[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 84 (Tuesday, June 10, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7607-S7618]
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-127. A resolution adopted by the House of the State of 
     Hawaii relative to improving benefits for Filipino Veterans 
     of World War II; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

                        House Resolution No. 75

       Whereas, on January 7, 2003, Senator Daniel K. Inouye 
     introduced S. 68 in the United States Senate, which bill was 
     read twice and then referred to the Committee on Veterans' 
     Affairs; and
       Whereas, S. 68 proposes to amend title 38 of the United 
     States Code, to improve benefits for Filipino veterans of 
     World War II and for the surviving spouses of those veterans; 
     and
       Whereas, S. 68 would increase the rate of payment of 
     compensation benefits to certain Filipino veterans, 
     designated in title 38 United States Code section 107(b) and 
     referred to as New Philippine Scouts, who reside in the 
     United States and are United States citizens or lawful 
     permanent resident aliens; and
       Whereas, S. 68 would further increase the rate of payment 
     of dependency and indemnity compensation of surviving spouses 
     of certain Filipino veterans; and
       Whereas, S. 68 would further make eligible for full 
     disability pensions certain Filipino veterans who reside in 
     the United States and are United States citizens or lawful 
     permanent resident aliens; and
       Whereas, S. 68 would further mandate the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs to provide hospital and nursing home care 
     and medical services for service-connected disabilities for 
     any Filipino World War II veteran who resides in the United 
     States and is a United States citizen or lawful permanent 
     resident alien; and
       Whereas, S. 68 would further require the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs to furnish care and services to all Filipino 
     World War II veterans for service-connected disabilities and 
     nonservice-connected disabilities residing in the Republic of 
     the Philippines on an outpatient basis at the Manila VA 
     Outpatient Clinic; now, therefore,
       Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the 
     Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii. Regular 
     Session of 2003, That the United States Congress is 
     respectfully urged to support the passage of S. 68 to improve 
     benefits for certain Filipino veterans of World War II; and
       Be it further resolved, That certified copies of this 
     Resolution be transmitted to the

[[Page S7608]]

     President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the 
     United States House of Representatives, the members of the 
     Hawaii congressional delegation and the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs.
                                  ____

       POM-128. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Washington relative to restoring the deduction 
     of retail sales tax under the federal income tax; to the 
     Committee on Finance.

                       Senate Joint Memorial 8003

       Whereas, The federal tax reform act of 1986 put additional 
     financial stress on the taxpayers of the state of Washington 
     by eliminating the retail sales tax deduction; and
       Whereas, Taxpayers in other states may deduct major state 
     taxes in determining federal income tax; and
       Whereas, Taxpayers of the state of Washington would realize 
     substantial reductions in federal tax burdens if they could 
     deduct retail sales taxes; and
       Whereas, Congress is in the process of consideration tax 
     reduction proposals; and
       Whereas, Congress could easily relieve the burden on 
     taxpayers of the state of Washington by restoring the full 
     retail sales tax deduction;
       Now, therefore, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that 
     the United States restore the deduction of retail sales tax 
     under the federal income tax.
       Be it resolved, That copies of this Memorial be immediately 
     transmitted to the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the 
     United States, the President of the United States Senate, the 
     Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of 
     Congress from the State of Washington.
                                  ____

       POM-129. A concurrent resolution adopted by the legislature 
     of the State of Louisiana relative to provisions of the 
     Internal Revenue Code which provide for the taxation of 
     Social Security income; to the Committee on Finance.

                   House Concurrent Resolution No. 6

       Whereas, current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code 
     provide for the taxation of up to eighty-five percent of 
     income derived from Social Security benefits; and
       Whereas, Social Security payments are often the primary 
     income of retirees; and
       Whereas, retired persons are citizens who can least afford 
     a reduction in income; and
       Whereas, retired persons are currently facing increased 
     costs of living, including increased costs of prescription 
     drugs; and
       Whereas, other measures currently being reviewed by 
     congress to stimulate the economy do not address the needs of 
     low- and middle-income retired persons.
       Therefore, be it resolved, That the Louisiana Legislature 
     does hereby memorialize the United States Congress to repeal 
     the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code which provide for 
     the taxation of Social Security income.
       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-130. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Louisiana relative to reviewing and consider 
     eliminating the provisions of law which reduce or totally 
     eliminate social security benefits for those persons who also 
     receive a state or local government retirement benefit; to 
     the Committee on Finance.

                   House Concurrent Resolution No. 39

       Whereas, the Congress of the United States has enacted both 
     the Government Pension Offset (GPO), which reduces the 
     spousal and widow(er)s social security benefit, and the 
     Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), which reduces the 
     earned social security benefit for persons who also receive a 
     state or local government retirement; and
       Whereas, the intent of Congress in enacting the GPO and WEP 
     provisions was to address concerns that public employees who 
     had worked primarily in state and local government employment 
     receive the same benefit as workers who had worked in social 
     security employment throughout their careers, thereby 
     providing a disincentive to ``double-dipping''; and
       Whereas, the GPO affects a spouse or widow(er) receiving a 
     state or local government retirement benefit who would also 
     be entitled to a social security benefit earned by a spouse; 
     and
       Whereas, the GPO formula reduces the spousal or widow(er)s 
     social security benefit by two-thirds of the amount of the 
     state or local government retirement benefit received by the 
     spouse or widow(er), in many cases completely eliminating the 
     social security benefit; and
       Whereas, the WEP applies to those persons who have earned a 
     state or local government retirement benefit in addition to 
     having the necessary credits earned in social security 
     employment; and
       Whereas, the WEP reduces the earned social security benefit 
     by using a modified formula of the averaged indexed monthly 
     earnings, which may reduce the earned social security 
     benefits by as much as fifty percent; and
       Whereas, the GPO and WEP have a disproportionately negative 
     effect on employees working in lower-wage government jobs, 
     such as policemen, firefighter, teachers, and municipal, 
     parochial, and state employees; and
       Whereas, these provisions also affect more women than men 
     because of the gender differences in salary that continue to 
     exist across of nation; and
       Whereas, Louisiana is making every effort to improve the 
     quality of life of her citizens, to encourage them to remain 
     here lifelong, and to provide for them in their retirement 
     years.
       Therefore, be it resolved, that the Legislature of 
     Louisiana does hereby memorialize the Congress of the United 
     States to review and consider eliminating the GPO and WEP 
     social security benefit reductions.
       Be it further resolved, That a copy of the Resolution be 
     transmitted to the presiding officers of the Senate and the 
     House of Representatives of the Congress of the United States 
     of American and to each member of the Louisiana congressional 
     delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-131. A concurrent House resolution adopted by the 
     Legislature of the State of Louisiana relative to the Pledge 
     of Allegiance; to the Committee on Finance.

                  House Concurrent Resolution No. 121

       Whereas, Louisiana is one of numerous states in which 
     students recite the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools; 
     and
       Whereas, the practice of including ``under God'' in the 
     Pledge was established by federal law decades ago and 
     reaffirmed by a new federal law just last year; and
       Whereas, recent polls indicate that up to ninety percent of 
     the public is overwhelmingly in favor of allowing students to 
     recite the Pledge of Allegiance; and
       Whereas, Constitution signer George Washington declared, 
     ``the fundamental principle of our Constitution . . . enjoins 
     [requires] that the will of the majority shall prevail,'' and 
     Thomas Jefferson pronounced, ``the will of the majority [is] 
     the natural law of every society [and] is the only sure 
     guardian of the rights of man''; and
       Whereas, Thomas Jefferson also stated, ``A judiciary 
     independent . . . of the will of the nation is a solecism--at 
     least in a republican government''; and
       Whereas, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth 
     Circuit has violated these fundamental principles and 
     abrogated the ``consent of the governed'' as set forth in our 
     governing documents; and
       Whereas, the will of the people can be protected against 
     further judicial usurpation by the federal courts on this 
     issue through congressional action to limit the jurisdiction 
     of the federal courts as explicitly set forth in the 
     Constitution in Article III, Section 2, Paragraph 2 (federal 
     courts ``shall have appellate jurisdiction both as to law and 
     fact with such exceptions and under such regulations as 
     Congress shall make''); and
       Whereas, the intent of the Framers regarding this power of 
     Congress to limit judicial overreach was clear, such that 
     Samuel Chase, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and 
     a United States Supreme Court Justice appointed by President 
     George Washington, declared, ``The notion has frequently been 
     entertained that the federal courts derive their judicial 
     power immediately from the Constitution; but the political 
     truth is that the disposal of the judicial power (except in a 
     few specified instances) belongs to Congress. If Congress has 
     given the power to this court, we possess it, not 
     otherwise''; and
       Whereas, Justice Joseph Story, in his authoritative 
     Commentaries on the Constitution, similarly declared, ``In 
     all cases where the judicial power of the United States is to 
     be exercised, it is for Congress alone to furnish the rules 
     of proceeding, to direct the process, to declare the nature 
     and effect of the process, and the mode, in which the 
     judgments, consequent thereon, shall be executed . . . And if 
     Congress may confer power, they may repeal it . . . The power 
     of Congress [is] complete to make exceptions''; and
       Whereas, this position is confirmed not only by signers of 
     the Constitution such as George Washington and James Madison 
     but also by other leading constitutional experts and jurists 
     of the day, including Chief Justice Oliver Ellsworth, Chief 
     Justice John Marshall, Richard Henry Lee, Robert Yates, 
     George Mason, and John Randolph; and
       Whereas, the United States Supreme Court has long 
     recognized and affirmed this power of Congress to limit the 
     appellate jurisdiction of the federal courts, as in 1847 when 
     the court declared that the ``court possesses no appellate 
     power in any case unless conferred upon it by act of 
     Congress'' and in 1865 when it declared ``it is for Congress 
     to determine how far . . . appellate jurisdiction shall be 
     given; and when conferred, it can be exercised only to the 
     extent and in the manner prescribed by law''; and
       Whereas, congress has on numerous occasions exercised this 
     power to limit the jurisdiction of federal courts, and the 
     Supreme Court has consistently upheld this power of congress 
     in rulings over the last two centuries, including cases in 
     1847, 1866, 1868, 1878, 1882, 1893, 1898, 1901, 1904, 1906, 
     1908, 1910, 1922, 1926, 1948, 1952, 1966, 1973, 1977, and 
     others; and
       Whereas, it is Congress alone that can remedy this current 
     crisis and return to the states the power to make their own 
     decisions on recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in public 
     schools.
       Therefore, be it resolved, That the Legislature of 
     Louisiana does hereby memorialize the Congress of the United 
     States to limit the appellate jurisdiction of the federal 
     courts regarding the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance 
     in public schools.
       Be it further resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be 
     transmitted to the presiding

[[Page S7609]]

     and chief clerical 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-132. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislative 
     of the State of Texas relative to Federal income tax; to the 
     Committee on Finance.

