[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 129 (Thursday, July 22, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5044-S5049]
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-24. A joint memorial adopted by the legislature of the 
     State of Colorado urging the Department of Defense to keep 
     the United States Space Command (USSPACECOM) in Colorado; to 
     the Committee on Armed Services.

                      Senate Joint Memorial 21-001

       Whereas, Our nation and the world have significantly 
     benefitted from technological and scientific advances 
     resulting from space exploration and aerospace activities, 
     and Colorado is paving the way for new discoveries in the 
     frontiers of space by having a rich history in aerospace 
     development and being at the forefront of space travel, 
     exploration, and aerospace research; and
       Whereas, Colorado is the acting provisional Space Command 
     Base and it will remain the provisional base until 2023. 
     Colorado is also the center for United States military space 
     operations and strategy. According to the Colorado Space 
     Coalition (CSC), the state's military commands are the 
     primary customers for space-based research, development, 
     acquisitions, and operations, representing nearly 90 percent 
     of space-related expenditure by the military. Moving the 
     United States Space Command (USSP ACECOM) to Huntsville, 
     Alabama, will be incredibly disruptive to the National 
     Defense Strategy. In addition, it will cause a major upheaval 
     in existing infrastructure and jobs in the state, which will 
     result in higher costs and less efficient outcomes for the 
     United States military; and
       Whereas, Colorado is strategically located at the center of 
     our national and space defense. We are the home to five key 
     strategic military commands: North American Aerospace Defense 
     Command (NORAD), United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), 
     United States Strategic Command's Joint Functional Component 
     Command for Space (JFCC Space) Missile Warning Center, the 
     United States Air Force Space Command, and the United States 
     Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic 
     Command; and five military installations, including United 
     States Air Force bases Buckley, Cheyenne Mountain, Peterson, 
     and Schriever, as well as Fort Carson Army Base; and
       Whereas, The 460th Space Wing at Buckley Air Force Base 
     provides operational command and control of three 
     constellations to space-based infrared missile warning 
     systems, has been defending America continuously since 1970, 
     and is a critical part of global defense and national 
     security; and
       Whereas, Colorado leads the charge in bringing current and 
     future global positioning system (GPS) assets to life, a 
     service provided free to the world by Air Force Space Command 
     in Colorado Springs. From the operation of GPS satellites by 
     Schriever Air Force Base to GPS III, the most powerful GPS 
     satellite to date--being designed and built by Lockheed 
     Martin and launched by United Launch Alliance with Raytheon 
     developing the command and control capabilities, and with 
     companies such as Boeing, Harris Corporation, Braxton 
     Technologies, and Infinity Systems Engineering also 
     supporting GPS development and operations from locations in 
     Colorado, GPS technologies enable an integral part of our 
     global economy to have an incalculable impact that has 
     improved the everyday lives of billions of people around the 
     world; and
       Whereas, Colorado's aerospace industry is home to a broad 
     range of companies that create products and systems for 
     commercial, military, and civil space applications, such as 
     spacecraft, launch vehicles, satellites, command and control 
     software, sensors, and navigation operations. These companies 
     include Ball Aerospace, Boeing, DigitalGlobe, Harris 
     Corporation, Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Northrop Grumman, 
     Raytheon, Sierra Nevada Corporation, Teledyne Brown 
     Engineering, and United Launch Alliance, which make up a 
     large portion of the aerospace sector; and
       Whereas, Colorado has an existing educated workforce, 
     ranked second in the nation with residents with a bachelor's 
     degree or higher, and a pipeline of higher education 
     institutions to sustain future growth. We are home to the 
     United States Air Force Academy and many colleges and 
     universities, including the University of Colorado Boulder 
     and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado 
     School of Mines, Colorado State University, Metropolitan 
     State University of Denver, University of Denver, Colorado 
     Mesa University, and Fort Lewis College. Altogether, they 
     provide access to world-class aerospace-related degrees and 
     offer aerospace companies one of the country's most educated 
     workforces; and
       Whereas, Colorado is home to some amazing research 
     institutions. These institutions include the prestigious 
     Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at the 
     University of Colorado Boulder. It began in 1948, a decade 
     before NASA, and is the world's only research institute to 
     have sent instruments to all eight planets and to Pluto, 
     combining all aspects of space exploration through science, 
     engineering, mission operations, and scientific data 
     analysis; and

[[Page S5045]]

