[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 83 (Thursday, June 20, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5848-S5850]
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-256. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Wyoming relative to wolf reintroduction in the 
     State of Wyoming; to the Committee on Environment and Public 
     Works.

                         Joint Resolution No. 3

       Whereas, the federal government is responsible for the 
     reintroduction of wolves in the state of Wyoming;
       Whereas, elk, moose and deer are important to the 
     recreational and economic interests of the people of the 
     state of Wyoming;
       Whereas, the use of elk feed grounds provides positive 
     benefits for the people of the state of Wyoming by 
     maintaining elk population objectives at different locations 
     in the state;
       Whereas, the introduction of wolves creates a negative 
     impact on habitats for moose and deer, and wolves kill and 
     displace moose and deer, thereby posing a threat to the 
     maintenance of moose and deer population objectives in the 
     state;
       Whereas, wolves kill and displace elk, moose and deer, 
     thereby posing a threat to the maintenance of elk, moose and 
     deer population objectives in the state and the habitats of 
     moose and deer and the use of elk feed grounds;
       Whereas, wolves kill approximately three hundred thirty 
     (330) elk annually in Wyoming, costing the owner of those 
     elk, the state of Wyoming, an estimated one million three 
     hundred twenty thousand dollars ($1,320,000.00);
       Whereas, the state of Wyoming does not have jurisdiction to 
     regulate wolves while they remain on the federal list of 
     threatened species. Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved By The Members of the Legislature of the State of 
     Wyoming:
       Section 1. That the Wyoming state legislature recognizes 
     the importance of elk, moose and deer to the people of the 
     state and the use of elk feed grounds and the importance of 
     habitats for moose and deer to maintain elk, moose and deer 
     population objectives at various locations in the state of 
     Wyoming.
       Section 2. That the federal authorities responsible for the 
     management of wolves in the state of Wyoming must manage 
     wolves in a manner consistent with maintaining elk, moose and 
     deer population objectives, preserving the habitats of moose 
     and deer and the use of elk feed grounds, as determined by 
     state wildlife officials.

[[Page S5849]]

       Section 3. That the federal government should annually 
     reimburse the state of Wyoming for the loss to the state 
     caused by the killing of elk, moose and deer by wolves.
       Section 4. That the Secretary of State of Wyoming transmit 
     copies of this resolution to the President of the United 
     States, to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the 
     House of Representatives of the United States Congress, to 
     the United States Secretary of Interior and to the Wyoming 
     Congressional Delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-257. A resolution adopted by the House of the 
     Legislature of the State of Michigan relative to the 
     Transboundary Hazardous Waste Agreement with Canada; to the 
     Committee on Environment and Public Works.

                        House Resolution No. 389

       Whereas, Michigan has long been frustrated in efforts to 
     regulate solid waste imported into our state. Our state is 
     especially concerned about waste that is brought here from 
     Ontario. Our citizens feel strongly that our environment 
     should not be placed at additional risk from municipal solid 
     waste and other materials that are generated elsewhere and 
     transported here for disposal; and
       Whereas, The volume of waste that comes into Michigan each 
     year represents a significant portion of all trash handled 
     here. As much as 20 percent of all solid waste in Michigan is 
     from out or state, and the amount has increased significantly 
     in recently years; and
       Whereas, Congress has authority for regulating the 
     transportation and disposal of solid waste between states and 
     nations by virtue of the United States Constitution's 
     interstate commerce clause. To protect the public health, 
     safety, and welfare of our environment and citizens, Congress 
     must take action to provide states with the express means to 
     regulate or prohibit the importation of trash. Congress has 
     before it now a bill that would provide the appropriate 
     authority to the states. Under H.R. 1927, states could 
     prohibit or impose certain limitations on the receipt of 
     foreign municipal solid waste; and
       Whereas, Hazardous waste and solid waste transported 
     between Canada and the United States are provided for in the 
     Agreement Between the Government of Canada and the Government 
     of the United States Concerning the Transboundary Movement of 
     Hazardous Waste. It has been reported, however, that the 
     notification requirements and procedures set forth in the 
     agreement have not been followed. It is most disturbing to 
     think that the protections provided in the agreement between 
     our nations are not working. The people of this state have 
     every right to know that all prudent measures are being 
     enforced to protect our citizens and environment; now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we 
     memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact 
     legislation to authorize states to prohibit or restrict 
     foreign municipal solid waste and to urge the Environmental 
     Protection Agency to ensure full compliance with the 
     Agreement Between the Government of Canada and the Government 
     of the United States Concerning the Transboundary movement of 
     hazardous Waste; 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, the members of the 
     Michigan congressional delegation, and the Environmental 
     Protection Agency.
                                  ____

