[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 2 (Monday, January 6, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S21-S27]
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-166. A joint resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     State of California relative to the Los Angeles Residential 
     Helicopter Noise Relief Act of 2013; to the Committee on 
     Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

                     Senate Joint Resolution No. 7

       Whereas, Residents across the County of Los Angeles suffer 
     intrusive and disruptive low-flying helicopter traffic above 
     their neighborhoods; and
       Whereas, The County of Los Angeles is home to a unique and 
     very large concentration of scenic, historic, entertainment, 
     and transportation venues, including movie studios, movie 
     stars' homes, outdoor entertainment facilities, the 
     coastline, Griffith Park, the Hollywood sign, and many 
     others, that generate extensive helicopter tours engaged in 
     sightseeing activity; and
       Whereas, The County of Los Angeles has a high concentration 
     of media helicopters engaged in monitoring traffic 
     conditions. following car chases, and filming celebrity 
     events, which often involve hovering for extended periods of 
     time; and
       Whereas, The County of Los Angeles is home to the world's 
     leading civil helicopter manufacturer, which conducts 
     extensive helicopter flight testing in the region; and
       Whereas, The unique terrain of canyons and valleys in the 
     County of Los Angeles often amplifies noise from helicopters 
     in otherwise quiet residential areas; and
       Whereas, Helicopter noise in the County of Los Angeles 
     interrupts daily life for many residents by interfering with 
     the ability to hear conversations, the television, the radio, 
     or the telephone, and disrupting sleep cycles; and
       Whereas, Despite multiple efforts from several community 
     and homeowner organizations in the County of Los Angeles to 
     address these disturbances, helicopter traffic in the County 
     of Los Angeles is not currently regulated by the Federal 
     Aviation Administration (FAA) or any other agency; and
       Whereas, The FAA requires a specific minimum flying 
     altitude for fixed-wing aircraft, but it does not require a 
     specific minimum flying altitude for helicopters; and
       Whereas, The lack of effective regulations for commercial 
     helicopter operations in the County of Los Angeles negatively 
     impacts the safety and quality of life of the county's 
     residents; and
       Whereas, The State of California is preempted by federal 
     law from adopting altitude, flight path, and other necessary 
     regulations to mitigate the impacts of commercial 
     helicopters; and
       Whereas, There is a lack of clarity as to the rulemaking 
     authority of the FAA; and
       Whereas, Two companion measures in Congress, Senate Bill 
     No. 208 and House Bill No. 456, known as the Los Angeles 
     Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Act of 2013, would 
     require the Administrator of the FAA to prescribe regulations 
     for helicopter operations in the County of Los Angeles that 
     are needed to address residents' concerns over safety, noise, 
     and other associated impacts; and
       Whereas, The following local government entities in the 
     County of Los Angeles have recently voted to support the 
     proposed federal legislation or its predecessor, the Los 
     Angeles Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Act of 2011: the 
     County of Los Angeles, the City of Los Angeles, the City of 
     Hermosa Beach, the City of Lomita, the City of Palos Verdes 
     Estates, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, the City of Redondo 
     Beach, the City of Rolling. Hills Estates, and the City of 
     West Hollywood: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and the Assembly of the State of 
     California, jointly, That the Legislature supports the Los 
     Angeles Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Act of 2013 (S. 
     208 and H.R. 456) and respectfully memorializes the Congress 
     of the United States to promptly pass and President Barack 
     Obama to sign that legislation; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies 
     of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the 
     United States, to the Majority Leader of the Senate, to the 
     Speaker of the House of Representatives, and to each Senator 
     and Representative from California in the Congress of the 
     United States.
                                  ____

       POM-167. A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the State of Michigan urging the Congress 
     of the United States to adopt House Concurrent Resolution 50, 
     regarding the National Railroad Monument in Durand, Michigan; 
     to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

                        House Resolution No. 227

       Whereas, Railroads are an integral part of our nation's 
     past, present, and future. The railroad industry played a 
     vital role in building and developing the United States. This 
     role should not be forgotten; and
       Whereas, Durand, Michigan, is at the historic crossroads of 
     three major railroads and is home to one of the largest 
     surviving train stations in the United States. The existing 
     statuary, structures, and historic railroad equipment at 
     Diamond District Park in Durand make it an ideal location for 
     a National Railroad Memorial; and
       Whereas, Congressional House Concurrent Resolution 50 would 
     designate a National Railroad Monument located in Diamond 
     District Park in historic downtown Durand, Michigan, as the 
     ``National Railroad Memorial''. This recognition would help 
     draw visitors from around the world to the educational 
     programming and exhibits in Durand, Michigan. It would help 
     ensure that current and future generations do not forget the 
     historical importance of the railroad industry to our nation: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the 
     Congress of the United States to adopt House Concurrent 
     Resolution 50, regarding the National Railroad Monument in 
     Durand; 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-168. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of California relative to forest protection and 
     restoration; to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources.

                    Assembly Joint Resolution No. 24

       Whereas, One of the greatest ongoing challenges for 
     California is to ensure an adequate supply of water for 
     myriad human uses and other environmental needs while also 
     addressing the increasing and negative impacts of climate 
     change on our watersheds; and
       Whereas, The large majority of the water used by California 
     originates in the 10 million-acre forested area of northern 
     California feeding the Sacramento River, with the Sacramento 
     River providing 60 percent of the water for the Central 
     Valley and state water projects, drinking water for 25 
     million Californians, and over 80 percent of the freshwater 
     to San Francisco Bay; and
       Whereas, California's forests represent our largest, 
     safest, and most expandable opportunity to actively, remove 
     carbon dioxide from the atmosphere; and
       Whereas, The forests and watersheds of California face 
     multiple challenges and pressures, including the loss and 
     degradation of forests by the subdivision, fragmentation, and 
     development of lands, the planting of unnaturally dense 
     forests as a result of fire suppression, and stresses from a 
     changing climate; and
       Whereas, California's forests provide an essential natural 
     infrastructure that collects, stores, filters, and transports 
     water in a materially more cost-effective manner than any 
     built infrastructure; and
       Whereas, Managing these forested watersheds to restore and 
     enhance their sustained water provision services will also 
     create rural jobs and enhance the state's ability to address 
     climate change, including by reducing firefighting costs; and

[[Page S22]]

       Whereas, In addition to supplying the majority of the 
     state's water and sequestering vast amounts of carbon, 
     forests clean our air and provide habitat for wildlife, all 
     while supporting rural economies through outdoor recreation 
     such as hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping, as well as 
     through the forest products industry; and
       Whereas, Preventing further loss of California's forests, 
     restoring degraded forest areas, and improving management are 
     critical parts of ensuring that our watersheds continue to 
     store carbon and produce high-quality clean water in the 
     future: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of 
     California, jointly, That the Legislature of California 
     recognizes the value of forests in providing critical 
     ecosystem services, including water supply and climate 
     stabilization services; and be it further
       Resolved, That the state and federal governmental agencies 
     with jurisdiction over forest resource management are 
     encouraged to collaborate across jurisdictions with regard to 
     landscape-scald efforts to maintain and restore California's 
     forests to protect the state's natural resources and water 
     supply for future generations; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit 
     copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President 
     of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives, to the Minority Leader of the House of 
     Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the Senate, to the 
     Minority Leader of the Senate, and to each Senator and 
     Representative from California in the Congress of the United 
     States.
                                  ____

       POM-169. A resolution adopted by the Municipal Legislature 
     of Moca, Puerto Rico relative to urging the President and the 
     Congress of the United States of America to initiate the 
     process of admission of Puerto Rico as the 51st state of the 
     United States of America; to the Committee on Energy and 
     Natural Resources.

