[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 177 (Thursday, November 15, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S14485-S14487]
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-247. A resolution adopted by the Interstate Oil and Gas 
     Compact Commission at their annual meeting relative to the 
     opinions of the oil and gas producing states on certain 
     matters; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
       POM-248. A resolution adopted by the Atlanta World War II 
     Round Table urging Congress to add words to the inscription 
     on the World War II Memorial; to the Committee on Energy and 
     Natural Resources.
       POM-249. A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the State of Michigan urging Congress to 
     reauthorize Amtrak funding and support states in their 
     efforts to expand passenger rail service; to the Committee on 
     Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

                        House Resolution No. 107

       Whereas, passenger rail service has historically focused on 
     long distance routes. States may provide shorter, regional 
     service if the state pays most of the cost. Fourteen states, 
     including Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin, provide funding 
     support to Amtrak to support in-state and regional passenger 
     rail systems; and
       Whereas, ridership on these shorter, regional routes has 
     increased dramatically in the past two years. Ticket sales on 
     Midwest intercity rail lines have reached record numbers. In 
     Michigan, ridership has risen by 31 percent on the Blue Water 
     passenger train and 20 percent on the Wolverine passenger 
     train over the past two years. The state hopes to add 
     passenger rail service between Detroit and Ann Arbor. 
     Expanded passenger rail service is being promoted as a 
     solution to rising oil prices, pollution, and increased 
     highway congestion; and
       Whereas, states would like federal assistance in funding 
     the shorter passenger rail services. Federal matching dollars 
     are provided for other transportation modes, and states would 
     like to see a similar program for in-state and regional 
     passenger rail projects. Senate Bill 294, currently before 
     the United States Senate, would provide $19.2 billion in 
     reauthorization funds to Amtrak and provide grants to state 
     projects: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we 
     memorialize Congress to reauthorize Amtrak funding and 
     support states in their efforts to expand passenger rail 
     service; 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-250. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the State of 
     New York urging Congress to eliminate the expiration period 
     of the Federal Do Not Call Registry; to the Committee on 
     Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

                            Senate No. 3582

       Whereas, the Do Not Call Registry was established in the 
     State of New York in 2000 to protect citizens from unwanted 
     sales calls; it was made more effective in 2003, when it 
     merged with the National Do Not Call Registry; and
       Whereas, the National Do Not Call Registry provides 
     citizens across the state and country with the privacy they 
     deserve and adequate penalties for businesses which violate 
     that privacy by persisting with unwanted phone calls; and
       Whereas, the merging of the two Do Not Call Registries has 
     effectively protected New York State residents from 
     bothersome and unwanted phone solicitations for the last five 
     years; and
       Whereas, due to the five year expiration of the National Do 
     Not Call Registry, many of the first enrollees will soon 
     again be vulnerable to telephone solicitations unless they 
     re-enroll: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That this Legislative Body pause in its 
     deliberations to urge the New York

[[Page S14486]]

     State Congressional Delegation to eliminate the 5-year 
     expiration date and make the National Do Not Call Registry 
     permanent; and be it further
       Resolved, That copies of this Resolution, suitably 
     engrossed, be transmitted to the President of the Senate of 
     the United States, the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives, and to each member of the Congress of the 
     United States from the State of New York.
                                  ____

       POM-251. A resolution adopted by the Midwestern Legislative 
     Conference of the Council of State Governments expressing the 
     Council's support for improved vehicle fuel economy; to the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