       POM-258. A resolution adopted by the House of the 
     Legislature of the State of Michigan relative to Federal 
     transportation funding for highway and transit programs; to 
     the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

                        House Resolution No. 419

       Whereas, Michigan faces a difficult task in maintaining a 
     transportation network that meets the many needs of the 
     individuals and businesses of this state. This challenge is 
     made more difficult because of the fact that Michigan 
     receives in return from the federal government far less in 
     highway funding than we send to Washington; and
       Whereas, Under the provisions of the Transportation Equity 
     Act for the 21st century, Michigan currently receives 
     approximately 90.5 cents in return for every highway dollar 
     we send to the federal government. While this is a notable 
     improvement from the amounts received in prior years, it 
     remains inadequate for our state's considerable overall 
     transportation needs. In the area of transit, the deficiency 
     of funding received from Washington is much more severe, with 
     Michigan receiving only about 50 cents for each dollar we 
     send through taxes; and
       Whereas, For Fiscal Year 2003, proposed federal 
     transportation funding for Michigan is expected to be $222 
     million less than Fiscal Year 2002. This shortfall will 
     present significant problems to certain aspects of our 
     transportation infrastructure. As discussions take place on 
     future funding mechanisms and the next federal transportation 
     funding bill, it is imperative that a fairer approach be 
     developed; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we 
     memorialize the Congress of the United States to establish a 
     minimum rate of return of 95 percent of Michigan's federal 
     transportation funding for highway and transit programs; 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-259. A House concurrent resolution adopted by the 
     Legislature of the State of Hawaii relative to the TANF 
     Reauthorization Act of 2001; to the Committee on Finance.

