[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 111 (Wednesday, July 16, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4553-S4557]
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-303. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of California calling upon the Congress and the 
     President of the United States to stabilize the federal 
     Highway Trust Fund by developing a long-term plan to promote 
     adequate federal Highway Trust Fund revenues; to the 
     Committee on Environment and Public Works.

                     Senate Joint Resolution No. 24

       Whereas, A safe, efficient, and reliable surface 
     transportation network is vital to California's future 
     economic growth, quality of life, and security; and
       Whereas, Inadequate investment in California's highway and 
     bridge infrastructure system is having a dramatic impact on 
     the citizens of California, causing them to spend too much 
     time idling on increasingly congested roads and bridges 
     rather than with their families; and
       Whereas, The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century 
     Act (MAP-21), that authorized the federal highway and public 
     transportation programs, will expire September 30, 2014; and
       Whereas, The federal Highway Trust Fund and its user fee-
     based revenue stream supports all federal investment in 
     highway and bridge improvements and the vast majority of the 
     federal public transportation program; and
       Whereas, The federal Highway Trust Fund experienced revenue 
     shortfalls in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2012 that created 
     uncertainty about federal surface transportation investment 
     commitments; and
       Whereas, The United States Department of Transportation 
     will begin slowing reimbursements to states for already 
     approved federal-aid projects as early as July of this year 
     to preserve a positive balance in the federal Highway Trust 
     Fund; and
       Whereas, The Congressional Budget Office reports the 
     federal Highway Trust Fund will be unable to support any new 
     highway or public transportation spending in the 2015 fiscal 
     year absent congressional action to increase trust fund 
     revenues; and
       Whereas, Eliminating federal highway and public 
     transportation investment in one year would threaten hundreds 
     of thousands of jobs nationwide and severely disrupt 
     California's long-term transportation improvement plans: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and the Assembly of the State of 
     California, jointly, That the Legislature urges timely action 
     by the President and the Congress of the United States to 
     stabilize the federal Highway Trust Fund by developing a 
     long-term plan to promote adequate federal Highway Trust Fund 
     revenues that achieves all of the following:
       (a) Continues an appropriate role for the federal 
     government in sustaining a viable national transportation 
     system.
       (b) Contributes to deficit reductions and economic growth.
       (c) Ensures the integrity of the surface transportation 
     program and resists funding diversions that have been harmful 
     to public support.
       (d) Allows the Congress to pass a reauthorization of the 
     federal highway and public

[[Page S4554]]

     transportation programs before MAP-21 expires; 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, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 
     the Majority Leader of the Senate, each Senator and 
     Representative from California in the Congress of the United 
     States, and to the author for appropriate distribution.
                                  ____

       POM-304. A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the State of North Carolina urging the 
     United States Congress to pass legislation to protect the 
     Corolla wild horses so that they can survive as a free-
     roaming wild herd for future generations to enjoy; to the 
     Committee on Environment and Public Works.

                         House Resolution 1257

       Whereas, the Corolla wild horses living along the Outer 
     Banks of Currituck County, North Carolina, are descendants of 
     horses brought to the Americas by Spanish explorers and 
     colonists beginning in the 16th century; and
       Whereas, the Corolla wild horses are known as Colonial 
     Spanish Mustangs; and
       Whereas, these Colonial Spanish Mustangs have played a 
     significant role in the history and culture of North 
     Carolina's coastal area for hundreds of years; and
       Whereas, in 2009, the General Assembly adopted these 
     Colonial Spanish Mustangs as the official horse of the State 
     of North Carolina; and
       Whereas, the Corolla wild horses freely roam 7,500 acres of 
     public and private land in Currituck County; and
       Whereas, the Corolla wild horses have been managed through 
     a public-private partnership that includes representatives of 
     the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the State of 
     North Carolina, Currituck County, and the Corolla Wild Horse 
     Fund; and
       Whereas, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service is 
     insisting that no more than 60 horses be allowed in the herd; 
     and
       Whereas, world-renowned genetic scientists have determined 
     that a herd of at least 110 horses, with a target population 
     of 120 to 130 horses is necessary to maintain the genetic 
     viability of the Corolla herd; and
       Whereas, 110 to 130 horses is well within the carrying 
     capacity of the land the Corolla wild horses roam; and
       Whereas, the Corolla wild horses are a critical component 
     of the heritage and economy of Currituck County: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives:
       Section 1. This body urges Congress to pass legislation to 
     protect the Corolla wild horses so that they can survive as a 
     free-roaming wild herd for future generations to enjoy.
       Section 2. The Principal Clerk shall transmit certified 
     copies of this resolution 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, and the members of the North 
     Carolina Congressional delegation.
       Section 3. This resolution is effective upon adoption.
                                  ____