                           Resolution No. 27

       Whereas, Since the discovery of Puerto Rico in 1493 to the 
     year 1898, the Island was a colony of Spain and from 1898 to 
     the present, it has been a colony of the United States, 
     making Puerto Rico the oldest colony of the Western 
     Hemisphere.
       Whereas, According to the Unites States Census Bureau, 
     Puerto Ricans who reside in the Island are approximately 3.7 
     million inhabitants, whereas 4.3 million Puerto Ricans reside 
     in the fifty (50) states of the Union. Although those that 
     live in Puerto Rico and in the U.S. mainland are American 
     citizens by birth, those that reside in Puerto Rico do not 
     have all the privileges, rights and obligations of U.S. 
     citizenship.
       Whereas, The American citizens who reside in the fifty 
     states of the Union enjoy all the economic, social and 
     political benefits, since they reside in one of the states of 
     the Nation.
       Whereas, Many of the 4.3 million American citizens of 
     Puerto Rican origin who reside in the states, are 
     professionals in the fields of health, the sciences, 
     security, education and politic that have moved from the 
     Island looking for better quality of life and the totality of 
     the rights and privileges that being a citizen of the great 
     American Nation offers. In addition, they are part of the 
     Hispanic labor force that moves the economy of the Federation 
     of the States.
       Whereas, The question that we should ask ourselves is: how 
     can the 3.7 million American citizens who live in Puerto Rico 
     reach the fullness of our U.S. citizenship, that is, to be 
     American citizens one hundred percent (100%) with all the 
     rights, privileges and obligations.
       Whereas, This can be obtained by two forms. First, by means 
     of moving or relocating to any of the fifty (50) states of 
     the great American Nation; or second, by granting the 
     Territory of Puerto Rico the opportunity to become the 51st 
     State of the Union. In this way, we will be able to reach the 
     full rights held by American citizens who reside in the fifty 
     (50) states.
       Whereas, Puerto Ricans through the vote in the plebiscite 
     of November 6, 2012, rejected by an ample majority the 
     current territorial status known as Commonwealth and favored 
     statehood by an overwhelming majority of the voters among the 
     status options presented in the ballot: Now, therefore, be it 
     Resolved by the Municipal Legislature of Moca, Puerto Rico, 
     the following:
       Section 1: Request President Barack Obama and the Congress 
     of the United States, initiate the process of admission of 
     Puerto Rico as the 51st State of the United States of 
     America.
       Section 2: This Resolution will be approved in both 
     official languages of Puerto Rico, Spanish and English.
       Section 3: This Resolution will take effect immediately 
     upon passage by the Municipal Legislature and signed by the 
     Mayor.
       Section 4: Copies of this Resolution shall be sent to the 
     President of the United States, the Vice-President of the 
     United States, the Secretary of State of the United States, 
     and to all the Members of the United States Congress.
                                  ____

       POM-170. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of California relative to the federal Renewable 
     Fuel Standard program; to the Committee on Environment and 
     Public Works.

                    Assembly Joint Resolution No. 21

       Whereas, The Renewable Fuel Standard program was created 
     under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and established the 
     first renewable fuel volume mandate in the United States; and
       Whereas, The Energy Policy Act of 2005 required 7.5 billion 
     gallons of renewable fuel to be blended into gasoline by 2012 
     and, under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, 
     the Renewable Fuel Standard program was expanded to include 
     diesel, in addition to gasoline; and
       Whereas, The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 
     increased the volume of renewable fuel required to be blended 
     into transportation fuel from 9 billion gallons in 2008 to 36 
     billion gallons by 2022; and
       Whereas, The 2013 requirement of cornstarch-derived ethanol 
     of 13.8 billion gallons represents approximately 84 percent 
     of the total renewable fuel mandated in the Energy 
     Independence and Security Act of 2007; and
       Whereas, At the time that the Renewable Fuel Standard 
     program became law, the daily price of a metric ton of corn 
     used in biofuel ethanol production was $99, and at the time 
     the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 became law, 
     the daily price of a metric ton of corn used in biofuel 
     ethanol production had risen to nearly $180, with the latest 
     price of a metric ton of corn currently reported by the 
     United States Department of Agriculture as approximately 
     $310, representing an increase of over 300 percent since the 
     inception of the Renewable Fuel Standard program; and
       Whereas, The Environmental Protection Agency has determined 
     that as a result of the Renewable Fuel Standard program, the 
     increase in overall commodity prices expected as a result of 
     the demand for agricultural products used in biofuel 
     production will result in an annual increase of food costs to 
     consumers of over $3 billion by 2022; and
       Whereas, Agriculture is a vital component of California's 
     economic livelihood with livestock, poultry and related 
     products, accounting for approximately 26 percent, or $12.4 
     billion of California's gross agricultural cash income in 
     2011; and
       Whereas, California leads the nation in milk production 
     with over 1.75 million dairy cows that primarily depend on 
     feed corn; and
       Whereas, The loss of alternative feedstock acreage to 
     biofuel crop production combined with the unprecedented rise 
     in corn prices due to the requirements of the Renewable Fuel 
     Standard program have significantly contributed to the loss 
     of dairy production capacity in California, as represented by 
     the 387 California dairies that have gone out of business 
     since 2007, with over 100 dairy farms lost in 2012 alone: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of 
     California, jointly, That the Legislature recognize and 
     support the benefits from a robust and thriving agricultural 
     sector, and join a diverse group of businesses, industry 
     representatives, and beef, dairy, and poultry producers 
     across California in urging Congress to reform the Renewable 
     Fuel Standard program, or the United States Environmental 
     Protection Agency to use all available authority, to 
     expeditiously transition away from biofuel sources that 
     compete with food production, as well as implement aggressive 
     mechanisms to promote the development of advanced, 
     sustainable noncrop-based fuels, including, but not limited 
     to, cellulosic ethanol; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit 
     copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President 
     of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives, to the Minority Leader of the House of 
     Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the Senate, to the 
     Minority Leader of the Senate, and to each Senator and 
     Representative from California in the Congress of the United 
     States.
                                  ____

       POM-171. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of California relative to Sickle Cell Anemia 
     Awareness Month; to the Committee on Health, Education, 
     Labor, and Pensions.

