[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 74 (Monday, May 19, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6622-S6624]
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-114. A resolution adopted by the Municipal Council, 
     City of Newark, State of New Jersey relative to the Municipal 
     Council opposing any pre-emptive, unilateral United States 
     military offensive against Iraq, without United Nations 
     consensus; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
       POM-115. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the State of 
     California relative to the Armenian Genocide; to the 
     Committee on Foreign Relations.

                     Senate Joint Resolution No. 1

       Whereas, the Armenian people, living in their 3,000 year 
     historic homeland in eastern Asia Minor and throughout the 
     Ottoman Empire, were subject to severe persecution and brutal 
     injustice by the rulers of the Ottoman Empire before and 
     after the turn of the twentieth century, including widespread 
     massacres, usurpation of land and property, and acts of 
     wanton destruction during the period from 1894 to 1896, and 
     again in 1909; and
       Whereas, the horrible experience of the Armenians at the 
     hands of their oppressors culminated in 1915 in what is known 
     by historians as the ``First Genocide of the Twentieth 
     Century,'' and as the prototype of modern-day mass killing; 
     and
       Whereas, the Armenian Genocide began with the arrest, 
     exile, and murder of hundreds of Armenian intellectuals, and 
     political, religious, and business leaders, starting on April 
     24, 1915; and
       Whereas, the regime then in control of the empire, known as 
     the ``Young Turks,'' planned and executed the unspeakable 
     atrocities committed against the Armenian people from 1915 
     through 1923, which included the torture, starvation, and 
     murder of 1,500,000 Armenians, death marches into the Syrian 
     desert, the forced exile of more than 500,000 innocent 
     people, and the loss of the traditional Armenian homelands; 
     and
       Whereas, while there were some Turks and others who 
     jeopardized their safety in order to protect Armenians from 
     the crimes being perpetrated by the Young Turk regime, the 
     genocide of the Armenian people constituted one of the most 
     egregious violations of human rights in the history of the 
     world; and
       Whereas, the United States Ambassador to the Ottoman 
     Empire, Henry Morgenthau, Sr., stated ``Whatever crimes the 
     most perverted instincts of the human mind can devise, and 
     whatever refinements of persecutions and injustice the most 
     debased imagination can conceive, became the daily 
     misfortunes of this devoted people. I am confident that the 
     whole history of the human race contains no such horrible 
     episode as this. The great massacres and persecutions of the 
     past seem almost insignificant when compared to the 
     sufferings of the Armenian race in 1915. The killing of the 
     Armenian people was accompanied by the systematic destruction 
     of churches, schools, libraries, treasures of art, and 
     cultural monuments in an attempt to eliminate all traces of a 
     noble civilization with a history of more than 2,000 years''; 
     and
       Whereas, Winston Churchill wrote: ``As for Turkish 
     atrocities: . . . massacring uncounted thousands of helpless 
     Armenians, men, women, and children together, whole districts 
     blotted out in one administrative holocaust--these were 
     beyond human redress''; and
       Whereas, contemporary newspapers like the New York Times 
     commonly carried headlines such as ``tales of Armenian 
     Horrors Confirmed,'' ``Million Armenians Killed or in 
     Exile,'' and ``Wholesale Massacre of Armenians by Turks''; 
     and
       Whereas, Adolph Hitler, in persuading his army commanders 
     on the eve of World War II that the merciless persecution and 
     killing of Poles, Jews, and other peoples would bring no 
     retribution, declared, ``Who, after all,

[[Page S6623]]

     speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians''; and
       Whereas, unlike other peoples and governments that have 
     admitted and denounced the abuses and crimes of predecessor 
     regimes, and despite the overwhelming weight of evidence, the 
     republic of Turkey has inexplicably and adamantly denied the 
     occurrence of the crimes against humanity committed by the 
     Young Turk rulers, and those denials compound the grief of 
     the few remaining survivors of the atrocities, desecrate the 
     memory of the victims, and cause continuing trauma and pain 
     to the descendants of the victims; and
       Whereas, nations that have officially recognized the 
     Armenian Genocide have been subjected to retaliation and 
     condemnation by Turkey; and
       Whereas, there have been concerted efforts to revise 
     history through the dissemination of propaganda suggesting 
     that Armenians were responsible for their fate in the period 
     from 1915 through 1923 and by the funding of programs at 
     American educational institutions for the purpose of 
     furthering the cause of this revisionism; and
       Whereas, leaders of nations with strategic, commercial, and 
     cultural ties to the Republic of Turkey should be reminded of 
     their duty to encourage Turkish officials to desist from 
     efforts to distort facts and deny the history of events 
     surrounding the Armenian Genocide; and
       Whereas, the accelerated level and scope of denial and 
     revisionism, coupled with the passage of time and the fact 
     that few survivors remain who serve as reminders of 
     indescribable brutality and torment, compel a sense of 
     urgency in efforts to solidify recognition and reaffirmation 
     of historical truth; and
       Whereas, by honoring the survivors and consistently 
     remembering and forcefully condemning the atrocities 
     committed against the Armenian people as well as the 
     persecution of the Assyrian and Greek populations of the 
     Ottoman Empire, we guard against repetition of the crime of 
     genocide; and
       Whereas, California has become home to the largest 
     population of Armenians in the United States, and those 
     citizens have enriched our state through leadership in the 
     fields of academia, medicine, business, agriculture, 
     government, and the arts and are proud and patriotic 
     practitioners of American citizenship; and
       Whereas, the State of California has been at the forefront 
     in encouraging and promoting a curriculum relating to human 
     rights and genocide in order to empower future generations to 
     prevent recurrence of the crime of genocide: Now, therefore 
     be it
       Resolved by the Senate and Assembly of the State of 
     California, jointly, That the Legislature of the State of 
     California hereby designates April 24, 2003, as the 
     ``California Day of Remembrance for the Armenian Genocide of 
     1915-1923''; and be it further
       Resolved, That the State of California commends its 
     conscientious educators who teach about human rights and 
     genocide; and be it further
       Resolved, That the State of California respectfully 
     memorializes the Congress of the United States to act 
     likewise to commemorate the Armenian Genocide; and be it 
     further
       Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies 
     of this resolution to the President of the United States, 
     Members of the United States Congress, and the Governor.
                                  ____

       POM-116. A resolution from the City Council of Boulder, 
     State of Colorado relative to opposition to the war in Iraq; 
     to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
       POM-117. A resolution adopted by the Rapides Parish Police 
     Jury of the State of Louisiana relative to the unwavering 
     support of the United States Armed Forces; to the Committee 
     on Armed Services.
       POM-118. A resolution adopted by the Legislature of the 
     State of Washington relative to state and local retail sales 
     taxes for federal income tax purposes; to the Committee on 
     Finance.
       POM-119. A joint resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     State of California relative to immigrant military personnel; 
     to the Committee on the Judiciary.

                     Senate Joint Resolution No. 13

       Whereas, immigrants have a long history of service in the 
     United States military, including service in major wars, 
     including, but not limited to, World War I, World War II, the 
     Korean War, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, and the 
     current war in Iraq; and
       Whereas, the number of immigrants serving in the United 
     States military has grown from 28,000 in 2000 to more than 
     37,000 today, and to date, immigrants comprise nearly 5 
     percent of all enlisted personnel on active duty in the 
     United States Armed Forces and more than 20 percent of 
     Congressional Medal of Honor recipients; and
       Whereas, at least one-half of the first 10 United States 
     soldiers from California killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom 
     were not United States citizens, and California contributes 
     nearly one of every three immigrant soldiers, more than any 
     other state; and
       Whereas, Francisco A. Martinez Flores, Jose A. Garibay, 
     Jose Gutierrez, and Joseph Menusa, who were immigrant 
     soldiers serving in the United States Marines, lost their 
     lives in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and service in the United 
     States military, particularly in times of conflict, is the 
     ultimate act of patriotism and duty served to the United 
     States; and
       Whereas, many immigrants on active duty are trying to 
     become naturalized citizens and are required by law to be 
     available at all times for military service but are only 
     allowed to apply for United States citizenship after 
     completing three years of service; and
       Whereas, President George W. Bush recently, issued an 
     Executive order conferring immediate eligibility for 
     citizenship to immigrants serving on active duty in the 
     United States Armed Forces to reward immigrants serving 
     during the post-September 11 war on terrorism; and
       Whereas, Congress should explore implementing an expedited 
     one-year naturalization process beginning on a soldier's 
     first day of service, and granting immediate citizenship to 
     those participating in a war and those who have been 
     honorably discharged from the military: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and Assembly of the State of 
     California, jointly, That the Legislature of the State of 
     California urges the President and the Congress of the United 
     States to amend federal selective service and immigration 
     laws to grant the right of citizenship to any and all 
     immigrants who honorably serve in the military; and be it 
     further
       Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies 
     of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the 
     United States, and to each Senator and Representative from 
     California in the Congress of the United States.
                                  ____

       POM-120. A resolution adopted by the House of the 
     Legislature of the State of Louisiana relative to the 
     nomination of the Miguel A. Estrada; to the Committee on the 
     Judiciary.