       POM-305. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Commonwealth of Massachusetts expressing its support for the 
     people of Nigeria, especially the parents and families of the 
     girls abducted by certain individuals, and calling for the 
     immediate and safe return of the girls; to the Committee on 
     Foreign Relations.

                              Resolutions

       Whereas, as many as 234 female students, the majority of 
     whom are between 16 to 18 years of age, were kidnapped by 
     armed men from the government girls secondary school in the 
     Federal Republic of Nigeria on April 14, 2014 and efforts by 
     the United States to aid in their rescue are underway;
       Whereas, Militants burned down several buildings, then shot 
     at soldiers and police who were guarding the school; and
       Whereas, Public secondary schools in Nigeria have been 
     subjected to many attacks in 2014, resulting in hundreds of 
     students being killed; and
       Whereas, the militant group known as Boko Haram has taken 
     responsibility for this mass kidnapping; and
       Whereas, United Nations has declared that girls' education 
     is a major challenge in Nigeria and, according to the world 
     economic forum's global gender gap index, Nigeria is ranked 
     106 out of 136 countries based on women's economic 
     participation, educational attainment and political 
     empowerment; and
       Whereas, the United States Senate has affirmed that women 
     and girls must be allowed to go to school without fear of 
     violence and unjust treatment so that they can take their 
     rightful place as equal citizens of and contributors to the 
     world; and
       Whereas, the Massachusetts Senate has demonstrated an 
     unwavering commitment to ending discrimination and violence 
     against women and girls, to ensuring the safety, welfare and 
     education of women and girls and to pursuing policies that 
     guarantee the rights of women and girls: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the Massachusetts Senate hereby expresses 
     its strong support for the people of Nigeria, especially the 
     parents and families of the girls abducted by Boko Haram and 
     calls for the immediate and safe return of the girls; and be 
     it further
       Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be transmitted 
     forthwith by the Clerk of the Senate to the President of the 
     United States, the Presiding Officer of each branch of 
     Congress and to the members thereof from the Commonwealth.
                                  ____

       POM-306. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the State of 
     Michigan urging the President of the United States, the 
     Secretary of State, and the Congress of the United States to 
     invoke the participation of the International Joint 
     Commission under Article IX, Article X, or both, of the 
     Boundary Waters Treaty to evaluate the proposed underground 
     nuclear waste repository in Ontario, Canada, and similar 
     facilities; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

