[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 74 (Thursday, May 15, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3070-S3074]
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-224. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Commonwealth of Pennsylvania memorializing the Congress of 
     the United States and the President of the United States to 
     reauthorize the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program; to the 
     Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

                       Senate Resolution No. 340

       Whereas, The Terrorism Risk Insurance Program 
     Reauthorization (TRIPRA) maintains stability in the insurance 
     and reinsurance markets by continuing to deliver substantive, 
     direct benefits to businesses, workers, consumers and the 
     economy overall in the aftermath of a terrorist attack on the 
     United States; and
       Whereas, Insurance protects the United States economy from 
     the adverse effects of the risks inherent in economic growth 
     and development while also providing the resources necessary 
     to rebuild physical and economic infrastructure, offer 
     indemnification for business disruption and provide coverage 
     for medical and liability costs from injuries and loss of 
     life in the event of catastrophic losses to persons or 
     property; and
       Whereas, The terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, 
     produced insured losses larger than any natural or manmade 
     event in history, with claims paid by insurers to their 
     policyholders eventually totaling approximately $32.5 
     billion, making it the second most costly insurance event in 
     United States history; and
       Whereas, The sheer enormity of the terrorist-induced loss, 
     combined with the possibility of future attacks, produced 
     financial shock waves that shook insurance markets, causing 
     insurers and reinsurers to exclude coverage arising from acts 
     of terrorism from virtually all commercial property and 
     liability policies; and
       Whereas, The lack of terrorism risk insurance contributed 
     to a paralysis in the economy, especially in construction, 
     tourism, business travel and real estate finance; and
       Whereas, The United States Congress originally passed the 
     Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-297, 116 
     Stat. 2322) (TRIA), in which the Federal Government agreed to 
     provide terrorism reinsurance to insurers and reauthorized 
     this arrangement via the Terrorism Risk Insurance Extension 
     Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-144, 119 Stat. 2660) and the 
     Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 
     (Public Law 110-160, 121 Stat. 1839) (TRIPRA); and
       Whereas, Under TRIPRA, the Federal Government provides 
     reinsurance after industrywide losses attributable to annual 
     certified terrorism events exceeding $100,000,000; and
       Whereas, Coverage under TRIPRA is provided to an individual 
     insurer after the insurer has incurred losses related to 
     terrorism equal to 20% of the insurer's previous year's 
     earned premium for property-casualty lines; and
       Whereas, After an individual insurer has reached such a 
     threshold, the insurer pays 15% of residual losses and the 
     Federal Government pays the remaining 85%; and
       Whereas, The Terrorism Risk Insurance Program has an annual 
     cap of $100,000,000,000 of aggregate-insured losses, beyond 
     which the Federal program does not provide coverage; and
       Whereas, TRIPRA requires the Federal Government to recoup 
     100% of the benefits provided under the program via 
     policyholder surcharges to the extent the aggregate-insured 
     losses are less than $27,500,000,000 and enables the 
     government to recoup expenditures beyond that mandatory 
     recoupment amount; and
       Whereas, Without question, TRIA and its successors are the 
     principal reason for the continued stability in the insurance 
     and reinsurance market for terrorism insurance to the benefit 
     of our overall economy; and
       Whereas, The presence of a robust private/public 
     partnership has provided stability and predictability and has 
     allowed insurers to actively participate in the market in a 
     meaningful way; and
       Whereas, Without a program such as TRIPRA, many of our 
     citizens who want and need terrorism coverage to operate 
     their businesses all across the nation would be either unable 
     to get insurance or unable to afford the limited coverage 
     that would be available; and
       Whereas, Without Federally provided reinsurance, property 
     and casualty insurers will face less access to terrorism 
     reinsurance and will therefore be severely restricted in 
     their ability to provide sufficient coverage that is 
     necessary to support our economy when acts of terrorism 
     occur; and
       Whereas, Despite the hard work and dedication of this 
     nation's counterterrorism agencies and the bravery of the men 
     and women in uniform who fought and continue to fight battles 
     abroad to keep us safe here at home, the threat of terrorist 
     attacks in the United States is both real and substantial and 
     will remain as such for the foreseeable future: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate urge the President of the United 
     States and the Congress

[[Page S3071]]

     of the United States to reauthorize the Terrorism Risk 
     Insurance Program; and be it further
       Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to 
     the President of the United States, the Speaker and Clerk of 
     the United States House of Representatives, the President Pro 
     Tempore and the Secretary of the United States Senate, each 
     member of Congress from Pennsylvania and to the news media of 
     Pennsylvania.
                                  ____

       POM-225. A joint memorial adopted by the Legislature of the 
     State of Idaho urging the President of the United States, the 
     Secretary of Agriculture, and Congress to give Idaho 
     authority relative to the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance 
     Program (SNAP); to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, 
     and Forestry.