                    Assembly Joint Resolution No. 28

       Whereas, Sickle cell anemia and sickle cell disease, used 
     interchangeably, refer to a group of inherited disorders that 
     affect the red blood cells; and
       Whereas, Sickle cell anemia is a disease in which a 
     person's body produces abnormally shaped red blood cells that 
     resemble a crescent or sickle, and which do not last as long 
     as normal round red blood cells, which leads to anemia. The 
     sickle cells also get stuck in blood vessels and block blood 
     flow, which can cause pain and organ damage; and
       Whereas, Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disorder where 
     individuals with the disease are born with two sickle cell 
     genes, each inherited from one parent. An individual with 
     only one sickle cell gene has a ``sickle cell trait,'' which 
     occurs in one out of every 12 African Americans and in one 
     out of every 100 Latinos in the United States; and
       Whereas, Unlike most people with sickle cell anemia, most 
     people who have a sickle cell trait never know they have it 
     and can live their entire lives without any complications 
     from it; and
       Whereas, Serious problems associated with a sickle cell 
     trait are rare. However, exercise-related sudden death in 
     individuals who have a sickle cell trait most commonly occurs 
     in those undergoing intense physical exertion, such as 
     military recruits in basic training and athletes during 
     conditioning workouts; and

[[Page S23]]

       Whereas, Individuals with a sickle cell trait should not be 
     excluded from physical activity, including sports, unless 
     recommended to by medical personnel. Instead, people should 
     be educated about precautions that should be taken, including 
     drinking adequate amounts of fluids, pacing training with 
     longer periods of rest and recovery, avoiding participation 
     in performance tests such as sprints and mile runs, and, most 
     importantly, being familiar with the symptoms of 
     overexertion; and
       Whereas, It is estimated that more than 90,000 Americans 
     have sickle cell anemia. Sickle cell anemia occurs in one out 
     of every 500 African American births and in one out of every 
     36,000 Latino births; and
       Whereas, Sickle cell anemia can be a life-threatening 
     condition, and access to comprehensive care can be limited by 
     social, economic, cultural, and geographic barriers; and
       Whereas, The average cost of hospitalization for sickle 
     cell anemia in 2004 was $6,223, for more than 84,000 hospital 
     admissions that year. Total hospitalization costs for 
     individuals with sickle cell anemia equaled $488,000,000, of 
     which 65 percent were covered by Medicaid funds; and
       Whereas, Individuals living with sickle cell anemia 
     encounter barriers to obtaining quality care and improving 
     their quality of life. These barriers include limitations in 
     geographic access to comprehensive care, the varied use of 
     effective treatments, the high reliance on emergency 
     departments and on public health programs, and the limited 
     number of health care providers with knowledge and experience 
     to manage and treat sickle cell anemia; and
       Whereas, The Sickle Cell Anemia Control Act was signed into 
     law in 1972 by President Richard Nixon after pledging that 
     his administration would ``reverse the record of neglect on 
     the dreaded disease'' by increasing funding for and expanding 
     sickle cell anemia-related programs, including the 
     development of comprehensive sickle cell anemia centers; and
       Whereas, In 1975, the Sickle Cell Disease Association of 
     America, Inc. and its member organizations began conducting 
     monthlong events in September to call attention to sickle 
     cell anemia and the need to address the problem at national 
     and local levels, and chose September as National Sickle Cell 
     Awareness Month in order for the public to reflect on the 
     children and adults whose lives, education, and careers have 
     been affected by this disease; and
       Whereas, In 2003, the Sickle Cell Treatment Act was signed 
     into law; and
       Whereas, The effort to officially recognize Sickle Cell 
     AnemiaAwareness Month succeeded at the federal level in 1983 
     when the United States House of Representatives unanimously 
     passed, and President Ronald Reagan signed, the first 
     resolution introduced by the Congressional Black Caucus that 
     recognized September as National Sickle Cell AnemiaAwareness 
     Month: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of 
     California, jointly,That the Legislature recognizes September 
     2013, and each September thereafter, as Sickle Cell Anemia 
     Awareness Month; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Legislature urges the Congress of the 
     United States to support the President's continuation of 
     funding for the Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Demonstration 
     Program, the Registry and Surveillance System for 
     Hemoglobinopathy Program Initiative, and the Public Health 
     ApproachDisorders program, and to make sickle cell anemia and 
     other genetic hemoglobin disorders a public health priority; 
     and be it further
       Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit 
     copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President 
     of the United States, the Speaker of the United States House 
     of Representatives, the President pro Tempore of the United 
     States Senate, each Senator and Representative from 
     California in the Congress of the United States, and to the 
     author for appropriate distribution.
                                  ____

       POM-172. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of California relative to the dischargeability of 
     private student loan debt; to the Committee on Health, 
     Education, Labor, and Pensions.

                    Assembly Joint Resolution No. 11

       Whereas, This resolution shall be known as the Financial 
     Fresh Start Resolution of 2013; and
       Whereas, Existing federal law exempts from discharge in a 
     bankruptcy case filed under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 of the 
     Bankruptcy Code specified educational loans made; or secured, 
     by a lender other than the federal government, also known as 
     private student loans, unless the debtor convinces a 
     bankruptcy court that repayment would be an undue hardship on 
     the debtor and the debtor's dependents, a sometimes difficult 
     and expensive process not required to discharge other 
     unsecured nonpriority debt; and
       Whereas, Californians should have the same ability to 
     discharge their private student loan debt as they do to 
     discharge their unsecured nonpriority debt; and
       Whereas, Californians who are not given relief from their 
     burden of private student loan debt, even after a successful 
     completion of a bankruptcy case, are seriously hindered from 
     establishing personal economic stability and contributing to 
     the economic growth of the state; and,
       Whereas, United States Senator Dick Durbin and 
     Representative Steve Cohen have recently introduced the 
     following legislation in their respective congressional 
     houses that would permit private student loan debt to be 
     discharged in bankruptcy and are substantially similar to 
     legislation they each introduced in 2010 and 2011:
       (a) The Fairness for Struggling Students Act of 2013.
       (b) The Private Student Loan Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 
     2013; and
       Whereas, The inability of Californians to more easily 
     discharge private student loan debt prevents them from 
     gaining the ``fresh start'' that a successful bankruptcy case 
     is intended to provide: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of 
     California, jointly That the Legislature urges the President 
     and the Congress of the United States to support and pass 
     legislation that would allow private student loan debt to be 
     dischargeable in a bankruptcy case filed under Chapter 7 or 
     Chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code similar to the 
     dischargeability of unsecured nonpriority debt; and be it 
     further
       Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit 
     copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President 
     of the United States, the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives, the Minority Leader of the House of 
     Representatives, the Majority Leader of the United States 
     Senate, the Minority Leader of the United States Senate, and 
     to each Senator and Representative from California in the 
     Congress of the United States.
                                  ____

       POM-173. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of California relative to student loan interest 
     rates; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
     Pensions.