                               Resolution

       Whereas, H.R. 2927 sets tough fuel economy standards 
     without off ramps or loopholes, by requiring separate car and 
     truck standards to meet a total fleet fuel economy between 32 
     and 35 mpg by 2022--an increase of as much as 40 percent over 
     current fuel economy standards--and requires vehicle fuel 
     economy to be increased to the maximum feasible level in the 
     years leading up to 2022; and
       Whereas, H.R. 2927, while challenging, will provide 
     automakers more reasonable lead time to implement technology 
     changes in both the near- and long-term. Model year 2008 
     vehicles are already available today, and product and 
     manufacturing planning is done through Model Year 2012. H.R. 
     2927 recognizes the critical need for engineering lead times 
     necessary for manufacturers to make significant changes to 
     their fleets; and
       Whereas, H.R. 2927 respects consumer choice by protecting 
     tie important functional differences between passenger cars 
     and light trucks/SUV's. Last year, 2006, was the sixth year 
     in a row that Americans bought more trucks, minivans, and 
     SUVs than passenger cars, because they value attributes such 
     as passenger and cargo load capacity, four-wheel drive, and 
     towing capability hat most cars are not designed to provide; 
     and
       Whereas, while some would like fuel economy increases to be 
     much more aggressive and be implemented with much less lead 
     time, Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards must be 
     set at levels and in time frames that do not impose economic 
     harm on the manufacturers, suppliers, dealers, and others in 
     the auto industry; and
       Whereas, proponents of unrealistic and unattainable CAFE 
     standards cite Europe's 35 mpg fuel economy, without ever 
     mentioning Europe's $6 per gallon gasoline prices, the high 
     sales of diesel vehicles, the high proportion of Europeans 
     driving manual transmission vehicles (80 percent in Europe 
     vs. 8 percent in the U.S.), the significant differences in 
     the size mix of vehicles, or that trucks and SUVs are 
     virtually nonexistent among European households; and
       Whereas, proponents of unreasonable CAFE standards claim 
     they will save consumers billions, but they neglect to talk 
     about the upfront costs of such changes to the manufacturers 
     of meeting unduly strict CAFE standards--more than $100 
     billion, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety 
     Administration--which will lead to vehicle price increases of 
     several thousand dollars; and
       Whereas, proponents of unrealistic CAFE standards ignore 
     the potential safety impacts of downsized vehicles on 
     America's highways and overlook the historical role and 
     critical importance of manufacturing plants to our national 
     and economic security. They seem unconcerned about threats to 
     the 7.5 million jobs that are directly and indirectly 
     dependent on a vibrant auto industry in the United States; 
     and
       Whereas, H.R. 2927 is a reasonable bill that balances a 
     number of important public policy concerns. The bill 
     represents a tough but fair compromise that deserves serious 
     consideration and support: Now therefore be it
       Resolved, by the Council of State Governments Midwestern 
     Legislative Conference, That we memorialize the United States 
     Congress to enact H.R..1927, which responsibly balances 
     achievable fuel economy increases with important economic and 
     social concerns, including consumer demand; and be it further
       Resolved, That this resolution be submitted to the 
     President of the U.S. Senate, the Speaker of the U.S. House 
     of Representatives, and the members of the congressional 
     delegations of all Midwestern Legislative Conference states.
                                  ____

       POM-252. A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the State of Pennsylvania urging Congress 
     to override the President's veto of the Children's Health 
     Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007; to the 
     Committee of Finance.

                        House Resolution No. 447

       Whereas, the highly successful State Children's Health 
     Insurance Program (SCHIP), created by the Federal Balanced 
     Budget Act of 1997, has enabled states to provide health care 
     coverage to more than 6 million uninsured low-income children 
     in this country; and
       Whereas, through the program's enhanced Federal match 
     funding, Pennsylvania is currently helping to provide health 
     care coverage to more than 164,000 low-income children who do 
     not qualify for Medicaid and would otherwise be uninsured; 
     and
       Whereas, Pennsylvania led the nation in launching the first 
     Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in 1992 and 
     provided the model for Federal support of all states; and
       Whereas, in 2006, Pennsylvania continued its leadership by 
     expanding affordable health care coverage to uninsured 
     children through its Cover All Kids program; and
       Whereas, the Children's Health Insurance Program 
     Reauthorization Act of 2007, H.R. 976, is a bipartisan 
     compromise plan to reauthorize the SCHIP program, which 
     expired on September 30, 2007, and to expand coverage to an 
     additional 3.8 million children; and
       Whereas, on October 3, 2007, the President of the United 
     States vetoed H.R. 976, citing philosophical differences with 
     regard to the expansion of the program; and
       Whereas, this veto will severely hamper Pennsylvania's 
     efforts to help more than 133,000 remaining uninsured 
     children obtain access to health care coverage; and
       Whereas, it is critical that this legislation be enacted to 
     ensure affordable health care coverage for all uninsured 
     children: Therefore be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives of the 
     Commonwealth of Pennsylvania condemn the veto by the 
     President of the United States of the Children's Health 
     Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007; and be it 
     further
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives of the 
     Commonwealth of Pennsylvania urge the Congress of the United 
     States to override the veto; and be it further
       Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to 
     the President of the United States, to the presiding officers 
     of each house of Congress and to each member of Congress from 
     Pennsylvania.
                                  ____

       POM-253 A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the State of Michigan urging Congress to 
     override the President's veto of the State Children's Health 
     Insurance Program; to the Committee on Finance.

