[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 12, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1040-S1041]
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-180. A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania urging 
     the United States Congress and the President of the United 
     States to enact S. 1575 or similar legislation to award the 
     Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the United States 
     Army Rangers Veterans of World War II in recognition of their 
     extraordinary service; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, 
     and Urban Affairs.

                        House Resolution No. 627

       Whereas, Of the more than 15 million soldiers who served in 
     the armed forces in World War II, only 3,000 were Rangers; 
     and
       Whereas, The 1st Ranger Battalion was formed at the onset 
     of the United States' involvement in the conflict as an elite 
     unit modeled after the British Commandos; and

[[Page S1041]]

       Whereas, The Rangers were highly and rigorously trained to 
     attack in the dead of night from the least likely route and 
     climb cliffs and speed march, enabling them to infiltrate 
     deep behind enemy lines on foot; and
       Whereas, There were six Ranger Battalions deployed during 
     World War II, all of which were strictly volunteer; and 
     Whereas, Each battalion was comprised of approximately 500 
     men; and
       Whereas, At least 48 World War II Rangers came from this 
     Commonwealth, 33 of which remained overseas in American 
     battlefield cemeteries; and
       Whereas, Three World War II Rangers in D Company, 2nd 
     Ranger Battalion were from Altoona; and
       Whereas, Two of the three climbed the cliffs at Pointe du 
     Hoc and one destroyed five of six long-range artillery pieces 
     at Pointe du Hoc; and
       Whereas, There are only 41 known World War II Rangers alive 
     nationwide; and
       Whereas, It is imperative that these heroes are given the 
     honor they deserve; therefore be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives urge the 
     President and the Congress of the United States to enact S. 
     1757 or similar legislation to award the Congressional Gold 
     Medal, collectively, to the United States Army Rangers 
     Veterans of World War II in recognition of their 
     extraordinary service; and be it further
       Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to 
     the President of the United States, to the presiding officers 
     of each house of Congress and to each member of Congress from 
     Pennsylvania.
                                  ____

       POM-181. A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the State of Michigan urging the United 
     States Congress and the President of the United States to 
     increase funding for the Great Lakes restoration initiative 
     to $475 million per year; to the Committee on Environment and 
     Public Works.

                        House Resolution No. 157

       Whereas, The Great Lakes are a critical resource for our 
     nation and central to the economy, heritage, and quality of 
     life of Michigan and the other seven states within the Great 
     Lakes region. The Great Lakes hold over 84 percent of the 
     United States' surface freshwater and drive a thriving 
     regional economy, directly supporting 1.5 million U.S. jobs 
     and generating $62 billion in wages. More than 30 million 
     U.S. residents depend on the Great Lakes for drinking water: 
     and
       Whereas, The Great Likes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) has 
     provided crucial funding to support long overdue work to 
     protect and restore the Great Lakes. In partnership with the 
     states, local governments, and other organizations, the 
     federal government has invested more than $3 billion and 
     supported over 4,700 projects over the last decade, including 
     around $600 million for more than 1,100 projects in Michigan: 
     and
       Whereas, The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative represents 
     a sound investment in both the environment and the economies 
     of the Great Lakes region. A 2018 study calculated that for 
     every federal dollar invested in Great Lakes restoration 
     there is $3.35 in additional economic activity, with older 
     industrial cities like Detroit seeing an even higher return 
     on investment; and
       Whereas, Real progress has been made in cleaning up and 
     restoring the Great Lakes thanks to the Great Lakes 
     Restoration Initiative. One-third of the region's toxic hot 
     spots have been cleaned up, sparking redevelopment and 
     business opportunities on waterfronts. Area farms and 
     conservation organizations have increased conservation 
     practices, which have reduced harmful nutrient runoff, and 
     habitat and wildlife connectivity continue to improve, with 
     nearly 5,000 miles of rivers cleared of dams and other 
     barriers: and
       Whereas, Far more work needs to be done to ensure every 
     person has a clean community in which to live, safe beaches 
     to enjoy, and healthy fish to eat. Substantial limitations 
     and threats to the use of the Great Lakes remain whether 
     toxic algal blooms shutting down Toledo's drinking water 
     supply, invasive carp threatening billion-dollar fisheries, 
     or contaminated sediments restricting recreational 
     opportunities: and
       Whereas, The time to act is now. The ecological, economic, 
     and health risks are too high. The problems will only get 
     worse and the solutions more expensive and challenging in the 
     future; Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we 
     memorialize the President and Congress of the United States 
     to increase funding for the Great Lakes Restoration 
     Initiative to $475 million per year to boost the region's 
     work of cleaning up toxic contamination, reducing runoff 
     pollution, stopping invasive species, and protecting and 
     restoring wetlands and other habitats; and be it further
       Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to 
     the President of the United States, the President of the 
     United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House 
     of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan 
     congressional delegation.

                          ____________________