                   Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 6

       Whereas, Current federal tax provisions place an arbitrary 
     state cap on the volume of private activity bonds, which 
     hinders the ability of Texas to meet its rapidly growing 
     water infrastructure needs; and
       Whereas, Private activity bonds afford a cost-
     effectiveness, nonrecourse means of financing the development 
     of adequate wastewater and drinking water facilities for the 
     future and minimize and drinking facilities for the future 
     and minimize the risk to the ratepayer; and
       Whereas, Other sources of municipal infrastructure 
     financing, such as general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, 
     enterprise bonds, and loans under the federal Environmental 
     Protection Agency's state revolving loan fund program, are 
     insufficient to allow Texas to comply with new federal 
     environmental and public health mandates; and
       Whereas, The cap on the volume of private activity bonds 
     forces water and wastewater projects to compete with other 
     projects in Texas without regard to the urgent priority of 
     protecting public health and the environment; and
       Whereas, Private activity bonds foster innovative public-
     private partnerships and help them develop cost-effective 
     projects for the construction of sewage and drinking water 
     facilities and the rehabilitation and upgrade of existing 
     water infrastructure; and
       Whereas, Removing the financing cap would give public 
     officials the maximum number of tools for meeting the growing 
     public demand for water services while ensuring compliance 
     with federal environmental and public health laws; now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas 
     hereby respectfully urge the Congress of the United States to 
     amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide that the 
     volume cap for private activity bonds not apply to bonds for 
     water and wastewater facilities; and, be it further
       Resolved, That the Texas secretary of state forward 
     official copies of this resolution to the president of the 
     United States, to the Speaker of the house of representatives 
     and the president of the Senate of the United States 
     Congress, and to all the members of the Texas delegation to 
     the Congress with the request that this resolution be 
     officially entered in the Congressional Record as a memorial 
     to the Congress of the United States of America.
                                  ____

       POM-133. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Hawaii relative to the establishment of 
     State-Province relations between the State of Hawaii of the 
     United States and the Province of Ilocos Norte of the 
     Republic of the Philippines; to the Committee on Foreign 
     Relations.

                   House Concurrent Resolution No. 17

       Whereas, the State of Hawaii is actively seeking to expand 
     its international ties and has an abiding interest in 
     developing goodwill, friendship, and economic relations 
     between the people of Hawaii and the people of Asian and 
     Pacific countries; and
       Whereas, as part of its effort to achieve this goal, Hawaii 
     has established a number of sister-state agreements with 
     provinces on the Pacific region; and
       Whereas, because of the historical relationship between the 
     United States of America and the Republic of the Philippines, 
     there continue to exist valid reasons to promote 
     international friendship and understanding for the mutual 
     benefit of both countries to achieve lasting peace and 
     prosperity as it serves the common interests of both 
     countries; and
       Whereas, there are historical precedents exemplifying the 
     common desire to maintain a close cultural, commercial, and 
     financial bridge between ethnic Filipinos living in Hawaii 
     with their relatives, friends, and business counterparts in 
     the Philippines, such as the previously established sister-
     city relationship between the City and County of Honolulu and 
     the City of Cebu in the Province of Cebu; and
       Whereas, similar state-province relationship exist between 
     the State of Hawaii and the Provinces of Cebu and Ilocos Sur, 
     whereby cooperation and communication have served to 
     establish exchanges in the areas of business, trade, 
     agriculture and industry, tourism, sports, health care, 
     social welfare, and other fields of human endeavor; and
       Whereas, a similar sister-state relationship would 
     reinforce and cement this common bridge for understanding and 
     mutual assistance between ethnic Filipinos of both the State 
     of Hawaii and the Province of Ilocos Norte; and
       Whereas, there is an existing relationship between the 
     Province of Ilocos Norte and the State of Hawaii because 
     several notable citizens of Hawaii can trace their roots or 
     have immigrated from the Province of Ilocos Norte, including 
     the city of Laoag; now, therefore,
       Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the 
     Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular 
     Session of 2003, the Senate concurring, That Governor Linda 
     Lingle of the State of Hawaii, or her designee, be authorized 
     and is requested to take all necessary actions to establish a 
     state-province affiliation with the Province of Ilocos Norte 
     in the Republic of the Philippines; and
       Be it further resolved, That the Governor or her designee 
     is requested to keep the Legislature of the State of Hawaii 
     fully informed of the process in establishing the 
     relationship, and involved in its formalization to the extent 
     practicable; and
       Be it further resolved, That the Province of Ilocos Norte 
     be afforded the privileges and honors that Hawaii extends to 
     its sister-states and provinces;
       Be it further resolved, That this state-province 
     relationship shall continue until July 1, 2008; and
       Be it further resolved, That certified copies of this 
     Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the 
     United States, the Governor of the State of Hawaii, the 
     President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the 
     United States House of Representatives, Hawaii's 
     Congressional delegation, the President of the Republic of 
     the Philippines through its Honolulu Consulate General, and 
     the Governor and Provincial Board of the Province of Ilocos 
     Norte, Republic of the Philippines.
                                  ____

       POM-134. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Hawaii relative to fully funding the 
     Millennium Challenge Account; to the Committee on Foreign 
     Relations.

                   House Concurrent Resolution No. 28

       Whereas, in September 2000, the United Nations General 
     Assembly adopted the United Nations Millennium Declaration, a 
     resolution establishing international development goals to 
     reduce poverty and improve lives, now known as the Millennium 
     Development Goals; and
       Whereas, members of the United Nations, including the 
     United States, pledged to meet established benchmark for the 
     Millennium Development Goals by 2015 to:
       (1) Reduce by fifty per cent the proportion of people 
     living in extreme poverty and suffering from hunger;
       (2) Achieve universal primary education by ensuring that 
     all boys and girls complete primary school;
       (3) Promote gender equality and empower women by 
     eliminating disparities in primary and secondary education at 
     all levels;
       (4) Reduce child mortality by two-thirds among children 
     under five years old;
       (5) Improve maternal health by reducing the ratio of 
     women's death during childbirth by seventy-five per cent;
       (6) Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases by 
     reversing the spread of HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other major 
     diseases;
       Whereas, it is critical that initiatives and programs 
     funding through the Millennium Challenge Account include 
     activities that enable women to play active roles in the 
     economic and civic activities of their countries; now, 
     therefore,
       Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the 
     Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular 
     Session of 2003, the Senate concurring, That the United 
     States Congress is urged to fully fund the Millennium 
     Challenge Account to enable poor and hungry people around the 
     globe become self-reliant; and
       Be it further resolved, That as the Millennium Challenge 
     Account is implemented, it is crucial that our leaders 
     understand and require that women be involved in all phases 
     of establishment and implementation of programs funded to 
     achieve the Millennium Development goals; and
       Be it further resolved, That adequate funding and 
     meaningful participation of women and girls are essential for 
     successful development assistance programs in poor nations; 
     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, and 
     the members of Hawaii's congressional delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-135. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Hawaii relative to the establishment of 
     State-Province relations between the State of Hawaii of the 
     United States and the Province of Thua Thien-Hue of the 
     Socialist Republic of Vietnam; to the Committee on Foreign 
     Relations.

                            House Resolution

       Whereas, the State of Hawaii is actively seeking to expand 
     its international ties and has an abiding interest in 
     developing goodwill, friendship, and economic relations 
     between the people of Hawaii and the people of Asian and 
     Pacific countries; and
       Whereas, as part of its effort to achieve this goal, the 
     State has established a number of sister-state agreements 
     with provinces in the Pacific region; and
       Whereas, because of the historical relationship between the 
     United States of America and the Socialist Republic of 
     Vietnam, there are compelling reasons to promote 
     international friendship and understanding for the mutual 
     benefit of both countries to achieve lasting peace and 
     prosperity, as it serves the common interests of both 
     countries; and
       Whereas, there are historical precedents exemplifying the 
     common desire to maintain

[[Page S7610]]

     a close cultural, commercial, and financial bridge between 
     ethnic Vietnamese living in Hawaii with their relatives, 
     friends, and business counterparts in Vietnam, such as the 
     previously established sister-city relationship between the 
     City and County of Honolulu and the city of Hue, which is the 
     capital of the Province of Thua Thien-Hue; and
       Whereas, a similar state-province relationship between the 
     State and the Province of Thua Thien-Hue, whereby exchanges 
     and cooperation could be established in the areas of 
     business, trade, agriculture, environmentally and culturally 
     sensitive tourism, sports, public health, education, economic 
     development and humanitarian assistance would reinforce and 
     cement this common bridge of understanding and mutual 
     assistance between the ethnic Vietnamese of both the State 
     and the Province of Thua Thien-Hue; and
       Whereas, the Province of Thua Thien-Hue, like Hawaii, has 
     an agricultural economy that is based upon sugar cane, 
     fruits, and flowers, and aquaculture crops, such as shrimp; 
     and
       Whereas, the city of Hue, capital of the Province of Thua 
     Thien-Hue has been designated as a World Heritage Site by the 
     United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural 
     Organization because its cultural and natural properties are 
     considered to be of outstanding universal value and must be 
     protected; and
       Whereas, the Province of Thua Thien-Hue's unique cultural 
     and historical significance and natural beauty are important 
     resources on which to base an environmentally and culturally 
     sensitive tourism industry; and
       Whereas, Hawaii's long experience and expertise in tourism, 
     agriculture, and aquaculture could be shared with the 
     Province of Thua Thien-Hue; now, therefore,
       Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the 
     Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular 
     Session of 2003, That the Governor of the State of Hawaii or 
     her designee is requested to take all necessary actions to 
     establish a sister-state affiliation with the Province of 
     Thua Thien-Hue in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; and
       Be it further resolved, That the Governor is requested to 
     keep the Legislature fully apprised of any progress made in 
     establishing the relationship in order that the Legislature 
     may be involved in its formalization to the extent 
     practicable; and
       Be it further resolved, That the Province of Thua Thien-Hue 
     be afforded the privileges and honors to which Hawaii extends 
     to its other sister-states and provinces; and
       Be it further resolved, That certified copies of this 
     Resolution be transmitted to the President of the United 
     States through the Secretary of State, the Governor of the 
     State of Hawaii, the President of the United States Senate, 
     the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, 
     Hawaii's congressional delegation, the President of the 
     Socialist Republic of Vietnam through its San Francisco 
     Consulate General, the Governor of the Province of Thua 
     Thien-Hue, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and the Director of 
     Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.
                                  ____

       POM-136. A resolution adopted by the House of the 
     Legislature of the State of Hawaii relative to fully funding 
     the Millennium Challenge Account; to the Committee on Foreign 
     Relations.

