[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 93 (Tuesday, July 18, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7152-S7159]
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-566. A resolution adopted by the House of the General 
     Assembly of the State of Illinois relative to the financial 
     structure of the Coal Act; to the Committee on Finance.

                        House Resolution No. 564

       Whereas, Illinois is a coal-producing and coal-consuming 
     State that has benefitted tremendously from the hard, 
     dangerous work of retired coal miners; and
       Whereas, The United States government entered into a 
     contract with the coal miners in 1946 that created the United 
     Mine Workers of America Health and Retirement Funds; and
       Whereas, This contract was signed in the White House in a 
     ceremony with President Harry Truman; and
       Whereas, A federal commission established by U.S. Secretary 
     of Labor Elizabeth Dole concluded in 1990: ``Retired coal 
     miners have legitimate expectations of health care benefits 
     for life; that was the promise they received during their 
     working lives and that is now they planned their retirement 
     years. That commitment should be honored.''; and
       Whereas, This promise became law in 1992 when Congress 
     passed, and President George Bush signed, the Coal Industry 
     Retiree Health Benefit Act (the Coal Act); and
       Whereas, The Coal Act reiterated the promise of lifetime 
     health benefits for retired coal miners and their dependents; 
     and
       Whereas, Congress intended the Coal Act to:
       ``(1) remedy problems with the provision and funding of 
     health care benefits with respect to the beneficiaries of 
     multiemployer benefit plans that provide health care benefits 
     to retirees in the coal industry;
       (2) allow for sufficient operating assets for such plans; 
     and
       (3) provide for the continuation of a privately financed 
     self-sufficient program for the delivery of health care 
     benefits to the beneficiaries of such plans''; and
       Whereas, Certain court decisions have eroded the financial 
     structure that Congress put in place under the Coal Act; and

[[Page S7153]]

       Whereas, These court decisions have placed the continued 
     provision of health benefits to retired coal miners in 
     jeopardy; therefore, be it
       Resolved, by the House of Representatives of the Ninety-
     First General Assembly of the State of Illinois, That we urge 
     the Congress and the Executive Branch of the United States to 
     work together to reform the financial structure of the Coal 
     Act and to ensure that retired coal miners continue to 
     receive the health care benefits they were promised and so 
     rightly deserve; and be it further
       Resolved, That suitable copies of this resolution be sent 
     to the President of the United States and to each member of 
     the Illinois congressional delegation.
       POM-567. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico relative to 
     market access concerning China; to the Committee on Finance.

                               Resolution

       In agriculture, tariffs on U.S. priority products, such as 
     beef, dairy and citrus fruits, will drop from an average of 
     31% to 14% in January 2004. China will also expand access for 
     bulk agricultural products such as wheat, corn, cotton, 
     soybeans and others; allow for the first time private trade 
     in said products; and eliminate export subsidies. In 
     manufactures, Chinese industrial tariffs will fall from an 
     average of 25% in 1997 to 9.4% in 2005. In information 
     technology, tariffs on products such as computers, 
     semiconductors, and all Internet-related equipment will fall 
     to zero by 2005. In services, China will open markets for 
     distribution, telecommunications, insurance, express 
     delivery, banking, law, accounting, audiovisual, engineering, 
     construction, environmental services, and other industries.
       At present, China severely restricts trading rights, i.e., 
     the right to import and export, as well as the ability to own 
     and operate distribution networks, which are essential in 
     order to move goods and compete effectively in any market. 
     Under the proposed agreement, China will phase in such 
     trading rights and distribution services over three (3) 
     years, and also open up sectors related to distribution 
     services, such as repair and maintenance, warehousing, 
     trucking and air courier services. This will allow American 
     businesses to export directly to China and to have their own 
     distribution network in China, rather than being forced to 
     set up factories in China to sell products through Chinese 
     partners, as has been frequently the case until now.
       At the same time, the proposed agreement offers China no 
     increased access to American markets. The United States 
     agrees only to maintain the market access policies that 
     already apply to China, and have for over twenty (20) years, 
     by making China's current Normal Trade Relations status 
     permanent. WTO rules require that members accord each other 
     such status on an unconditional basis.
       If Congress does not grant China ``Permanent Normal Trade 
     Relations'' status, our European, Asian, Canadian and Latin 
     American competitors will reap the benefits of China's WTO 
     accession, but China would not be required to accord these 
     benefits to the United States.
       In addition to purely economic considerations, China's 
     accession to the WTO will promote reform, greater individual 
     freedom, and strengthen the rule of law in China, which is 
     why the commitments already made represent a remarkable 
     victory for Chinese economic reformers. Furthermore, WTO 
     accession will give the Chinese people greater access to 
     information, and weaken the ability of hardliners in the 
     Chinese government to isolate China's public from outside 
     ideas and influences. In view of these facts, it is not 
     surprising that many of China's and Hong Kong's activists for 
     democracy and human rights--including Martin Lee, the leader 
     of Hong Kong's Democratic Party, and Ren Wanding, a prominent 
     dissident who has spent many years of his life in prison--see 
     China's WTO accession as the most important step toward 
     reform in the past two decades.
       Finally, WTO accession will increase the chance that in the 
     new century, China will be an integral part of the 
     international system, abiding by accepted rules of 
     international behavior, rather than remain outside the 
     system, denying or ignoring such rules. From the U.S. 
     perspective, PNTR advances the American people's larger 
     interest to bring China into international agreements and 
     institutions that can make it a more constructive player in 
     the current world, with a significant stake in preserving 
     peace and stability.
       For all of the above considerations, the Senate of Puerto 
     Rico joins in urging the President and the Congress of the 
     United States to pass a Permanent Normal Trade Relations 
     (``PNTR'') agreement with China at the earliest possible 
     moment, which will provide American farmers, workers and 
     industries with substantially greater access to the Chinese 
     market, to the ultimate benefit of the U.S. economy in 
     general and the American people in particular. Be it
       Resolved by the Senate of Puerto Rico:
       Section 1.--To urge the President and the Congress of the 
     United States to approve a Permanent Normal Trade Relations 
     (``PNTR'') agreement with China at the earliest possible date 
     in order to promote security an prosperity for American 
     farmers, workers and industries by providing substantially 
     greater access to the Chinese market.
       Section 2.--This Resolution will be officially notified to 
     the Honorable William Jefferson Clinton, President of the 
     United States, to the Honorable Albert Gore, Jr., Vice-
     President of the United States, to the Honorable Trent Lott, 
     United States Senate Majority Leader, and to the Honorable J. 
     Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the United States House of 
     Representatives, as well as selected Members of the United 
     States Congress.
       Section 3.--This Resolution will be publicized by making 
     copies thereof available to the local, state and national 
     media.
       Section 4.--This Resolution will become effective 
     immediately upon its approval by the Senate of Puerto Rico.
                                  ____

       POM-568. A resolution adopted by the House of the General 
     Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia relative to the 
     financial structure of the ``Coal Act''; to the Committee on 
     Finance.

