[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 12, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S7544]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS

  The following petitions and memorials were laid before the Senate and 
were referred or ordered to lie on the table as indicated:

       POM-114. A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the State of Michigan urging Congress to 
     provide resources to address the colony collapse disorder 
     affecting honeybees; to the Committee on Agriculture, 
     Nutrition, and Forestry.

                        House Resolution No. 76

       Whereas, Michigan and the nation's agricultural industry 
     rely on honeybees to pollinate plants and enable the 
     production of our nation's fruits, vegetables, seeds, and 
     nuts. Honeybees pollinate at least 90 commercial crops and 
     account for 80 percent of the nation's pollination services, 
     providing $5 billion to $10 billion of direct benefits to 
     United States agriculture; and
       Whereas, honeybees in Michigan and 25 other states have 
     succumbed to a mysterious ailment referred to as Colony 
     Collapse Disorder, where honeybees abandon their hives. In 
     affected states, beekeepers lost up to 50 percent of their 
     colonies last winter, threatening Michigan's $383 million 
     fruit industry and billions of dollars of agricultural 
     production nationwide; and
       Whereas, immediate research is needed to determine the 
     cause of Colony Collapse Disorder and assistance to Support 
     our nation's 135,000 beekeepers and the agriculture industry 
     from this potentially crippling threat: now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we 
     memorialize the Congress of the United States to provide 
     resources to address the Colony Collapse Disorder affecting 
     honeybees; 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,
       Adopted by the House of Representatives, May 22, 2007.
                                  ____

       POM-115. A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the State of Michigan expressing 
     opposition to Norfolk Southern Corporation's proposed sale of 
     its rail line between Lansing and Jackson; to the Committee 
     on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

                        House Resolution No. 96

       Whereas, The Norfolk Southern Corporation is considering 
     the sale of several Michigan lines, including the line that 
     runs between Lansing and Jackson. Traffic on Michigan's rail 
     lines has increased over the past two years. Expanding both 
     freight and passenger rail service is being promoted as a 
     solution to rising oil prices, pollution, and increased 
     highway congestion. The sale or closure of rail lines could 
     be counterproductive to efforts to improve Michigan's 
     economy; and
       Whereas, The Norfolk Southern lines are vital links between 
     Michigan cities and between Michigan and neighboring states. 
     Expanding rail capacity on the Lansing/Jackson line is 
     essential to the future development of this area. New 
     industry, including production plants for coal energy, 
     biodiesel, and ethanol fuel, is proposed for Michigan and the 
     railroad will play an integral role in moving products and 
     supplies. Continued operation of this line by Norfolk 
     Southern is essential to expansion of new industry in 
     Michigan; and
       Whereas, Norfolk Southern is a Class One railroad operator, 
     earning revenue in excess of $250 million annually. As a 
     Class One operator, Norfolk Southern has the capacity to 
     maintain and promote the use of these lines. The proposed 
     sale of the Lansing to Jackson line will almost certainly 
     place the line under the management of a Class Three 
     operator, a rail company earning revenue of $20 million or 
     less annually. A Class Three operator may be far less likely 
     to have the means to maintain the line, thus increasing the 
     chance of accidents. Class Three operators also rely on 
     federal grants for line and equipment maintenance--grants 
     that are not always guaranteed; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we express 
     opposition to Norfolk Southern's proposed sale of its rail 
     line between Lansing and Jackson; 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; members of the 
     Michigan congressional delegation; the United States 
     Department of Transportation, Surface Transportation Board; 
     the Norfolk Southern Corporation; AMTRAK; and the Michigan 
     Department of Transportation.

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