                        House Resolution No. 33

       Whereas, in September 2000, the United Nations General 
     Assembly adopted the United Nations Millennium Declaration, a 
     resolution establishing international development goals to 
     reduce poverty and improve lives, now known as the Millennium 
     Development Goals; and
       Whereas, members of the United Nations, including the 
     United States, pledged to meet established benchmarks for the 
     Millennium Development Goals by 2015 to:
       (1) Reduce by fifty percent the proportion of people living 
     in extreme poverty and suffering from hunger;
       (2) Achieve universal primary education by ensuring that 
     all boys and girls complete primary school;
       (3) Promote gender equality and empower women by 
     eliminating disparities in primary and secondary education at 
     all levels;
       (4) Reduce child mortality by two-thirds among children 
     under five years old;
       (5) Improve maternal health by reducing the ratio of 
     women's death during childbirth by seventy-five per cent;
       (6) Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases by 
     reversing the spread of HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other major 
     diseases;
       (7) Ensure environmental sustainability by introducing 
     sustainable development principles to: reverse the loss of 
     environmental resources; increase access to safe drinking 
     water; and achieve significant improvements in the lives of 
     at least one hundred million slum dwellers; and
       (8) Develop a global partnership for development through 
     reform of the trading system and financial system to allow 
     poor nations to sell goods at fair prices to obtain financial 
     resources to create stable economies and eliminate poverty; 
     aiding to the special needs of least developed countries; 
     addressing debt problems of developing countries; creating 
     productive work for youth; increase access to affordable 
     drugs; and make benefits of new technologies available; and
       Whereas, in March 2002, President George W. Bush unveiled 
     the Millennium Challenge Account, a plan to increase 
     significantly development assistance to poor, developing 
     countries by an additional $10,000,000,000 in foreign 
     assistance over fiscal years 2004-2006, ultimately doubling 
     United States poverty-focused assistance when fully 
     implemented; and
       Whereas, initiatives to be funded through the Millennium 
     Challenge Account have the potential to improve the 
     nutrition, health care, education, and drinking water for 
     millions of people in poor nations only if the Millennium 
     Challenge Account is fully funded by Congress; and
       Whereas, although studies uniformly report that the most 
     effective use of international aid is the investment in 
     women, the reports also indicate that women do not benefit 
     from international development efforts unless they are 
     included in all aspects of a development initiative from its 
     beginning; and
       Whereas, the involvement of women in any economic growth 
     plan is critical because women and girls are more than half 
     of the world's population and represent significantly more 
     than half of the population in areas particularly devastated 
     by prolonged conflict like Afghanistan; and
       Whereas, it is critical that initiatives and programs 
     funded through the Millennium Challenge Account include 
     activities that enable women to play active roles in the 
     economic and civic activities of their countries; now, 
     therefore,
       Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the 
     Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular 
     Session of 2003, That the United States Congress is urged to 
     fully fund the Millennium Challenge Account to enable poor 
     and hungry people around the globe become self-reliant; and
       Be it further resolved, That as the Millennium Challenge 
     Account is implemented, it is crucial that our leaders 
     understand and require that women be involved in all phases 
     of establishment and implementation of programs funded to 
     achieve the Millennium Development goals; and
       Be it further resolved, That adequate funding and 
     meaningful participation of women and girls are essential for 
     successful development assistance programs in poor nations; 
     and
       Be it further resolved, That certified copies of this 
     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, and 
     the members of Hawaii's congressional delegation.
                                  ____

       POM--137. A resolution adopted by the House of the 
     Legislature of the State of Hawaii relative to International 
     Women's Day; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
       Whereas, International Women's Day, celebrated throughout 
     the world on March 8, is a time to: reflect on the status of 
     women in the United States and around the world; assess 
     progress made and remaining challenges; and recommit to 
     women's human rights and the full empowerment of the world's 
     women as the basis for truly sustainable social, economic, 
     and political development of nations and communities; and
       Whereas, 228,000,000 women are in need of effective 
     contraceptive methods; and
       Whereas, a woman dies every minute as a result of pregnancy 
     and childbirth-related causes (approximately five hundred 
     thousand women a year) and for every woman who dies, thirty 
     other women are injured or disabled; and
       Whereas, between seven hundred thousand and four million 
     people--mainly women and children--are trafficked annually 
     across international borders for sexual exploitation and 
     forced labor; and
       Whereas, fifty thousand to one hundred thousand women and 
     girls are trafficked annually for sexual exploitation into 
     the United States; and
       Whereas, HIV/AIDS is a women's epidemic worldwide--with 
     19,200,000 women worldwide currently living with HIV/AIDS and 
     1,200,000 women dying of AIDS in 2002; and
       Whereas, for the last several years, HIV/AIDS has been the 
     fifth leading cause of death for women ages twenty-five to 
     forty-four in the United States and the third leading cause 
     of death for African American women in this same age group; 
     and
       Whereas, gender-based violence against women--including 
     prenatal sex selection, female infanticide, sexual abuse, 
     female genital mutilation, school and workplace sexual 
     harassment, sexual trafficking and exploitation, 
     prostitution, dowry-killings, domestic violence, battering, 
     and marital rape--causes more death and disability among 
     women in the fifteen to forty-four age group than cancer, 
     malaria, traffic accidents, and even war; and
       Whereas, approximately 4,800,000 rapes and physical 
     assaults are perpetrated annually against women in the United 
     States; and
       Whereas, women in many countries lack rights to own land 
     and inherit property, obtain credit, attend and stay in 
     school, earn income, work free from job discrimination, and 
     have access to services that meet their sexual and 
     reproductive health needs; and
       Whereas, 2,100,000,000 women around the globe live on less 
     than two dollars a day, and women in the United States earn 
     seventy-three cents on average for every dollar earned by 
     men; and
       Whereas, two-thirds of the 960,000,000 illiterate adults in 
     the world are women and two-thirds of the 130,000,000 
     children not enrolled in primary school are girls; now, 
     therefore,

[[Page S7611]]

       Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the 
     Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular 
     Session of 2003, That this body urges the United States 
     Senate to demonstrate our nation's commitment to human rights 
     by ratifying the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms 
     of Discrimination Against Women, joining one hundred seventy 
     other nations in endorsing the most comprehensive treaty 
     ensuring the fundamental human rights and equality of women; 
     and
       Be it further resolved, That the United States Congress is 
     urged to affirm women's fundamental right to reproductive 
     health, including the ability to choose the number of 
     children they will have and the timing of their births, by 
     funding high quality, voluntary family planning and 
     reproductive health services that enable women to exercise 
     this right; and
       Be it further resolved, That certified copies of this 
     Resolution be transmitted to the President of the United 
     States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of 
     Representatives, and members of Hawaii's congressional 
     delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-138. A resolution adopted by the House of the 
     Legislature of the State of Hawaii relative to the Global Gag 
     Rule imposed on International Family Planning Organizations; 
     to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

                        House Resolution No. 34

       Whereas, approximately 120 million couples in the third 
     world lack access to modern contraception; and
       Whereas, the United States provides family planning 
     assistance funds to non-governmental organizations in fifty-
     nine countries; and
       Whereas, these nations have a right to inform their own 
     people about legal family planning options and to discuss 
     changes in their family planning laws, in order to form their 
     own policy and development, without interference by the 
     United States; and
       Whereas, the United States has interfered with these non-
     governmental organizations through the ``global gag rule,'' 
     by which the United States refuses to fund non-governmental 
     organizations that provide legal abortion services, lobby 
     their own governments for abortion law reform, or even 
     provide accurate medical counseling or referrals regarding 
     abortion, even if no United States money is used for those 
     purposes; and
       Whereas, in almost sixty per cent of these countries, 
     abortion in some form is legal, yet the global gag rule 
     prevents their non-governmental organizations from discussing 
     the option of performing abortions, even if this is done with 
     the non-governmental organizations' own funds and not with 
     any United States funds; and
       Whereas, in the countries where abortion is not legal, the 
     global gag rule prevents the non-governmental organizations 
     from speaking publicly about these issues to foster informed 
     debate on abortion, even if this free speech is done with the 
     non-governmental organizations' own funds; and
       Whereas, in rural areas, often these non-governmental 
     organizations are the only health care providers, so 
     restricting their funding affects the health of all people in 
     the community and forces the non-governmental organizations 
     to make an immoral choice: either give up desperately needed 
     funds for family planning services, or give up their right to 
     free speech and to provide their patients with full and 
     accurate medical information; and
       Whereas, the ``global gag rule'' process hurts good family-
     planning work that has little to do with the rights of an 
     unborn child, as these family planning services address other 
     health problems such as sexually transmitted diseases, which 
     indirectly helps with economic stability in developing 
     countries; and
       Whereas, through the global gag rule, the United States 
     government not only stifles free speech, but affirmatively 
     discriminates against viewpoints it does not like, something 
     that would be unconstitutional in its own country; and
       Whereas, this gag rule was created by execution order of 
     President Reagan in 1984; and
       Whereas, President Clinton canceled the gag order in 1993, 
     but reluctantly restored it for one year in 1999 in exchange 
     for the Republicans in Congress agreeing to pay the United 
     States' back dues to the United Nations; and
       Whereas, President Bush reimposed the global gag rule by 
     executive order in January 2001 and reaffirmed his opposition 
     to reproductive rights in his state of the union address; and
       Whereas, the gag order is consistent with the United States 
     administration's recent announcement at an international 
     conference that they support the ``rhythm method'' of 
     contraception; and
       Whereas, the global gag rule: undermines the human right to 
     free speech, a right so vigorously championed by our 
     government that it is part of our constitution; undercuts our 
     foreign policy; and damages women's reproductive health; and
       Whereas, this misguided policy would be illegal were it to 
     be imposed in our own country, and it is unconscionable for 
     the United States to force it on other countries; 
     jeopardizing the health of millions of women and children; 
     and
       Whereas, the Legislature has already demonstrated its 
     support for women's rights in the family context when it 
     adopted House Resolution No. 15 during the 1999 Regular 
     Session entitled ``Urging the United States Senate to Ratify 
     the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms 
     of Discrimination Against Women''; and
       Whereas, legislation is pending in Congress to remove the 
     global gag rule and permit the non-governmental organizations 
     to provide appropriate and legal family planning service and 
     information in their home countries; now, therefore,
       Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the 
     Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular 
     Session of 2003, That the United States Congress is hereby 
     urged to support a ban on the global gag rule; and
       Be it further resolved, That certified copies of this 
     Resolution be transmitted to the President of the United 
     States, Speaker of the United States House of 
     Representatives, the President of the United States Senate, 
     and the members of Hawaii's congressional delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-139. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Washington relative to the Federal Energy 
     Regulatory Commission; to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources.
       Whereas, The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission proposal 
     establishing a standard market design (SMD) for electricity 
     proceeds from the premise that a single market model will 
     work for the entire nation, as a result it would 
     fundamentally change the way the transmission system is 
     operated, expand the Commission's authority in state 
     decisions regarding resource adequacy and demand response, 
     and dismantle the regional benefits derived from public 
     power; and
       Whereas, Washington state has a comprehensive electricity 
     policy, which encourages efficiency while reflecting our 
     unique resource base; and
       Whereas, The Northwest electricity system is different from 
     most of the rest of the nation, including substantial 
     differences in the transmission ownership, a hydro-based 
     system where the amount of energy generated is limited by the 
     amount of water in the rivers and behind the dams, complex 
     legal arrangements for multiple uses of the water to meet 
     diverse goals (power, irrigation, fisheries, recreation, and 
     treaty obligations), and a hydro-based system that requires 
     substantial coordination among plant owners and utilities, 
     rather than the competitive market-based structure the SMD 
     promotes; and
       Whereas, The Northwest electricity system has produced 
     affordable, cost-based rates and reliable service for our 
     region; and
       Whereas, Deregulation broke up traditional regulated 
     utilities in order to create trading markets with the promise 
     of lower costs, more consumer choice, more reliability, and 
     fewer government bailouts. It in fact produced higher prices, 
     more manipulation of consumers, volatility, brownouts, and 
     bailouts running into the tens of billions; and
       Whereas, The SMD would harm consumers in our region through 
     increased costs and decreased reliability;
       Now, therefore, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that 
     the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission leave the Northwest 
     electricity system in place and withdraw the Notice of 
     Proposed Rulemaking establishing a Standard Market Design 
     (SMD) for electricity; and
       Your Memorialists further pray that in the event that the 
     Federal Energy Regulatory Commission does not withdraw its 
     proposal, the President and Congress take action to prevent 
     the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission from proceeding with 
     their proposal.
       Be it resolved, That copies of this Memorial be immediately 
     transmitted to the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the 
     United States, the Honorable Spencer Abraham, the Secretary 
     of the United States Department of Energy, the Members of the 
     Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Chairman Patrick Wood, 
     III, Commissioner Nora M. Brownell, and Commissioner William 
     L. Massey, the President of the United States Senate, the 
     Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of 
     Congress from the State of Washington.
                                  ____

       POM-140. A resolution adopted by the Legislature of the 
     State of Washington relative to the Federal Energy Regulatory 
     Commission; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