                        House Resolution No. 29

       Whereas, on May 9, 2001, President Bush nominated Miguel A. 
     Estrada to fill a vacancy on the United States Court of 
     Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit; and
       Whereas, Mr. Estrada's credentials go uncontested beginning 
     with his mastery of the English language and American culture 
     upon his arrival to the United States as an immigrant from 
     Honduras and his graduation magna cum laude from Columbia 
     University and Harvard Law School; and
       Whereas, over a year and a half has passed without a vote 
     on the floor of the United States Senate on Mr. Estrada's 
     nomination; and
       Whereas, Mr. Estrada has received support from liberal and 
     conservative colleagues alike who attest that he is one of 
     the most brilliant and effective appellate lawyers in the 
     country; and
       Whereas, organizations who support Mr. Estrada include the 
     League of United Latin American Citizens, the United States 
     Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Hispanic National Bar 
     Association, the Hispanic Business Roundtable, and the Latino 
     Coalition; and
       Whereas, Mr. Estrada would be the first Hispanic in the 
     country to sit on the United States Court of Appeals District 
     of Columbia Circuit, an important and prestigious position 
     within the nation's judiciary: Therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives of the State of 
     Louisiana requests our United States senators in the United 
     States Congress to support a floor vote in the United States 
     Senate on the appointment of judicial nominee Miguel A. 
     Estrada and to support his appointment; and be it further
       Resoloved, That a suitable copy of this Resolution be sent 
     to the President of the United States Senate and to Senator 
     John Breaux and Senator Mary Landrieu.
                                  ____

       POM-121. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Senate of 
     the State of Louisiana relative to the funding for state and 
     local homeland security activities; the Committee on 
     Appropriations.

                  Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 22

       Whereas, a February, 2003 report issued by the National 
     Conference of State Legislatures indicates that states, after 
     already having reduced their FY 03 budgets by forty-nine 
     billion dollars are facing additional budget cuts of twenty-
     six billion dollars before the end of the current fiscal 
     year; and
       Whereas, that same report indicates that states are facing 
     a sixty-eight billion five hundred million dollar shortfall 
     as they prepare their FY 04 budgets; and
       Whereas, as states cope with this growing budget crisis 
     they must also allocate additional resources to agencies 
     engaged in homeland security activities; and
       Whereas, local governments who are also facing budget 
     shortfalls have already spent over three billion dollars to 
     upgrade their police, fire, and emergency response agencies 
     in response to growing threats of domestic terrorism; and
       Whereas, the state of Louisiana and its political 
     subdivisions, in particular, must be especially vigilant and 
     prepared to combat terrorism because of Louisiana's strategic 
     importance to the national economy stemming from the 
     Mississippi River transportation corridor and its ports to 
     the Gulf of Mexico; and
       Whereas, the federal government has both the responsibility 
     and the resources to help finance efforts by state and local 
     governments to secure the homeland; and
       Whereas, federal assistance for homeland security projects 
     that was promised to state and local governments needs to be 
     made available by the federal government through supplemental 
     appropriations: Therefore, be it

[[Page S6624]]

       Resolved, That the Legislature of Louisiana memorializes 
     the Congress of the United States to appropriate for and 
     expedite funding of state and local homeland defense 
     activities; and be it further
       Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to 
     the secretary of the United States Senate and the clerk of 
     the United States House of Representatives and to each member 
     of the Louisiana delegation to the United States Congress.
                                  ____

       POM-122. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Montana relative to appropriating just 
     compensation to the State of Montana for the Impact of 
     Federal Land Ownership on the State's Ability to Fund Public 
     Education; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