                     Senate Joint Memorial No. 105

       Whereas, the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program 
     (SNAP) is administered by the states on behalf of the United 
     States Department of Agriculture, and the states are subject 
     to the rules promulgated by the United States Department of 
     Agriculture and Congress; and
       Whereas, the health and welfare of the citizens of Idaho 
     can be affected by their consumption of food items purchased 
     with SNAP benefits; and
       Whereas, a comprehensive healthy Supplemental Nutritional 
     Assistance Program (SNAP) for Idaho citizens would include, 
     and should emphasize, consumption of healthy Idaho grown and 
     produced products; and
       Whereas, individuals who participate in healthy eating 
     choices have less chance of developing chronic diseases and 
     therefore, are able to be more productive employees, citizens 
     and more involved in their families' lives; and
       Whereas, our children's futures and consequently the future 
     of our nation are directly impacted by the food choices that 
     are made for our children; and
       Whereas, a healthy diet can consist of all food items, 
     provided there is appropriate education and emphasis given to 
     healthier food options to include proteins, grains, dairy and 
     fruits and vegetables; and
       Whereas, taxpayers have a right to expect that, whenever 
     possible, decisions regarding the use of their tax dollars 
     will be made at the state and local level; and
       Whereas, if there is more state and local authority over 
     foods authorized to be purchased with SNAP funds, Idaho can 
     potentially improve the health of SNAP recipients, promote 
     Idaho grown agricultural products and reduce the states' 
     expenses for health care costs; and
       Whereas, citizens may benefit from education to enable them 
     to make healthier and more cost-effective decisions about 
     purchasing food and having local control over foods 
     authorized to be purchased with SNAP funds would give state-
     based producers an opportunity to educate citizens about the 
     benefits of consuming their products: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the members of the Second Regular Session of 
     the Sixty-second Idaho Legislature, The Senate and the House 
     of Representatives concurring therein, that the Legislature 
     calls upon the President of the United States, the Secretary 
     of Agriculture and Congress to give Idaho the flexibility to 
     have control over foods authorized for purchase with 
     Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits 
     and to encourage healthy eating and lifestyle choices; and be 
     it further
       Resolved, That Idaho should be given the flexibility to 
     determine the best methods of helping our citizens create a 
     comprehensive state-based approach to promote physical 
     activity, nutritional food selections, including a focus on 
     Idaho grown agricultural products, and healthy lifestyle 
     choices; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate be, and she is 
     hereby authorized and directed to forward a copy of this 
     Memorial to the President of the United States, to the 
     President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives of Congress, to the congressional delegation 
     representing the State of Idaho in the Congress of the United 
     States, to the Secretary of the United States Department of 
     Agriculture and the Secretary of the United States Department 
     of Health and Human Services.
                                  ____

       POM-226. A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the Legislature of the State of Iowa 
     requesting immediate action be taken by the United States 
     Congress to repeal California legislation relative to the 
     Commerce Clause of the Constitution of the United States; to 
     the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