                        House Resolution No. 201

       Whereas, since 1997, the State Children's Health Insurance 
     Program (SCRIP) has provided health insurance for children 
     under age 19 from low income families who are not eligible 
     for Medicaid. The program allocated over $40 billion for 
     SCRIP through 2007 to states that provided matching funds to 
     plan a SCRIP program, to expand their Medicaid program, or to 
     implement a combined program relying on Medicaid and separate 
     private plans; and
       Whereas, the compromise SCHIP bill passed by Congress was 
     vetoed by President Bush. This bipartisan measure would have 
     reauthorized the program and added $35 billion over the next 
     five years to cover 10 million children, including the 6.6 
     million currently covered and 4 million additional uninsured 
     children; and
       Whereas, the number of uninsured children declined by 
     26.6%, resulting in nearly 79,000 more children having health 
     care coverage than ten years ago. MI Child has operated in 
     conjunction with the Medicaid program to provide a much-
     needed safety net for Michigan's children; and
       Whereas, an override of this veto is crucial to providing 
     access to health care for millions of children. Expansion of 
     this successful program is long overdue and strongly 
     supported by the American people. Politics and misplaced 
     priorities should not supersede a bipartisan solution to 
     protect the health and lives of our most vulnerable 
     citizens--innocent children: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we 
     memorialize the United States Congress to override the 
     President's veto of the State Children's Health Insurance 
     Program (SCHIP); 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-254. A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the State of Pennsylvania expressing 
     support for ``National Food Safety Education Month''; to the 
     Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

                        House Resolution No. 398

       Whereas, in 1994, the National Restaurant Association 
     Educational Foundation's (NRAEF) International Food Safety 
     Council created ``National Food Safety Education Month'' as 
     an annual campaign; and
       Whereas, the purpose of ``National Food Safety Education 
     Month'' is to strengthen food safety education and training 
     among persons in the restaurant and food service business and 
     to educate the public on the safe handling and preparation of 
     food; and
       Whereas, there are more than 200 known foodborne diseases 
     caused by viruses, toxins and metals and usually stemming 
     from the improper handling, preparation or storage of food; 
     and
       Whereas, bacteria are the common cause of the foodborne 
     illness; and
       Whereas, foodborne illness costs the United States economy 
     billions of dollars each year in lost productivity, 
     hospitalization, long-term disability and even death; and
       Whereas, the United States Department of Agriculture 
     estimated that in 2000 medical costs and losses in 
     productivity resulting from five bacterial foodborne 
     pathogens was $6.9 billion; and
       Whereas, it is estimated that in 2001 the annual cost of 
     salmonellosis caused by the

[[Page S14487]]

     Salmonella bacteria was $2.14 billion, including medical 
     costs, the cost of time lost from work and the cost or value 
     of premature death; and
       Whereas, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
     (CDC) estimates that in the United States, there are 76 
     million illnesses, 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths 
     per year due to consumption of food contaminated with 
     pathogenic microorganisms; and
       Whereas, numerous cases have occurred in the United States 
     and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: 2007--Salmonella from 
     peanut butter in 44 states, 425 cases; 2006--E. coli in eight 
     states from fresh spinach, 205 cases, including 3 deaths; and 
     2003--hepatitis A from Chi-Chi's sourced green onions in the 
     Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and
       Whereas, up to 2,000 cases of salmonellosis occur each year 
     in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and
       Whereas, following four simple steps, consumers can keep 
     food safe from bacteria: clean--wash hands and surfaces 
     often; separate--do not cross-contaminate; cook--cook to 
     proper temperature; and chill--refrigerate promptly: 
     Therefore be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives of the 
     Commonwealth of Pennsylvania express full and enthusiastic 
     support for ``National Food Safety Education Month'' in 
     September 2007; and be it further
       Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to 
     the presiding officers of each house of Congress and to each 
     member of Congress from Pennsylvania.
                                  ____

       POM-255. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the State of 
     Michigan urging Congress to provide for the construction and 
     maintenance of a national cemetery in Michigan's Upper 
     Peninsula; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

                       Senate Resolution No. 102

       Whereas, a measure of the respect our nation accords the 
     men and women who protect us through their military service 
     is how we treat our veterans long after they have finished 
     their military duty. The network of national cemeteries under 
     the administration of the United States Department of Veteran 
     Affairs (VA) is a most appropriate expression of the respect 
     a grateful citizenry holds for those who have worn the 
     nation's uniforms and faced grave perils to safeguard our 
     freedoms; and
       Whereas, ever since President Lincoln signed legislation 
     during the Civil War to create national cemeteries as final 
     resting places ``for soldiers who have died in the service of 
     the country,'' this network of cemeteries has grown. Today, 
     there are 141 national cemeteries, with 125 under the VA 
     National Cemetery Administration. New facilities are 
     regularly developed; and
       Whereas, despite the growth in the number of national 
     cemeteries, including the addition of the Great Lakes 
     National Cemetery in Holly that opened in 2005, veterans in 
     our Upper Peninsula remain very far from any such facility. 
     In fact, the nearest national cemeteries are hundreds of 
     miles away, near Milwaukee and Minneapolis. This distance 
     presents a significant obstacle for the families of many 
     veterans. We should do all we can to make this measure of 
     honor and respect more readily available to all veterans: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate, That we memorialize the Congress of 
     the United States to provide for the construction and 
     maintenance of a national cemetery in Michigan's Upper 
     Peninsula; 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 Department of 
     Veterans Affairs.

                          ____________________