                       Senate Joint Memorial 8012

       Whereas, The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission recently 
     proposed a new pricing policy for the rates of transmission 
     owners that transfer operational control of their 
     transmission facilities to a Regional Transmission 
     Organization. (RTO), form independent transmission companies 
     within RTOs, or pursue additional measures that promote 
     efficient operation and expansion of the transmission grid; 
     and
       Whereas, The proposed policy would create rate incentives 
     based on an unproven theory that it will improve grid 
     performance, reduce wholesale transmission and transactions 
     costs, improve electric reliability, and make electric 
     wholesale competition more effective; and
       Whereas, The proposal offers a single model for the entire 
     nation and fails to recognize regional differences in 
     electricity generation and transmission or the benefits 
     derived from public power; and
       Whereas, Washington state has a comprehensive electricity 
     policy, which encourages efficiency while reflecting our 
     unique resource base; and

[[Page S7612]]

       Whereas, The Northwest electricity system is different from 
     most of the rest of the nation and has produced affordable, 
     cost-based rates and reliable service for our region; and
       Whereas, We believe the proposed pricing incentives would 
     harm consumers in our region through increased costs without 
     any positive cost-benefit analysis; and
       Whereas, We believe the proposed pricing incentives will 
     harm the investment climate for new electricity 
     infrastructure in the region due to the Commission's 
     inability to ensure delivery of the promised incentives, and 
     because the incentives first apply to existing transmission 
     and second to new investment, but only if a utility is a 
     member of an RTO; and
       Whereas, We believe the proposed pricing incentives will 
     make more difficult the formation of any new regional 
     transmission organization that is, in fact, well-designed to 
     fit Northwest regional circumstances because the generic 
     incentive is a new cost that outweigh any benefits of such an 
     organization;
       Now, therefore, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that 
     the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission leave the Northwest 
     electricity system in place and withdraw its proposed new 
     pricing policy for the rates of transmission owners until 
     such time as a cost-benefit analysis is completed that 
     indicates a positive benefit from Northwest consumers, and 
     the region expresses its desire to form a new transmission 
     organizations; and
       Your Memorialists further pray that in the event that the 
     Federal Energy Regulatory Commission does not withdraw its 
     proposal, the President and Congress take action to prevent 
     the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission from proceeding with 
     their proposal.
       Be it resolved, That copies of this Memorial be immediately 
     transmitted to the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the 
     United States, the Honorable Spencer Abraham, the Secretary 
     of the United States Department of Energy, the Members of the 
     Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Chairman Patrick Wood, 
     III, Commissioner Nora M. Brownell, and Commissioner William 
     L. Massey, the President of the United States Senate, the 
     Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of 
     Congress from the State of Washington.
                                  ____

       POM-141. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Michigan relative to fuel cell research 
     projects; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

                  Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 14

       Whereas, In his State of the Union address, President Bush 
     identified fuel cell research as a national priority. While 
     this move holds great significance for our entire country, 
     the urgency for developing a new energy source is most 
     acutely understood in Michigan; and
       Whereas, Through the resources of the automotive industry, 
     smaller companies across our state, and university research 
     being conducted at numerous locales, the drive to develop the 
     fuel cell as the next generation energy source has been in 
     high gear in Michigan for many years. The human and 
     technological resources Michigan has as the home of the auto 
     industry indicates both our state's capacity for fuel cell 
     research and its stake in advancing the next generation of 
     energy. Michigan's efforts include innovative approaches to 
     virtually all aspects of the infrastructure necessary to 
     develop fuel cells, including work on the storage and 
     transportation of hydrogen; and
       Whereas, In addition to well-known efforts within the auto 
     industry, Michigan is also the site of research seeking to 
     develop fuel cell applications for homes and businesses. 
     Michigan businesses are working closely with university 
     researchers on these projects; and
       Whereas, Michigan has made a significant commitment to 
     encouraging enterprise in the field of emerging energy 
     development. The Ninety-first Legislature enacted the 
     ``NextEnergy'' package of legislation to promote energy 
     research, especially fuel cell technology. These acts created 
     a series of tax credits, exemptions, and deductions for 
     businesses working on alternative energy technologies, in 
     addition to providing for alternative energy zones to spur 
     investment. The Next Energy Authority created in the 
     Department of Management and Budget reflects the depth of the 
     state's commitment. Clearly, Michigan is uniquely suited for 
     research devoted to establishing a hydrogen-based means of 
     generating energy for our cars, homes, and businesses; now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representative 
     concurring), That we memorialize the President and Congress 
     of the United States to pursue and support fuel cell research 
     projects in Michigan; and be it further
       Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to 
     the Office of the President of the United states, 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-142. A joint resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the State of Montana relative to Arctic 
     National Wildlife Refuge; to the Committee on Energy and 
     Natural Resources.

                     Senate Joint Resolution No. 22

       Whereas, stable, affordable energy is vital to the economy 
     and security of the people of the State of Montana and the 
     United States of America; and
       Whereas, the United States has become increasingly 
     dependent on foreign supplies of crude oil to meet our energy 
     needs and is now importing more than 55% of the nation's 
     crude oil needs; and
       Whereas, dependence on imports is rising and could exceed 
     65% by the year 2020 due to growth in demand and falling 
     production; and
       Whereas, the recent events in Venezuela and other 
     international problems have caused uncertainty in the 
     commodities markets about the future supply of oil; and
       Whereas, these among other factors have resulted in an 
     increase in the price of crude oil to over $33 per barrel 
     and, with crude oil costs being the largest component of the 
     retail price of petroleum products, has resulted in a 
     significant increase in the national average price of 
     gasoline and has similarly increased the price of other 
     petroleum products vital to the economy of the United States 
     and the lives of its citizens; and
       Whereas, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates the 
     Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) 
     contains between 5.7 and 16 billion barrels of recoverable 
     oil; and
       Whereas, production from the Coastal Plain of ANWR could 
     produce up to 1.5 million barrels of oil per day for at least 
     25 years, which is comparable to the volumes the United 
     States is expected to import from Iraq for the next 25 years 
     and which represents nearly 25% of current daily U.S. 
     production, and could save $14 billion dollars per year in 
     oil imports; and
       Whereas, ANWR consists of 19 million acres, of which 8 
     million are classified as wilderness, 9.5 million are 
     designated as national refuge lands, and 8% or 1.5 million 
     acres comprise the Coastal Plain for which the potential 
     for oil and gas production was acknowledged by Congress in 
     the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 
     1980; and
       Whereas, oil and natural gas development and wildlife are 
     successfully coexisting and advanced technology has greatly 
     reduced the ``footprint'' of Arctic oil development; and
       Whereas, the Alaska State AFL-CIO and the Alaska Federation 
     of Natives support responsible oil and gas development on the 
     Coastal Plain of ANWR; and
       Whereas, environmentally responsible exploration, 
     development, and production of oil on the Coastal Plain of 
     ANWR will provide incomes to federal and state governments 
     and general jobs and business opportunities for residents in 
     all 50 states; and
       Whereas, the people of Montana, while in general and 
     qualified support of continued development of fossil fuels, 
     recognize that further development of fossil fuels addresses 
     the short-term needs of our nation's energy independence; and
       Whereas, the people of Montana agree with the comments of 
     President Bush during the 2003 State of the Union Address 
     that the development of alternative energy sources, which 
     would make America truly independent, is the preferred path 
     for our country; and
       Whereas, the people of Montana recognize that development 
     of alternative energy sources, including solar, hydrogen, 
     wind, fuel cell, ethanol, and biodiesel fuels, constitutes a 
     preferred alternative to long-term energy development; and
       Whereas, people of Montana understand that development of 
     certain alternative energy sources, such as ethanol and 
     biodiesel fuel, would enhance the economic and agricultural 
     base of our great state; and
       Whereas, people of Montana further acknowledge that the 
     efficient use of our existing energy resources in a critical 
     and strategic priority in order to ensure our energy 
     independence; and
       Whereas, America has demonstrated the ability to 
     dramatically reduce the energy consumption in past times of 
     national crisis through fuel efficiency standards for 
     automobiles, installation of industrial efficiency measures, 
     and a conservation ethic among consumers.
       Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate and the House 
     of Representatives of the State of Montana:
       (1) That the Congress of the United States be urged to take 
     action to stabilize domestic crude oil supplies through 
     facilitating additional production, to decrease our nation's 
     need for foreign oil from undependable sources, to increase 
     federal and state revenue from oil and gas leasing, and, 
     subject to prioritizing those efforts described in subsection 
     (2), to support the economy through addition of good paying 
     jobs by opening the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National 
     Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas leasing and environmentally 
     responsible exploration, development, and production of the 
     petroleum reserved.
       (2) That the Congress of the United States be urged to:
       (a) increase support for development of new sources of 
     renewable energy, such as biofuels (including biodiesel and 
     ethanol), wind, and solar:
       (b) pursue development and use of fuel efficient vehicles 
     and development of new technologies such as fuel cells and 
     other potential applications of emerging hydrogen technology; 
     and
       (c) develop programs and standards to encourage efficient 
     use of existing resources in transportation, industrial and 
     commercial processes, and consumer end uses.

[[Page S7613]]

       Be it further resolved, That the Secretary of State send 
     copies of this resolution to the Governor, the Montana 
     Congressional Delegation, the Speaker of the U.S. House of 
     Representatives, the President of the U.S. Senate, and the 
     U.S. Secretary of the Interior.
                                  ____

       POM--143. A resolution adopted by the Legislature of the 
     State of Alaska relative to the Arctic National Wildlife 
     Refuge; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

