Department of 
     Education, states, and local educational agencies to work 
     together to ensure that not less than 95% of all funds 
     appropriated for elementary and secondary education programs 
     administered by the Department of Education is spent for 
     children in their classrooms; the bill also provides for an 
     educational flexibility program under which the Secretary of 
     Education allows a State educational entity to waive 
     statutory and regulatory requirements for the State 
     educational agency or any local education agency or school 
     and provides for the modification of arbitrage rebate rules 
     applicable to bonds used to finance public schools; therefore 
     be it
       Resolved, by the House of Representatives of the Ninety-
     First General Assembly of the State of Illinois, That we urge 
     the U.S. Congress to pass H.R. 2; and be it further
       Resolved, That suitable copies of this resolution be 
     delivered to the Speaker of the U.S. House of 
     Representatives, the President pro tempore of the U.S. 
     Senate, and each member of the Illinois congressional 
     delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-235. A resolution adopted by the House of the 
     Legislature of the State of Illinois relative to the proposed 
     ``Death Tax Elimination Act''; to the Committee on Finance.

                        House Resolution No. 229

       Whereas, H.R. 8, the Death Tax Elimination Act, was 
     introduced in the House of Representatives of the 106th 
     Congress; and
       Whereas, H.R. 8 will amend the Internal Revenue Code of 
     1986 to phase out estate and gift taxes over a 10-year 
     period; and
       Whereas, The elimination of federal estate and gift taxes 
     will result in tax savings to the citizens of this State; 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, by the House of Representatives of the Ninety-
     First General Assembly of the State of Illinois, That we 
     encourage the United States Congress to pass H.R. 8; be it 
     further
       RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be 
     delivered to the President pro tempore of the United States 
     Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of 
     Representatives, and each member of the Illinois 
     congressional delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-236. A resolution adopted by the House of the 
     Legislature of the State of Illinois relative to Phase II 
     Reformulated Gasoline; to the Committee on Environment and 
     Public Works.

                        House Resolution No. 303

       Whereas, The federal Clean Air Act requires a new type of 
     motor fuel to be sold in the Nation's ozone non-attainment 
     areas beginning January 1, 2000; and
       Whereas, This new fuel is known as Phase II Reformulated 
     Gasoline or RFG; and
       Whereas, Illinois has 2 ozone non-attainment areas: the 8-
     county Chicago Metropolitan area which will have to sell 
     Phase II RFG exclusively and the 3-county Metro-east area; 
     and
       Whereas, Most of the present Phase I RFG fuel sold in the 
     Chicago Metropolitan area, through a partnership between corn 
     growers, ethanol processors, and gasoline refiners and 
     marketers, contains 10% ethanol; and
       Whereas, The Chicago RFG market accounts for 400 million 
     gallons of ethanol demand, making it the foundation of the 
     domestic ethanol industry today; and
       Whereas, The General Assembly is greatly concerned that 
     present United States Environmental Protection Agency 
     regulations for Phase II RFG could severely limit or prohibit 
     the blending of ethanol in gasoline by refiners, especially 
     in the summer months, thereby endangering the Illinois 
     ethanol industry's core market; and
       Whereas, To date, the Chicago Area and Illinois have made 
     extraordinary progress in meeting the demands of the Clean 
     Air Act, leading to greatly improved air quality, much of 
     which is attributed to the use of existing RFG fuels; and
       Whereas, The USEPA's proposed Phase II RFG regulations for 
     January 1, 2000, constitute a real threat to the economic 
     viability of Illinois; ethanol industry and Illinois' 
     gasoline refining industry; and
       Whereas, Illinois' ethanol industry supports over 50,000 
     jobs in the corn farming and ethanol processing sector, with 
     major facilities in Peoria, Decatur, and elsewhere in the 
     State; and
       Whereas, Illinois' gasoline refining and marketing industry 
     employs over 40,000 Illinois workers, including 6 major 
     refineries producing over one million barrels a day of 
     gasoline and other products in the Chicago area, St. Louis 
     area, and Southeastern Illinois location; therefore, be it
       Resolved, by the House of Representatives of the Ninety-
     First General Assembly of the State of Illinois, That we 
     encourage and support Governor George Ryan's decision to 
     immediately engage the Administrator of the United States 
     Environmental Protection Agency in a dialogue towards meeting 
     and resolving the technical challenges of using ethanol in 
     Phase II RFG; that the dialogue shall include presentation of 
     recent research data suggesting ethanol benefits and the 
     request that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency permit 
     the continued use of ethanol under phase II of the RFG 
     Program in a way that will not economically disadvantage 
     Illinois' ethanol and gasoline refining industries; and be it 
     further
       Resolved, That if urban airshed modeling is required as a 
     necessary component of the presentation to the U.S. 
     Environmental Protection Agency, the General Assembly will 
     support funding for the Illinois EPA to conduct the modeling; 
     and be it further
       Resolved, That suitable copies of this resolution be 
     delivered to the Governor, the Director of the Illinois 
     Environmental Protection Agency, the Administrator of the 
     United States Environmental Protection Agency, the President 
     of the United States, and each member of the Illinois 
     congressional delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-237. A resolution adopted by the Legislature of the 
     State of Alaska relative to the Kosovo conflict and to 
     Alaskans serving in the military forces in the area of the 
     conflict; to the Committee on Armed Services.