                    Assembly Joint Resolution No. 20

       Whereas, Just last year, Congress passed, and President 
     Obama signed, an extension to maintain the interest rate for 
     Federal Direct Stafford Loans at 3.4 percent through June 30, 
     2013; and
       Whereas, On July 1, 2013, unless actions are taken, the 
     interest rate for Federal Direct Stafford Loans will double 
     from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent; and
       Whereas, This higher interest rate level is the same level 
     that graduate students and unsubsidized loan borrowers pay, 
     which could limit access to California's public postsecondary 
     educational institutions by dissuading students from using 
     loans to help pay for their postsecondary education; and
       Whereas, The average student loan borrower graduates with a 
     debt of $27,000, and the scheduled interest rate increase for 
     Federal Direct Stafford Loans would cost almost 10 million 
     borrowers approximately $1,000 more per year of education 
     over the life of a loan; and
       Whereas, Raising the interest rate for Federal Direct 
     Stafford Loans will make it even harder for college graduates 
     facing an already difficult postgraduation job market to 
     repay their loans; and
       Whereas, Student loan debt affects Americans of all ages, 
     as 45 percent of all American families hold outstanding 
     student loan debt, including 36 percent of families in 
     households headed by a person 45 to 54 years of age, 
     inclusive, 29 percent of families in households headed by a 
     person 55 to 64 years of age, inclusive, and 13.3 percent of 
     families in households headed by a person 65 to 73 years of 
     age, inclusive; and
       Whereas, Student loan debt has a ripple effect on the 
     economy, as two million more adults 18 to 34 years of age, 
     inclusive, live in a household headed by their parents; and
       Whereas, Each new household leads to an estimated $145,000 
     of economic growth, suggesting that a delay in household 
     formation could be slowing broader economic growth; and
       Whereas, The Bipartisan Policy Center estimates that Echo 
     Boomers--those born between 1981 and 1995--will account for 
     75 percent to 80 percent of owner-occupied home acquisitions 
     by 2020, yet the current homeownership rate for young people 
     is among the lowest in decades while mortgage interest rates 
     are at historically low levels; and
       Whereas, Student loan debt also has a significant impact on 
     retirement, as 62 percent of workers 30 to 39 years of age, 
     inclusive, 20 percent of whom hold more than $50,000 in 
     student loan debt, are projected to have insufficient 
     resources for retirement; and
       Whereas, According to the Congressional Budget Office, the 
     federal government makes 36 cents in profit for every dollar 
     it lends to all student borrowers, and student loans are 
     estimated to bring in $34 billion next year alone; and
       Whereas, Higher education loans should be used to subsidize 
     the cost of higher education, not to be used as a source of 
     profit for the federal government; and
       Whereas, Federal Direct Stafford Loans have been a critical 
     component, in addition to other forms of financial aid, for 
     low- and middle-income students working towards a 
     postsecondary degree, and over two-thirds of student loan 
     borrowers are from families with annual incomes under 
     $50,000: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of 
     California, jointly, That the Legislature respectfully 
     requests that the Congress and the President of the United 
     States enact legislation that prevents the doubling of 
     interest rates for Federal Direct Stafford Loans and creates 
     a long-term legislative solution to maintain affordable and 
     reliable federal student loan rates while preserving funding 
     for other federal educational programs and benefits; and be 
     it further

[[Page S24]]

       Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit 
     copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President 
     of the United States, to the Speaker of the United States 
     House of Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the 
     United States Senate, and to each Senator and Representative 
     from California in the Congress of the United States.
                                  ____

       POM-174. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of California relative to preschool for all in 
     California; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
     Pensions.

                    Assembly Joint Resolution No. 16

       Whereas, To be competitive in the 21st century global 
     economy; California must have a dynamic and educated 
     workforce; and
       Whereas, To strengthen and grow the middle class, 
     California must broaden investments proven to prepare 
     students for college and careers, and proven to create 
     economic opportunity; and
       Whereas, Research by a Nobel Laureate economist shows that 
     every dollar invested in high-quality early education can 
     save more than $7 later on, by boosting grade level 
     proficiency and graduation rates, increasing earned income 
     and job stability, reducing teen pregnancy, and reducing 
     violent crime; and
       Whereas, Study after study, over 100 in the United States 
     alone, shows that preschool significantly benefits children's 
     school success; and
       Whereas, Research has shown that the early years in a 
     child's life, when the human brain is forming, represent a 
     critically important window of opportunity to develop a 
     child's full potential and shape key academic, social, and 
     cognitive skills that determine a child's success in school 
     and in life; and,
       Whereas, During the preschool years, children not only 
     develop core academic knowledge in preliteracy and early 
     math, but they develop critically important learning skills, 
     such as paying attention, managing emotions, and completing 
     tasks; and
       Whereas, Research has shown that California's academic 
     achievement gap exists before children start school; and
       Whereas, Research shows that students who start out behind 
     too often also stay behind, and those who are not reading 
     proficiently in third grade are four times more likely to not 
     graduate from high school; and
       Whereas, In 2012, 52 percent of California third graders 
     tested below proficient in English-Language Arts and more 
     than 30 percent are not proficient in Mathematics; and
       Whereas, Since 2008, over 110,000 children have lost access 
     to preschool and child care programs due to $1 billion in 
     state budget cuts; and
       Whereas, Over 220,000 low-income three- and four-year-old 
     children who are eligible for the California State Preschool 
     Program or the federal Head Start program do not receive 
     services; and
       Whereas, President Barack Obama in his 2013 State of the 
     Union speech called on states to partner with the federal 
     government to make sure every child, regardless of their 
     parents ability to pay, has access to high quality preschool: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of 
     California, jointly, That the Legislature respectfully urges 
     the Congress to enact President Barack Obama's budget 
     proposal to increase funding for preschool and early 
     learning; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Legislature respectfully urges the 
     Superintendent of Public Instruction to prepare a plan for 
     making California competitive for future increases in federal 
     funding to preschool and early learning programs; and be it 
     further
       Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit 
     copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President 
     of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the Senate, and to 
     each Senator and Representative from California in the 
     Congress of the United States.
                                  ____

       POM-175. A memorial adopted by the Legislature of the State 
     of New Mexico requesting the New Mexico Congressional 
     Delegation in Washington, D.C. to vote to support legislation 
     that would remove the deadline for ratification of the Equal 
     Rights Amendment; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

                               A Memorial

       Whereas, equal rights for women are not specifically 
     included in the United States constitution; and
       Whereas, the rights of women in the United States to 
     receive equal pay for equal work, be protected against 
     domestic violence and have fair work-leave policies and 
     access to the reproductive health care services of their 
     choice, among others, are daily being questioned and 
     restricted; and
       Whereas, protection of women's rights at present is through 
     a patchwork of existing laws, executive actions and judicial 
     decisions that address individual cases of discrimination one 
     by one as they arise; and
       Whereas, each or all of these individual existing laws, 
     executive actions and judicial decisions may be ignored, 
     eroded or overturned; and
       Whereas, an amendment that would guarantee rights for women 
     that are equal to those of men would provide a fundamental 
     legal remedy against all cases of discrimination based on 
     gender; and
       Whereas, resolutions to pass an amendment to the United 
     States constitution that would guarantee equal rights for 
     women and men have been introduced into congress each year 
     since 1923; and
       Whereas, thirty-five of the thirty-eight states required 
     for the amendment to become part of the constitution ratified 
     the equal rights amendment by the deadline of 1982; and
       Whereas, the deadline for ratification is not in the 
     binding text of the document itself and, in fact, was later 
     extended by another congress for an additional three years, 
     thus establishing the precedent that congress has the power 
     to do so; and
       Whereas, in the one hundred twelfth congress, Senate Joint 
     Resolution 39, introduced by Senator Ben Cardin, and House 
     Joint Resolution 47, introduced by Representative Tammy 
     Baldwin, would remove the deadline for ratification of the 
     amendment so that an additional three states may ratify it; 
     and
       Whereas, New Mexicans feel justly proud that New Mexico was 
     one of the first states in the union to ratify the equal 
     rights amendment in 1973, and it passed its own equal rights 
     amendment to the constitution of New Mexico in 1972: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of 
     New Mexico, That it call upon the New Mexico congressional 
     delegation in Washington, D.C., to vote in favor of 
     legislation that would remove the deadline for ratification 
     of the equal rights amendment so that efforts can proceed to 
     get ratification by the necessary additional three states so 
     that, finally, the guarantee of equal rights for women and 
     men in the United States will become the law of the land; and 
     be it further
       Resolved, That copies of this memorial be transmitted to 
     each member of the New Mexico congressional delegation and to 
     the chief clerks of the house of representatives and the 
     senate of the United States congress.
                                  ____