                       Legislative Resolve No. 4

       Whereas, in sec. 1002 of the Alaska National Interest Lands 
     Conservation Act (ANILCA) the United States Congress reserved 
     the right to permit further oil and gas exploration, 
     development, and production within the coastal plain of the 
     Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska; and
       Whereas the oil industry, the state, the United States 
     Department of the Interior consider the coastal plain to have 
     the highest potential for discovery of very large oil and gas 
     accumulations on the continent of North America, estimated to 
     be as much as 10,000,000,000 barrels of recoverable oil; and
       Whereas the ``1002 study area'' is part of the coastal 
     plain located within the North Slope Borough, and residents 
     of the North Slope Borough, who are predominantly Inupiat 
     Eskimo, are supportive of development in the ``1002 study 
     area''; and
       Whereas oil and gas exploration and development of the 
     coastal plain of the refuge and adjacent land could result in 
     major discoveries that would reduce our nation's future need 
     for imported oil, help balance the nation's trade deficit, 
     and significantly increase the nation's security; and
       Whereas domestic demand for oil continues to rise while 
     domestic crude production continues to fall with the result 
     that the United States imports additional oil from foreign 
     sources; and
       Whereas development of oil at Prudhoe Bay, Kuparuk, 
     Endicott, Lisburne, and Milne Point has resulted in thousands 
     of jobs throughout the United States, and projected job 
     creation as a result of coastal plain oil development will 
     have a positive effect in all 50 states; and
       Whereas Prudhoe Bay production is declining by 
     approximately 10 percent a year; and
       Whereas, while new oil field developments on the North 
     Slope of Alaska, such as Alpine, Badami, and West Sak, may 
     slow or temporarily stop the decline in production, only 
     giant coastal plain fields have the theoretical capability of 
     increasing the production volume of Alaska oil to a 
     significant degree; and
       Whereas opening the coastal plain of the Arctic National 
     Wildlife Refuge now allows sufficient time for planning 
     environmental safeguards, development, and national security 
     review; and
       Whereas the 1,500,000-acre coastal plain of the refuge 
     makes up only eight percent of the 19,000,000-acre refuge, 
     and the development of the oil and gas reserves in the 
     refuge's coastal plain would affect an area of 2,000 to 7,000 
     acres, which is less than one-half of one percent of the area 
     of the coastal plain; and
       Whereas 8,000,000 of the 19,000,000 acres of the refuge 
     have already been set aside as wilderness; and
       Whereas the oil industry has shown at Prudhoe Bay, as well 
     as at other locations along the Arctic coastal plain, that it 
     can safely conduct oil and gas activity without adversely 
     affecting the environment or wildlife populations; and
       Whereas the state will ensure the continued health and 
     productivity of the Porcupine Caribou herd and the protection 
     of land, water, and wildlife resources during the exploration 
     and development of the coastal plain of the Arctic National 
     Wildlife Refuge, Alaska; and
       Whereas the oil industry is using innovative technology and 
     environmental practices in the new field developments at 
     Alpine and Northstar, and those techniques are directly 
     applicable to operating on the coastal plain and would 
     enhance environmental protection beyond traditionally high 
     standards;
       Be it resolved by the Alaska State Legislature, That the 
     Congress of the United States is urged to pass legislation to 
     open the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife 
     Refuge, Alaska, to oil and gas exploration, development, and 
     production, and that the Alaska State Legislature is 
     adamantly opposed to further wilderness or other restrictive 
     designation in the areas of the coastal plain of the Arctic 
     National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska; and be it
       Further resolved, That that activity be conducted in a 
     manner that protects the environment and the naturally 
     occurring population levels of the Porcupine Caribou herd, 
     and that uses the state's work force to the maximum extent 
     possible; and be it
       Further resolved, That the Alaska State Legislature opposes 
     any unilateral reduction in royalty revenue from exploration 
     and development of the coastal plain of the Arctic National 
     Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, and any attempt to coerce the State 
     of Alaska into accepting less than the 90 percent of the oil, 
     gas, and mineral royalties from the federal lands in Alaska 
     that was promised to the state at statehood.
       Copies of this resolution shall be sent to the Honorable 
     George W. Bush, President of the United States; the Honorable 
     Richard B. Cheney, Vice-President of the United States and 
     President of the U.S. Senate; the Honorable Gale Norton, 
     United States Secretary of the Interior; the Honorable J. 
     Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives; 
     the Honorable Bill Frist, Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate; 
     the Honorable Ted Stevens and the Honorable Lisa Murkowski, 
     U.S. Senators, and the Honorable Don Young, U.S. 
     Representative, members of the Alaska delegation in Congress; 
     and to all other members the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House 
     of Representatives serving in the 108th United States 
     Congress.
                                  ____

       POM-144. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the State of Michigan relative to the fuel 
     cell research; to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources.

                        Senate Resolution No. 17

       Whereas, In his State of the Union address, President Bush 
     identified fuel cell research as a national priority. While 
     this move holds great significance for our entire country, 
     the urgency for developing a new energy source is most 
     acutely understood in Michigan; and
       Whereas, Through the resources of the automotive industry, 
     smaller companies across our state, and university research 
     being conducted at numerous locales, the drive to develop the 
     fuel cell as the next generation energy source has been in 
     high gear in Michigan for many years. The human and 
     technological resources Michigan has as the home of the auto 
     industry indicates both our state's capacity for fuel cell 
     research and its stake in advancing the next generation of 
     energy. Michigan's efforts include innovative approaches to 
     virtually all aspects of the infrastructure necessary to 
     develop fuel cells, including work on the storage and 
     transportation of hydrogen; and
       Whereas, In addition to well-known efforts within the auto 
     industry, Michigan is also the site of research seeking to 
     develop fuel cell applications for homes and businesses. 
     Michigan businesses are working closely with university 
     researchers on these projects; and
       Whereas, Michigan has made a significant commitment to 
     encouraging enterprise in the field of emerging energy 
     development. The Ninety-first Legislature enacted the 
     ``NextEnergy'' package of legislation to promote energy 
     research, especially fuel cell technology. These acts created 
     a series of tax credits, exemptions, and deductions for 
     businesses working on alternative energy technologies, in 
     addition to providing for alternative energy zones to spur 
     investment. The Next Energy Authority created in the 
     Department of Management and Budget reflects the depth of the 
     state's commitment. Clearly, Michigan is uniquely suited for 
     research devoted to establishing a hydrogen-based means of 
     generating energy for our cars, homes, and businesses; now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate, That we memorialize the President 
     and Congress of the United States to pursue and support fuel 
     cell research projects in Michigan; and be it further
       Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to 
     the Office of the President of the United States, 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-145. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the State of Kansas relative to the F/A-22 
     Raptor; to the Committee on Armed Services.

                       Senate Resolution No. 1871

       Whereas, The Kansas Senate is pleased to join citizens 
     across our great state, our nation, and the world in 
     congratulating our troops on their recent victory in Iraq, as 
     well as the hard working men and women across our state who 
     design and assemble essential equipment and weaponry for our 
     military; and
       Whereas, Air dominance has become a signature of our armed 
     forces and a determining factor when our military is drawn 
     into combat throughout the world; and
       Whereas, Kansas's defense and aerospace industry invests 
     millions of dollars and employs thousands of highly skilled 
     workers in Kansas; and
       Whereas, Defense and aerospace companies in Kansas provide 
     our military with cutting edge technological components that 
     are used to assemble vital military products, like the United 
     States Air Force's new generation fighter, the Lockheed 
     Martin F/A-22 Raptor; and
       Whereas, Projects like the F/A-22 Raptor will bring more 
     than $32 million dollars to the Kansas economy while 
     providing thousands of Kansans with high quality jobs, thus 
     stimulating the aerospace industry in the state; and
       Whereas, The State of Kansas has a tradition of 
     constructing both commercial and military aviation products 
     and is the home of important components of our military's air 
     capabilities, such as the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, as well as 
     dedicated soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen flying and 
     maintaining those aircraft at bases across the country: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate of the State of Kansas, That the 
     members of this body recognize that the F/A-22 Raptor is 
     critical to the Kansas economy and that the members of this 
     body implore the Congress of the United States to fully fund 
     the F/A-22 program, thus providing our military heroes with 
     the vital resources they need and invigorating our economy; 
     and be it further

[[Page S7614]]

       Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate be directed to 
     send enrolled copies of this resolution to the President of 
     the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States 
     House of Representatives and to each member of the Kansas 
     legislative delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-146. A resolution by the Legislature of the State of 
     Arizona relative to weapons of mass destruction; to the 
     Committee on Armed Services.

                   Senate Concurrent Resolution 1021

       Whereas, the people of the State of Arizona view with 
     growing concern the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and 
     biological weapons of mass destruction and the missile 
     delivery capabilities of these weapons in the hands of 
     unstable foreign regimes; and
       Whereas, the tragedy of September 11, 2001 shows that 
     America is vulnerable to attack by foreign enemies; and
       Whereas, the people of the State of Arizona wish to affirm 
     their support of the United States government in taking all 
     actions necessary to protect the people of America and future 
     generations from attacks by missiles capable of causing mass 
     destruction and loss of American lives: therefore, be it 
     resolved by the senate of the State of Arizona, the house of 
     representatives concurring:
       1. That the Members of the Legislature support the 
     President of the United States in directing the considerable 
     scientific and technological capabilities of this nation and 
     in taking all actions necessary to protect the states and 
     their citizens, our allies and our armed forces abroad from 
     the threat of missile attack.
       2. That the Members of the Legislature convey to the 
     President and Congress of the United States that a coast-to-
     coast, effective missile defense system will require the 
     deployment of a robust, multi-layered architecture consisting 
     of integrated land-based, sea-based and space-based 
     capabilities to deter evolving future threats from missiles 
     as weapons of mass destruction and to meet and destroy them 
     when necessary.
       3. That the Members of the Legislature appeal to the 
     President and Congress of the United States to plan and fund 
     a missile defense system beyond 2005 that would consolidate 
     technological advancement and expansion from current limited 
     applications.
       4. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona 
     transmit copies 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 
     each member of Congress from the State of Arizona.
                                  ____

       POM-147. A resolution adopted by the House of the 
     Legislature of the State of Kansas relative to the F/A-22 
     Raptor; to the Committee on Armed Services.

                       House Resolution No. 6027

       Whereas, The Kansas House of Representatives is pleased to 
     join citizens across our great state, our nation, and the 
     world in congratulating our troops on their recent victory in 
     Iraq, as well as the hard working men and women across our 
     state who design and assemble essential equipment and 
     weaponry for our military; and
       Whereas, Air dominance has become a signature of our armed 
     forces and a determining factor when our military is drawn 
     into combat throughout the world; and
       Whereas, Kansas' defense and aerospace industry invest 
     millions of dollars and employs thousands of highly skilled 
     workers in Kansas; and
       Whereas, Defense and aerospace companies in Kansas provide 
     our military with cutting edge technological components that 
     are used to assemble vital military products, like the United 
     States Air Force's new generation fighter, the Lockheed 
     Martin F/A-22 Raptor; and
       Whereas, Projects like the F/A-22 Raptor will bring more 
     than $32 million dollars to the Kansas economy while 
     providing thousands of Kansans with high quality jobs, thus 
     stimulating the aerospace industry in the state; and
       Whereas, The State of Kansas has a tradition of 
     constructing both commercial and military aviation products 
     and is the home of important components of our military's air 
     capabilities, such as the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, as well as 
     dedicated soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen flying and 
     maintaining those aircraft at bases across the country: Now, 
     therefore,
       Be it resolved by the house of representatives of the State 
     of Kansas, That the members of this body recognize that the 
     F/A-22 Raptor is critical to the Kansas economy and that the 
     members of this body implore the Congress of the United 
     States to fully fund the F/A-22 program, thus providing our 
     military heroes with the vital resources they need and 
     invigorating our economy; and
       Be it further resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the house 
     of representatives be directed to send enrolled copies of 
     this resolution to the President of the United States Senate, 
     the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and 
     to each member of the Kansas legislative delegation.
       POM-148. A resolution adopted by the House of the 
     Legislature of the Commonwealth of Virginia relative to 
     missile defense programs; to the Committee on Armed Services.