                        House Resolution No. 123

       Whereas, in 2008, California voters approved Proposition 2, 
     a ballot initiative that prohibits California farmers from 
     employing a number of agricultural production methods in 
     widespread use throughout the United States, including the 
     use of industry standards used in egg production; and
       Whereas, in 2010, in response to the proposition which 
     would have placed California in a competitive disadvantage by 
     increasing the cost of egg production within that state, the 
     California State Legislature enacted AB 1437 which requires 
     other states to comply with California's standards in order 
     to continue to market eggs in that state; and
       Whereas, Section 25996 of the California Health and Safety 
     Code states that commencing January 1, 2015, a shelled egg 
     cannot be sold or contracted to sell for human consumption in 
     California if the egg was produced on a farm not meeting 
     California standards; and
       Whereas, the effect of California's legislation is to 
     increase consumer prices, create financial hardship on low-
     income families, and deny egg farmers their right to access 
     the nation's markets; and
       Whereas, the ``Commerce Clause'' Article I, Section 8 of 
     the Constitution of the United States provides in relevant 
     part, that ``Congress shall have Power . . . [t]o regulate 
     commerce . . . among the several States . . .''; which has 
     established a free trade zone now encompassing fifty states, 
     the District of Columbia, and the territories of the United 
     States; and
       Whereas, the Commerce Clause is an enumerated power granted 
     to Congress and is also a restriction imposed on states from 
     enacting legislation that places an undue burden on 
     interstate commerce; and
       Whereas, in Federalist No. 11, Alexander Hamilton 
     understood that ``a free circulation of the commodities'' 
     among the states constituted a vital component of this 
     nation's prosperity; and
       Whereas, since 1824, in the landmark decision Gibbons v. 
     Ogden, 22 U.S. (9 Wheat.) 1 (1824), the United States Supreme 
     Court has found that states are limited in their ability to 
     burden interstate commerce; and
       Whereas, since then the principle has been long respected 
     that the Commerce Clause bars states from erecting trade 
     barriers that would otherwise inevitably lead to interstate 
     trade wars, incite retaliation among the states, and 
     ultimately irreparably injure our federal union; and
       Whereas, on February 3, 2014, the Honorable Chris Koster, 
     Attorney General of the State of Missouri, brought suit in 
     the United States District Court in the Eastern District of 
     California, Fresno Division, asking the court to declare the 
     California statute invalid, including as a violation of the 
     Commerce Clause; and
       Whereas, the Honorable Terry E. Branstad, Governor of the 
     State of Iowa, together with the attorneys general of the 
     states of Alabama, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, and the attorney 
     general of the Commonwealth of Kentucky have joined with the 
     State of Missouri in this case; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the State of 
     California immediately repeal all unconstitutional provisions 
     enacted in AB 1437, including Section 25996 of the California 
     Health and Safety Code; and be it further
       Resolved, That all necessary and immediate action be taken 
     by the United States Congress, the United States Attorney 
     General, state legislatures, state governors, and state 
     attorneys general to ensure the repeal of all 
     unconstitutional provisions enacted in AB 1437, including 
     Section 25996 of the California Health and Safety Code; and 
     be it further
       Resolved, That a copy of this resolution shall be 
     transmitted to the Honorable Ellen M. Corbett, Majority 
     Leader, California State Senate; the Honorable John A. Perez, 
     Speaker of the Assembly, California State Assembly; the 
     Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the United 
     States Senate; the Honorable John A. Boehner, Speaker of the 
     United States House of Representatives; the Honorable Debbie 
     Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Committee on Agriculture, 
     Nutrition, and Forestry of the United States Senate; the 
     Honorable Frank Lucas, Chairman of the Committee on 
     Agriculture of the United States House of Representatives; 
     each member of the Iowa congressional delegation; the 
     Honorable Eric H. Holder, Jr., Attorney General of the United 
     States; the Honorable Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture 
     of the United States; the Honorable Terry E. Branstad, 
     Governor of the State of Iowa; the Honorable Tom Miller, 
     Attorney General of the State of Iowa; the Honorable Luther 
     Strange, Attorney General of the State of Alabama; the 
     Honorable Jack Conway, Attorney General of the Commonwealth 
     of Kentucky; the Honorable Chris Koster, Attorney General of 
     the State of Missouri; the Honorable Jon Bruning, Attorney 
     General of the State of Nebraska; and the Honorable E. Scott 
     Pruitt, Attorney General of the State of Oklahoma; and be it 
     further
       Resolved, That a copy of this resolution shall be 
     transmitted to the Council of State Governments, the National 
     Governors Association, and the National Association of 
     Attorneys General.
                                  ____

       POM-227. A resolution adopted by the Legislature of the 
     State of Nebraska urging the United States Congress to 
     reauthorize federally provided terrorism reinsurance; to the 
     Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

                       Legislative Resolution 440

       Whereas, insurance protects the United States economy from 
     the adverse effects of the risks inherent in economic growth 
     and development while also providing the resources necessary 
     to rebuild physical and economic infrastructure, offer 
     indemnification for business disruption, and provide coverage 
     for medical and liability costs from injuries and loss of 
     life in the event of catastrophic losses to persons or 
     property; and
       Whereas, the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, 
     produced insured losses larger than any natural or man-made 
     event in history, with claims paid by insurers to their