                       Senate Resolution No. 151

       Whereas, Ontario Power Generation is proposing to construct 
     an underground, long-term burial facility for low- and 
     intermediate-level radioactive waste at the Bruce Nuclear 
     Generating Station. This site is less than a mile inland from 
     the shore of Lake Huron; and
       Whereas, Placing a permanent nuclear waste burial facility 
     so dose to the Great Lakes shoreline is a matter of serious 
     concern for the inhabitants of the Great Lakes states and 
     provinces. A leak or breach of radioactivity from this waste 
     facility could damage the ecology of the lakes. Tens of 
     millions of United States and Canadian citizens depend on the 
     lakes for drinking water, fisheries, tourism, recreation, and 
     other industrial and economic uses; and
       Whereas, Michigan recognizes the duty of the legislative 
     branch of government to protect the public health, safety, 
     and welfare of its citizens and the state's natural 
     resources. Article IV, Section 50 of the Michigan 
     Constitution authorizes the Legislature to regulate atomic 
     energy in view of the safety and general welfare of the 
     people. Article IV, Section 51 declares that the public 
     health and general welfare of the people of the state are 
     matters of primary public concern, while Article IV, Section 
     52 requires the Legislature to provide for the protection of 
     the air, water, and other natural resources of the state from 
     pollution, impairment, and destruction; and
       Whereas, The Michigan Legislature has recognized the 
     inherent dangers of siting a radioactive waste storage 
     facility near the shores of the Great Lakes. Under Public Act 
     No. 204 of 1987, the final siting criteria for a radioactive 
     waste facility containing the same types of waste as would be 
     stored at the proposed Ontario repository includes a 
     prohibition on siting it within 10 miles of one of the Great 
     Lakes, the Saint Mary's River, Detroit River, St. Clair 
     River, or Lake St. Clair; and
       Whereas, The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) is 
     a binational agreement to address critical environmental 
     health issues in the Great Lakes region, with the overall 
     purpose of restoring and maintaining the chemical, physical, 
     and biological integrity of the Great Lakes. Article 6 of the 
     GLWQA acknowledges the importance of anticipating, 
     preventing, and responding to threats to the Great Lakes and 
     recognizes that a nuclear waste facility sited close to the 
     Greg Lakes shoreline could lead to a pollution incident or 
     could have a significant cumulative impact on the waters of 
     the Great Lakes; and
       Whereas, The 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty recognizes the 
     immense importance of the Great Lakes as a shared resource 
     between the United States and Canada. The wisdom of the 
     Treaty drafters is reflected in the creation of the 
     International Joint Commission (IJC), composed of three 
     members from the United States and three members from Canada, 
     to act as impartial watchdogs over the boundary waters 
     between the countries. Under Article IX of the Treaty, 
     questions or matters of difference between the countries 
     involving their rights, obligations, or interests along their 
     common frontier may be referred to the IJC for examination 
     and report, upon the request of either country. Under Article 
     X, the IJC may be asked to make a binding decision on an 
     issue of difference between the two countries, upon the 
     consent and referral by both the United States and Canada; 
     and
       Whereas, The IJC has frequently been asked to weigh in on 
     major topics of concern to the Great Lakes region. In 1912, a 
     few years after the Treaty's ratification, the IJC was asked 
     to examine and report on the extent, causes, and location of 
     pollution in the boundary waters and to recommend remedies 
     and pollution prevention strategies. In 1999, the IJC was 
     asked to study the international export of bulk supplies of 
     Great Lakes water. The IJC provides an objective and 
     international forum to study Great Lakes issues that affect 
     both countries: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate, That we urge the President of the 
     United States, the Secretary of State, and the Congress of 
     the United States to invoke the participation of the 
     International Joint Commission under Article IX, Article X, 
     or both, of the Boundary Waters Treaty to evaluate the 
     proposed underground nuclear waste repository in Ontario, 
     Canada, and similar facilities; and be it further
       Resolved, That we urge the other Great Lakes states and 
     Canadian provinces to adopt appropriate regulations to 
     protect the Great Lakes region from radioactive waste and to 
     petition their respective federal governments to engage the 
     IJC under Article IX, Article X, or both, of the Boundary 
     Waters Treaty to evaluate the proposed underground nuclear 
     waste repository in Ontario, Canada, and similar facilities; 
     and be it further

[[Page S4555]]

       Resolved, That we urge the Prime Minister of Canada and the 
     Canadian Parliament to suspend the Joint Review Panel process 
     convened by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and 
     the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission to decide whether to 
     grant Ontario Power Generation a license to construct the 
     underground nuclear waste repository so that it can receive 
     input from the IJC, the Great Lakes Commission, and the state 
     of Michigan; and be it further
       Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to 
     the President of the United States, the Prime Minister of 
     Canada, the United States Secretary of State, the President 
     of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States 
     House of Representatives, the members of the Michigan 
     congressional delegation, the Speaker of the Canadian Senate, 
     the Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons, and the 
     governors or premiers and the legislative majority leaders in 
     Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, 
     Wisconsin, Ontario, and Quebec.
                                  ____

       POM-307. A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the State of North Carolina urging the 
     United States Congress to enact legislation that will lead to 
     the recognition of World War II Coastwise Merchant Mariners 
     as veterans of the United States Armed Forces; to the 
     Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