                         House Resolution No. 6

       Whereas, the Commonwealth of Virginia is a coal-producing 
     and coal-consuming state that has benefited tremendously from 
     the hard, dangerous work of retired coal miners; and
       Whereas, the United States government entered into a 
     contract with coal miners in 1946 that created the United 
     Mine Workers of America Health and Retirement Funds; and
       Whereas, this contract was signed in the White House in a 
     ceremony with President Harry Truman; and
       Whereas, a federal commission established by United States 
     Secretary of Labor Elizabeth Dole concluded in 1990 that 
     ``retired coal miners have legitimate expectations of health 
     care benefits for life; that was the promise they received 
     during their working lives and that is how they planned their 
     retirement years. That commitment should be honored''; and
       Whereas, this promise became law in 1992 when Congress 
     passed, and President George Bush signed, the Coal Industry 
     Retiree Health Benefit Act (the Coal Act); and
       Whereas, the Coal Act reiterated the promise of lifetime 
     health benefits for retired coal miners and their dependents; 
     and
       Whereas, Congress intended the Coal Act ``(1) to remedy 
     problems with the provision and funding of health care 
     benefits with respect to the beneficiaries of multiemployer 
     benefit plans that provide health care benefits to retirees 
     in the coal industry; (2) to allow for sufficient operating 
     assets for such plans; and (3) to provide for the 
     continuation of a privately financed self-sufficient program 
     for the delivery of health care benefits to the beneficiaries 
     of such plans''; and
       Whereas, certain court decisions have eroded the financial 
     structure that Congress put in place under the Coal Act; and
       Whereas, these court decisions have placed the continued 
     provision of health benefits to retired coal miners in 
     jeopardy; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Delegates, That the President and 
     the Congress of the United States be urged to work together 
     to reform the financial structure of the Coal Act to ensure 
     that retired coal miners continue to receive the health care 
     benefits they were promised and so rightly deserve; 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 in 
     order that they may be apprised of the sense of the General 
     Assembly of Virginia in this matter.
                                  ____

       POM-569. A joint resolution adopted by the General Assembly 
     of the Commonwealth of Virginia relative to the Trade Act of 
     1974; to the Committee on Finance.

                     House Joint Resolution No. 284

       Whereas, the Trade Act of 1974 established a statutory 
     framework for providing transitional adjustment assistance to 
     employees displaced due to increased importation of 
     competitive products; and
       Whereas, the adoption by Congress of the North American 
     Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) included the establishment of a 
     transitional adjustment assistance program in the event that 
     imports of competitive goods from Canada or Mexico are an 
     important contribution to workers' separation; and
       Whereas, since the adoption of NAFTA, the number of imports 
     from Canada and Mexico of products directly competitive with 
     products manufactured in the United States has increased; and
       Whereas, many manufacturing plants in the United States 
     have displaced workers or closed entirely due to increased 
     competition from imported products; and
       Whereas, American workers have had difficultly finding 
     similar employment and need retraining services to be 
     qualified for other types of employment; and
       Whereas, the current length of time for retraining benefits 
     under the Trade Act is inadequate for most Americans to 
     complete retraining programs; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, 
     That the Congress of the United States be urged to amend that 
     portion of the Trade Act of 1974 establishing the North 
     American Free Trade Agreement Transitional Adjustment 
     Assistance Program to extend the maximum time period for 
     receipt of benefits from 52 weeks to 78 weeks; and, be it

[[Page S7154]]

       Resolved further, That the General Asssembly of Virginia 
     most fervently urge and encourage each state legislative body 
     of the United States of America to enact this resolution, or 
     one similar in context and form, as a show of solidarity in 
     petitioning the federal government for greater benefits to 
     workers displaced due to the adoption of NAFTA; and be it
       Resolved finally, That the Clerk of the House of Delegation 
     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, 
     each member of the Virginia Congressional Delegation, and to 
     the presiding officer of each house of each state legislative 
     body in the United States of America.
                                  ____

       POM-570. A joint resolution adopted by the General Assembly 
     of the Commonwealth of Virginia relative to the North 
     American Free Trade Agreement transitional adjustment 
     assistance; to the Committee on Finance.

                     House Joint Resolution No. 283

       Whereas, ratification of the NAFTA treaty was a 
     congressional policy decision which could benefit the 
     continent as a whole; and
       Whereas, one of the effects of NAFTA has been to set the 
     United States and other countries on the road to economic 
     globalization; and
       Whereas, professional economists continue to analyze and to 
     debate the efficacy of economic globalization; and
       Whereas, however, professional economists and most policy 
     makers are not directly or dramatically affected by economic 
     globalization; and
       Whereas, although the United States continues to experience 
     economic prosperity, pockets of the United States and 
     Virginia have not benefited from the financial boom; and
       Whereas, when plants close because of out-sourcing of labor 
     costs to other countries, the people who lose their jobs are 
     not likely to feel sympathy for the benefits of a global 
     economy to the rest of the country or the Commonwealth; and
       Whereas, these displaced workers are frequently entitled to 
     elect such benefits as the 18-month COBRA extension of health 
     care insurance coverage; and
       Whereas, the costs of the COBRA extension are often beyond 
     the means of unemployed individuals with families; and
       Whereas, those individuals who lose their jobs because of 
     the effects of NAFTA and globalization are tax-paying and 
     responsible citizens who, through no fault of their own, must 
     face an uncertain future in the new millennium that may 
     include retraining, the search for new employment, and 
     inadequate access to health care; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, 
     That the Congress of the United States be urged to enhance 
     the benefits for individuals eligible for North American Free 
     Trade Agreement (NAFTA) transitional adjustment assistance by 
     providing expanded and short-term eligibility for medical 
     assistance services to such individuals and their families; 
     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 Virginia 
     Congressional Delegation in order that they may be apprised 
     of the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia in this 
     matter.
                                  ____

       POM-571. A resolution adopted by the House of the 
     Legislature of Louisiana relative to a multiyear 
     reauthorization of the Coastal Wetlands Planning, 
     Protections, and Restoration Act; to the Committee on 
     Environment and Public Works.

                         House Resolution No. 6

       Whereas, the Coastal Wetlands Planning Protection and 
     Restoration Act (CWPPRA) has been the keystone of state and 
     federal efforts to restore Louisiana's disappearing coastal 
     lands; and
       Whereas, it is essential to successfully build on and 
     improve the coastal stewardship campaign that holds and 
     secures the resources, communities, and economies dependent 
     upon the barrier shorelines, wetlands, fisheries, and 
     estuaries of our coastal zone; and
       Whereas, it is vital to the interests of Louisiana and this 
     nation that CWPPRA and the efforts it has authorized and 
     funded be continued; and
       Whereas, the United States Senate has already passed a 
     multiyear reauthorization of CWPPRA. Therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives of the 
     Legislature of Louisiana does hereby memorialize congress 
     that it is in the urgent best interests of the state of 
     Louisiana and of the United States of America to pass a 
     multiyear reauthorization of the Coastal Wetlands Planning, 
     Protection, and Restoration Act. Be it further
       Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to 
     the presiding officers of the Senate and the House of 
     Representatives of the Congress of the United States of 
     America and to each member of the Louisiana congressional 
     delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-572. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the State of Michigan relative to Michigan's 
     Remedial Action Plans; to the Committee on Environment and 
     Public Works.

