[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 67 (Wednesday, May 7, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5857-S5858]
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-81. A resolution adopted by the City Commission of the 
     City of Key West, Florida relative to children's programs; to 
     the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
       POM-82. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Maine relative to the funding of special 
     education and ending unfunded mandates; to the Committee on 
     Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

                            Joint Resolution

       Whereas, the Congress of the United States has found that 
     all children deserve a quality education, including children 
     with disabilities; and
       Whereas, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 
     20 United States Code, Section 1400, et seq., provides that 
     the Federal Government and state and local governments are to 
     share in the expense of education for children with 
     disabilities and commits the Federal Government to provide 
     funds to assist with the excess of expenses of education for 
     children with disabilities; and
       Whereas, the Congress of the United States has committed to 
     contribute up to 40% of the average per-pupil expenditure of 
     educating children with disabilities and the Federal 
     Government has failed to meet this commitment to assist the 
     states; and
       Whereas, the Federal Government has never contributed more 
     than 13% to 20% of the national average per-pupil expenditure 
     to assist with the excess expenses of educating children with 
     disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities 
     Education Act; and
       Whereas, this failure of the Federal Government to meet its 
     commitment to assist with the excess expenses of educating a 
     child with a disability contradicts the goal of ensuring that 
     children with disabilities receive a quality education; and
       Whereas, the imposition of unfunded mandates by the Federal 
     Government on state governments interferes with the 
     separation of powers between the 2 levels of government and 
     the ability of each state to determine the issues and 
     concerns of the State and what resources should be directed 
     to address these issues and concerns; and
       Whereas, the Federal Government recognized the inequalities 
     of unfunded mandates on state governments 8 years ago when it 
     passed the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995; and
       Whereas, since the passage of the Unfunded Mandates Reform 
     Act of 1995, however, the Federal Government continues to 
     impose unfunded mandates on state governments, including in 
     areas such as special education requirements: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That We, your Memorialists, respectfully urge and 
     request that the President of the United States and the 
     Congress of the United States either provide 40% of the 
     national average per pupil expenditure to assist states and 
     local education agencies with the excess costs of educating 
     children with disabilities or amend the Individuals with 
     Disabilities Education Act to allow the states more 
     flexibility in implementing its mandates; and be it further
       Resolved, That We, your Memorialists, respectfully urge and 
     request that the Congress of the United States revisit and 
     reconfirm the Unfunded Mandate Reform Act of 1995 and put the 
     intent and purpose of the Act into practice by ending the 
     imposition of unfunded federal mandates on state governments; 
     and be it further
       Resolved, That suitable copies of this resolution, duly 
     authenticated by the Secretary of State, be transmitted to 
     the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United States, 
     to the President of the Senate of the United States, to the 
     Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States 
     and to each Member of the Maine Congressional Delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-83. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the State of Wisconsin relative to Community 
     Services Block Grants; to the Committee on Health, Education, 
     Labor, and Pensions.

                      Engrrossed Resolution No. 4

       Whereas, Wisconsin's 16 community action agencies have been 
     working in our communities to improve the lives and well-
     being of all of our citizens for over 35 years; and

[[Page S5858]]