                         House Resolution 1256

       Whereas, during World War II, United States Merchant 
     Mariners who served along the coastline of the United States, 
     and were known as Coastwise Merchant Mariners, helped to 
     transport materials, including food, clothing, and weapons, 
     to members of the United States Armed Forces serving on three 
     continents; and
       Whereas, the Coastwise Merchant Mariners bravely performed 
     their duties even as they were in danger of attack from 
     German U-boats operating along our nation's coastal waters; 
     and
       Whereas, many of the Coastwise Merchant Mariners were 
     elderly, handicapped, women, and underage children who 
     stepped forward in the time of a national crisis to ensure 
     that the members of the United States Armed Forces were 
     sufficiently supplied as they fought enemy forces; and
       Whereas, because of administrative rules and decisions made 
     by the United States Navy, many Coastwise Merchant Mariners 
     who served during World War II were not recognized as 
     veterans and thus were not eligible for the veterans benefits 
     they had earned; and
       Whereas, in the years following World II, as a result of 
     some changes in federal law and federal rules and 
     regulations, some of the Coastwise Merchant Mariners 
     previously denied veterans benefits were finally recognized 
     as veterans and therefore entitled to the same benefits as 
     other veterans of the United States Armed Forces; and
       Whereas, despite the past recognition of some Coastwise 
     Merchant Mariners as veterans, as many as 30,000 Coastwise 
     Merchant Mariners may never get that recognition due to the 
     documentation required to prove their service during World 
     War II; and
       Whereas, through no fault of these courageous individuals, 
     much of the documentation proving they served their country 
     during World War II as Coastwise Merchant Mariners has been 
     lost or destroyed or was never recorded; Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives:
       SECTION 1. The House of Representatives honors the brave 
     men, women, and children who valiantly served our country as 
     Coastwise Merchant Mariners during World War II.
       SECTION 2. The House of Representatives urges Congress to 
     do the following:
       (1) Conduct congressional inquiries into (i) the lack of 
     recognition given to the World War II Coastwise Merchant 
     Mariners who were lost in action without having been 
     recognized by our nation as veterans and (ii) the reason 
     World War II Coastwise Merchant Mariners records that are 
     known to exist have not been moved to the National Records 
     Center for use by families and researchers in accordance with 
     agreements between the National Archives and Records 
     Administration and the Department of Defense.
       (2) Enact legislation that expands the types of acceptable 
     documentation that Coastwise Merchant Mariners may use to 
     prove their service during World War II, and to thereafter 
     require that those who can provide the documentation be 
     finally recognized as veterans entitled to the accompanying 
     benefits.
       SECTION 3. The Principal Clerk shall transmit a certified 
     copy of this resolution 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, the members of the North 
     Carolina Congressional delegation, and the news media of 
     North Carolina.
       SECTION 4. This resolution is effective upon adoption.
                                  ____

       POM-308. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Commonwealth of Pennsylvania expresging support for the 
     democratic and European aspirations of the people of Ukraine, 
     and calling on the United States and the European Union to 
     continue to work together to support a peaceful resolution to 
     the crisis; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