                       Senate Resolution No. 133

       Whereas, the United States-Canada Great Lakes Water Quality 
     Agreement of 1972, as amended, provided for the designation 
     of Areas of Concern in need of remedial actions to address 
     documented pollution problems; and
       Whereas, Fourteen Areas of Concern have been designated in 
     Michigan, each with a Remedial Action Plan process that 
     coordinates and focuses the efforts of multiple levels of 
     government and other stakeholders; and
       Whereas, Many of Michigan's Remedial Action Plans are 
     entering the implementation phase, when funding for technical 
     guidance and coordination by state agency staff is critically 
     important; and
       Whereas, The United States Environmental Protection Agency 
     (EPA) has traditionally supported state Area of Concern 
     efforts. This is consistent with the EPA's responsibilities 
     under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement; and
       Whereas, Funding through the EPA is vital to leveraging 
     funding through the Clean Michigan Initiative environmental 
     bond program to implement measurable environmental 
     improvements in Michigan's fourteen Areas of Concern; now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate, That we memorialize the Congress of 
     the United States to reaffirm its support for and federal 
     role in the Areas of Concern program by allocating a minimum 
     of $7.5 million for the Great Lakes Areas of Concern in 
     Fiscal Year 2001; and be it further
       Resolved, That we urge that no less than $1.0 million of 
     this total be allocated by the EPA for efforts within the 
     state of Michigan to develop and implement Remedial Action 
     Plans and associated activities under the Great Lakes Water 
     Quality Agreement; and be it further
       Resolved, That we urge that these funds be allocated to 
     provide no less than $700,000 for Michigan Department of 
     Environmental Quality staff; $125,000 for Statewide Public 
     Advisory Council activities; and $175,000 for support to 
     individual Public Advisory Councils within the Areas of 
     Concern; and be it further
       Resolved, That we urge that funding support for the EPA be 
     used to leverage substantial resources from the Clean 
     Michigan Initiative environmental bond program for 
     contaminated sediment remediation, nonpoint source pollution 
     control, brownfields redevelopment, and other critical 
     efforts; and be it further
       Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to 
     the Administrator of the EPA, the EPA's Region 5 office, the 
     EPA's Great Lakes National Program Office, the International 
     Joint Commission, 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-573. A resolution adopted by the County of Ocean, New 
     Jersey relative to halt the dumping of dredge materials; to 
     the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
       POM-574. A resolution adopted by the Council of Stafford 
     Township, New Jersey relative to the prohibiting of ocean 
     dumping of dredged material; to the Committee on Environment 
     and Public Works.
       POM-575. A resolution adopted by the Township of 
     Eagleswood, New Jersey relative to the halting of dumping of 
     dredged material; to the Committee on Environment and Public 
     Works.
       POM-576. A resolution adopted by the Council of the Borough 
     of Barnegat Light, New Jersey relative to ocean dumping; to 
     the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
       POM-577. A resolution adopted by the Township of Stafford, 
     New Jersey relative to the dumping of dredge spoils at the 
     Historic Area Remediation Site; to the Committee on 
     Environment and Public Works.
       POM-578. A resolution adopted by the Township Committee of 
     Dover, New Jersey relative to the halting of dumping at the 
     Historic Area Remediation Site; to the Committee on 
     Environment and Public Works.
       POM-579. A resolution adopted by the Council of Borough of 
     Barnegat Light, New Jersey relative to the dumping of 
     contaminated dredged material; to the Committee on 
     Environment and Public Works.
       POM-580. A resolution adopted by the Board of Commissioners 
     of the Borough of Beach Haven, New Jersey relative to the 
     ``Mud Dump site''; to the Committee on Environment and Public 
     Works.
       POM-581. A resolution adopted by the Council of the Borough 
     of Ship Bottom, New Jersey relative to the Historic Area 
     Remediation Site; to the Committee on Environment and Public 
     Works.
       POM-582. A resolution adopted by the Legislature of the 
     State of New York relative to the Boundary Waters Treaty Act; 
     to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

                               Resolution

       Whereas, Water is a critical resource that is essential for 
     all forms of life and for a broad range of economic and 
     social activities; and
       Whereas, The Great Lakes support 33 million people as well 
     as a diversity of the plant and animal populations; and
       Whereas, The Great Lakes contain roughly 20% of the world's 
     freshwater and 95% of the freshwater of the United States; 
     and
       Whereas, The Great Lakes are predominantly non-renewable 
     resources with approximately only 1% of their water renewed

[[Page S7155]]

     annually by precipitation, surface water runoff and inflow 
     from groundwater sources; and
       Whereas, The Great Lakes Basin is an integrated and fragile 
     ecosystem with its surface and groundwater resources a part 
     of a single hydrologic system, which should be dealt with as 
     a whole in ways that take into account water quantity, water 
     quality and ecosystem integrity; and
       Whereas, Sound science must be the basis for water resource 
     management policies and strategies; and
       Whereas, Scientific information supports the conclusion 
     that a relatively small volume of water permanently removed 
     from sensitive habitats may have grave ecological 
     consequences; and
       Whereas, Single and cumulative bulk removals of water from 
     drainage basins such as interbasin transfers, reduce the 
     resiliency of a system and its capacity to cope with future, 
     unpredictable stresses, including potential introduction of 
     non-native species and diseases to receiving waters; and
       Whereas, There is uncertainty about the availability of 
     Great Lakes water in the future--in light of previous 
     variations in climactic conditions, climate change, demands 
     on water--cautions should be used in managing water to 
     protect the resource for the future; and
       Whereas, A report from The International Joint Commission, 
     released March 15, 2000, recommends that Canadian and U.S. 
     federal, provincial and state governments should not permit 
     the removal of water from the Great Lakes Basin unless the 
     proponent can demonstrate that the removal will not endanger 
     the integrity of the Great Lakes Ecosystem; and
       Whereas, Canada has already introduced legislation to amend 
     the Boundary Waters Treaty Act to prohibit bulk water 
     withdrawals from the Great Lakes; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That this Legislative Body pause in its 
     deliberations to urge the New York State Congressional 
     Delegation to effectuate an amendment to the Boundary Waters 
     Treaty Act to prohibit bulk water withdrawals from the Great 
     Lakes to preserve the integrity and environmental stability 
     of the Great Lakes; and be it further
       Resolved, That copies of this Resolution, suitably 
     engrossed, be transmitted to each member of the United States 
     Congressional Delegation of the State of New York; to the 
     Vice President of the United States in his capacity as 
     President of the United States Senate; to the Speaker of the 
     United States House of Representatives; to the Clerk of the 
     United States House of Representatives; to the Secretary of 
     the United States Senate; and to the Administrator of the 
     United States Environmental Protection Agency.
                                  ____

       POM-583. A joint resolution adopted by the General Assembly 
     of the Commonwealth of Virginia relative to the proposed 
     ``Solid Waste Interstate Transportation and Local Authority 
     Act''; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

                     House Joint Resolution No. 385

       Whereas, recent reports issued by the Department on 
     Environmental Quality reveal that Virginia is currently the 
     second largest importer of municipal solid waste from other 
     states in the nation, second only to Pennsylvania, and is 
     currently importing approximately four million tons of 
     municipal solid waste from other states; and
       Whereas, the amount of municipal solid waste being imported 
     into Virginia from other states is expected to increase in 
     coming years due to the impending closure of the Fresh Kills 
     Landfill in New York; and
       Whereas, the importation of significant amounts of 
     municipal solid waste from other states is prematurely 
     exhausting Virginia's limited landfill capacity; and
       Whereas, the importation of significant amounts of 
     municipal solid waste from other states has created many 
     short-term environmental problems for Virginia as a result of 
     an increase in the number of garbage trucks on its roads and 
     an increase in the number of garbage barges on its rivers; 
     and
       Whereas, the importation of significant amounts of 
     municipal solid waste from other states creates serious long-
     term environmental problems for Virginia; and
       Whereas, the importation of significant amounts of 
     municipal solid waste from other states is inconsistent with 
     Virginia's efforts to promote the Commonwealth as a national 
     and international destination of tourism and high-tech 
     economic development; and
       Whereas, the Commerce Clause of the United States 
     Constitution and the interpretation and application of the 
     Commerce Clause by the United States Supreme Court and other 
     federal courts with respect to interstate solid waste 
     transportation have left Virginia and other states with 
     limited alternatives in regulating, limiting or prohibiting 
     the importation of municipal solid waste from other states; 
     and
       Whereas, it is the belief of the General Assembly of 
     Virginia that state and local governments should be given 
     more authority to control the importation of municipal solid 
     waste into their jurisdictions; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, 
     That the Congress of the United States be urged to enact the 
     Solid Waste Interstate Transportation and Local Authority Act 
     of 1999 (HR 1190) that gives state and local governments 
     additional authority to regulator the importation of 
     municipal solid waste into their jurisdictions; 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 Virginia 
     Congressional Delegation in order that they may be apprised 
     of the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia in this 
     matter.
                                  ____