                   House Concurrent Resolution No. 12

       Whereas, on October 12, 2001, Representative Patsy Mink 
     introduced the TANF Reauthorization Act of 2001 with thirty 
     Democratic cosponsors, three of whom are on the committee of 
     referral, the Ways and Means Committee; and
       Whereas, the bill would also make it clear that its 
     principal focus is the long-term reduction of poverty, rather 
     than a short-term, impermanent, immediate reduction in the 
     welfare rolls; and
       Whereas, the bill would reform the Temporary Aid to Needy 
     Families program to make it clear that postsecondary 
     education is a work activity under TANF, for example, by 
     providing access to postsecondary education for women TANF 
     recipients as an allowable work activity; and
       Whereas, in the United States, education has always been a 
     route to economic self-sufficiency and social mobility; and
       Whereas, in the twenty-first century, at least one year of 
     postsecondary education will become increasingly more 
     essential for all workers; and
       Whereas, yet, TANF does not currently extend our nation's 
     commitment to educational opportunity to women who are living 
     in poverty with their children but who are ready, willing, 
     and able to benefit from postsecondary education; and
       Whereas, data from several studies have demonstrated that 
     the additional earning capacity that a postsecondary 
     education provides can make the difference between economic 
     self-sufficiency and continued poverty for many women TANF 
     recipients; and
       Whereas, among families headed by African American, Latino, 
     and white women, the poverty rate declines from fifty-one, 
     forty-one, and twenty-two per cent to twenty-one, eighteen 
     and-a-half, and thirteen per cent, respectively, with at 
     least one year of postsecondary education; and
       Whereas, further data have found that postsecondary 
     education not only increases women's incomes, it also 
     improves their self-esteem, increases their children's 
     education ambitions including aspiring to enter college 
     themselves, and has a dramatic impact on their quality of 
     life; and
       Whereas, now, more than ever, TANF recipients need 
     postsecondary education to obtain the knowledge and skills 
     they will require to compete for jobs and enable them to lift 
     themselves and their children out of poverty in the long-
     term; and
       Whereas, without some postsecondary education, most women 
     who leave welfare for work will earn wages that place them 
     far below the federal poverty line, even after five years of 
     working; and
       Whereas, allowing TANF recipients to attend college, even 
     for a short time, will improve their earning potential 
     significantly, in fact, the average person who attends a 
     community college, even without graduating, earns about ten 
     per cent more than those who do not attend college at all; 
     and
       Whereas, women who receive TANF assistance clearly 
     appreciate the importance and role of postsecondary education 
     in moving them out of poverty to long-term economic self-
     sufficiency; and
       Whereas, as of November 1999, at least nineteen states had 
     considered or enacted strategies to support women's efforts 
     to achieve long-term economic self-sufficiency through 
     pursuit of a postsecondary education; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-
     first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 
     2002, the Senate concurring, That the Legislature supports 
     the TANF Reauthorization Act of 2001 (HR 3113); and be it 
     further
       Resolved, That the Legislature urges Hawaii's congressional 
     delegation to support the passage of the TANF Reauthorization 
     Act of 2001 (HR 3113); and be it further
       Resolved, That certified copies of this concurrent 
     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, 
     members of Hawaii's congressional delegation, the Governor of 
     Hawaii, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the 
     House of Representatives.
                                  ____

       POM-260. A House concurrent resolution adopted by the 
     General Assembly of the State of Ohio relative to federal 
     funding for character education and program development; to 
     the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

                      Concurrent Resolution No. 28

       Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State 
     of Ohio (the Senate concurring):
       Whereas, The members of the 124th General Assembly of Ohio, 
     recognizing the importance of fostering citizens with 
     honorable character qualities that are based upon the moral 
     standards exemplified by our nation's founders and with which 
     they established our nation and legal system, find it wise to 
     intentionally designate Ohio as a character-building state; 
     and

[[Page S5850]]