                       Legislative Resolve No. 20

       Whereas, Slobodan Milosevic has embarked upon a policy of 
     ethnic cleansing of Albanians in Kosovo, Yugoslavia; and
       Whereas, the actions of the Serbian military forces are a 
     humanitarian disaster in the making and are not acceptable in 
     the civilized world; and
       Whereas, the armed forces of the United States are 
     currently participating in the campaign against Serbian 
     forces in Kosovo to stop the ethnic cleansing activities; and
       Whereas, many of the United States troops that will be sent 
     to the Balkans will be pulled away from civilian lives at 
     great personal sacrifice; and
       Whereas, the Allied troops will be expected to endure many 
     uncertainties and hardships caused by separation from their 
     loved ones for months while stationed in the harsh conditions 
     of the Balkan region; and
       Whereas, the tremendous humanitarian effort being taken by 
     the Allied military force is an enormous service to mankind; 
     and
       Whereas, members of our military forces are performing 
     their mission with great dispatch, exemplifying the high 
     degree of dedication, professionalism, and training that 
     underlines the technologies and strategic superiority of 
     our military strength; and
       Whereas, many of our United States troops are in danger, 
     and the media reports that the public must be prepared to 
     accept the possibility that there will be United States 
     causalities; and
       Whereas, Alaskans in the military services have been called 
     on to participate in the Kosovo conflict and are likely to be 
     called on to serve there in increasing numbers; and
       Whereas, these Alaskans are and will be serving in the 
     interest of the United States with dedication, honor, and 
     commitment; be it
       Resolved, That the Alaska State Legislature
       (1) commends the bravery and dedication of Alaska's 
     military personnel and of all men and women who are serving 
     in the Kosovo conflict; and
       (2) applauds the extraordinary job being done by the United 
     States and Allied military forces in saving lives by setting 
     up tents and establishing refugee camps; and be it further
       Resolved, That the members of the Alaska State Legislature 
     express their heartfelt concern for the safety of the United 
     States military personnel in the conflict, and of the 
     refugees who are fleeing Kosovo, and, therefore, urge 
     President Clinton and the Congress to use whatever means 
     available to bring the conflict to an end as soon as possible 
     and in a manner that will help secure a just and lasting 
     peace in the region; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Alaska State Legislature requests the 
     Alaska Legislative Council to direct the Legislative Affairs 
     Agency to send the following message to all Alaskans and 
     military personnel stationed in Alaska who are serving in the 
     United States armed forces in the Kosovo conflict: ``The 
     members of the Alaska State Legislature thank you heartily 
     for your efforts in stopping the barbaric actions of Slobodan 
     Milosevic in Kosovo and for laying a foundation for a just 
     and lasting peace in the region. We commend your bravery and 
     dedication. We wish you a safe and speedy return home.''
       Copies of this resolution shall be sent to the Honorable 
     Bill Clinton, President of the United States; the Honorable 
     Al Gore Jr., Vice-President of the United States and 
     President of the U.S. Senate; the Honorable Strom Thurmond, 
     President Pro Tempore of the U.S. Senate; the Honorable J. 
     Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives; 
     the Honorable William S. Cohen, Secretary of Defense; to the 
     Honorable Ted Stevens and the Honorable Frank Murkowski, U.S. 
     Senators; and the Honorable Don Young, U.S. Representative; 
     Brigadier General Dean Cash, Commanding General, U.S. Army, 
     Alaska; Brigadier General Phillip Oates, Adjutant General, 
     Alaska National Guard; and Colonel George Cannelos, Director, 
     Alaska Air National Guard.

                          ____________________