[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 21, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5209-S5210]
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-50. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Louisiana memorializing the United States 
     Congress to eliminate the current ban on crude oil exports; 
     to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

                  Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 94

       Whereas, the efficient exploration, production, and 
     transportation of oil in Louisiana prevents waste of the 
     state's natural resources; contributes to the health, 
     welfare, and safety of the general public; and promotes the 
     prosperity of the state; and
       Whereas, the tax revenues and economic prosperity deriving 
     from this Louisiana energy renaissance have greatly 
     benefitted Louisiana public schools, higher education, 
     critical infrastructure development, and public health and 
     safety programs; and
       Whereas, improved technologies and abundant resources have 
     made the United States of America the world's leading oil and 
     natural gas producer, overtaking Saudi Arabia and Russia; and
       Whereas, the 1970s-era federal law prohibiting crude oil 
     exports is a relic from an era of scarcity and flawed price 
     control policies; and
       Whereas, allowing American crude oil exports will 
     strengthen U.S. geopolitical influence by giving our trading 
     partners a more secure source of supply, and allowing the 
     export of American crude oil will make our allies less 
     dependent on crude oil from Russia and the Middle East; and
       Whereas, the world's other major developed nations allow 
     crude oil exports, making the U.S. the only nation that does 
     not take full advantage of trading a valuable resource in 
     what is an otherwise global free market; and
       Whereas, crude oil exports will benefit the U.S.'s national 
     security interests by decreasing the likelihood that global 
     oil supply can be used internationally as a strategic weapon; 
     and
       Whereas, numerous studies have found that allowing American 
     crude oil into the world's free market will benefit U.S. 
     trade and American consumers while creating more high-paying 
     jobs for Louisianians; and
       Whereas, the U.S. is the largest exporter of refined 
     petroleum products and would benefit even more substantially 
     from the export of both crude oil and refined petroleum 
     products; and

[[Page S5210]]

       Whereas, at least seven independent studies have confirmed 
     that repealing the ban on American crude oil exports will 
     lower U.S. gas prices, benefitting Louisiana consumers and 
     businesses; and
       Whereas, many small and large Louisiana businesses that 
     support oil and gas development will benefit from ongoing 
     production; and
       Whereas, manufacturers will benefit from less volatility in 
     energy costs; and
       Whereas, encouraging a global marketplace that is more free 
     from artificial barriers will economically benefit Louisiana, 
     the rest of the U.S., and our friends around the world: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Legislature of Louisiana memorializes 
     the Congress of the United States to recognize that crude oil 
     exports and free trade are in the national interest and take 
     all necessary steps to eliminate the current ban on crude oil 
     exports; 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-51. A petition by a citizen from the state of Texas 
     relative to United States paper currency; to the Committee on 
     Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

                          ____________________