[[Page S3072]]

     policyholders eventually totaling approximately $32.5 
     billion, making this attack the second most costly insurance 
     event in United States history; and
       Whereas, the sheer enormity of the terrorist-induced loss, 
     combined with the possibility of future attacks, produced 
     financial shockwaves that shook insurance markets and caused 
     insurers and reinsurers to exclude coverage arising from acts 
     of terrorism from virtually all commercial property and 
     liability policies; and
       Whereas, the lack of terrorism risk insurance contributed 
     to a paralysis in the economy, especially in the 
     construction, tourism, business travel, and real estate 
     finance sectors; and
       Whereas, the United States Congress originally passed the 
     Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 (TRIA), in which the 
     federal government agreed to provide terrorism reinsurance to 
     insurers, and reauthorized this arrangement via the Terrorism 
     Risk Insurance Extension Act of 2005 and the Terrorism Risk 
     Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (TRIPRA); and
       Whereas, under TRIPRA, the federal government provides such 
     reinsurance after industry-wide losses attributable to annual 
     certified terrorism events exceed $100 million; and
       Whereas, coverage under TRIPRA is provided to an individual 
     insurer after the insurer has incurred losses related to 
     terrorism equal to 20% of the insurer's previous year earned 
     premium for property-casualty lines; and
       Whereas, after an individual insurer has reached such a 
     threshold, the insurer pays 15% of residual losses and the 
     federal government pays the remaining 85%; and
       Whereas, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program has an annual 
     cap of $100 billion of aggregate insured losses beyond which 
     the federal program does not provide coverage; and
       Whereas, TRIPRA requires the federal government to recoup 
     100% of the benefits provided under the program through 
     policyholder surcharges to the extent the aggregate insured 
     losses are less than $27.5 billion and enables the government 
     to recoup expenditures beyond that mandatory recoupment 
     amount; and
       Whereas, without question, TRIA and its successor acts are 
     the principal reason for the continued stability in the 
     insurance and reinsurance market for terrorism insurance to 
     the benefit of our overall economy; and
       Whereas, the presence of a robust private-public 
     partnership has provided stability and predictability and has 
     allowed insurers to actively participate in the market in a 
     meaningful way; and
       Whereas, without a program such as TRIPRA, many of our 
     citizens who want and need terrorism coverage to operate 
     their businesses all across the nation would be either unable 
     to obtain insurance or unable to afford the limited coverage 
     that would be available; and
       Whereas, without federally provided reinsurance, property 
     and casualty insurers would face less availability of 
     terrorism reinsurance and would therefore be severely 
     restricted in their ability to provide sufficient coverage 
     for acts of terrorism; and
       Whereas, despite the hard work and dedication of this 
     nation's counterterrorism agencies, and the bravery of the 
     men and women in uniform who fight battles abroad to keep us 
     safe here at home, the threat from terrorist attacks in the 
     United States is both real and substantial and will remain so 
     for the foreseeable future: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Members of the One Hundred Third 
     Legislature of Nebraska, Second Session:
       1. That the Legislature urges the United States Congress to 
     reauthorize federally provided terrorism reinsurance for 
     insurers in order to maintain stability in the insurance and 
     reinsurance markets, to continue to deliver substantive and 
     direct benefits to businesses, workers, and consumers, and to 
     protect the overall economy in the aftermath of a terrorist 
     attack on the United States.
       2. That a copy of this resolution be sent to President 
     Barack Obama, the Speaker and the Clerk of the United States 
     House of Representatives, the President Pro Tempore and the 
     Secretary of the United States Senate, and each member of 
     Nebraska's congressional delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-228. A joint memorial adopted by the Legislature of the 
     State of Idaho recommending the United States Congress 
     provide sufficient funding relative to domestic marketing of 
     American seafood; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation.