                     Senate Joint Resolution No. 26

       Whereas, for many years western states have grappled with 
     the challenge of providing the best education for their 
     citizens; and
       Whereas, western states face unique challenges in achieving 
     this goal; and
       Whereas, from 1979 to 1998, the percentage change in 
     expenditures per pupil in 13 western states was 28% compared 
     to 57% in the remaining states; and
       Whereas, in 2002 and 2001, the pupil-to-teacher ratio in 13 
     western states averaged 17.9 to 1 compared with 14.8 to 1 in 
     the remaining states; and
       Whereas, the conditions in western states are exacerbated 
     by projections that enrollment will increase by an average of 
     7.1% compared to an average decrease of 2.6% in the rest of 
     the nation; and
       Whereas, despite the wide disparities in expenditures per 
     pupil-to-teacher ratio, western states tax at a comparable 
     rate and allocate as much of their budgets to public 
     education as the rest of the nation; and
       Whereas, the ability of western states to fund education is 
     directly related to federal ownership of state lands; and
       Whereas, the federal government owns an average of 51.9% of 
     the land in 13 western states compared to 4.1% in the 
     remaining states; and
       Whereas, the enablings acts of most western states promise 
     that 5% of the proceeds from the sale of federal lands will 
     go to the states for public education; and
       Whereas, a federal policy change in 1977 ended these sales, 
     resulting in an estimated $14 billion in lost public 
     education funding for western states; and
       Whereas, the ability of western states to fund public 
     education is further impacted by the fact that state and 
     local property taxes, which public education heavily 
     relies upon to fund education, cannot be assessed on 
     federal lands; and
       Whereas, the estimated annual impact of this property tax 
     prohibition on western states is over $4 billion; and
       Whereas, the federal government shares only half of its 
     royalty revenue with the states; and
       Whereas, royalties are further reduced because federal 
     lands are less likely to be developed, and federal laws often 
     place stipulations on the use of state royalty payments; and
       Whereas, the estimated annual impact of royalty payment 
     policies on western states is over $1.86 billion; and
       Whereas, much of the land that the federal government 
     transferred to states upon statehood as a trust for public 
     education is difficult to administer and to make productive 
     because it is surrounded by federal land; and
       Whereas, federal land ownership greatly hinders the ability 
     of western states to fund public education; and
       Whereas, the federal government should compensate western 
     states for the significant impact federal land ownership has 
     on the ability of western states to educate their citizens; 
     and
       Whereas, just compensation will allow western states to be 
     on equal footing with the rest of the nation in their efforts 
     to provide education for their citizens: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved by the Senate and the House of Representatives of 
     the State of Montana, That the Montana Legislature strongly 
     urge the United States Congress to appropriate just 
     compensation to the State of Montana for the impact of 
     federal land ownership on the State's ability to fund public 
     education; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Secretary of State send a copy of this 
     resolution to the President of the United states, the 
     President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the 
     United States House of Representatives, and the Montana 
     Congressional Delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-123. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Washington relative to the Bonneville Power 
     Administration rate increases; to the Committee on Energy and 
     Natural Resources.

                       House Joint Memorial 4021

       Whereas, the State of Washington's economy is constructed 
     on affordable and reliable electricity; and
       Whereas, energy prices in the Northwest are threatening 
     businesses and industries, including aluminum companies; and
       Whereas, the Bonneville Power Administration is proposing 
     yet anther rate increase to go into effect on October 1, 
     2003; and
       Whereas, the proposed increase is 15% more than the current 
     rates, which are already extremely high due to the more than 
     50% increase that has already occurred in the last couple of 
     years; and
       Whereas, this increase will cost the state's economy one 
     billion dollars over the next three years; and
       Whereas, many industries moved to Washington to take 
     advantage of low-cost hydroelectric power. They are now 
     paying more for power in Washington than in most of their 
     other locations in the nation; and
       Whereas, without affordable energy for these industries 
     (aluminum, pulp and paper, aerospace, agriculture, etc.), 
     thousands of family-wage jobs will be lost; and
       Whereas, many of these jobs are in rural and economically 
     challenged areas. These industries are at the core of many 
     Northwest communities and provide the foundation for numerous 
     secondary employment opportunities and also provide 
     substantial tax revenues; and
       Whereas, the proposed rate increase will do more than 
     jeopardize high paying jobs. The nation is suffering a severe 
     recession and the Pacific Northwest is already the hardest 
     hit region in the country; and
       Whereas, any increase in Bonneville Power Administration 
     rates will only slow or prevent economic recovery as well as 
     exacerbate the state's budget crisis; and
       Whereas, the Bonneville Power Administration has the tools 
     available to meet all of its legal obligations, including 
     protecting fish and wildlife, without raising rates; and
       Whereas, as a result of its $500 million prepayments to 
     Treasury to avoid a rate increase, the Bonneville Power 
     Administration can cut costs (not just slow its rate of 
     growth) and utilize its newly acquired additional borrowing 
     authority and the flexibility it has garnered; and
       Whereas, this region simply cannot support an additional 
     billion dollar hit to its economy over the next three years: 
     Now therefore, your Memorialists respectfully communicate 
     their request for the Bonneville Power Administration to 
     refrain from adopting rate increases at this time, unless 
     absolutely necessary to preserve its bond rating, and to use 
     other tools at its disposal to manage costs until economic 
     recovery is in sight; and be it
       Resolved, That copies of this Memorial be immediately 
     transmitted to the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the 
     United States.

                          ____________________