                        House Resolution No. 40

       Whereas, Virginia, the Old Dominion, located in the upper 
     South region of the United States and populated by more than 
     7,000,000 persons, is noted for its contribution to the 
     founding of the United States through leadership and 
     political thought, maintains distinguished centers of higher 
     education and research, is the site of advanced information 
     and defense technology, is the center of national naval force 
     concentration, and is the foremost shipbuilder on its coast, 
     while possessing natural endowments of mountains and forests 
     on its western limits and agriculture on its southern tier; 
     and
       Whereas, the people of Virginia are conscious of these 
     assets of the Old Dominion and desire a favorable future for 
     their children and future generations; and
       Whereas, Virginia provided leadership in the Revolutionary 
     War, was the location of the surrender of Great Britain that 
     ended it, and has contributed notably to national defense 
     through its citizenry both in the military and industry ever 
     since; and
       Whereas, the people of Virginia are aware of the global 
     proliferation of short-range, medium-range, and long-range 
     ballistic missiles as weapons of mass destruction and their 
     threat to our nation, our allies, and our armed forces 
     abroad; and
       Whereas, the United States does not possess an effective 
     defense against such missiles launched by hostile states, by 
     terrorist organizations within the borders of such states, or 
     from ships anywhere on the world's seas and oceans, including 
     near the coastal cities of America; and
       Whereas, the President of the United States has withdrawn 
     from the treaty with the now-extinct Soviet Union that 
     prohibited effective American self-defense against ballistic 
     missile attack and has announced the deployment of a ground-
     based and sea-based limited missile defense system by the 
     year 2005 as a beginning toward a robust system that will be 
     multilayered, meaning land, sea, air, and space interception 
     components; and
       Whereas, short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles 
     launched from ships off the East Coast of the United States 
     would be outside the protective reach of the Pacific Ocean-
     based and Alaska-based system, and the population of 
     Virginia's Tidewater, as well as the preponderant national 
     naval presence located there, are now vulnerable and will be 
     still vulnerable to such a missile attack with warheads of 
     mass destruction after planned deployment in 2005 of missile 
     defenses in Alaska and California; and
       Whereas, missile defense interceptors based in Alaska and 
     California may not be able to protect the population of 
     Virginia's Tidewater and other East Coast areas from long-
     range ballistic missiles launched from threatening states in 
     the Middle East and North Africa; and
       Whereas, the United States Navy has demonstrated its 
     capability to use ships that can be based in Virginia's 
     Tidewater area to intercept short-range and medium-range 
     ballistic missiles while they are rising from their 
     launchers, which could be on nearby ships, and this 
     capability can be improved to intercept long-range ballistic 
     missiles; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Virginia House of Delegates hereby urge 
     the President of the United States to continue to take all 
     actions necessary, directing the considerable scientific and 
     technological capability of this great Union, to protect all 
     50 states and their people, our allies, and our armed forces 
     abroad from the threat of missile attack; and, be it
       Resolved further, That the Virginia House of Delegates 
     hereby convey to the President of the United States and the 
     United States Congress that an ocean-to-ocean, effective 
     missile defense system will require the deployment of a 
     robust, multilayered architecture consisting of integrated 
     land-based, sea-based, air-based, and space-based 
     capabilities to deter evolving future threats and to meet and 
     destroy them when necessary; and
       Resolved further, That the Virginia House of Delegates urge 
     the President of the United States and the United States 
     Congress to plan and provide funding for a Tidewater Virginia 
     and East * * *

                           *   *   *   *   *

                                  ____

       POM-149. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Senate of 
     the Legislature of the State of Michigan relative to homeland 
     security; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

                  Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 20

       Whereas, As our country continues to put in place stronger 
     defenses against terrorism through homeland security 
     measures, a key component will be the establishment of 
     regional headquarters for the United States Department of 
     Homeland Security. The President has called for regional 
     centers in his 2004 budget proposal; and
       Whereas, In the Midwest, an excellent site for a regional 
     headquarters is the Selfridge Air National Guard Base in 
     Macomb County. The advantages this location offers range from 
     low costs, unsurpassed strategic significance, and facilities 
     that can provide for a swift and smooth transition to the 
     responsibilities of homeland security work; and
       Whereas, Located at the heart of the nation's freshwater 
     network and near several of the busiest international points 
     of entry along our northern border, Selfridge is well 
     positioned to handle quickly any type of task to protect 
     America's people, resources, and infrastructure. Clearly, 
     this location offers opportunities for enhanced 
     responsiveness to the challenges before us in safeguarding 
     our nation in the years ahead; now, therefore, be it

[[Page S7615]]

       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That we urge the United States Department of 
     Homeland Security to locate its Midwestern headquarters at 
     the Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County; and 
     be it further
       Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to 
     the Secretary of the United States Department of Homeland 
     Security, 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-150. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the State of Michigan relative to Medicare; to 
     the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

                        Senate Resolution No. 52

       Whereas, Mental health and emotional stability are key 
     components of every person's overall health and well-being. 
     The correlation between mental health and physical health is 
     well established. However, there are numerous situations in 
     which mental health and mental health services are considered 
     far differently than physical maladies; and
       Whereas, Under the current practices of our Medicare 
     system, several types of mental health and counseling 
     services are not covered. This omission is especially 
     inappropriate in view of the fact that senior citizens often 
     face more challenges to their emotional and mental well-being 
     than other age groups. Senior citizens suffer from depression 
     at higher rates than other age groups, for example; and
       Whereas, Congress has before it a measure that would 
     address this gap in Medicare coverage. The Seniors Mental 
     Health Access Improvement Act, S. 310, would amend the 
     Medicare system to provide for the coverage of marriage and 
     family therapist services and mental health counselor 
     services under Part B of Medicare. The impact of adding this 
     coverage would be beneficial not only to countless 
     individuals and families, but also to the Medicare system 
     through the improved overall health it would encourage: Now, 
     therefore, be it.
       Resolved by the Senate, That we memorialize the Congress of 
     the United States to enact legislation to include the 
     services of licensed professional counselors and marriage and 
     family therapists among services covered under Medicare; 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 delations.
                                  ____


       POM-151. A resolution adopted by the town of New Castle of 
     the State of New York relative to the Indian Point Nuclear 
     Power Plants; to the Committee on Environment and Public 
     Works

       Whereas, the Town of New Castle seeks to ensure the public 
     health and safety of those who live and/or work within the 
     town, and
       Whereas, the Town of New Castle has been coordinating 
     efforts with the Westchester County Board of Legislators for 
     the past three years to monitor the County's Emergency 
     Evacuation Plan that would be put into effect in the event of 
     a radiological incident at the Indian Point Nuclear Power 
     Plants, and
       Whereas, the Town of New Castle has supported the 
     Westchester County Board of Legislator's efforts to obtain an 
     independent, non-governmental assessment of the ability of 
     the County's Emergency Evacuation Plan to achieve its goals 
     to ensure public health and safety, and
       Whereas, as a result of serious questions raised regarding 
     the Westchester County's Emergency Evacuation Plan at the 
     Indian Point Nuclear Power Plants, an independent, non-
     governmental assessment was made of the ability of Plan to 
     achieve its goals of protecting public health and ensuring 
     public safety, and
       Whereas, under contract with the State of New York such as 
     assessment has been made by James Lee Witt associates, LLC 
     and their finding included: (1) The plans are built on 
     compliance with regulations, rather than a strategy that 
     leads to structures and systems to protect from radiation 
     exposure; (2) The plans appear based on the premise that 
     people will comply with official government directions rather 
     than acting in accordance with what they perceive to be their 
     best interest; (3) The plans do not consider the possible 
     additional ramifications of a terrorist caused release; (4) 
     The plans do not consider the reality and impacts of 
     spontaneous evacuation; and (5) Response exercises designed 
     to test the plans are of limited use in identifying 
     inadequacies and improving subsequent responses; and
       Whereas, these deficiencies have, in turn, called into 
     question the ability of the Plan to achieve the goals of 
     protecting public health and ensuring public safety: Now 
     therefore be it
       Resolved, That security at the Indian Point Nuclear Power 
     Plants needs to be placed under the control of the United 
     States military and that this be done without further delay, 
     and be it further
       Resolved, That the New Castle Town Board calls upon the 
     County, State and Federal Governments to immediately begin to 
     implement those recommendations of the Witt Report relevant 
     to their respective responsibilities in and for the Emergency 
     Evacuation Plan, and be it further
       Resolved, That the New Castle Town Board calls upon the 
     County Executive or any other official and/or employee of the 
     County of Westchester to not issue a radiological emergency 
     preparedness activities form or any other official 
     communication that would in any way state or imply that the 
     Emergency Evacuation Plan as it currently exists is capable 
     of achieving its goals of protecting public health and 
     ensuring public safety in the event of a radiological 
     incident, and be it further
       Resolved, That the New Castle Town Board calls upon the 
     Governor of the State of New York, in recognition of the 
     refusal of the County Executives of all four affected 
     Counties to issue letters of certification (also known as 
     checklists) concerning the efficiacy of the Emergency 
     Evacuation Plan, to refuse to certify said Plan to the 
     Federal Emergency Management Agency, and be it further
       Resolved, That the New Castle Town Board calls upon the 
     Federal Emergency Management Agency to decertify the 
     Emergency Evacuation Plan as inadequate to protect the public 
     health and to ensure public safety, and be it further
       Resolved, That the New Castle Town Board calls upon the 
     Nuclear Regulatory Commission, in recognition of the 
     inadequacies of the Emergency Evacuation Plan to protect the 
     public health and to ensure public safety, to order an 
     immediate shutdown of the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plants 
     until such time as it can be demonstrated that a revised 
     emergency evacuation plan, which addresses all the 
     inadequacies of the current Emergency Evacuation Plan as 
     described in the James Lee Witt Associates, LLC Report, can 
     achieve its goals of protecting the public health and 
     ensuring public safety. Such revised emergency evacuation 
     plan should pay particular attention to the recommendation 
     that the emergency evacuation plan of ``any plant adjacent to 
     high population areas should have different requirements than 
     plants otherwise situated, because protective actions are 
     more difficult and the consequences of failure or delay are 
     higher,'' and be it further
       Resolved, That the New Castle Town Board calls upon the 
     Nuclear Regulatory Commission to begin the decommissioning 
     process to reduce the vulnerability of the Indian Point 
     Nuclear Power Plants at the earliest possible date, and be it 
     further
       Resolved, That the New Castle Town Board hereby directs 
     that its will and its desire as expressed through this 
     Resolution be transmitted to all appropriate parties within 
     the County, State and Federal governments empowered to act 
     upon and effect the provisions as stated herein.
                                  ____

       POM-152. A resolution adopted by the House of the 
     Legislature of the State of Michigan relative to the 
     transportation funds; to the Committee on Environment and 
     Public Works.

                         House Resolution No. 9

       Whereas, For several decades, Michigan has sent much more 
     federal highway tax money to Washington than it has received 
     in return. This imbalance has helped our nation build the 
     country's highway infrastructure. With the national 
     infrastructure largely completed, the continuation of the 
     imbalance has created a serious challenge for Michigan and 
     other ``donor states''; and
       Whereas, Michigan, which typically loses between $150 
     million and $400 million each year by sending more to 
     Washington than it receives, is severely hampered. The unfair 
     practice of contributing hundreds of millions of dollars 
     beyond the amount we receive to fund projects in other parts 
     of the country makes it far more difficult for Michigan to 
     maintain the quality of its highways. The loss of funding 
     also represents a serious loss of economic activity; and
       Whereas, The chairman of the House Transportation and 
     Infrastructure Committee and the chairman of the Senate 
     Environment and Public Works Committee in Congress have 
     proposed a major change in how federal highway funds are 
     distributed. They have called for a funding formula that 
     would guarantee that all states receive a minimum of 95 
     percent of what they each contribute to the federal highway 
     program; and
       Whereas, The potential impact for Michigan of a guarantee 
     of at least 95 percent of this funding would be very 
     significant. Even as the economy calls for more careful 
     public expenditures, this proposed policy change would help 
     Michigan and bring greater fairness to the issue of 
     transportation spending. Citizens, visitors, and businesses 
     of this state would benefit enormously from this long overdue 
     policy: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we 
     memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact 
     legislation to provide that all states receive a minimum of 
     95 percent of transportation funds sent to the federal 
     government and to urge Congress to make the return of 
     transportation money to the states a higher priority within 
     existing federal revenues; 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-153. A resolution adopted by the House of the 
     Legislature of the State of Michigan relative to the Solid 
     Waste; to the

[[Page S7616]]

     Committee on Environment and Public Works.