       POM-176. A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the State of Michigan urging Congress to 
     raise permanently the cap on new H1-B temporary work visas 
     available to immigrant professionals and to eliminate the cap 
     for those holding a U.S. master's degree or higher; to the 
     Committee on the Judiciary.

                        House Resolution No. 108

       Whereas, The United States has risen to preeminence in the 
     world by cultivating the talents of its own residents while, 
     at the same time, welcoming the most talented people from 
     around the world. Many of our nation's leading companies, 
     such as Dow Chemical and Masco, were founded by immigrants. 
     In Michigan, one-third of high-tech businesses over the last 
     decade were started by immigrants; and
       Whereas, Our nation remains a leader in developing foreign 
     talent. U.S. universities and colleges educate hundreds of 
     thousands of international students each year. In Michigan, 
     more than 25,000 international students attend Michigan's 
     higher education institutions, ninth most in the nation. Over 
     37 percent of individuals receiving doctorate degrees in 
     science, technology, engineering, and mathematics nationwide 
     are international students; and
       Whereas, We are failing as a nation to retain foreigners 
     educated in the United States and to welcome talented 
     professionals from other nations. Under the H-1B temporary 
     work visa program, highly educated scientists, engineers, 
     computer programmers, and other technical experts may 
     immigrate to the United States for employment. However, the 
     federal government severely limits the number of visas 
     available. Only 65,000 new H-1B visas are available each year 
     to individuals with a bachelor's degree or higher, with an 
     additional 20,000 visas available to individuals with a U.S. 
     master's degree or higher; and
       Whereas, The federal cap on H-1B visas is not meeting the 
     demand of U.S. businesses. The 2013 caps were reached in just 
     over two months. These arbitrary caps are holding back 
     economic growth in Michigan and the rest of the United 
     States. These caps should be based on a data-driven approach 
     that, along with the availability of qualified American 
     workers, factors in the positive impact of immigrant 
     professionals to jobs and entrepreneurialism in our economy. 
     In a highly competitive global environment, the United States 
     cannot afford to turn back the brightest and most talented 
     people. Our nation's loss will inevitably be another nation's 
     gain: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge 
     Congress to raise permanently the cap on new H-1B temporary 
     work visas available to immigrant professionals and to 
     eliminate the cap for those holding a master's degree or 
     higher from U.S. universities; 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-177. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of California relative to the federal Afghan Allies 
     Protection Act of 2009; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

                    Assembly Joint Resolution No. 22

       Whereas, Thousands of Californians served in uniform in the 
     war in Afghanistan; and
       Whereas, Countless local Afghan nationals provided trusted 
     and life-saving support to Americans and their allies in 
     Afghanistan as interpreters, advisers, liaisons, and other 
     functionaries; and

[[Page S25]]

       Whereas, More than 8,000 Afghani interpreters worked for 
     the United States during the conflict, risking the lives of 
     their families and themselves to assist American troops and 
     the United States government; and
       Whereas, It was recently pointed out in the New York Times 
     that with United States Armed Forces currently withdrawing 
     from Afghanistan, many of the local nationals who provided 
     support to American forces are now the target of Taliban and 
     other insurgent attacks. In February 2013, two interpreters 
     were gunned down in Logar Province, south of Kabul, 
     Afghanistan. In December 2012, an interpreter working in 
     Jalalabad was singled out while heading home on leave, and 
     Taliban assailants killed his two brothers in the attack; and
       Whereas, The United Nations has reported that casualties 
     resulting from targeted killings of civilians by 
     antigovernment elements increased by 53 percent in the first 
     six months of 2012, in comparison to the corresponding period 
     in 2011; and
       Whereas, The federal Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009 
     authorizes the issuance of up to 1,500 special immigrant 
     visas (SIVs) annually through the 2013 fiscal year to Afghan 
     nationals who have worked for or on behalf of the United 
     States Government in Afghanistan and who find their lives in 
     danger as a consequence of their employment; and
       Whereas, Although 7,500 SIVs were intended to be issued by 
     the federal Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009, only about 
     1,000 have been issued to date, and as of last fall, there 
     was a backlog of more than 5,000 applicants waiting to begin 
     the process. This delay further risks the lives of important, 
     dedicated allies who have already risked their lives in the 
     call of duty to our soldiers and our country; and
       Whereas, There are significant differences between the visa 
     programs created for Iraq and Afghanistan. While the Iraq 
     program allowed for up to 25,000 visas, the Afghan Allies 
     Protection Act of 2009 only makes 7,500 visas available. 
     Additionally, the Afghan visa program limits family members 
     to only a spouse and dependent children under 21 years of 
     age, while the Iraq program allowed for parents, siblings, 
     and all children; and
       Whereas, The Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009 presents 
     the opportunity to save the lives of Afghans who saved the 
     lives of Americans and to maintain our commitment to these 
     important allies who are in harm's way: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of 
     California, jointly, That the Legislature calls upon the 
     United States Congress and the President's administration to 
     expedite actions at the United States Department of State to 
     process the visa applications of our Afghan allies who have 
     been identified and vetted by the United States military or 
     other agencies as having risked their lives by supporting and 
     working for United States troops overseas, and to expand the 
     number of visas offered to our Afghan allies; and be it 
     further
       Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit 
     copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President 
     of the United States, the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives, the Leader of the United States House of 
     Representatives, the Majority Leader of the Senate, the 
     Minority Leader of the Senate, and each Senator and 
     Representative from California in the Congress of the United 
     States.
                                  ____

       POM-178. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of California relative to immigration; to the 
     Committee on the Judiciary.

