[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 35 (Friday, March 22, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S2324]
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-220. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the State of Michigan relative to permit 
     states to promote long-term care insurance under Medicaid; to 
     the Committee on Finance.

                       Senate Resolution No. 109

       Whereas, As the number of elderly in America continues its 
     swift growth, the issue of long-term care will present an 
     increasing number of problems for our Nation. Demographic 
     trends leave little doubt that, without significant changes, 
     the publicly funded Medicaid program may be stretched beyond 
     its capacity to respond adequately to the needs of our 
     country's poor and elderly; and
       Whereas, The challenge of paying for long-term care most 
     often ends up being handled by Medicaid. The Federal-State 
     partnership of Medicaid, which is designed to provide health 
     coverage for the poor, ends up covering the long-term care 
     costs for millions of older Americans who become poor only 
     because their resources are exhausted by the high costs of 
     nursing homes or in-home care. Approximately one of every 
     three Medicaid dollars is spent on long-term care; and
       Whereas, While each state determines the eligibility 
     requirements for Medicaid based on specific factors, general 
     eligibility thresholds limit the assets that can be preserved 
     by a Medicaid recipient and spouse; and
       Whereas, There is a bill before Congress, H.R. 1041, that 
     seeks to permit states more flexibility to enter into long-
     term care partnerships under Medicaid in order to promote the 
     use of long-term care insurance. Clearly, any measure to 
     increase insurance in this area would be most helpful for our 
     country; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate, That we memorialize the Congress of 
     the United States to enact legislation to permit states to 
     promote long-term care insurance under Medicaid; and be it 
     further
       Resolved, that copies of this resolution be transmitted to 
     the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the 
     United States House of Representatives, and the members of 
     the Michigan Congressional Delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-221. A joint resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the State of Vermont relative to the 
     desecration of the United States Flag; to the Committee on 
     the Judiciary.

                     Joint Senate Resolution No. 9

       Whereas, the flag of the United States is one of the 
     greatest symbols of our nation, and
       Whereas, this symbol represents the defining principles of 
     our country, and
       Whereas, Americans have placed their lives in harm's way 
     and, in hundreds of thousands of cases, have sacrificed their 
     lives defending these principles, and
       Whereas, their willingness to sacrifice their lives in 
     defense of these cherished principles demonstrates one of the 
     purest and most commendable forms of patriotism, and
       Whereas, these patriots have focused on the flag as the 
     ultimate symbol for which they and their families have 
     sacrificed, and
       Whereas, the flag serves important ceremonial functions at 
     public gatherings, funerals, celebrations of patriotic 
     holidays, parades and countless other gatherings, and
       Whereas, respect for the flag and the various protocols 
     attendant thereto (such as proper display, proper folding, 
     saluting, et cetera) serves as an introduction, for many 
     young Americans to the symbol of our nation, and
       Whereas, we the American people, accord our flag a unique 
     position of respect, love and admiration for the principles 
     it represents, and recognize the importance of providing 
     dignity and honor to this symbol, and
       Whereas, these principles include the protection of 
     individual freedoms enumerated in the First Amendment to the 
     United States Constitution including free speech, free press, 
     peaceable assembly, and petitions for the redress of 
     grievances, now therefore be it
       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives, That 
     the General Assembly expresses its respect and admiration for 
     our United States Flag, and be it further
       Resolved, That the General Assembly expresses its 
     condemnation of all acts of flag desecration, and similar 
     displays of disrespect for the United States Flag, and be it 
     further
       Resolved, That the General Assembly urges the Congress of 
     the United States to ensure that proper respect and treatment 
     will always be afforded to the United States Flag, and that 
     the Congress explore all avenues available, which may include 
     a constitutional amendment, a statutory change and a public 
     education program, to protect the United States Flag from 
     physical desecration, and be it further
       Resolved, That the Secretary of State transmit copies of 
     this resolution to the Speaker of the United States House of 
     Representatives, the President of the United States Senate 
     and all members of the Vermont Congressional Delegation.

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