                        House Resolution No. 10

       Whereas, In 1992, the United States Supreme Court, in Fort 
     Gratiot Sanitary Landfill v. Michigan Department of Natural 
     Resources, ruled that states could not ban the importation of 
     solid waste because Congress has the ultimate authority to 
     regulate interstate commerce. Since that time, Michigan has 
     become the dumping ground for increasing amounts of solid 
     waste from out of our state and our country; and
       Whereas, Michigan is the third-largest importer of solid 
     waste in the country. Approximately 20 percent of all trash 
     in Michigan landfills now originate outside of Michigan. The 
     amounts have increased significantly in the past several 
     years, and recent reports of a major contract with Ontario 
     and of the closing of the nation's largest landfill in New 
     York seem to indicate this issue will loom larger in the 
     future; and
       Whereas, An agreement between the city of Vaughan, Ontario, 
     and Carleton Farms in Wayne County's Sumpter Township will 
     thrust Michigan into being the second-largest importer of 
     solid waste in the country next year, as Michigan will be 
     accepting a large majority of the city of Toronto's municipal 
     solid waste; and
       Whereas, Accepting unlimited volumes of trash from outside 
     our state has serious long-term consequences. Long after the 
     money from the contracts has been spent, a potential 
     environmental threat continues, as does an obligation to 
     monitor disposal sites to protect water and public health 
     from toxic releases. Clearly, any state accepting these long-
     term risks should be able to regulate the creation of that 
     risk, regardless of where it originate; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we 
     memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact 
     legislation to give states the authority to ban importation 
     of out-of-state solid 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, and the members of 
     the Michigan congressional delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-154. A resolution adopted by the Legislature of the 
     Commonwealth of Virginia relative to funding nitrogen 
     reduction technology (NRT); to the Committee on Environment 
     and Public Works.

                        House Resolution No. 38

       Whereas, the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries are 
     national treasures that play a vital role in many sectors of 
     Virginia's economy including the commercial seafood, 
     recreational fishing, and tourism industries; and
       Whereas, while significant progress has been made in 
     restoring the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, they remain 
     in a significantly degraded condition; and
       Whereas, nitrogen pollution, the most serious problem 
     facing water quality in the Bay today, results in excessive 
     algae growth that clouds water, depletes oxygen, and severely 
     impacts vital bay grasses, young fish, and crabs; and
       Whereas, the Commonwealth Is a signatory to the Chesapeake 
     2000 Agreement, in which Virginia pledged to significantly 
     reduce pollution sufficient to remove the Chesapeake Bay from 
     the United States Environmental Protection Agency's impaired 
     waters list by 2010; and
       Whereas, upgrading sewage treatment plants, which currently 
     contribute 61 million pounds of nitrogen annually to the Bay, 
     is one of the most cost-effective steps that can be taken to 
     significantly reduce nitrogen pollution; and
       Whereas, sewage treatment plants in Virginia discharge up 
     to 25 milligrams of nitrogen per liter of wastewater, while 
     current technology allows the nitrogen content of treated 
     wastewater to be reduced to only 3 milligrams per liter; and
       Whereas, United States Senators of Virginia and the United 
     States House of Representatives from the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 
     8th, 10th, and 11th Virginia Congressional Districts have 
     introduced legislation to provide cost-share grant funding to 
     allow Bay watershed sewage treatment plants to substantially 
     reduce their nitrogen pollution by installing NRT; now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Delegates, That the Congress of 
     the United States be urged to adopt legislation in support of 
     funding for nitrogen reduction technology (NRT) in the 108th 
     Congress; 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 Senate, the Speaker of the United States House 
     of Representatives, and the members of the Virginia 
     Congressional Delegation so that they may be apprised of the 
     sense of the House of Delegates of Virginia in this matter.
                                  ____

       POM-155. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Washington relative to the Forest Service; to 
     the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

                 Substitute Senate Joint Memorial 8002

       Whereas, Wildfires in forest areas are increasing at an 
     alarming rate with the 2002 fire season one of the most 
     severe since the 1940s; and
       Whereas, There are over 180 million acres of public land 
     near communities with a high risk of fire; and
       Whereas, Forest health both in Washington state and 
     throughout the nation has been on a steady decline in many 
     forests over the last thirty years; and
       Whereas, Forest insect infestations, disease, overly dense 
     forests, weeds, and brush and shrub build-up are increasing 
     problems; and address all forest health issues in order to 
     stem the tide of forest and grazing land wildfire, insect 
     infestations, disease, and environmental degradation; and
       Be it further resolved, That federal and state agencies 
     work with all stakeholders to promote efforts that provide 
     policy solutions and to conduct field operations so that our 
     nation's public forests' health issues can be addressed; and
       Be it further resolved, That Congress provide adequate 
     funding levels for the United States Forest Service and 
     continually assess the progress towards a healthy forest 
     environment;
       Be it further resolved, That copies of this Memorial be 
     immediately transmitted to the Honorable George W. Bush, 
     President of the United States, the Honorable Ann M. Veneman, 
     Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Dale Bosworth, 
     Chief of the Forest Service, and the Honorable Gail A. 
     Norton, Secretary of the Department of the Interior, the 
     President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the 
     House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from 
     the State of Washington.
                                  ____

       POM-156. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Washington relative to the government 
     involvement in the wheat market; to the Committee on 
     Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

                       Senate Joint Memorial 8015

       Whereas, Wheat farming is the major industry in many rural 
     regions of Washington State and thus the health of the 
     industry is inextricably linked to the economic health of the 
     populations in these rural regions; and
       Whereas, Approximately one hundred fifty million bushels of 
     wheat is produced annually on two and one-half million acres 
     by five thousand farms and generates four hundred fifty 
     million dollars in gross crop value, placing Washington State 
     third in the nation among wheat producing states; and
       Whereas, Washington is one of the largest and most heavily 
     reliant of the wheat exporting states with up to ninety 
     percent of the state's production being exported each year; 
     and
       Whereas, The wheat production in Washington State is 
     predominantly by family farm operations that are as efficient 
     and productive as any growers in the world and that produce 
     the highest quality product possible; and
       Whereas, Despite being the most efficient producers of the 
     highest quality product, low prices received by farmers in 
     recent years, especially for those farmers with loan 
     obligations, have resulted in the continual erosion in many 
     farmers' net worths and a loss of farming operations; and
       Whereas, Because prices for wheat in recent years, 
     including funds from government programs, have frequently 
     been at or below the cost of production, the wheat farming 
     community is very sensitive to significant government actions 
     that affect supply and demand and depress wheat prices; and
       Whereas, The price of the soft white wheat predominately 
     grown in Washington reached a high in early fall of four 
     dollars and eighty cents per bushel at the Portland grain 
     terminal but has fallen dramatically by over one dollar per 
     bushel due to a combination of factors, including large sales 
     over a short period of time from federally held grain 
     reserves and the labor dispute causing the cessation in the 
     shipment of grain at export facilities; and
       Whereas, A bushel of wheat makes forty-two pounds of flour, 
     which makes sixty-six loaves of bread, and comprises only six 
     cents of the one dollar and thirty cents average retail price 
     per loaf;
       Now, therefore, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that 
     new federal procedures be established to assure that future 
     sales of wheat stocks from federally held grain reserves be 
     conducted in a manner that such sales will not unduly disrupt 
     the market while also fulfilling the original intent of 
     providing for emergency humanitarian food needs in developing 
     countries.
       Be it resolved, That copies of this Memorial be immediately 
     transmitted to the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the 
     United States, the Honorable Ann M. Veneman, Secretary of the 
     United States Department of Agriculture, the President of the 
     United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State 
     of Washington.
                                  ____

       POM-157. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Louisiana relative to the cotton production 
     insurance; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
     Forestry.

                   House Concurrent Resolution No. 90

       Whereas, the majority of cotton producers in the state of 
     Louisiana are in support of crop insurance based on the cost 
     of production; and
       Whereas, Louisiana has experienced several consecutive 
     years with natural disasters that have reduced actual 
     production history; and
       Whereas, many producers have found that their level of 
     coverage is either too high, eroded, or unavailable as a 
     result of consecutive years with natural disasters; and

[[Page S7617]]

       Whereas, cost of production insurance will provide 
     producers and lending institutions more coverage and 
     reliability and reduce the need for ad hoc disaster spending 
     to cover production costs in the event of catastrophic 
     natural disasters; and
       Whereas, the taxpayers of this state and country deserve a 
     more fiscally responsible plan than off-budget emergency 
     spending to deal with catastrophic agricultural losses; and
       Whereas, cost of production insurance is a concept that 
     allows producers of cotton to insure between seventy and 
     ninety percent of their documented variable costs of 
     production; and
       Whereas, cost of production insurance would greatly enhance 
     each producer's ability to survive natural disasters and 
     economic crises; and
       Whereas, the United States Department of Agriculture's Risk 
     Management Agency has received a proposal for implementation 
     of a cost of production insurance pilot program from 
     AgriLogic, Inc., and the Coalition of American Agriculture 
     Producers, but has not yet implemented such a program, 
     although the United States Congress has requested them to do 
     so.
       Therefore, be it resolved, That the Legislature of 
     Louisiana does hereby urge and request the United States 
     Secretary of Agriculture to expeditiously implement and 
     expand cost of production insurance for cotton that is based 
     on a producer's actual production cost history and to 
     implement a cost of production insurance pilot program.
       Be it further resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be 
     transmitted to the President of the United States, the 
     Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture, the 
     Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the 
     President of the United States Senate and to each member of 
     the Louisiana Congressional Delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-158. A resolution adopted by the House of the 
     Legislature of the State of Michigan relative to Emerald Ash 
     Borer; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
     Forestry.

                        House Resolution No. 36

       Whereas, In an amazingly short period of time, an important 
     species of tree in Michigan faces a devastating infestation 
     from an insect known as the emerald ash borer. This beetle, 
     which has also been found in Ontario and Ohio, is thought to 
     have entered Michigan in 1997. Already, this insect has 
     killed 5 million trees in the six-county area of southeastern 
     Michigan. In response, the state has quarantined the six 
     counties, where approximately 28 million ash trees are at 
     risk; and
       Whereas, The potential economic and ecosystem impact of 
     this invading species would be dramatic across our state and 
     potentially the entire country. In addition to what the loss 
     of all ash trees would mean to the appearance of our homes, 
     communities, and the entire state, ash trees constitute an 
     important and versatile lumber resource that may be lost 
     without swift and certain actions. As with any type of plant 
     so widespread, the loss of Michigan's estimated one billion 
     ash trees clearly could have unforeseen effects on our forest 
     ecology; and
       Whereas, The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 
     must establish a federal quarantine for the emerald ash 
     borer. Such action would provide uniform rules for slowing or 
     containing the northern advance of the insect; guarantee 
     sufficient protections for international commerce with 
     Canada, which is also experiencing infestation; and allow for 
     the compensation of a number of growers, distributors, 
     retailers, and contractors within the quarantine area who 
     have lost crops and sales without warning; and
       Whereas, In an effort to save this species of tree, 
     Michigan has asked Congress to provide financial assistance 
     to state and municipal officials. In addition, these 
     officials need technical assistance to develop a sound 
     strategy of combating this destructive vermin, which clearly 
     has the potential to cause great damage not only in Michigan, 
     but across the country; Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we 
     memorialize the Congress of the United States to establish a 
     quarantine for the emerald ash borer and provide assistance 
     to help Michigan combat the infestation; 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 United States 
     Department of Agriculture, and the members of the Michigan 
     congressional delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-159. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the State of Michigan relative to Emerald Ash 
     Borer; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
     Forestry.