                    Assembly Joint Resolution No. 3

       Whereas, The United States of America is a nation of 
     values, founded on the principles that all men and women are 
     created equal, and the promise of freedom for all; and
       Whereas, We are a nation of immigrants, who believe in the 
     promise of freedom and opportunity; and
       Whereas. The current immigration system is broken, 
     antiquated, and not meeting the challenges of the 21st 
     century. It separates families, including same-sex couple 
     families, creates long backlogs for families seeking 
     reunification, and neglects the hard work and financial 
     contributions immigrants make to our country; and
       Whereas, Since 2008, more than 1.6 million immigrants have 
     been deported, and one in every 10 American children faces 
     the threat of the deportation of a parent; and
       Whereas, It is estimated that about 11 million undocumented 
     immigrants are in the United States, and California has the 
     largest population of immigrants, both legal and 
     undocumented; and
       Whereas, Immigrants and their children constitute nearly 
     one-half of California's population and live and work in all 
     58 counties, most notably in the San Diego, Central Valley, 
     Los Angeles, Ventura, and greater San Francisco areas; and
       Whereas, Approximately 77 percent of undocumented 
     immigrants who reside in California live with family members 
     who are legal United States residents and citizens; and
       Whereas, One in 10 workers in California is an undocumented 
     immigrant, and immigrants are vibrant, productive, and vital 
     part of the state's growing economy; and
       Whereas, Immigrants are essential in keeping the American 
     economy strong; from technology programmers in the Silicon 
     Valley to restaurant owners and workers, immigrants are 
     filling an intrinsic need in the labor force; and
       Whereas, Agricultural workers have been performing very 
     important and difficult work to maintain America's food 
     supply, and have a role of ensuring that Americans have safe 
     and secure agricultural products to sell and consume; and
       Whereas, Students should not be punished for their 
     immigration status. Instead, they should be given recognition 
     for their sacrifice, hard work, and determination; and
       Whereas, The United States can do a better job of 
     attracting and keeping the world's best and brightest. A 
     comprehensive immigration reform should also grant immigrants 
     who have received a Ph.D. or master's degree in science, 
     technology, engineering, or mathematics from an American 
     university the opportunity to invest in and contribute to 
     this great nation. For the future of our economy, it makes no 
     sense to educate the world's future innovators and 
     entrepreneurs only to ultimately force them to leave our 
     country at the moment they are most able to contribute to our 
     economy; and
       Whereas, Modernizing our antiquated and dysfunctional 
     immigration system will uphold our nation's basic values of 
     fairness and equality, as well as access to health care; and
       Whereas, A comprehensive, as well as compassionate, 
     approach to solve our broken immigration system should be one 
     that works for all communities and families in America; and
       Whereas, A just immigration reform must ensure that it 
     reflects one of our basic values--that we all are created 
     equal--thus immigration reform must recognize each 
     immigrant's full humanity; and
       Whereas; A proposal must be comprised of tenets that 
     achieve all of the following: (1) establish an earned 
     citizenship process that requires immigrants to pay back 
     taxes and learn English; (2) enhance security in our ports of 
     entry to secure our nation; (3) reform immigration 
     enforcement programs that separate families to ensure that 
     family unification systems are strengthened; (4) upgrade the 
     current visa programs, including the creation of a guest 
     worker program for agricultural workers, in order to have a 
     legal workforce and a system that better enforces labor 
     protections; and (5) uphold due process as well as the 
     inherent rights of all immigrants: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of 
     California, jointly, That the Legislature urges the President 
     and the Congress of the United States to take a humane and 
     just approach to solving our nation's broken immigration 
     system; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit 
     copies of this resolution to the President and the Vice 
     President of the United States, to the Speaker of the House 
     of Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the Senate, and 
     to each Senator and Representative from California in the 
     Congress of the United States, to the Governor of California, 
     and to the author of this resolution.
                                  ____

       POM-179. A joint resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     State of California relative to the Startup Act 3.0; to the 
     Committee on the Judiciary.

                     Senate Joint Resolution No. 9

       Whereas, The United States is a nation of immigrants, with 
     a long history of welcoming indigents from other nations and 
     giving them a chance at achieving the American Dream; and
       Whereas, immigrants have formed the backbone of the 
     nation's economy; and
       Whereas, Open economies grow faster than closed ones, and 
     as a beacon of hope, America has historically had an 
     unbeatable advantage over societies that shut immigrants out, 
     or stifled their creative and innovative spirit; and
       Whereas, The United States economy has been enriched by the 
     innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of immigrants from 
     around the world; and
       Whereas, According to the Kauffman Foundation on 
     Entrepreneurship, of the current Fortune 500 companies, 
     including Apple, Google, and eBay, more than 40 percent were 
     founded by first- or second-generation Americans, and these 
     companies employ more than 10 million people; and
       Whereas, Foreign nationals residing in the United States 
     were named as inventors or coinventors in one-quarter of all 
     patent applications filed in 2006; and
       Whereas, Fifty-two percent of Silicon Valley startups 
     between 1995 and 2005 were founded or cofounded by 
     immigrants, generating $52 billion in revenues and employing 
     450,000 workers; and
       Whereas, In the past seven years, the national rate of 
     startups by immigrants has dropped to 42 percent according to 
     scholars at Harvard and Duke Universities; and
       Whereas, The number of foreign nationals with advanced 
     degrees awaiting permanent-resident status in the United 
     States has grown to over one million in the past several 
     years; and
       Whereas, Under current law, only around 120,000 visas are 
     available annually for skilled workers hi key employment 
     categories and only 7 percent of these visas can be allocated 
     to immigrants from any one country. So immigrants from 
     countries with large populations, like India and China, which 
     are the source of the vast majority of startups in the United 
     States, have access to only 8,400 visas per year; and

[[Page S26]]

       Whereas, The result of this policy is that many of these 
     highly skilled immigrants must wait more than a decade for 
     visas; and
       Whereas, Many of these highly skilled innovators are 
     deciding instead to return home, or immigrate to other 
     countries that welcome them with open arms, such as 
     Singapore, Canada, Dubai, Australia, the United Kingdom, and 
     Chile. As a result, these innovators are founding companies 
     in these other countries and competing with American 
     companies for market share; and
       Whereas, The issue of illegal immigration has taken on 
     national prominence in recent years and the resolution of the 
     broader issue should be the result of bipartisan efforts; and
       Whereas, United States Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), 
     Mark Warner (D-Virginia), Chris Coons (D-Delaware), and Roy 
     Blunt (R-Missouri) have introduced S. 310, and United States 
     House Representatives Michael Grimm (R-New York), Loretta 
     Sanchez (D-California), and others have introduced H.R. 714 
     in the 113th Congress of the United States, and this 
     legislation is known as the Startup Act 3.0; and
       Whereas, Entrepreneurs and highly skilled workers can 
     contribute to the continued success of the nation and further 
     the development of an innovation-based economy that will help 
     future generations compete in the global marketplace; and
       Whereas, There has been bipartisan support in Congress for 
     proposed changes to immigration law seeking to create new 
     jobs and drive economic growth; such as:
       (1) Creation of an Entrepreneur's Visa for up to 75,000 
     legal immigrants who start up new businesses to create jobs 
     in the United States with a path to permanent residency if 
     their businesses continue to hire more workers.
       (2) Authorization to adjust the status of not more than 
     50,000 aliens who have earned a master's degree or a 
     doctorate degree at an American institution of higher 
     education in a STEM field (science, technology, engineering, 
     or mathematics) to that of aliens conditionally admitted for 
     permanent residence to remain in this country.
       (3) Elimination of per-country caps for employment-based 
     immigrant visas: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and the Assembly of the State of 
     California, jointly, That the Legislature urge the United 
     States Congress and the President to establish new 
     entrepreneur and STEM-related visa categories for legal 
     immigrants as part of comprehensive federal immigration 
     reform; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies 
     of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the 
     United States, to the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the Senate, and to 
     each Senator and Representative from California in the 
     Congress of the United States.
                                  ____

       POM-180. A joint resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     State of California relative to firearms; to the Committee on 
     the Judiciary.