       Whereas, It is imperative that we continue to build upon 
     our heritage to make Ohio a community where families are 
     strong, homes and streets are safe, education is effective, 
     business is productive, neighbors demonstrate care for one 
     another, and citizens are free to make wise choices for their 
     lives and families; and
       Whereas, Because citizens are responsible for their 
     actions, and their daily decisions need to be based upon 
     universally recognized ethical standards and upon universally 
     recognized positive character qualities including integrity, 
     responsibility, respect, compassion, honesty, justice, 
     generosity, kindness, and courage; and
       Whereas, Individual irresponsibility and lack of commitment 
     to moral principles results in an increasing number of family 
     problems that have personal, social, and financial 
     consequences not only for individual family members, but also 
     for this state and society as a whole; and
       Whereas, If people increasingly fail to demonstrate 
     positive character qualities and if they make wrong moral 
     choices, the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of 
     this state are endangered, resulting in a financial burden 
     upon the taxpayers of this state for increased costs of law 
     enforcement; and
       Whereas, Many current societal problems will be alleviated 
     when more of the citizens of this state exemplify in their 
     lives positive character qualities that distinguish between 
     right and wrong; and
       Whereas, There is a need for ever-increasing numbers of 
     positive role models among our youth to prevent juvenile 
     rebellion and delinquency, and among our leaders to encourage 
     an example-setting culture; and
       Whereas, Teaching positive character qualities to juvenile 
     delinquents in particular has been shown to produce a 
     positive change in behavior and to reduce recidivism rates; 
     and
       Whereas, Schools need to be environments where positive 
     character qualities are exemplified, taught, and strengthened 
     and where learning character-focused behaviors is encouraged; 
     and
       Whereas, Encouraging employees to recognize positive 
     character qualities has resulted in an increase in workplace 
     ethics, employee safety, and organizational performance; and
       Whereas, An emphasis upon positive character qualities in 
     every sector of society can only occur as institutions and 
     individuals mutually commit themselves to exemplify positive 
     character qualities in their public and personal lives and to 
     collaborate with one another to establish character as a 
     foundational community asset; now therefore be it
       Resolved, That we, the members of the 124th General 
     Assembly of Ohio, in adopting this Resolution, pledge our 
     commitment to positive character qualities by recognizing 
     Ohio to be a character-building state, by increasingly 
     viewing our decisions in light of their character impact, by 
     encouraging the advancement of positive character qualities 
     in state government, in city, township, and county 
     governments, in the media, and in schools, businesses, 
     community groups, worship centers, and homes; and by urging 
     the citizens and civic and community leaders of this state to 
     mutually pursue character as a vital leadership and 
     citizenship priority; and be it further
       Resolved, That the members of the 124th General Assembly of 
     Ohio commend the United States Congress for its support of 
     character education and development through the passage of 
     House Resolution 1, the ``No Child Left Behind Act of 2001''; 
     and be it further
       Resolved, That the members of the 124th General Assembly of 
     Ohio request that the Ohio Department of Education take all 
     steps necessary to secure available funding for character 
     education and development programs provided for by Congress 
     in Sec. 5431 of House Resolution 1, the ``No Child Left 
     Behind Act of 2001''; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Representatives 
     transmit duly authenticated copies of this Resolution to the 
     President of the United States, to the Speaker and Clerk of 
     the United States House of Representatives, to the President 
     Pro Tempore and Secretary of the United States Senate, to the 
     members of the Ohio Congressional delegation, and the news 
     media of Ohio.
                                  ____

       POM-261. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the State of Hawaii relative to the 
     establishment of a center for health, welfare and education 
     of children, youth and families for Asia and the Pacific; to 
     the Committee on Foreign Relations.

                        Senate Resolution No. 71

       Whereas, the Millennium Young People's Congress held in 
     Hawaii in October 1999, demonstrated the value of a 
     collective global vision by and for the children of the world 
     and the need for a forum for international discussion of 
     issues facing all children and youth; and
       Whereas, children and youth are the key to world peace, 
     sustainability, and productivity in the next millennium; and
       Whereas, the health, welfare, and education of children and 
     families are part of the basic foundation and values shared 
     globally that should be provided for all children and youth; 
     and
       Whereas, the populations of countries in Asia and the 
     Pacific Rim are the largest and fastest growing segment of 
     the world's population with young people representing the 
     largest percentage of that population; and
       Whereas, Hawaii's location in the middle of the Pacific Rim 
     between Asia and the Americas, along with a diverse culture 
     and many shared languages, provides an excellent and 
     strategic location for meetings and exchanges as demonstrated 
     by the Millennium Young people's Congress, to discuss the 
     health, welfare, and rights of children as a basic foundation 
     for all children and youth, and to research pertinent issues 
     and alternatives concerning children and youth, and to 
     propose viable models for societal application; now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate of the Twenty-first Legislature of 
     the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2002, That the United 
     Nations is respectfully requested to consider the 
     establishment in Hawaii of a Center for the Health, Welfare, 
     and Education of Children, Youth and Families for Asia and 
     the Pacific; and be it further
       Resolved, That the President of the United States and the 
     United States Congress are urged to support the establishment 
     of the Center; and be it further
       Resolved, That the House and Senate Committees on Health 
     convene an exploratory task force to develop such a proposal 
     for consideration by the United Nations; and be it further
       Resolved, That certified copies of this Resolution be 
     transmitted to the Secretary General of the United Nations, 
     the President of the United States, the President of the 
     United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House 
     of Representatives, the President of the University of 
     Hawaii, the President of the East West Center, the President 
     of the United Nations Association in Hawaii, and members of 
     Hawaii's congressional delegation.

                          ____________________