                       Senate Resolution No. 284

       Whereas, A democratic, prosperous and independent Ukraine 
     is in the national interest of the United States; and
       Whereas, Closer relations with the European Union (EU) 
     through the signing of an Association Agreement will promote 
     democratic values, good governance and economic opportunity 
     in Ukraine; and
       Whereas, Millions of Ukrainian citizens support closer 
     relations with Europe and the signing of an Association 
     Agreement; and
       Whereas, The Government of Ukraine has declared integration 
     with Europe a national priority and has made significant 
     progress toward meeting the requirements for the Association 
     Agreement; and
       Whereas, Ukraine has the sovereign right to enter into 
     voluntary partnerships of its choosing, in keeping with its 
     interests; and
       Whereas, Ukraine's closer relations with the EU do not 
     threaten any other country and will benefit both Ukraine and 
     its neighbors; and
       Whereas, On November 21, 2013, following several months of 
     intense outside pressure, Ukrainian President Viktor 
     Yanukovych abruptly suspended negotiations on the Association 
     Agreement one week before it was due to be signed at the EU's 
     Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania; and
       Whereas, This reversal of stated government policy 
     precipitated demonstrations by hundreds of thousands of 
     Ukrainian citizens in Kyiv as well as in cities throughout 
     the country; and
       Whereas, The demonstrators were overwhelmingly peaceful and 
     have sought to exercise their constitutional rights to freely 
     assemble and express their oppositions to President 
     Yanukovych's decision, as well as their support for greater 
     government accountability and closer relations with Europe; 
     and
       Whereas, On November 30, 2013, police violently dispersed 
     peaceful demonstrators in Kyiv's Independence Square, 
     resulting in many injuries and the arrest of several dozen 
     individuals; and
       Whereas, On December 9, 2013, police raided three 
     opposition media outlets and the headquarters of an 
     opposition party; and
       Whereas, On December 11, 2013, despite President 
     Yanukovych's statement the previous day that he would engage 
     in talks with the opposition, police attempted to forcibly 
     evict peaceful protesters from central locations in Kyiv; and
       Whereas, United States, European and other leaders, as well 
     as three former presidents of Ukraine, urged restraint, 
     warned against the use of violence against peaceful 
     protesters and called for dialogue with the opposition to 
     resolve the current political and economic crisis; and
       Whereas, On January 16, 2014, the Ukrainian parliament 
     passed, and President Yanukovych signed, legislation which 
     severely limited the right of peaceful protest, constrained 
     freedom of speech and the independent media and unduly 
     restricted civil society organizations; and
       Whereas, The passage of these undemocratic measures and 
     President Yanukovych's refusal to engage in substantive 
     dialogue with opposition leaders precipitated several days of 
     violence and resulted in several deaths and hundreds of 
     injuries, as well as numerous allegations of police 
     brutality; and
       Whereas, In the face of spreading demonstrations, Ukrainian 
     Government representatives and opposition leaders entered 
     into negotiations which on January 28, 2014, resulted in the 
     resignation of the Prime Minister and his cabinet and the 
     repeal of most of the antidemocratic laws from January 16, 
     2014; and
       Whereas, On February 20, 2014, Ukrainian security forces, 
     including heavily armed snipers, fired on demonstrators in 
     Kyiv, leaving dozens dead and the people of Ukraine reeling 
     from the most lethal day of violence since the Soviet era, 
     and many of President Yanukovych's political allies, 
     including the major of Kyiv, resigned from his governing 
     Party of Regions to protest the bloodshed; and
       Whereas, On February 22, 2014, the Ukrainian parliament 
     found President Yanukovych unable to fulfill his duties, 
     exercised its constitutional powers to remove him from office 
     and set an election for May 25, 2014, to select his 
     replacement; and
       Whereas, On March 2, 2014, Russian troops invaded the 
     Ukrainian territory of Crimea, seizing control of the 
     peninsula, border crossings, government and administrative 
     buildings, key infrastructure and surrounding Ukrainian 
     military bases; and
       Whereas, The military intervention by the Russian 
     Federation in Crimea is a violation of Ukraine's sovereignty, 
     independence and territorial integrity; and
       Whereas, On March 16, 2014, Crimea held a referendum on 
     seceding from Ukraine and acceding to the Russian Federation, 
     which violated the Ukrainian constitution, occurred under 
     duress of Russian military intervention and was not 
     recognized by the international community; and
       Whereas, On March 20, 2014, the Russian parliament noted to 
     annex Crimea and Russian President Putin signed the treaty of 
     accession annexing Crimea to the Russian Federation; and
       Whereas, On April 7, 2014, protesters occupied government 
     buildings in Ukraine's eastern cities of Donetsk, Luhansk and 
     Kharkiv; and
       Whereas, On April 18, 2014, the United States, Russia, 
     Ukraine and the European Union agreed at talks in Geneva on 
     steps to de-escalate the crisis in eastern Ukraine; and

[[Page S4556]]