       POM-584. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of California relative to homelessness; to the 
     Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

                    Assembly Joint Resolution No. 39

       Whereas, Homelessness has been steadily increasing for 
     several years and constitutes, especially for the mentally 
     ill, an archaic form of human misery that can no longer be 
     tolerated in this, the world's greatest and most responsive 
     democracy; and
       Whereas, Homelessness creates a sizable drain on social and 
     economic resources and is a frustration to legitimate 
     commerce and an obstacle to community development; and
       Whereas, Prevention of future homelessness will pay great 
     dividends to American society that will more than justify the 
     effort and costs of instituting a national plan for the 
     homeless; and
       Whereas, Health and social services, as well as welfare 
     institutions, are now faced with the urgent necessity of 
     creating new avenues of cooperation, coordination, and mutual 
     support, and there is a nationwide need for new 
     concentrations of community outreach, and active, aggressive 
     provision of services, for the treatment and prevention of 
     homelessness and of mental illness among the homeless; and
       Whereas, A number of recent studies, all reliable, broadly-
     based, and conducted independently of one another, reveal 
     that American homeless persons number over two and one-half 
     million at any given time, and fall into one or more of the 
     following general categories:
       (a) Women and their children;
       (b) The mentally ill;
       (c) Military veterans;
       (d) Drug and/or alcohol addicts;
       (e) Parolees or probationers;
       (f) HIV/Aids victims;
       (g) Functionally illiterate persons or others with 
     incomplete educations;
       (h) Newly-evicted working poor; and
       (i) Welfare recipients for whom aid has been reduced or 
     curtailed; and
       Whereas, The causes of homelessness are numerous and 
     complex and therefore the cure cannot be simplistic and 
     cannot exclusively address any single issue or causative 
     factor; and
       Whereas, Due to a lack of resources, many local 
     governments, particularly cities and counties throughout the 
     State of California and nationwide, have increasingly relied 
     upon law enforcement or the enactment or enforcement of 
     municipal codes and ordinances to address the behavioral 
     aspects of homelessness. This approach has resulted in public 
     policy that focuses on a person's status as homeless, instead 
     of focusing on the obstacles that need to be overcome to 
     solve the problem of homelessness; and
       Whereas, It is absolutely necessary that any meaningful, 
     comprehensive plan for the eradication or significant 
     reduction of homelessness be instituted at the federal level 
     because successful local model projects will not achieve 
     permanence and uniform consistency unless they are integrated 
     into a national strategy; and
       Whereas, The number of homeless men, women, and children 
     throughout the United States is increasing at an alarming 
     rate; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Assembly and Senate of the State of 
     California, jointly, That the Legislature calls for, 
     endorses, and supports a comprehensive national plan to end 
     homelessness, and urges the President of the United States, 
     Congress, and other relevant federal agencies to develop and 
     implement a comprehensive plan to end homelessness; and be it 
     further
       Resolved, That the President of the United States is 
     requested to convene a National Commission on Homelessness, 
     nonpartisan and broadly representative in composition, with 
     the specific mission of developing a comprehensive strategic 
     plan for addressing homelessness, its causes, and its 
     prevention nationwide; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit 
     copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President 
     of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives, and to each Senator and Representative from 
     California in the Congress of the United States.
                                  ____

       POM-585. A resolution adopted by the Legislature of the 
     State of California relative to Ryan White CARE Act; to the 
     Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

                    Assembly Joint Resolution No. 47

       Whereas, In California, as of January 1, 1999, more than 
     110,000 individuals have been infected with the expanding 
     pandemic known as acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS); 
     and
       Whereas, The State of California created an Office of AIDS 
     within the State Department of Health Services to proactively 
     address issues relating to the human immunodeficiency virus 
     (HIV) and AIDS; and
       Whereas, This office directly administers the expenditure 
     of federal and state funds to combat the disease; and

[[Page S7156]]

       Whereas, Due to advancements in pharmaceutical therapies 
     and an increasing focus on early intervention and treatment, 
     the number of individuals living with HIV has grown 
     significantly; and
       Whereas, For many, the progression from HIV to an AIDS 
     diagnosis has slowed considerably as a result of these 
     therapies; and
       Whereas, It is estimated that more than 44,000 California 
     residents are currently living with AIDS, 15 percent of the 
     nationwide total of 288,000; and
       Whereas, It is estimated by the Centers for Disease Control 
     and Prevention that there are 40,000 new HIV infections 
     annually in the United States and that California accounts 
     for one-fifth, or 8,000, of these infections; and
       Whereas, Approximately one-third of Californians with HIV 
     disease are unaware of their diagnosis and tens of thousands 
     of individuals know they are HIV-positive but are not 
     receiving care regularly; and
       Whereas, The number of annual AIDS deaths in California 
     dropped 51 percent between 1996 and 1997; however, between 
     1997 and 1998, deaths dropped by only 27 percent; and
       Whereas, HIV/AIDS in California has a significant impact on 
     communities of color, gay and bisexual men, and women, as 
     well as low-income and other underserved communities; and
       Whereas, As many as one-half of new HIV infections occur in 
     people under the age of 25 years; one in four are in young 
     people under age 22 years; and
       Whereas, Increasingly, some individuals with HIV disease 
     have also been diagnosed with substance abuse or mental 
     illness; and
       Whereas, Substance abuse is a factor in well over 50 
     percent of new HIV infections in some cities; and
       Whereas, California looks to the federal government to 
     assist the state in meeting the expanding health care and 
     social service needs of people living with HIV disease; and
       Whereas, The Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources 
     Emergency (CARE) Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 300ff et seq.) was first 
     adopted by the Congress in 1990; and
       Whereas, The Ryan White CARE Act expires on September 30, 
     2000; and
       Whereas, Since its inception, the Ryan White CARE Act has 
     ensured the delivery of medical care and treatment as well as 
     essential support services to tens of thousands of 
     Californians including medical examinations, laboratory 
     procedures and evaluations, drug therapy, dental care, case 
     management, home health and hospice care, transportation, 
     housing, legal assistance, benefits education and assistance, 
     treatment education and adherence, nutrition therapy, and 
     mental health and substance abuse counseling; and
       Whereas, Under federal law, the Ryan White CARE Act is 
     designated as the provider of last resort; therefore, it is 
     recognized as a critical safety net program for low-income, 
     uninsured, or underinsured individuals; and
       Whereas, The federal budget for the 2000 fiscal year 
     contains increased funding for the Ryan White CARE Act, a 
     significant portion of which is dedicated to California; and
       Whereas, Title I of the Ryan White CARE Act currently 
     provides emergency assistance to the 51 United States 
     metropolitan areas most heavily impacted by the AIDS 
     epidemic, of which nine are in California, the most in the 
     United States; and
       Whereas, The Ryan White CARE Act has enabled local 
     communities receiving Title I funding to tailor the delivery 
     of services that best meet the needs of their residents who 
     are affected by HIV/AIDS; and
       Whereas, California receives funding under Title II of the 
     Ryan White CARE Act for care and treatment and social 
     services, a significant portion of which pays for life-
     extending and life-saving pharmaceuticals under California's 
     AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP); and
       Whereas, Title III of the Ryan White CARE Act provides 
     funding to public and private nonprofit entities for 
     outpatient early intervention and primary care services; and
       Whereas, Title IV of the Ryan White CARE Act has focused on 
     women, children, youth, and families, and has increased 
     access to medical care and support services for persons under 
     25 years of age living with HIV or AIDS; and
       Whereas, The Ryan White CARE Act Dental Reimbursement 
     Program (Title VI) reimburses eligible dental schools and 
     postdoctoral dental education programs for the reported, 
     uncompensated costs of oral health care to people living with 
     HIV; and
       Whereas, The goal of the Ryan White CARE Act Special 
     Projects of National Significance (SPNS) Program (Title VI) 
     is to advance knowledge about the care and treatment of 
     persons living with HIV/AIDS by providing time-limited grants 
     to assess models for delivering health and support services, 
     and SPNS projects have supported the development of 
     innovative service models for HIV care to provide health and 
     social services to communities of color and hard-to-reach 
     populations in California; and
       Whereas, A network of 14 regional AIDS Education and 
     Training Centers (AETCs), along with local performance sites, 
     were funded under Title VI of the Ryan White CARE Act; and
       Whereas, These AETCs train clinical health care providers, 
     provide consultation and technical assistance, and 
     disseminate ever-changing information to health care 
     professionals on the effective management of HIV infection; 
     now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of 
     California, jointly, That the Legislature affirms its support 
     of the Ryan White CARE Act, and urges the Congress and the 
     President of the United States to expeditiously reauthorize 
     the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) 
     Act in order to ensure that the expanding medical care and 
     support service needs of individuals living with HIV disease 
     are met; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit 
     copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President 
     of the United States, the Senate Majority and Minority 
     Leaders, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the 
     House Minority Leader, the Chairpersons and ranking minority 
     members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, 
     Appropriations, and Budget Committees, to the Chairpersons 
     and ranking minority members of the House Commerce, 
     Appropriations, and Budget Committees, and to each Senator 
     and Representative from California in the Congress of the 
     United States.
                                  ____