                     Senate Joint Memorial No. 103

       Whereas, the economic expansion that is stimulated by the 
     new and increased demand for our seafood products vastly 
     influences our United States economic base; and
       Whereas, the United States seafood industry is fruitfully 
     productive and a key employer in the marketplace; and
       Whereas, the continuing market effort is the dynamic behind 
     industry improvement, investment, prosperity and job 
     creation; and
       Whereas, Idaho is key to the salmon industry in the United 
     States as we are the spawning beds for millions of salmon 
     each year that migrate to the Pacific Ocean; and
       Whereas, Idaho's rivers constitute the pathway that 
     returning salmon use to complete their life cycles from smolt 
     to spawning salmon; and
       Whereas, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and Idaho 
     Power have participated in ensuring a healthy pathway for 
     fish to travel to and return from the Pacific Ocean: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the members of the Second Regular Session of 
     the Sixty-second legislature, The Senate and the HouseV 
     Representatives concurring therein, that we respectfully 
     recommend that the Idaho delegation in Congress work together 
     with representatives of other seafood and fish-producing 
     states to acquire sufficient funding for effectual and 
     maintained domestic marketing of American seafood; and be it 
     further
       Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate be, and she is 
     hereby authorized and directed to forward a copy of this 
     Memorial to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of 
     the House of Representatives of Congress, and the 
     congressional delegation representing the State of Idaho in 
     the Congress of the United States.
                                  ____

       POM-229. A joint memorial adopted by the Legislature of the 
     State of Idaho urging the President of the United States and 
     the Secretary of State to use every opportunity and resource 
     to secure the release of certain individuals from Iran; to 
     the Committee on Foreign Relations.

                     Senate Joint Memorial No. 106

       Whereas, Saeed Abedini, is a resident of the State of Idaho 
     and a Christian with dual Iranian-United States citizenship; 
     and
       Whereas, Saeed Abedini is a husband and father of two young 
     children; and
       Whereas, in September 2012, Saeed Abedini was arbitrarily 
     detained in the Islamic Republic of Iran, held in solitary 
     confinement, physically beaten, denied access to necessary 
     medical treatment as a result of that abuse and denied access 
     to his lawyer until just before his trial; and
       Whereas, the International Covenant on Civil and Political 
     Rights guarantees that every individual shall be free from 
     arbitrary arrest and detention and further guarantees every 
     individual the right to a fair and public hearing by a 
     competent, independent and impartial tribunal; and
       Whereas, in recent years, there has been an increase in the 
     number of incidents of Iranian authorities raiding religious 
     services, detaining worshipers and religious leaders and 
     harassing and threatening minority religious members; and
       Whereas, in January 2013, an Iranian court accused Saeed 
     Abedini of attempting to undermine the national security of 
     Iran by gathering with fellow Christians in private homes; 
     and
       Whereas, Saeed Abedini was tried in a nonpublic trial 
     before a judge who had been sanctioned by the European Union 
     for repeated violations of human rights; and
       Whereas, during the trial, Saeed Abedini and his Iranian 
     attorney were barred from attending portions of the trial in 
     which the prosecution provided and the judge received 
     evidence through witness testimony; and
       Whereas, the Iranian court sentenced Saeed Abedini to eight 
     years in prison, and this sentence was later upheld on 
     appeal; and
       Whereas, the government of Iran continues to indefinitely 
     imprison Saeed Abedini for peacefully exercising his 
     Christian faith; and
       Whereas, President Barack Obama recently called for the 
     release of Saeed Abedini at the National Prayer Breakfast in 
     Washington: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Members of the Second Regular Session of 
     the Sixty-second Idaho Legislature, The Senate and the House 
     of Representatives concurring therein, that we urge President 
     Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry to use every 
     opportunity and resource at their disposal to end the unjust 
     imprisonment of Saeed Abedini and secure his immediate 
     release, and be it further
       Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate be, and she is 
     hereby authorized and directed to forward a copy of this 
     Memorial to the President of the United States, the Secretary 
     of the United States Department of State, the President of 
     the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of 
     Congress, and the congressional delegation representing the 
     State of Idaho in the Congress of the United States.
                                  ____

       POM-230. A resolution adopted by the Legislature of the 
     State of Nebraska supporting the participation of Taiwan as 
     an observer in the International Civil Aviation Organization 
     and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate 
     Change; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

                       Legislative Resolution 38

       Whereas, civil aviation plays a pivotal role in promoting 
     cultural exchange, business, trade, and tourism; and
       Whereas, the development of international civil aviation in 
     a safe and orderly manner is the supreme cause of the 
     International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO); and
       Whereas, with an excellent geographic location, Taiwan is a 
     key aviation hub for regions in northeastern and southeastern 
     Asia; and
       Whereas, the Taipei Flight Information Region (FIR), 
     bordering the FIR of Fukuoka, Manila, Hong Kong, and 
     Shanghai, includes fourteen international airways and four 
     domestic airways, providing services for more than one 
     million flights per year;
       Whereas, each year, forty million travelers enter, leave, 
     or pass through the Taipei FIR, making Taiwan a key part of 
     air navigation in East Asia; and
       Whereas, currently, more than fifty domestic and foreign 
     airlines operate flights from Taiwan to one hundred ten 
     cities in the