                     Senate Joint Resolution No. 1

       Whereas, The Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting in 
     Newtown, Connecticut, which resulted in the death of 20 
     children and 6 adults, demonstrated the need for stronger 
     laws to prevent gun violence; and
       Whereas, Numerous factors contribute to the occurrence of 
     mass shootings, including unregulated access to assault 
     weapons and assault magazines, insufficient background 
     checks, and needed improvements to our mental health system, 
     among others; and
       Whereas, Semiautomatic assault weapons designed with 
     military features allow for the rapid fire of potentially 
     large numbers of bullets, and are distinguishable from 
     standard sporting firearms by features such as the ability to 
     accept a detachable magazine, pistol grips, and folding or 
     telescoping stocks; and
       Whereas, Semiautomatic assault weapons are frequently used 
     in mass shootings, including the 1993 101 California Street 
     shooting in San Francisco that involved two TEC-9 
     semiautomatic handguns, and the recent Aurora, Colorado, 
     shooting that involved an AR-15 style semiautomatic assault 
     rifle with a 100-round ammunition drum; and
       Whereas, The United States Supreme Court has affirmed once 
     and for all that Americans have a right to keep and bear 
     arms. However, as conservative justice Antonin Scalia 
     outlined, the District of Columbia v. Heller decision does 
     not prohibit laws forbidding firearms in places such as 
     schools or regulation of unusually dangerous weapons, nor 
     does it restrict laws prohibiting felons and the mentally ill 
     from carrying guns; and
       Whereas, The National Firearms Act of 1934 regulates the 
     possession and transfer of fully automatic machine guns 
     through background checks, registration, and excise taxes, 
     but individual states are able to enact their own stronger 
     gun legislation and regulations which may or may not be 
     similar to other states; and
       Whereas, Seven states, including California, have enacted 
     laws strictly regulating the possession, manufacture, and 
     transfer of assault weapons; and
       Whereas, Because our borders are porous and only a small 
     number of states regulate assault weapons and high-capacity 
     assault magazines, states, like California, that take steps 
     to protect their communities from these weapons are 
     vulnerable to criminals who use those weapons without a 
     comprehensive federal approach to curb gun violence; and
       Whereas, It is estimated that 40 percent of firearm 
     transfers are completed without a federal background check, 
     including the transfer of semiautomatic firearms from a 
     private collection; and
       Whereas, California requires background checks for all 
     firearms sales and transfers through various means; and
       Whereas, Nine categories of individuals are prohibited from 
     purchasing and possessing firearms, including the dangerously 
     mentally ill; and
       Whereas, Mental health records are reported by the state 
     and imported into the National Instant Criminal Background 
     Check System, but currently many state and federal agencies 
     are not fully participating in this system: now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved by the Senate and the Assembly of the State of 
     California, jointly, That a comprehensive federal approach to 
     reducing and preventing gun violence is needed to protect the 
     Second Amendment rights of law abiding citizens while 
     ensuring that our communities are safe from future mass 
     shootings; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Legislature urges the President and the 
     Congress of the United States to promptly place under the 
     scope of the National Firearms Act generically defined 
     assault weapons, as now is the case with California, and 
     high-capacity assault magazines; and be it further
       Resolved, That a universal background check through the 
     National Instant Criminal Background Check System should be 
     required for the transfer of all firearms; and be it further
       Resolved, That the President of the United States should 
     take steps to ensure all states and applicable federal 
     agencies are reporting all necessary records to the National 
     Instant Criminal Background Check System; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies 
     of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the 
     United States, to the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the Senate to each 
     Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of 
     the United States, and to the author for appropriate 
     distribution.
                                  ____

       POM-181. A joint resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     State of California relative to immigration; to the Committee 
     on the Judiciary.

                     Senate Joint Resolution No. 8

       Whereas, This country was built by immigrants seeking a 
     better life; and
       Whereas, Estimates suggest there are 11 million 
     undocumented immigrants living in the shadows in the United 
     States, including millions of children brought to this 
     country undocumented who have grown up here and call the 
     United States home, suffering from the dysfunctional 
     immigration policy; and
       Whereas, A logical and streamlined path to citizenship for 
     individuals after they gain legal status would stimulate the 
     economy by allowing them to get college degrees and driver's 
     licenses, buy homes, start new companies, and create legal, 
     tax-paying jobs, affording them a chance at the American 
     Dream; and
       Whereas, The United States Congress last enacted major 
     immigration legislation more than 25 years ago; and
       Whereas, Since that time, fragmented attempts at 
     immigration reform have failed to create rational and 
     effective systems needed to maintain international 
     competitiveness. Whether in an industry like agriculture, 
     which requires large numbers of workers able to perform 
     physically demanding tasks, or in technology or health care, 
     where the demand for employees with advanced degrees is 
     projected to exceed supply within the next five years, 
     immigration policy must be designed to `respond to emerging 
     labor needs. in all sectors of the United States economy; and
       Whereas, Our national interests and security are not served 
     by our outdated, inefficient, and slow-moving immigration 
     system. Patchwork attempts to mend its deficiencies undermine 
     our potential for prosperity and leave us vulnerable and 
     unable to meet the needs of the modern world; and
       Whereas, To help our country recover from the financial 
     crisis, labor mobility is crucial to our economic prosperity. 
     Yet our rigid, outdated immigration policies are making it 
     difficult for our companies and our nation to compete. 
     Information released in a study by the University of 
     California, Los Angeles, stated that legalizing the status of 
     undocumented immigrants working and living in the United 
     States would create around $1.5 trillion in additional gross 
     domestic product growth over the next 10 years and increase 
     wages for all workers. A study done by the University of 
     California, Davis, indicates that the last large wave of 
     immigrants, from 1990 to 2007, raised the income of the 
     native-born American worker by an average of $5,000; and
       Whereas, California has the largest share of immigrants in 
     the country. They are a vital and productive part of our 
     state's economy and are active in a variety of industries, 
     including technology, biotech, hospitality, agriculture, 
     construction, services, transportation, and textiles. They 
     also represent a large share of our new small business owners 
     and create economic prosperity and needed jobs for everyone; 
     and
       Whereas, Keeping these families, business owners, and hard 
     workers in the shadows of society serves no one; and

[[Page S27]]