       Whereas, On April 22, 2014, Ukraine's acting president 
     ordered the relaunch of military operations against pro-
     Russian militants in the east after two men were found 
     tortured to death in the Donetsk region; and
       Whereas, On May 25, 2014, Ukraine held a presidential 
     election, but most polling stations in the east remained 
     closed; and
       Whereas, Pedro Poroshenko was elected President and vowed 
     to bring ``peace to a united and free Ukraine''; and
       Whereas, The Senate greatly values the warm and close 
     relationship the United States has established with Ukraine 
     since that country regained its independence in 1991: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate of the Commonwealth of 
     Pennsylvania express support for the democratic and European 
     aspirations of the people of Ukraine and their right to 
     choose their own future free of intimidation and fear; and be 
     it further
       Resolved, That the Senate call on the United States and the 
     European Union to continue to work together to support a 
     peaceful resolution to the crisis and to continue to support 
     the desire of millions of Ukrainian citizens for closer 
     relations with Europe through finalizing the signing of an 
     Association Agreement, as well as for a democratic future; 
     and be it further
       Resolved, That the Senate condemn the unprovoked and 
     illegal Russian military seizure and annexation of the 
     Ukrainian Crimea; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Senate urge the Government of Ukraine, 
     Ukrainian opposition parties and all protesters to exercise 
     the utmost restraint and avoid confrontation and call on the 
     Government of the Ukraine to live up to its international 
     obligations and respect and uphold the democratic rights of 
     its citizens, including the freedom of assembly and 
     expression, as well as the freedom of the press; and be it 
     further
       Resolved, That the Senate urge all parties to engage in 
     constructive, sustained dialogue in order to find a peaceful 
     solution to Ukraine's current political and economic crisis; 
     and be it further
       Resolved, That a copy of the resolution be transmitted to 
     the President of the United States, the presiding officers of 
     each house of Congress and each member of Congress from 
     Pennsylvania.
                                  ____

       POM-309. A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the State of Michigan urging the Congress 
     of the United States to approve the Presidents budget 
     proposal to provide 35 million dollars to help communities 
     process evidence from untested sexual assault kits; to the 
     Committee on the Judiciary.

                        House Resolution No. 382

       Whereas, Sexual violence continues to plague our nation and 
     destroy lives. Women and girls are the vast majority of 
     victims, and nearly one in five women, or about 22 million, 
     have been raped during their lifetimes. Men and boys are also 
     at risk and one in 71 men, or about 1.6 million, have been 
     raped during their lifetimes. Nearly one-half of all female 
     rape survivors were raped before I8 years of age, and over 
     one-quarter of male rape survivors were raped before 10 years 
     of age; and
       Whereas, Effective collection of forensic evidence is of 
     paramount importance to successfully prosecuting sex 
     offenders, as is performing sexual assault forensic exams in 
     a sensitive, dignified, and victim-centered manner. Sexual 
     assault forensic examinations are intrusive, lengthy, and 
     complex medical examinations that take an average of three to 
     four hours. A victim who agrees to a sexual assault forensic 
     exam reasonably expects evidence collected from that exam, 
     also referred to as a rape kit, to be analyzed; and
       Whereas, The federal government has estimated that hundreds 
     of thousands of rape kits sit untested in police and crime 
     storage facilities across the country in what is known as the 
     rape kit backlog. Crime labs have struggled over the past 
     decade to meet the demand for DNA testing for all types of 
     crimes. With demand continuing to outpace capacity--the 
     Joyful Heart Foundation estimates that every two minutes 
     someone is sexually assaulted in the U.S.--the backlog in 
     testing evidence collected from sexual assault forensic exams 
     will likely continue to grow; and
       Whereas, Untested sexual assault kits mean lost 
     opportunities to develop DNA profiles, search for matches, 
     link cold cases, and bring justice and resolution to the 
     victim. DNA can help identify unknown offenders and when the 
     offender is known, it can result in ``cold hits'' connecting 
     the known suspect to other crimes. Failure to test evidence 
     collected from a sexual assault kit in a timely manner can be 
     tragic, from expired statutes of limitation that preclude 
     prosecution even if a suspect is later identified, to 
     additional rape and murder victims of serial rapists; and
       Whereas, Local jurisdictions that have attempted to 
     alleviate the rape kit backlog have impressive results to 
     show for their efforts. With federal funding, the Wayne 
     County Prosecuting Attorney's Office along with the Detroit 
     Police Department, has begun to address a backlog of more 
     than 10,000 rape kits. Among those first 1,600 kits tested, 
     there were 455 matches in the DNA database, including matches 
     linking to crimes committed in 22 other states and the 
     District of Columbia. The Prosecutor's Office identified 127 
     potential serial rapists and obtained 14 convictions of 
     potential serial rapists who are lied to rapes reported in 12 
     other states and the District of Columbia; and
       Whereas, Testing sexual assault kits provides essential 
     evidence. But, equally essential is the investigation and 
     prosecution of identified perpetrators, without which 
     survivors arc denied justice, rapists remain free to assault 
     with impunity, and our communities continue to suffer 
     emotionally and economically; and
       Whereas, Reducing the rape kit backlog is a national 
     concern requiring a national response. Federal funding is 
     crucial to help communities in Michigan and other states to 
     test and follow up on untested sexual assault kits: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge 
     Congress of the United States to approve President Obama's 
     budget proposal to provide $35 million to help communities 
     process evidence from untested sexual assault kits; and be it 
     further
       Resolved, That copies of the 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-310. A joint resolution adopted by the General Assembly 
     of the State of Colorado designating the month of October as 
     ``Safe Schools Month''; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