[[Page S3073]]

     world and the annual number of passengers on international 
     flights is approximately thirty million; and
       Whereas, in 2010, the number of international passengers at 
     Taiwan's largest airport--Taoyuan International Airport--
     ranked sixteenth worldwide while international cargo ranked 
     ninth, making Taiwan one of the busiest airspaces in the 
     world; and
       Whereas, without Taiwan's participation, the international 
     flight plans, regulations, and procedures that the ICAO 
     formulates will be incomplete and unsafe; and
       Whereas, as an island in the Pacific Ocean, Taiwan is 
     imperiled by rising sea levels and the ravages of extreme 
     weather; and
       Whereas, it is apparent that to overcome the challenges 
     posed by climate change, there must be concerted effort and 
     cooperation among the world citizenry; and
       Whereas, Taiwan's exclusion from meaningful participation 
     in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 
     (UNFCCC) has been to the detriment of both the Taiwan people 
     and the global community, as Taiwan not only has the means 
     but also the incentive to make a meaningful contribution; and
       Whereas, Taiwan's request to participate in the ICAO and 
     the UNFCCC is fully in line with the United States 
     Government's policy of supporting Taiwan's meaningful 
     participation in United Nations specialized agencies: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Members of the One Hundred Third 
     Legislative of Nebraska, First Session:
       1. That the Legislature endorses Taiwan's participation in 
     the International Civil Aviation Organization as an observer.
       2. That the Legislature is supportive of all efforts to 
     grant Taiwan official observer status at the United Nations 
     Framework Convention on Climate Change, and, as a 
     collaborative partner of the United States on a wide range of 
     public issues, Taiwan should be afforded the opportunity to 
     participate in global efforts aimed at reducing and 
     preventing natural disasters.
       3. That a copy of this resolution be sent to the United 
     States Secretary of State, the United States Secretary of 
     Transportation, the Administrator of the United States 
     Environmental Protection Agency, each member of the Nebraska 
     congressional delegation, and the Director General of the 
     Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Kansas City.
                                  ____

       POM-231. A joint memorial adopted by the Legislature of the 
     State of Idaho urging the United States Congress to maintain 
     an open and accessible record of states' Article V 
     applications for a constitutional convention; to the 
     Committee on the Judiciary.

                     Senate Joint Memorial No. 104

       Whereas, under Article V of the Constitution of the United 
     States, Congress has a duty to call a convention for 
     proposing amendments to the Constitution ``on the application 
     of the legislatures of two-thirds of the several states''; 
     and
       Whereas, the duty to call an Article V convention on 
     application of the states implies that Congress shall keep an 
     accurate record of such applications of the legislatures of 
     the states; and
       Whereas, the records of Congress should be open and 
     accessible to the people of the United States; and
       Whereas, Congress does not currently keep a record of the 
     Article V applications of the states: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Members of the Second Regular Session of 
     the Sixty-second Idaho Legislature, the Senate and the House 
     of Representatives concurring therein, that Congress shall 
     maintain a record of the Article V applications of the states 
     in a form that is open and accessible to the people of the 
     United States; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate be, and she is 
     hereby authorized and directed to forward a copy of this 
     Memorial to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of 
     the House of Representatives of Congress, and the 
     congressional delegation representing the State of Idaho in 
     the Congress of the United States.
                                  ____

       POM-232. A resolution adopted by the Legislature of the 
     State of Nebraska urging the United States Congress to take 
     affirmative action to enact comprehensive reform to update 
     the immigration system; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