                        Senate Resolution No. 49

       Whereas, With alarming swiftness, the emerald ash borer, an 
     aggressive Asian insect, is threatening virtually all of the 
     ash trees in this state and region. In spite of a quarantine 
     in 6 southeastern Michigan counties, this beetle has killed 5 
     million of the 28 million ash trees in the quarantined area. 
     Overall, the emerald ash borer, an invasive species that is 
     causing similar devastation in Ontario and Ohio, threatens as 
     many as 700 million trees in our state; and
       Whereas, Ash trees are very important to the ecology of our 
     state. They are also used for many products in several 
     sectors of the economy. Beyond these factors, the ash trees 
     that grace our communities and neighborhoods are beloved 
     shade trees that contribute enormously to the character and 
     beauty of Michigan; and
       Whereas, The Governor is working to secure quick help from 
     the federal government to deal with this swiftly escalating 
     problem. Michigan badly needs technical and financial 
     assistance in the face of this emergency. The state has taken 
     decisive actions to deal with this invasive species, but the 
     magnitude of the problem and the immediacy of the issue make 
     it clear that we need the swift assistance of Congress and 
     the United States Department of Agriculture; now therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved by the senate, That we memorialize the Congress of 
     the United States and the United States Department of 
     Agriculture to provide assistance, including financial 
     assistance, in the effort to deal with the infestation of the 
     emerald ash borer; 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-160. A resolution adopted by the House of the 
     Legislature of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas 
     relative to a constitutional amendment to prohibit Federal 
     Judges from Ordering states, or local units of government, to 
     increase or levy taxes; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

                      House Resolution No. 12-109

       Whereas, several State legislatures in the United States 
     are adopting resolutions addressing a clear violation of the 
     United States Constitution and the legislative process; and
       Whereas, in 1990 the U.S. Supreme Court issued an opinion 
     in the case of Missouri v. Jenkins declaring that federal 
     judges have a constitutionally based authority and power to 
     levy or increase taxes; and
       Whereas, many believe that this opinion is contrary to the 
     intent and beliefs of our Forefathers, wherein, the three 
     branches of the United States government are to be separate 
     in power and responsibilities; and
       Whereas, Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 78, states, 
     ``(T)here is no liberty, if the power of judging be not 
     separated from the legislative and executive powers''; and
       Whereas, the CNMI Legislature is in accord with these 
     several states who are looking to the U.S. Congress to put an 
     end to this dangerous practice of exercising legislative 
     authority by the Supreme Court; and
       Whereas, this is an effort to maintain our Forefathers 
     intent of establishing a democratic body with principles that 
     ensure our freedom and liberty, moreover, to protect the 
     integrity of the U.S. Constitution and its intent to 
     separate, and not duplicate, the powers of the Executive 
     Branch, Legislative Branch, and Judicial Branch; now, 
     therefore
       Be it resolved, by the House of Representatives, Twelfth 
     Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature, That the House is 
     requested the U.S. Congress to pass a resolution calling for 
     the adoption of an amendment to the United States 
     Constitution which shall read: ``Neither the Supreme Court 
     nor any inferior court of the United States shall have the 
     power to instruct or order a state or political subdivision, 
     thereof, or any official of such state or political 
     subdivision, to levy or increase taxes.''; and
       Be it further resolved, That the Speaker of the House shall 
     certify and the House Clerk shall attest to the adoption of 
     this resolution and thereafter transmit copies to the 
     Honorable Richard B. ``Dick'' Cheney, Vice-President of the 
     United States and Presiding Officer of the U.S. Senate; to 
     the Honorable Denny Hastert, Speaker of the U.S. House of 
     Representatives; and the Honorable Walt Mueller, Senator, 
     15th District, State of Missouri.
                                  ____

       POM-161. A resolution adopted by the House of the 
     Legislature of the State of Michigan relative to Bovine 
     Tuberculosis; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, 
     and Pensions.

                        House Resolution No. 58

       Whereas, Bovine tuberculosis is an infectious disease that 
     poses a significant risk to domestic livestock, wildlife, 
     companion animals, and humans throughout the world; and
       Whereas, Bovine tuberculosis has many severe impacts beyond 
     the disease itself. It increases costs, limits markets for 
     livestock producers nationally and internationally, depresses 
     interest in the state's hunting and tourism industries, and 
     requires state resources for its eradication. These factors 
     have impacted the families of northeastern Lower Michigan 
     significantly; and
       Whereas, Since the discovery of bovine tuberculosis in wild 
     white-tailed deer in Michigan in 1995, and in cattle in 1998, 
     the state of Michigan, in a partnership with Michigan State 
     University, the livestock industry, the hunting and outdoors 
     community, and local and federal officials, has worked 
     diligently to control, contain, and eradicate the disease; 
     and
       Whereas, Through an aggressive testing plan for livestock 
     and wildlife, Michigan is able to demonstrate to other states 
     and the world that this disease is not present throughout the 
     entire state of Michigan and that the tremendous efforts 
     undertaken with both livestock and wildlife are moving the 
     state toward eradication; and
       Whereas, Federal assistance on technical, financial, and 
     staff levels has been critical to

[[Page S7618]]

     Michigan's efforts to eradicate bovine tuberculosis; and
       Whereas, With many other current and emerging plant and 
     animal diseases, resources are challenged at both the federal 
     and state levels to address these diseases adequately; now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we 
     memoralize the Congress of the United States to continue 
     providing assistance to Michigan to help eradicate bovine 
     tuberculosis; 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 United Stated 
     Department of Agriculture.
                                  ____

       POM-162. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the State of Iowa relative to Best Buddies 
     program; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
     Pensions.

                        Senate Resolution No. 22

       Whereas, there are more than 7.5 million people with 
     intellectual disabilities in the United States and as many as 
     250 million worldwide; and
       Whereas, individuals with intellectual disabilities often 
     experience isolation and exclusion from community activities 
     because of limited opportunties to associate with persons 
     other than their immediate family and paid workers; and
       Whereas, Best Buddies is a nonprofit organization dedicated 
     to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual 
     disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one 
     friendships and integrated employment; and
       Whereas, Best Buddies has grown from one chapter on one 
     college campus to a vibrant, international organization 
     involving participants annually on more than 750 middle 
     school, high school, and college campuses in the United 
     States, Canada, Cuba, Egypt, Greece, Ireland, and Sweden; and
       Whereas, Best Buddies has touched the lives of over 175,000 
     individuals in its 13-year existence; and
       Whereas, Best Buddies Iowa currently serves nine college 
     chapters and nine high school chapters within our state and 
     has a long-term goal of involving all schools within Iowa in 
     its mission to bring friendship to individuals with 
     intellectual disabilities; now therefore,
       Be it resolved by the Senate, That the Iowa Senate 
     appreciates the work that Best Buddies Iowa performs and 
     urges the federal government to continue to fund this 
     program; and
       Be it further resolved, That the Iowa Senate encourages 
     state agencies, county central points of coordination, 
     education providers, and area education agencies to work with 
     Best Buddies Iowa to find additional funding for a middle 
     school program and to further expand its current programs 
     into additionmal communities; and
       Be it futher resolved, That copies of this Resolution be 
     sent by the Secretary of the Senate to the President of the 
     United States, the President of the Senate of the United 
     States, the Speaker of the United States House of 
     Representatives; the majority and minority leaders of the 
     United States Senate, the majority and minority leaders of 
     the United States House of Representatives, and each member 
     of Iowa's congressional delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-163. A resolution adopted by the House of the 
     Legislature of the State of Kansas relative to the Health 
     Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA); to the 
     Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

                       House Resolution No. 6028

       Whereas, The provisions of HIPAA are now in force with the 
     stated purpose of simplifying health care administrative 
     processes, and in the process, protecting individual privacy 
     rights. Simplification is to be accomplished through the use 
     of standardized, electronic transmission of administrative 
     and financial data--which if successful should simplify 
     health care record keeping and enhance the ability of private 
     health insurance providers to process claims; and
       Whereas, While the health and insurance industries may be 
     aware of and executing the requirements of HIPAA, the 
     recipients of health care, and individuals concerned of their 
     condition, are confused and having difficulty comprehending 
     the restrictions of the new procedures; and
       Whereas, While patients have a right to their own health 
     information, and while information regarding patients may be 
     obtained by personal representatives or establishment of 
     ``significant other'' relationships, it is urged information 
     regarding whether a person is a patient at a facility, 
     without disclosure of reason or condition, should be 
     available to interesed parties: now, therefore,
       Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State 
     of Kansas: That we urge the Congress of the United States and 
     implementing federal agencies to consider the provision of 
     the information which does not disclose medially sensitive 
     information to be available to inquiring persons; and
       Be it further resolved: That the Chief Clerk of the House 
     of Representatives be directed to send an enrolled copy of 
     this resolution to the President of the United States Senate, 
     the Speaker of the United States House of Representative and 
     to each member of the Kansas legislative delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-164. A joint resolution adopted by the House of the 
     Legislature of the Commonwealth of Virginia relative to the 
     Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Act of 
     2003; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
     Pensions.

                     House Joint Resolution No. 752

       Whereas, funding for career and technical education, which 
     was formerly known as vocational/technical education, was 
     initiated in 1917 by Congress with the passage of the Smith-
     Hughes Vocational Education Act and an appropriation of $1.7 
     million in support of state programs across the country; and
       Whereas, Congressional funding for career and technical 
     education has been continuous since 1917 and was extended by 
     the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Act of 
     1984; and
       Whereas, total federal funding for career and technical 
     education in the 2003 fiscal year was $1.3 billion, of which 
     Virginia is receiving nearly $25 million in basic grant funds 
     and another $2.5 million in tech prep grant funds; and
       Whereas, 85 percent of Virginia's state grant or nearly $18 
     million is being distributed to local school divisions, while 
     more than $3.1 million is being distributed to the Virginia 
     Community College System and the remaining $3.7 million is 
     allocated to the Department of Education for state 
     administration of career and technical education programs, 
     including assessment, training, professional development, and 
     improvement of academic skills; and
       Whereas, local school divisions depend on the federal 
     funding of career and technical education to accomplish many 
     goals, including, but not limited to, strengthening students' 
     academic, vocational, and technical skills, implementing 
     industry certification programs, expanding the use of 
     technology, providing professional development to career and 
     technical teachers, involving parents, local businesses, and 
     labor and industry leaders in the design, implementation, and 
     evaluation of career and technical programs in order to meet 
     the needs of the local economy and to comply with nationally 
     adopted standards; and
       Whereas, career and technical education programs benefit 
     Virginia's economy by providing crucial training to students 
     of various ability levels and economic backgrounds, including 
     gifted and talented students, traditional high school 
     students, students with disabilities, and students who are 
     bound for college and those who are bound for the world of 
     work; and
       Whereas, the Virginia Standards of Quality require career 
     and technical education programs in the public schools that 
     are ``infused into the K though 12 curricula that promote 
     knowledge of careers and all types of employment 
     opportunities,'' and ``competency-based career and technical 
     education programs, which integrate academic outcomes, career 
     guidance and job-seeking skills for all secondary students''; 
     and
       Whereas, Congress will take up reauthorization of this 
     important law in the coming year and several proposals have 
     been put forth that are troubling to local school divisions 
     and suggest that consideration may be given to diverting the 
     federal dollars to other priorities; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, 
     That the Congress of the United States be urged to continue 
     the funding for career and technical education in public 
     secondary and postsecondary schools when reauthorizing the 
     Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Act of 
     2003. The Congress also shall be urged, in order to maintain 
     the vitality and success of Virginia's career and technical 
     education programs in the Commonwealth's public secondary and 
     postsecondary schools, to continue the funding of public 
     career and technical education in an amount that will 
     continue Virginia's $27 million in funding or will increase 
     this amount; 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 so that they may be apprised of the 
     sense of the General Assembly of Virginia in this matter.

                          ____________________