                     Senate Joint Resolution 14-031

       Whereas, Colorado is committed to ensuring safe schools for 
     all students, from early learning to higher education; and
       Whereas, Safe schools provide an environment where 
     effective teaching and learning can take place so that all 
     education goals can be achieved; and
       Whereas, Safe schools interface with the larger community 
     by providing safe havens and distribution centers in the 
     event of greater community crisis; and
       Whereas, Each school day, Colorado school personnel are 
     accountable for the safety of over 875,000 students, or about 
     one-sixth of the total population of the state; and
       Whereas, Educators and school personnel are the first 
     responders in the schools, on the routes to and from school, 
     on field trips, and at school-related events; and
       Whereas, Schools face a broad range of safety-related 
     threats, including human-caused hazards, technological 
     hazards, and natural hazards; and
       Whereas, Schools must adopt guiding principles of readiness 
     and all-hazards emergency management, including prevention, 
     mitigation, protection, preparedness, response, and recovery, 
     in addressing these threats; and
       Whereas, Educators and school personnel must communicate, 
     coordinate, and collaborate with professional responders and 
     other community partners in applying these guiding 
     principles; and
       Whereas, Schools must keep pace with improvements and 
     changes in safe schools design, crime prevention through 
     environmental design, security systems, communications, 
     information management, training programs, and other 
     resources related to school safety; and
       Whereas, Schools must continually evaluate and update 
     policies, standard operating procedures, memoranda of 
     understanding, best practices, lessons learned, and 
     fundraising activities related to school safety; and
       Whereas, Schools can improve safety by making sure that 
     climates are welcoming and that responses to misbehavior are 
     fair, non-discriminatory and effective through training 
     staff, engaging families and community partners, and 
     deploying resources to help students develop the social, 
     emotional, and conflict resolution skills needed to avoid and 
     de-escalate problems; and
       Whereas, The mission of the Colorado School Safety Resource 
     Center is to assist educators, emergency responders, 
     community organizations, school mental health professionals, 
     parents, and students in creating safe, positive, and 
     successful school environments for Colorado students in all 
     K-12 and higher education schools; and
       Whereas, In 2013, the Colorado School Safety Resource 
     Center published nearly 800 announcements in its monthly 
     newsletters on school safety-related topics such as training, 
     grant information, prevention and protection resources, 
     current research and statistical resources, and youth-
     specific information; and
       Whereas, The members of the General Assembly believe that a 
     yearly commemorative month devoted to school safety and a 
     safe school climate can encourage activities that provide 
     awareness about school safety topics: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate of the Sixty-ninth General Assembly 
     of the State of Colorado, the House of Representatives 
     concurring herein:
       That we, the members of the Colorado General Assembly:
       (1) Believe that establishing a commemorative month devoted 
     to school safety and school climate can foster awareness 
     about these important topics affecting our state's children 
     and educators;
       (2) Designate October as ``Safe Schools Month'' in 
     Colorado; and
       (3) Encourage all educators, community partners, first 
     responders, subject matter experts, members of the private 
     sector, the media, and other stakeholders to coordinate their 
     activities with the Colorado School

[[Page S4557]]