                       Legislative Resolution 399

       Whereas, the Legislature recognizes that our federal 
     immigration laws are long outdated, causing harm to families, 
     businesses, and communities; and
       Whereas, common-sense reforms that modernize our outdated 
     immigration laws and that are sensible, fair, and practical 
     are necessary to protect our borders and create a strong 
     foundation for our economy and society; and
       Whereas, immigration has always been an important part of 
     the social and economic fabric of the United States, and it 
     is in the best interest of all that our nation's immigration 
     laws be kept up-to-date; and
       Whereas, although comprehensive immigration reform is a 
     federal and not a state matter, the State of Nebraska has 
     legitimate interests in the passage of effective immigration 
     laws at the federal level; and
       Whereas, Nebraska's towns and cities have experienced 
     significant growth in immigrant population in the last two 
     decades which has helped the state maintain its population; 
     and
       Whereas, Nebraska community leaders, educators, business 
     owners, cattlemen, farmers, and the immigrant community have 
     recognized that while some challenges are created by 
     integrating new immigrant Nebraskans, the positive impacts of 
     immigration, including economic development, tax collections, 
     and cultural diversity, exceed the costs of resolving these 
     challenges, demonstrated by the fact that many communities 
     with significant immigrant populations are thriving unlike 
     many of those communities which have not attracted 
     immigrants; and
       Whereas, Nebraska population trends indicate a future 
     shortage of needed and qualified labor in agriculture and the 
     skilled trades and a shortage of professionally-trained 
     workers in our rural communities; and
       Whereas, pending legislation is before the United States 
     Congress which would accomplish comprehensive immigration 
     reform: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Members of the One Hundred Third 
     Legislature of Nebraska, Second Session:
       1. That the Legislature recommends that the Nebraska 
     congressional delegation take affirmative action to enact 
     comprehensive immigration reform to update our immigration 
     system.
       2. That such reform enacted by Congress should recognize 
     the need to protect the borders of the United States, 
     maintain respect for the law, embody fairness, and protect 
     families.
       3. That such reform should recognize the important role 
     that immigrant Americans play as entrepreneurs, workers, 
     taxpayers, and family members.
       4. That such reform should protect agriculture, small 
     businesses, and working Nebraskans and facilitate increases 
     in the labor market and the professions necessary to protect 
     rural communities from further economic decline.
       5. That the Legislature recommends that in order to ensure 
     adequate labor resources to support economic growth and 
     stability, the House of Representatives should pass H.R. 15, 
     the ``Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration 
     Modernization Act,'' as approved by the United States Senate, 
     or alternatively should enact similar legislation in 2014 
     which embodies the principles and needs outlined in this 
     resolution.
       6. That a copy of this resolution be delivered to the 
     President of the United States, to the Speaker of the United 
     States House of Representatives, to the President of the 
     United States Senate, and to each member of the Nebraska 
     congressional delegation
                                  ____

       POM-233. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the State of 
     Louisiana memorializing the Congress of the United States to 
     reauthorize the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program; to the 
     Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

                        Senate Resolution No. 18

       Whereas, insurance protects the United States economy from 
     the adverse effects of the risks inherent in economic growth 
     and development while also providing the resources necessary 
     to rebuild physical and economic infrastructure, offer 
     indemnification for business disruption, and provide coverage 
     for medical and liability costs from injuries and loss of 
     life in the event of catastrophic losses to persons or 
     property; and
       Whereas, the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, 
     produced insured losses larger than any natural or man-made 
     event in history, with claims paid by insurers to their 
     policyholders eventually totaling some $32.5 billion, making 
     this the second most costly insurance event in United States 
     history; and
       Whereas, the sheer enormity of the terrorist-induced loss, 
     combined with the possibility of future attacks, produced 
     financial shockwaves that shook insurance markets causing 
     insurers and reinsurers to exclude coverage arising from acts 
     of terrorism from virtually all commercial property and 
     liability policies; and
       Whereas, the lack of terrorism risk insurance contributed 
     to a paralysis in the economy, especially in construction, 
     tourism, business travel, and real estate finance; and
       Whereas, the United States Congress originally passed the 
     Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002, in which the federal 
     government agreed to provide terrorism reinsurance to 
     insurers and reauthorized this arrangement via the Terrorism 
     Risk Insurance Extension Act of 2005, and the Terrorism Risk 
     Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (TRIPRA); and
       Whereas, under TRIPRA the federal government provides such 
     reinsurance after industry-wide losses attributable to annual 
     certified terrorism events exceed one hundred million 
     dollars; and
       Whereas, coverage under TRIPRA is provided to an individual 
     insurer after the insurer has incurred losses related to 
     terrorism equal to twenty percent of the insurer's previous 
     year earned premium for property-casualty lines; and
       Whereas, after an individual insurer has reached such a 
     threshold, the insurer pays fifteen percent of residual 
     losses and the federal government pays the remaining eighty-
     five percent; and
       Whereas, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program has an annual 
     cap of one hundred billion dollars of aggregate insured 
     losses, beyond which the federal program does not provide 
     coverage; and
       Whereas, TRIPRA requires the federal government to recoup 
     one hundred percent of