       Whereas, Our state, for economic, social, health, security, 
     and prosperity reasons, must support policies that allow 
     individuals to become legal and enfranchised participants in 
     our society and economy; and
       Whereas, Comprehensive immigration reform should include a 
     reasonable and timely path to citizenship for undocumented 
     immigrants living and working in the United States already. 
     It should include comprehensive background checks, and 
     require demonstrated proficiency in English and payment of 
     all current and back taxes, and should have the flexibility 
     to respond to emerging business trends; and
       Whereas, The Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan 
     research group in Washington, D.C., estimated that in 2012 
     the federal government spent $18 billion on immigration 
     enforcement and that the number of United States Border 
     Patrol agents has doubled since 2004; and
       Whereas, Increased enforcement has given the federal 
     government the ability to prioritize the deportation of 
     lawbreakers and dangerous individuals and to ensure our 
     border's security. Nevertheless, this enforcement should not 
     be done in an inhumane way; and
       Whereas, Immigration enforcement should continue to focus 
     on criminals, not on hardworking immigrant families, and not 
     at the expense of efficient trade with two of our top three 
     economic partners; and
       Whereas, The United States loses large numbers of 
     necessary, highly skilled workers due to the lengthy and 
     complicated processes currently in place to get or keep a 
     legal residency option; and
       Whereas, Reform should also include an expedited process 
     for those residing abroad and applying for legal visas. 
     Additionally, reform should offer permanent residency 
     opportunities to international students in American 
     universities who are highly trained and in high demand, and 
     in so doing avoid an intellectual vacuum after their 
     graduation; and
       Whereas, This reform should recognize the societal and 
     cultural benefits of keeping the family unit intact. The 
     system should take into account special circumstances 
     surrounding candidates for probationary legal status, such as 
     those of minors brought to the country as children or workers 
     whose labor is essential to maintain our country's 
     competitiveness: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and the Assembly of the State of 
     California, jointly, That the Legislature urges the President 
     and the Congress of the United States to take a comprehensive 
     and workable approach to solving our nation's historically 
     broken immigration system, using the principles described in 
     this resolution; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies 
     of this resolution to the President and the Vice President of 
     the United States, to the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the Senate, and to 
     each Senator and Representative from California in the 
     Congress of the United States.
                                  ____

       POM-182. A resolution adopted by the Municipal Legislature 
     of Aguada, Puerto Rico relative to urging the President of 
     the United States of America to immediately and 
     unconditionally release a political prisoner; to the 
     Committee on the Judiciary.

                           Resolution No. 19

       Whereas, Section 5005 of Act No. 81 of August 30, 1991, as 
     amended, known as ``Autonomous Municipalities Act of the 
     Commonwealth of Puerto Rico'', provides that the Municipal 
     Legislature may approve those ordinances, resolutions and 
     regulations on issues and matters of competition or municipal 
     jurisdiction, pursuant to this Act or any other law, must be 
     submitted for consideration or approval.
       Whereas, Oscar Lopez Rivera has been jailed for more than 
     32 years in the United States, serving a sentence for reasons 
     related to the struggle for the independence of Puerto Rico. 
     Other political prisoners serving sentences equally 
     disproportionate have since been released, first under 
     President Jimmy Carter and then, in 1999, being president, 
     William J. Clinton, Oscar is the political prisoner serving 
     the longest prison sentence, surpassing the Nobel Peace Prize 
     and former South African President Nelson Mandela.
       Whereas, A cause for the release of Oscar Lopez has joined 
     Puerto Ricans of all faiths. Political, religious and civic 
     organizations have called for Oscar back home. His prolonged 
     confinement, far from serving any purpose, it has become a 
     sign of inhumanity and injustice. The consensus forged in 
     Puerto Rico for the freedom of Oscar, also have joined 
     international entities.
       Whereas, The Municipal Legislature joins Aguada, in turn, 
     in a gesture of solidarity, to request the President of the 
     United States, Barack Hussein Obama, making use of its 
     prerogatives, available for immediate and unconditional 
     release of Oscar Lopez Rivera: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Municipal Legislature of Aguada, Puerto 
     Rico, the following:
       Section 1st: Aguada Municipal Legislature requests the 
     President of the United States of America, Barack Hussein 
     Obama, who in the exercise of its powers granted immediate 
     and unconditional freedom of Oscar Lopez Rivera.
       Section 2nd: Copies of this Resolution, translated into 
     English, will be sent to the President and the Presidents of 
     both legislative bodies of the Congress of the United States.
       Section 3rd: This Resolution shall take effect immediately 
     after its approval.
                                  ____

       POM-183. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of California relative to veterans; to the 
     Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

                    Assembly Joint Resolution No. 19

       Whereas, In 1993, congress adopted a policy known as Don't 
     Ask, Don't Tell (DADT), prohibiting service personnel from 
     inquiring, or volunteering information, about their sexual 
     orientation. Prior to 1993, federal law and military 
     regulations prohibited homosexuality in the Armed Forces of 
     the United States; and
       Whereas, From 1980 until the repeal of DADT in 2011, over 
     32,000 service personnel were separated from the Armed Forces 
     of the United States under DADT and its predecessor policies; 
     and
       Whereas, More than 13,000 service personnel were separated 
     from the Armed Forces of the United States after the adoption 
     of DADT. Approximately one-quarter of these discharges 
     occurred during the service member's first four months of 
     service; and
       Whereas, California law prohibits discrimination on the 
     basis of race, national origin, ethnic group identification, 
     religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, color, genetic 
     information, or disability; and
       Whereas, Generally, veterans separated from the military 
     with a discharge that is characterized as ``dishonorable'' or 
     ``other than honorable'' are ineligible to receive federal or 
     state veterans' benefits, including applicable spousal 
     benefits; and
       Whereas, Section 711.1 of the Military and Veterans Code 
     assists veterans by requiring the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs to provide Internet resources, Internet links, and 
     printed materials regarding, or created by, veterans' legal 
     services organizations that specialize in military discharge 
     upgrades, or links to Internet resources that provide 
     information and printed resources provided by veterans' legal 
     services organizations. It also provides that if the federal 
     government acts to provide benefits to discharged veterans 
     who were denied those benefits solely on the basis of sexual 
     orientation pursuant to any federal policy prohibiting 
     homosexual personnel from serving in the Armed Forces of the 
     United States, the state shall provide to those veterans any 
     state-offered benefits; and
       Whereas, We must work to ensure that California veterans 
     who were discriminated against solely on the basis of their 
     sexual orientation can access benefits regardless of the 
     classification of their discharge: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of 
     California, jointly, That the Legislature urges Congress and 
     the President to provide benefits, including applicable 
     spousal benefits, to those veterans discriminated against 
     solely on the basis of their sexual orientation; and be it 
     further
       Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit 
     copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President 
     of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the Senate, and to 
     each Senator and Representative from California in the 
     Congress of the United States.
                                  ____

       POM-184. A resolution from town of Richmond, Wisconsin 
     relative to amending campaign contribution rules; to the 
     Committee on the Judiciary.
       POM-185. A resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     Rockland County, New York, supporting United States Senate 
     Bill S. 744--The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and 
     Immigration Modernization Act of 2013, and urging the United 
     States House of Representatives to pass similar legislation; 
     to the Committee on the Judiciary.
       POM-186. A resolution adopted by the Board of Selectmen, 
     Town of Seymour, Connecticut, urging the Congress of the 
     United States to restore the presumption of a service 
     connection for Agent Orange exposure to United States 
     Veterans who served on the inland waterways, in the 
     territorial waters, and in the airspace over the combat zone; 
     to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

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