       POM-586. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Louisiana relative to an autism working 
     group; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
     Pensions.

                   House Concurrent Resolution No. 74

       Whereas, autism results in severe problems in 
     communication, social interaction, and impulse control 
     disorders, including repetitive and sometimes bizarre actions 
     and interests; and
       Whereas, according to estimates from the National Institute 
     of Mental Health, autism affects as many as two in every one 
     thousand Americans; and
       Whereas, families are often devastated by the effects of 
     dealing with children with autism; and
       Whereas, according to information from the National 
     Institute of Mental Health, lack of a common diagnostic 
     scheme from autism, which is critical for comparing research 
     data, has posed a major challenge to science; and
       Whereas, current research on autism is inconclusive as to 
     its causes and treatment, and there is no biological test to 
     confirm its diagnosis; and
       Whereas, at the present time, there is no specific 
     biological marker for autism and no cure; and
       Whereas, the cost of health and educational services to 
     those affected by autism exceeds three billion dollars per 
     year, according to estimates from the National Institute of 
     Mental Health; and
       Whereas, the National Institutes of Health has as its 
     mission health research to promote the general welfare of the 
     citizens of the United States. Therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby 
     memorialize the Congress of the United States to take such 
     actions as are necessary to commission the National 
     Institutes of Health to assemble an autism working group to 
     update its 1997 research report on the causes, diagnosis, and 
     treatment of autism. Be it further
       Resolved, That such working group shall be composed of 
     distinguished scientists for the purpose of assessing the 
     state of science in autism and related areas by assembling 
     the disciplines, expertise, and subject populations needed to 
     address scientific questions beyond the resources of a single 
     investigator or research team. Be it further
       Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to 
     the presiding officers of the Senate and the House of 
     Representatives of the Congress of the United States of 
     America, each member of the Louisiana congressional 
     delegation, the directors of the National Institutes of 
     health, the National Institute of Child Health and Human 
     Development, the National Institute on Deafness and other 
     Communication Disorders, the National Institute of Mental 
     Health, and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders 
     and Stroke.
                                  ____

       POM-587. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Louisiana relative to high quality health 
     care; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
     Pensions.

                   House Concurrent Resolution No. 81

       Whereas, an immediate health care crisis exists in the 
     United States and in the state of Louisiana; and
       Whereas, citizens of our state and nation are sometimes 
     denied access to necessary health care services due to the 
     financial practices of health maintenance organizations and 
     other managed care entities, the utilization of managed care 
     by health insurers, and the lack of adequate medical 
     facilities in many communities nationwide; and
       Whereas, the guiding principles of United States health 
     care policy, as provided in the Hill-Burton Act, 42 U.S.C. 
     291 et seq., have been steadily undermined by the concept of 
     managed health care; and
       Whereas, a primary purpose of the Hill-Burton Act is to 
     assist states in ``furnishing adequate hospital, clinic, or 
     similar services to all their people'' by tying certain 
     federal funding to commitments by health care facilities ``to 
     make available a reasonable volume of services to persons 
     unable to pay therefor''; and
       Whereas, the state of Louisiana, as a result of its climate 
     and geographical location, is not only a crossroads for 
     international trade and commerce but also subject to a range 
     of threats to the public health, as indicated by

[[Page S7157]]

     Louisiana being placed on the ``watch list'' for dengue 
     fever, which potentially compound the already existing public 
     health crisis; and
       Whereas, the current health care delivery system in 
     Louisiana, including the Department of Health and Hospitals 
     and the state's charity hospital system, is currently unable 
     to fulfill the full health care needs of all of this state's 
     residents; and
       Whereas, under the preamble to the Constitution of the 
     United States, the federal government is required to 
     ``promote the general welfare'', which thus necessitates 
     action by the federal government to address the current 
     health care crisis; and
       Whereas, the United States is rightfully a signatory to 
     international declarations and covenants, including the 
     Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations, 
     which establish the universal right to adequate health care 
     and require governments to take steps to assure access to 
     quality medical health care. Therefore be it
       Resolved, That the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby 
     memorialize the United States Congress to take such actions 
     as are necessary to establish and affirm that every citizen 
     of this nation has the right to high quality health care. Be 
     if further
       Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to 
     the presiding officers of the Senate and the house of 
     Representatives of the Congress of the United States of 
     America and to each member of the Louisiana congressional 
     delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-588. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of New Hampshire relative to integration of 
     people with disabilities; to the Committee on Health, 
     Education, Labor, and Pensions.

                     House Concurrent Resolution 24

       Whereas, thousands of people with disabilities live in New 
     Hampshire; and
       Whereas, the overwhelming majority of people with 
     disabilities want the right to choose where they live and to 
     receive support services; and
       Whereas, the overwhelming majority of people with 
     disabilities want to live and receive support services in 
     home and community settings; and
       Whereas, many people with disabilities are on waiting lists 
     for home and community services; and
       Whereas, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was 
     passed as a civil rights act to protect the rights of people 
     with disabilities; and
       Whereas, the ADA's ``integration'' mandate requires that a 
     public entity shall administer services, programs, and 
     activities in the most integrated setting appropriate to the 
     needs of qualified individuals with disabilities; now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate 
     concurring, That the State of New Hampshire supports the 
     integration requirement of the Americans with Disabilities 
     Act; and
       That the governor and mayors remove themselves from any 
     filing of any future lawsuit by the National Governors' 
     Association or National League of Cities that opposes the 
     integration requirement in the Americans with Disabilities 
     Act; and
       That copies of this resolution signed by the speaker of the 
     house of representatives and the president of the senate be 
     forwarded by the house clerk to the Speaker of the United 
     States House of Representatives, to the President of the 
     United States Senate, and to the members of the New Hampshire 
     congressional delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-589. A resolution adopted by the General Assembly of 
     the State of New Jersey relative to private long-term care 
     insurance programs; to the Committee on Health, Education, 
     Labor, and Pensions.