[[Page S3074]]

     the benefits provided under the program via policy holder 
     surcharges to the extent the aggregate insured losses are 
     less than twenty-seven billion five hundred million dollars 
     and enables the government to recoup expenditures beyond that 
     mandatory recoupment amount; and
       Whereas, without question, TRIPRA and its successors are 
     the principal reason for the continued stability in the 
     insurance and reinsurance market for terrorism insurance to 
     the benefit of our overall economy; and
       Whereas, the presence of a robust private and public 
     partnership has provided stability and predictability and has 
     allowed insurers to actively participate in the market in a 
     meaningful way; and
       Whereas, without a program such as TRIPRA, many of our 
     citizens who want and need terrorism coverage to operate 
     their businesses all across the nation would be either unable 
     to get insurance or unable to afford the limited coverage 
     that would be available; and
       Whereas, without federally provided reinsurance, property 
     and casualty insurers will face less availability of 
     terrorism reinsurance and will therefore be severely 
     restricted in their ability to provide sufficient coverage 
     for acts of terrorism to support our economy; and
       Whereas, despite the hard work and dedication of this 
     nation's counterterrorism agencies and the bravery of the men 
     and women in uniform who fought and continue to fight battles 
     abroad to keep us safe here at home, the threat from 
     terrorist attacks in the United States is both real and 
     substantial and will remain as such for the foreseeable 
     future: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana 
     hereby memorializes the Congress of the United States to 
     reauthorize the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program and be it 
     further
       Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution shall be 
     transmitted to the secretary of the United States Senate and 
     the clerk of the United States House of Representatives and 
     to each member of the Louisiana delegation to the United 
     States Congress.
                                  ____

       POM-234. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Louisiana recognizing May 2014 as Amyotrophic 
     Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month and memorializing the 
     Congress of the United States to enact legislation to provide 
     additional research funding relative to finding a treatment 
     and cure for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; to the Committee 
     on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

                  Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 52

       Whereas, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, is more 
     commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease; and
       Whereas, ALS is a fatal neurodegenerative disease 
     characterized by degeneration of cell bodies of the lower 
     motor neurons in the gray matter of the anterior horns of the 
     spinal cord; and
       Whereas, the initial symptom of ALS is usually weakness of 
     the skeletal muscles, especially those of the extremities; 
     and
       Whereas, as ALS progresses, the patient typically 
     experiences difficulty in swallowing, talking, and breathing; 
     and
       Whereas, ALS eventually causes muscles to atrophy and the 
     patient becomes a functional quadriplegic; and
       Whereas, ALS does not affect mental capacity of the 
     patient, such that the patient remains alert and aware of 
     surroundings and aware of the loss of motor functions and the 
     inevitable outcome of continued deterioration and death; and
       Whereas, on average, patients diagnosed with ALS survive 
     only two to five years from the time of diagnosis; and
       Whereas, despite the catastrophic consequences of a 
     diagnosis of ALS, the disease currently has no known cause, 
     means of protection, or cure; and
       Whereas, research indicates that military veterans are at a 
     sixty percent greater risk of developing ALS than those who 
     have not served in the military; and
       Whereas, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs 
     has promulgated regulations to establish a presumption of 
     service connection for ALS thereby presuming that the 
     development of ALS was incurred or aggravated by a veteran's 
     service in the military; and
       Whereas, a national ALS registry, administered by the 
     Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is currently 
     identifying cases of ALS in the United States and may become 
     the largest ALS research project ever undertaken; and
       Whereas, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month 
     increases the awareness of the circumstances of living with 
     ALS and acknowledges the terrible impact this disease has not 
     only on the patient, but also on the family and community of 
     anyone receiving such a diagnosis; and
       Whereas, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month also 
     increases awareness of research being done to eradicate this 
     dire disease. Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby 
     recognize May 2014 as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness 
     Month; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby 
     memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact 
     legislation to provide additional funding for research in 
     order to find a treatment and cure for Amyotrophic Lateral 
     Sclerosis; and be it further
       Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to 
     the secretary of the United States Senate and the clerk of 
     the United States House of Representatives and to each member 
     of the Louisiana delegation to the United States Congress.

                          ____________________