       Whereas, our community action agencies have delivered a 
     comprehensive array of opportunities to assist those citizens 
     who reside at the lowest levels of the economic ladder to 
     advance economically and socially; and
       Whereas, our community action agencies have developed 
     innovative and effective strategies to promote affordable 
     housing and homeownership, microenterprise development, youth 
     development, crime prevention, access to food and nutrition, 
     Head Start expansion, community-based economic development, 
     housing rehabilitation, and other initiatives to promote the 
     development of our human potential; and
       Whereas, in 2001 our community action agencies assisted 
     over 380,000 of our citizens and provided volunteers who 
     contributed more than 600,000 hours of service to our 
     communities; and
       Whereas, in 2001 our 16 community action agencies received 
     $7,000,000 of Community Service Block Grant funds and used 
     these funds to leverage more than $135,000,000 of additional 
     funds, including $25,000,000 of private funds with which to 
     benefit Wisconsin's communities; and
       Whereas, the federal Community Services Black Grant 
     provides the core funding for our community action agencies 
     and is scheduled for reauthorization in the upcoming session 
     of Congress: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate, That the Wisconsin state urges 
     President George W. Bush and the Wisconsin congressional 
     delegation to support the reauthorization of the existing 
     Community Services Block Grant and its funding to community 
     action agencies; and, be it further
       Resolved, That The Senate chief clerk shall provide a copy 
     of the resolution to President George W. Bush, to the 
     president and secretary of the U.S. Senate, to the speaker 
     and clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, and to each 
     member of the congressional delegation from this state, 
     attesting the adoption of this resolution by the 2003 senate 
     of the State of Wisconsin.
                                  ____

       POM-84. A resolution from the Police Jury of the Parish of 
     Avoyelles State of Louisiana relative to the Parish's support 
     of the President of the United States and the U.S. Armed 
     Forces; to the Committee on Armed Services.

       POM-85. A resolution from the House of the legislature of 
     the State of Kansas relative to funding for the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs; to the Committee on Armed Services.

                       House Resolution No. 6019

       Whereas, as a result of having served in Operation Desert 
     Storm in the Arabian Peninsula 11 years ago, 16% of the 
     700,000 troops who were stationed there have been awarded 
     disability benefits by the Department of Veterans Affairs--
     and these injuries resulted from hostilities that lasted only 
     100 hours; and
       Whereas, the state of Kansas recently released the results 
     of a health study of over 2,000 Kansas veterans who served 
     during the first Gulf War. The study identified clear links 
     between Gulf veterans' health problems and the time and 
     places in which they served. Overall, 34% of Kansas veterans 
     who served in Desert Shield or Desert Storm had symptoms of 
     Gulf War illness; and
       Whereas, subsequently, the Congress enacted Public Law 105-
     85 which requires the development and implementation of a 
     medical tracking system for service members deployed 
     overseas. Such requirements include an assessment of mental 
     health and the drawing of blood to accurately record any 
     changes in their medical condition during the course of their 
     deployment; and
       Whereas, as reported in an article by David Goldstein in 
     the Kansas City Star on March 5, 2003, many of our troops 
     currently in the Middle East have not received the testing 
     required under Public Law 105-85; and
       Whereas, the House of Representatives is concerned with the 
     possibility that Kansas military personnel involved with 
     Operation Iraqi Freedom could return home with similar 
     illnesses as those of Desert Storm: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of 
     Kansas: That the House urges the United States government to 
     begin preparing now to address the health needs of veterans 
     of Operation Iraqi Freedom, including the administration of 
     tests required under Public Law 105-85; and be it further
       Resolved: That we believe it is the obligation of our 
     national government to provide all necessary medical care and 
     support for those injured or inflicted with illnesses in the 
     defense of our nation and, anticipating additional costs 
     associated with Operation Iraqi Freedom, urge the Congress of 
     the United States to provide adequate funding for the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs; and be it further
       Resolved: That the Chief Clerk of the House of 
     Representatives be directed to provide an enrolled copy of 
     this resolution to the President of the United States, the 
     President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives of the United States Congress, to each member 
     of the Kansas Congressional Delegation and to the Kansas 
     Commission on Veterans Affairs, Kansas Disabled Veterans, 
     Kansas Veterans of Foreign Wars and Kansas American Legion.
                                  ____

       POM-86. A resolution from the House of the Representative 
     of the State of Michigan relative to expressing support for 
     U.S. Troops; to the Committee on Armed Services.