                       Assembly Resolution No. 72

       Whereas, A private long-term care insurance market has 
     begun to develop in New Jersey, although it is still very 
     limited, as it is nationwide, because of the high cost of 
     purchasing such coverage; and
       Whereas, The issue of private long-term care insurance has 
     begun to receive increasing attention among both federal and 
     state policymakers, as reflected by the federal ``Health 
     Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996,'' 
     Pub.L. 104-191, which extended the federal income tax 
     deduction allowed for the payment of standard health 
     insurance plan premiums and medical expenses to the payment 
     of premiums for federally qualified long-term care insurance 
     plans, and also required these plans to satisfy certain 
     consumer protection provisions endorsed by the National 
     Association of Insurance Commissioners with respect to 
     disclosure, nonforfeitability, guaranteed renewal and 
     noncancellability; and
       Whereas, Widespread interest has been reported in the asset 
     protection feature of the New York State Partnership for 
     Long-Term Care, which is designed to assist residents of that 
     state in planning for the cost of long-term care and is 
     funded in part by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson 
     Foundation; and
       Whereas, The unique features of the New York State 
     Partnership program are that, if a person exhausts his 
     benefits under an approved long-term care insurance policy, 
     the person can apply for Medicaid without regard to the type 
     or amount of assets the person may have; and, unlike the 
     regular Medicaid program which imposes limits on the amount 
     of assets an eligible person may have in order to qualify for 
     benefits and seeks recovery from a person's estate for the 
     cost of benefits received, the Partnership program sets no 
     such limits and does not require the person's estate to repay 
     the Medicaid program benefits received for and;
       Whereas, The New York State Partnership program and similar 
     partnerships in California and Connecticut were established 
     prior to the federal ``Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 
     1993,'' Pub.L. 103-66, known as OBRA '93 which requires that 
     all states pursue liens and recoveries from the estates of 
     Medicaid recipients who received long-term care services; and
       Whereas, The effect of OBRA '93 was to nullify the asset 
     protection feature of the partnerhip program for other states 
     such as New Jersey that might wish to replicate there 
     programs, since the programs established prior to OBRA '93 
     were permitted to continue as developed but additional states 
     could not offer the asset protection incentive; and
       Whereas; The establishment by additional states of private 
     long-term care insurance programs with asset protection 
     features similar to the New York State Partnership for Long-
     Term Care could stimulate the development of an expanded 
     private long-term care insurance market which would relieve 
     the financial pressures on the Medicaid program associated 
     with funding long-term care, while also assisting many of 
     those elderly and disabled persons who deplete their life 
     savings paying for long-term care in order to qualify for 
     Medicaid coverage of their long-term care costs; and, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New 
     Jersey:
       1. This House respectfully memorialized the Congress and 
     President of the United States to enact statutory provisions 
     which would permit additional states to establish private 
     long-term care insurance programs with asset protection 
     features similar to the New York State Partnership for Long-
     Term Care, in order to stimulate the development of an 
     expanded private long-term care insurance market nationwide.
       2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by 
     the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk 
     of the General Assembly, shall be transmitted to the United 
     States Secretary of Health and Human Services, the presiding 
     officers of the United States Senate and House of 
     Representatives, and each of the members of the United States 
     Congress elected from the State of New Jersey.
                                  ____

       POM-590. A joint resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     General Assembly of the State of Tennessee relative to the 
     Occupational Safety and Health Administration's proposed 
     ergonomic standards; to the Committee on Health, Education, 
     Labor, and Pensions.

                    Senate Joint Resolution No. 610

       Whereas, Tennessee has enacted a comprehensive workers' 
     compensation system with incentives to employers to maintain 
     a safe workplace, to work with employees to prevent workplace 
     injuries, and to compensate employees for injuries that 
     occur; and
       Whereas, Section 4(b)(4) of the Federal Occupational Safety 
     and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. Sec. 653(b)(4), provides that 
     ``Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to supersede or 
     in any manner affect any workmen's compensation law or to 
     enlarge or diminish or affect in any other manner the common 
     law or statutory rights, duties or liabilities of employers 
     and employees under any law with respect to injuries, 
     diseases, or death of employees arising out of, or in the 
     course of, employment.''; and
       Whereas, The Occupational Safety and Health Administration 
     (``OSHA''), notwithstanding this statutory restriction and 
     the constitutional, traditional and historical role of the 
     states in providing compensation for injuries in the 
     workplace, has nevertheless published a proposed rule that, 
     if adopted, would substantially displace the role of the 
     states in compensating workers for musculoskeletal injuries 
     in the workplace and would impose far-reaching requirements 
     for implementation of ergonomics programs; and
       Whereas, The proposed rule creates in effect a special 
     class of workers' compensation benefits for ergonomic 
     injuries, requiring payment of up to six months of wages at 
     ninety percent (90%) of take-home pay and one hundred percent 
     (100%) of benefits for absence from work; and
       Whereas, The proposed rule would allow employees to bypass 
     the system of medical treatment provided by Tennessee law for 
     workers' compensation injuries and to seek diagnosis and 
     treatment from any licensed health care provider paid by the 
     employer; and
       Whereas, The proposed rule would require employees to treat 
     ergonomic cases as both workers' compensation cases and OSHA 
     cases and to pay for medical treatment under both; and
       Whereas, The proposed rule could force all manufacturers to 
     alter workstations, redesign facilities or change tools and 
     equipment, all triggered by the report of a single injury; 
     and
       Whereas, The proposed rule would require all American 
     businesses to become full-time experts in ergonomics, a field 
     for which there is little if any credible evidence and as to 
     which there is an ongoing scientific debate; and

[[Page S7158]]

       Whereas, The proposed rule would cause hardship on 
     businesses and manufacturers with costs of compliance as high 
     as eighteen billion dollars ($18,000,000,000) annually, 
     without guaranteeing the prevention of a single injury; and
       Whereas, The proposed rule may force businesses to make 
     changes that would impair efficiency in distribution centers; 
     and
       Whereas, This proposed rule is premature until the science 
     exists to understand the root cause of musculoskeletal 
     disorders, OSHA should not rush to make rules that are likely 
     to result in a loss of jobs without consensus in the 
     scientific and medical communities as to what causes 
     repetitive-stress injuries, and medical researchers must 
     answer fundamental questions surrounding ergonomics before 
     government regulators impose a one-size-sits-all solution; 
     now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate of the One Hundred First General 
     Assembly of the State of Tennessee, the House of 
     Representatives Concurring, That this General Assembly hereby 
     memorializes the United States Congress to take all necessary 
     measures to prevent the proposed ergonomics rule from taking 
     effect. Be it further
       Resolved, That an enrolled copy of this resolution be 
     transmitted to the Speaker and the Clerk of the United States 
     House of Representatives; the President and the Secretary of 
     the United States Senate; and to each member of the Tennessee 
     Congressional delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-591. A joint resolution adopted by the General Assembly 
     of the State of Virginia relative to federal medical and 
     long-term care benefits; to the Committee on Health, 
     Education, Labor, and Pensions.