     Safety Resource Center and to help promote a culture of 
     school safety and positive school climate, and be it further
       Resolved, That copies of this Joint Resolution be sent to 
     the Honorable Barack Obama, President of the United States; 
     Vice President Joe Biden; United States Secretary of 
     Education Arne Duncan; United States Secretary of Homeland 
     Security Jeh Johnson; United States Attorney General Eric 
     Holder; the office of the United States Secretary of Health 
     and Human Services; United States Secretary of Defense Chuck 
     Hagel; United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack; 
     United States Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx; Gina 
     McCarthy, Administrator, United States Environmental 
     Protection Agency; the Honorable John Hickenlooper, Governor 
     of Colorado; Executive Director, Colorado Department of 
     Higher Education, Lt. Gov. Joseph A. Garcia; Kristin D. 
     Russell, Colorado Secretary of Technology and State Chief 
     Information Officer, Governor's Office of Information 
     Technology; Robert Hammond, Commissioner of Education, 
     Colorado Department of Education; Scott Newell, Director, 
     Division of Capital Construction, Colorado Department of 
     Education; Sarah Mathew, Director, Office of Health and 
     Wellness, Colorado Department of Education; Richard Kaufman, 
     Chair, Colorado Commission on Higher Education; Nancy 
     McCallin, President, Colorado Community College System; John 
     W. Suthers, Attorney General, Colorado Department of Law; 
     Susan Payne, Director, Safe2Tell; Kathy E. Sasak, Interim 
     Executive Director, Colorado Department of Public Safety; 
     Paul Cooke, Director, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention 
     and Control; Kevin R. Klein, Director, Division of Homeland 
     Security Emergency Management; Colonel Scott Hernandez, 
     Chief, Colorado State Patrol; Christine R. Harms, Director, 
     Colorado School Safety Resource Center; Reggie Bicha, 
     Executive Director, Colorado Department of Human Services; 
     Dr. Larry Wolk, Executive Director and Chief Medical Officer, 
     Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment; John 
     Salazar, Commissioner of Agriculture, Colorado Department of 
     Agriculture; Donald E. Hunt, Executive Director, Colorado 
     Department of Transportation; and to each member of 
     Colorado's Congressional delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-311. A joint memorial adopted by the General Assembly 
     of the State of Colorado urging the United States Congress to 
     provide statutory relief to grant Colorado research 
     institutions the authority to conduct controlled clinical and 
     objective medical research trials regarding marijuana's 
     medical efficacy; to the Committee on Health, Education, 
     Labor, and Pensions.

                      Senate Joint Memorial 14-006

       Whereas, Colorado is in a unique situation regarding 
     marijuana use in this country; and
       Whereas, Colorado's constitution authorizes the legal use 
     of marijuana for both medical and private adult use, but the 
     use of marijuana is still illegal under federal law; and
       Whereas, Because marijuana use has been illegal under 
     federal law since 1937, there is limited modern, scientific-
     based research regarding the medical use of marijuana; and
       Whereas, Without medical research, most information 
     regarding marijuana's medical efficacy is limited in clinical 
     or scientific evidence and is anecdotal or observational; and
       Whereas, Several marijuana extracts seem to demonstrate 
     significant benefits for pain control, treatment of childhood 
     epileptic seizures, and other beneficial effects, often with 
     fewer side effects than prescription drugs, and without use 
     dependence; and
       Whereas, Colorado has an unprecedented opportunity to 
     provide the United States with scientific-based, peer-
     reviewed clinical medical research that could lead to a 
     medical consensus regarding marijuana's medical efficacy to 
     treat a number of chronic and debilitating medical 
     conditions; and
       Whereas, Colorado is proposing to spend up to $10 million 
     studying marijuana's medical efficacy in Senate Bill 14-155; 
     and
       Whereas, Federal law currently significantly restricts 
     state research institutions that receive federal funding from 
     conducting controlled clinical trials regarding marijuana's 
     medical efficacy: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate of the Sixty-ninth General Assembly 
     of the State of Colorado, the House of Representatives 
     concurring herein:
       That the United States Congress is hereby memorialized to 
     provide statutory relief to grant Colorado research 
     institutions the authority to conduct controlled clinical and 
     objective medical research trials regarding marijuana's 
     medical efficacy, and be it further
       Resolved, That copies of this Joint Memorial be sent to 
     each member of the Colorado Congressional delegation, the 
     speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and 
     the president of the United States Senate.

                          ____________________