                        House Resolution No. 31

       Whereas, as the United States military faces several 
     difficult situations around the globe, Michigan is joining 
     this effort to protect our liberties from a wide range of 
     threats. Numerous National Guard units in Michigan have been 
     called to active duty. Many of these personnel are going to 
     replace other units that have been on duty throughout the 
     country, and several are active in the work of providing 
     homeland security; and
       Whereas, while preserving our liberties in a troubled world 
     always demands great vigilance and the sacrifice of our men 
     and women in uniform, the current situation is demonstrating 
     the debt we owe to our fellow citizens in the military. Even 
     though the threats facing us are in many ways different than 
     those that have challenged previous generations, the role of 
     courage and commitment in securing our freedoms remains as 
     clear as ever; and
       Whereas, success in dealing with the crisis in Iraq and the 
     continuing demands of the war on terrorism in countless 
     locales requires not only the commitment of our troops, but 
     also great sacrifices by the families of these brave 
     Americans. These men, women, and children face difficulties 
     in many ways, and the uncertain duration of the separation 
     for many of them makes the situation even worse. Support for 
     our troops is incomplete without support for them as well; 
     and
       Whereas, in the weeks and months that lie before us, there 
     is no telling what will be asked of our country. We can, 
     however, promise that the people of Michigan stand ready to 
     express our support for our troops with public policy 
     decisions that will advance the Nation's efforts in the work 
     before us: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, by the House of Representatives, That we express 
     support for our troops and pledge our commitment to public 
     policies that will advance the Nation's efforts against 
     terrorism and threats to liberty; and be it further
       Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to 
     the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the 
     United States Department of Defense, the Speaker of the 
     United States House of Representatives, the President of the 
     United States Senate, the members of the Michigan 
     congressional delegation, the Office of the President of the 
     United States, and appropriate local military service 
     organizations throughout Michigan.
                                  ____

       POM-87. A resolution adopted by the Board of Supervisors of 
     the County of Los Angeles of the State of California relative 
     to expressing support for the President of the United States 
     and the Armed Forces; to the Committee on Armed Services.
       POM-88. A resolution adopted by the City Council of 
     Michigan City of the State of Indiana relative to expressing 
     support for the Armed Forces; to the Committee on Armed 
     Services.
       POM-89. A resolution adopted by the Hennepin County Board 
     of Commissioners of the State of Minnesota relative to 
     expressing support for the Armed Forces; to the Committee on 
     Armed Services.
       POM-90. A resolution of the Senate of the Legislature of 
     the State of New Jersey relative to noise reduction of air 
     traffic patterns; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation.

                        Senate Resolution No. 71

       Whereas, residents of New Jersey suffer from extreme and 
     unwarranted levels of intrusive aircraft noise; and
       Whereas, aircraft noise deprives residents of the full use 
     and benefit of their homes and living areas; and
       Whereas, aircraft noise contributes to the substantial 
     lowering of property values on residences owned by New Jersey 
     residents; and
       Whereas, the Federal Aviation Administration, hereafter the 
     ``FAA,'' is currently undertaking a major redesign of the 
     aircraft traffic patterns over New Jersey; and
       Whereas, the FAA's stated goals for the redesign include 
     only reducing delays affecting airline schedules, and 
     reducing pilot and air traffic controller workloads, while 
     enhancing safety; and
       Whereas, the FAA, despite repeated public promises to 
     substantially reduce aircraft noise as part of the redesign, 
     has refused to include such noise reduction as a primary goal 
     of the redesign: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey, That the 
     President and the Congress of the United States are 
     respectfully memorialized to direct the Federal Aviation 
     Administration to include the reduction of aircraft noise as 
     a major goal in the redesign of aircraft traffic patterns 
     over New Jersey; and be it further
       Resolved, That duly authenticated copies of this 
     resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and 
     attested by the Secretary thereof, shall be transmitted to 
     the President and the Vice President of the United States, 
     the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, 
     every member of Congress elected from this State, the 
     Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation, 
     and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.

                          ____________________