                     House Joint Resolution No. 168

       Whereas, throughout our nation's history, older generations 
     of Americans have contributed greatly to the prosperity of 
     the United States; and
       Whereas, older Americans have always recognized the value 
     of the economic freedoms that our forefathers fought to 
     ensure; and
       Whereas, older Americans have always been leaders in the 
     realms of business and industry, serving as mentors and 
     teachers to ensure that younger generations would have the 
     knowledge and skills to carry on; and
       Whereas, throughout their toil and enduring commitment to 
     the principles of freedom, older Americans have laid the 
     foundation for the economic prosperity and financial security 
     of all Americans; and
       Whereas, during the early years of the twentieth century, 
     the current generation of older Americans worked hard to 
     ensure that their families and communities could continue to 
     enjoy this financial security for generations to come; and
       Whereas, they endured the struggle of the Great Depression, 
     undergoing countless hardships as they rebuilt this nation by 
     the sweat of their brows both economically and spiritually; 
     and
       Whereas, they fought in wars to preserve the liberties that 
     have enabled our nation to earn its place as the economic 
     leader in the world; and
       Whereas, throughout those hardships, the current generation 
     of older Americans learned to appreciate the importance of 
     preserving assets, including homes, land, durable goods, and 
     ``nest eggs,'' they had managed to hold onto despite the 
     economic challenges they had faced; and
       Whereas, today these personal assets help them maintain the 
     dignity, independence, and health they so cherish as 
     Americans; and
       Whereas, with nursing home care now costing an average of 
     $40,000 to $50,000 per year, long-term care expenses can have 
     a catastrophic effect on families, wiping out a lifetime of 
     savings; and
       Whereas, steps need to be taken into inform the public 
     about the financial risks posed by rapidly increasing long-
     term care costs and about the need of families to plan for 
     their long-term care; and
       Whereas, the federal laws governing the rules of 
     qualification for federal medical and long-term care benefits 
     force many older Americans to liquidate their assets, 
     including their homes and life savings; and
       Whereas, these confiscatory policies impose unjust and 
     inequitable burdens on older Americans, who have contributed 
     so much to our economic security; and
       Whereas, widespread use of private long-term care insurance 
     has the potential to protect families from the catastrophic 
     costs of long-term care services while, at the same time, 
     easing the burden on the federal government to provide 
     medical and long-term care benefits; now, there, be it
       Resolved by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, 
     That the Congress of the Unites States be urged to protect 
     senior assets from liquidation to meet the eligibility 
     requirements for federal medical and long-term care benefits; 
     and, be it
       Resolved further, That the Congress of the United States be 
     urged to ensure that persons who purchase long-term insurance 
     policies will be able to protect their assets equal in value 
     to the policy purchased; and, be it
       Resolved finally, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates 
     transmit copies of this resolution to the Speaker of the 
     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 General Assembly of Virginia in this matter.
                                  ____

       POM-592. A resolution adopted by the Council of the City of 
     Cincinnati, Ohio relative to gasoline prices; to the 
     Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
       POM-593. A joint resolution adopted by the General Assembly 
     of the State of Colorado relative to the Old Spanish Trail; 
     to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

                      Senate Joint Memorial 00-002

       Whereas, The Old Spanish Trail, which ran between Santa Fe, 
     New Mexico, and Los Angeles, California, was the first trail 
     into Utah and is still the least known; and
       Whereas, Frontiersmen and traders en route from Santa Fe to 
     Los Angeles blazed a circuitous route to the north through 
     Utah; and
       Whereas, Between 1839 and 1848, a major trade route was 
     established between Santa Fe and Los Angeles which stretched 
     approximately 1,121 miles; and
       Whereas, The Old Spanish Trail and the northern branch of 
     the Old Spanish Trail proceeded through much of western 
     Colorado and followed part of the route traveled by the 
     Dominguez-Escalante Expedition of 1776; and
       Whereas, In 1853, Captain John Williams Gunnison of the 
     U.S. Corps of Topographic Engineers was commissioned by the 
     war department to find a route for a railroad through the 
     Colorado Rockies along the 38th parallel; and
       Whereas, During his expedition, Captain Gunnison came upon 
     the northern branch of the Old Spanish Trail in the San Luis 
     Valley, which he followed into eastern Utah; and
       Whereas, The federal government's Salt Lake Wagon Road 
     followed portions of the Old Spanish Trail at the northern 
     branch to bring supplies to the Los Pinos Indian Agency in 
     the Uncompahgre Valley and the budding mining camp of Ouray, 
     Colorado, in the late 1870's; and
       Whereas, The Old Spanish Trail and its northern branch was 
     instrumental in the creation and establishment of many of 
     western Colorado's towns and communities, including Alamosa, 
     Monte Vista, Saguache, Gunnison, Montrose, Olathe, Delta, 
     Whitewater, Grand Junction, Fruita, Loma, Pagosa Springs, 
     Durango, Mancos, Dolores, and Dove Creek; and
       Whereas, Very little information is recorded about the 
     northern branch and much more can be learned about the Old 
     Spanish Trail; and
       Whereas, Beginning with the northern branch of the Old 
     Spanish Trail in the 1830's and 1840's, followed by the 
     Gunnison Expedition of 1853 and the Salt Lake Wagon Road of 
     the late 1870's, the Grand Valley of western Colorado has 
     been the site of an historic route for travelers; now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate of the Sixty-second General Assembly 
     of the State of Colorado, the House of Representatives 
     concurring herein:
       That the Congress of the United States is hereby 
     memorialized to adopt legislation that dedicates the Old 
     Spanish Trail and the northern branch of the Old Spanish 
     Trail as an historic trail. Be it further
       Resolved, That copies of this Joint Memorial be sent to the 
     President of the United States, the President of the United 
     States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of 
     Representatives, and each member of the Colorado 
     congressional delegation.

       POM-594. A resolution adopted by the Legislature of the 
     Commonwealth of Guam relative to Guam Memorial Hospital; to 
     the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

                           Resolution No. 308

       Whereas, Guam's economy has been in a prolonged recession 
     for several years as a result of the Asian economic crisis 
     and a reduction of military spending on Guam, resulting in 
     drastically reduced government revenues; and
       Whereas, large numbers of medically indigent individuals 
     have been receiving free health care at the Guam Memorial 
     Hospital, which the Hospital cannot afford to provide; and
       Whereas, for humanitarian reasons the Guam Memorial 
     Hospital is in need of assistance from the United States 
     Federal Government in providing health care services to those 
     medically indigent individuals who are on Guam as a result of 
     Federal legislation; now therefore, be it
       Resolved, That I MinaBente Singko Na Liheslaturan Guahan 
     (``the Twenty-Fifth Guam Legislature'') does hereby, on 
     behalf of the people of Guam, respectfully request assistance 
     from President William Jefferson Clinton, the United States 
     Congress, and the United States Surgeon General in taking one 
     (1) of the following actions:
       (1) establishing a small National Public Health Service 
     Hospital on Guam for the purpose of providing health care to 
     medically indigent patients who receive free health care and 
     are on Guam because of Federal law;
       (2) providing to the Guam Memorial Hospital additional 
     doctors and nurses through the National Public Health Service 
     for the purpose of providing health care to medically 
     indigent patients who receive free health care and are on 
     Guam because of Federal law; or
       (3) appropriating Four Million Dollars ($4,000,000) 
     annually to the Guam Memorial Hospital to defray the costs of 
     providing health care to medically indigent patients who 
     receive free health care and are on Guam because of Federal 
     law; and be it further

[[Page S7159]]

       Resolved, That the Speaker certify, and the Legislative 
     Secretary attests to, the adoption hereof and that copies of 
     the same be thereafter transmitted to the Honorable William 
     Jefferson Clinton, President of the United States; to the 
     Honorable Albert Gore, Jr., President of the U.S. Senate; to 
     the Honorable J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the U.S. House of 
     Representatives; to the Honorable Donna E. Shalala, U.S. 
     Secretary of Health and Human Services; to the Honorable 
     David Satcher, U.S. Surgeon General; to the Honorable Robert 
     A. Underwood, Member of Congress, U.S. House of 
     Representatives; and to the Honorable Carl T. C. Gutierrez, I 
     Magalahen Guahan (``the Governor of Guam'').
                                  ____

       POM-595. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Louisiana relative to the Outer Continental 
     Shelf; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

                   House Concurrent Resolution No. 13

       Whereas, the government of the United States receives 
     revenues from rent, royalties, net profit share payments, and 
     related late payment penalties from natural gas and oil 
     leases issued pursuant to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands 
     Act; and
       Whereas, these leases are for tracts or portions of tracts 
     lying seaward of the zone defined and governed by Section 
     8(g) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 
     1337(g)), or lying within such zone but to which Section 8(g) 
     does not apply, the geographic center of which lies within a 
     distance of two hundred miles from any part of the coastline 
     of Louisiana as defined by Section 304(4) of the Coastal Zone 
     Management Act of 1972 (U.S.C. 1453(4)); and
       Whereas, there are over four thousand five hundred offshore 
     oil and gas rigs and platforms off the coast of Louisiana and 
     on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), with such structures 
     representing over ninety-five percent of all offshore 
     structures in the world; and
       Whereas, these offshore structures support and impact an 
     abundant commercial and recreational fishery along an 
     intricate coastline which is in excess of seven thousand 
     miles long; and
       Whereas, the enforcement division of the Louisiana 
     Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with the 
     responsibility for the enforcement and regulation of 
     Louisiana's marine fishing industry which, with recreational 
     fishing and commercial fishing activities combined, 
     constitutes an industry with a total economic impact on the 
     state of $3.6 billion annually through landings of over one 
     billion pounds and direct employment of over forty thousand 
     people; and
       Whereas, a well-regulated, well-managed, and well-monitored 
     Outer Continental Shelf region and a well-regulated, well-
     managed, and well-monitored coastline of Louisiana are of 
     benefit to the uninterrupted operation and maintenance of the 
     oil and gas industry in the Gulf of Mexico; and
       Whereas, a continuing dependable source of funds for the 
     operation of the enforcement division of the Louisiana 
     Department of Wildlife and Fisheries would ensure the 
     continuation of efforts to secure the Outer Continental Shelf 
     region of the Gulf of Mexico and the coastline of Louisiana 
     for both the oil and gas industry and the fishing industry; 
     therefore be it
       Resolved, That the U.S. Congress and the Louisiana 
     congressional delegation are hereby memorialized to provide 
     funding from revenues received from oil and gas activity on 
     the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) to the Louisiana Department 
     of Wildlife and Fisheries for state enforcement of the 
     wildlife and fisheries laws; be it further
       Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to 
     the presiding officers of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House 
     of Representatives and each member of the Louisiana 
     congressional delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-596. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the State of Michigan relative to the increase 
     in gasoline prices; to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources.

                       Senate Resolution No. 189

       Whereas, the United States Environmental Protection Agency 
     and the United States Department of Energy report that there 
     are adequate gasoline supplies to keep prices in check. 
     Further, 87 percent of the service stations in Michigan 
     recently surveyed by the American Automobile Association 
     report that they expect to have adequate gasoline supplies 
     this summer; and
       Whereas, Profits of the world's largest oil-producing 
     companies tripled in the first three months of the year. 
     Financial analysts predict that the companies will earn more 
     revenue this year than ever before; and
       Whereas, In the biggest weekly jump since 1973, when such 
     statistics were first recorded, gasoline prices have soared 
     in June. As of June 13, 2000, the statewide average cost per 
     gallon was $2.01, a 27-cent per gallon increase since the 
     previous week. That was 87-cents per gallon higher than the 
     same time last year. In Metro Detroit, as of the same date, 
     the average cost per gallon was $2.04, which was 40-cents 
     higher than the previous week and 92-cents per gallon more 
     than the same time last year; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate, That we memorialize the Congress of 
     the United States to investigate the rapid increase in 
     gasoline prices and to take immediate action; and be it 
     further
       Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to 
     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-597. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the State of Michigan relative to 
     investigating the factors responsible for reduced gasoline 
     supplies; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

                       Senate Resolution No. 191

       Whereas, The recent surge in gasoline prices nationwide has 
     shocked consumers. The federal government has struggled to 
     find remedies for this new and unexpected burden. Matters 
     relating to the federal role in regulating commerce, new 
     foreign demand for oil as overseas economies recover from 
     economic crises, and the decision by oil producing nations to 
     reduce output have contributed to this situation. Even the 
     federal government will face limits on what it can do to 
     influence global circumstances; and
       Whereas, Although the rise in gasoline prices is a national 
     problem, gasoline prices in Michigan are amongst the highest 
     in the nation. As families here and around the country plan 
     their vacations, the cost of gasoline may well harm 
     Michigan's tourism industry as people seek locales closer to 
     home. The state's automobile industry is bound to suffer if 
     unreasonably high gasoline prices persist as will the 
     agricultural sector. Michigan consumers have been 
     economically overwhelmed by the near-doubling of the retail 
     price of a gallon of gasoline within the last year. For those 
     living paycheck to paycheck, purchasing fuel just to make it 
     to work is difficult; and
       Whereas, Despite the global factors that have contributed 
     to the tremendous increase in gasoline prices, a number of 
     measures at the national level may provide some relief until 
     global circumstances become more favorable. Identifying why 
     gasoline stockpiles were allowed to fall so low, examining 
     the impact of new regulations requiring cleaner-burning fuel, 
     and exploring ways of using the Strategic Petroleum Reserve 
     are issues that Congress should explore; now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved by the Senate, That we memorialize the Congress of 
     the United States to investigate the factors responsible for 
     reduced gasoline supplies and the recent increases in retail 
     gasoline prices; and be if further
       Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to 
     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-598. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the State of Michigan relative to initiating a 
     study to determine the cause of the recent gasoline price 
     surge; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

                       Senate Resolution No. 192

       Whereas, Gasoline prices have doubled in recent months from 
     their levels of 1999. The prices in Michigan and other areas 
     of the Midwest surpass the national increases by wide 
     margins. Consumers have been shocked and their lives 
     disrupted by this tremendous increase. Motor vehicles are 
     part of the fabric of our culture and economy and any 
     disruptions in our ability to keep the wheels rolling are 
     cause for deep concern; and
       Whereas, No single event has prompted our present 
     situation. Instead, separate events and decisions occurring 
     in our own backyard and around the globe have combined to 
     drive prices to levels that are unacceptable if we are to 
     maintain a strong and vibrant economy. The causes are murky, 
     and the measures needed to reduce prices and prevent rapid 
     price surges are not clear. We have repaired a pipeline and 
     restored the flow of gasoline in Michigan, but how do we 
     address the cause of a shortage of fuel for Michigan gas 
     stations?; and
       Whereas, It is reported that major oil companies have an 
     abundant supply of gasoline while independent dealers are 
     being cut off from adequate supplies. Only when all dealers 
     have normal access to gasoline supplies will competition be 
     reintroduced and will no single wholesaler monopolize supply 
     and pricing. The United States Congress, as the chosen 
     representatives of the American people, must step forward to 
     investigate this issue in order to prevent another price 
     surge. Without a complete grasp of the complex factors 
     involved, we will be unable to cope with similar problems in 
     the future and will instead simply place our trust in fate 
     and the good will of others; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate, That we memorialize the United 
     States Congress to initiate a study to determine the causes 
     of the recent gasoline price surge; and be it further
       Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to 
     the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the 
     United States House of Representatives, and the members of 
     the Michigan congressional delegation.

                          ____________________