       Whereas, Colorado is also home to the National Oceanic and 
     Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction 
     Center, a world-leading center of predictions for the solar 
     and near-Earth space environment and the nation's official 
     source of watches, warnings, and alerts of incoming solar 
     storms, using satellite observations to protect and save 
     lives and property; and
       Whereas, Various organizations are key to Colorado's 
     prominence in aerospace, such as the Colorado Space 
     Coalition, a group of industry stakeholders working to make 
     Colorado a center of excellence for aerospace; the Colorado 
     Space Business Roundtable, working to bring together 
     aerospace stakeholders from the industry, government, and 
     academia for roundtable discussions and business development 
     and to encourage grassroots citizen participation in 
     aerospace issues; the Colorado chapter of Citizens for Space 
     Exploration, whose mission is to promote better understanding 
     of aerospace and its importance in our economy and daily 
     lives, as well as to promote the importance of human space 
     exploration; Manufacturer's Edge, a statewide manufacturing 
     assistance center that encourages the strength and 
     competitiveness of Colorado manufacturers by providing on-
     site technical assistance through coaching, training, and 
     consulting, by providing collaboration-focused industry 
     programs, and by leveraging government, university, and 
     economic development partnerships; and the Space Foundation, 
     founded in 1983, with its world headquarters in Colorado 
     Springs, Colorado, which holds an annual Space Symposium, 
     bringing together civil, commercial, and national security 
     space leaders from around the world to discuss, address, and 
     plan for the future of space; and
       Whereas, For the aforementioned reasons, it is in the best 
     interests of the American taxpayer to keep USSPACECOM in the 
     state because Colorado is already fulfilling the mission of 
     the USSPACECOM; because Colorado Springs has in place the 
     community infrastructure capacity and community support to 
     champion an expanding mission; because the move will cost the 
     United States billions of dollars to relocate the facility; 
     and because the move would severely disrupt the Colorado 
     aerospace industry, which has grown to support the mission: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate of the Seventy-third General 
     Assembly of the State of Colorado, the House of 
     Representatives concurring herein:
       That we, the members of the General Assembly:
       (1) Recognizing Colorado's unique blend of military 
     installations and major commands, private aerospace 
     companies, academic and research institutions, and government 
     entities, and the valuable synergies this ecosystem produces, 
     strongly urge the Department of Defense and the incoming 
     Biden-Harris administration to reevaluate the merits of this 
     irresponsible decision and should rightly conclude that it is 
     the correct decision to keep the existing United States Space 
     Command in Colorado;
       (2) Furthermore, strongly urge the Department of Defense 
     and the incoming presidential administration to permanently 
     base the United States Space Command (USSPACECOM) in 
     Colorado, recognizing that Colorado provides the existing 
     command structure, base infrastructure, and communications 
     platforms necessary to successfully host additional national 
     security initiatives and ensure coordination of efforts 
     without committing additional funds;
       (3) Proudly express that Colorado has deep ties with the 
     Department of Defense and immense patriotic commitment to 
     providing for the nation's security and bolstering our 
     defense;
       (4) Express our most sincere and deepest appreciation to 
     our service members and civilian employees working in and 
     supporting military and civilian aerospace companies, 
     military installations, and civil organizations in Colorado; 
     and
       (5) Hereby declare Colorado to be the prime location for 
     the permanent headquarters for USSPACECOM. Be it further
       Resolved, That copies of this Senate Joint Memorial be sent 
     to President-elect Joseph R. Biden, Jr.; Vice President-elect 
     Kamala Harris; Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi; Congressman Kevin 
     McCarthy; Senator Chuck Schumer; Senator Mitch McConnell; 
     Senator Michael Bennet; Senator John Hickenlooper; 
     Congresswoman Diana DeGette; Congresswoman Lauren Boebert; 
     Congressman Jason Crow; Congressman Joe Neguse; Congressman 
     Ken Buck; Congressman Doug Lamborn; Congressman Ed 
     Perlmutter; Jim Bridenstine, NASA Administrator; James W. 
     Morhard, NASA Deputy Administrator; Steve Dickson, Federal 
     Aviation Administration Administrator; Governor Jared Polis; 
     Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera; Brig. Gen. Laura 
     Clellan, The Adjutant General, Colorado National Guard; Wayne 
     R. Monteith, Associate Administrator for Commercial Space 
     Transportation at the Federal Aviation Administration; 
     General John W. ``Jay'' Raymond, Air Force Space Commander; 
     Colonel Jacob Middleton, USAF, Commander Aerospace Data 
     Facility-Colorado; Dr. Christopher Scolese, Director, 
     National Reconnaissance Office; Ross Garelick Bell, Executive 
     Director, Aerospace States Association; Thomas E. Zelibor, 
     Chief Executive Officer, Space Foundation; Dr. Ronald Sega, 
     Co-chair, Colorado Space Coalition; Michael Gass, Co-chair, 
     Colorado Space Coalition; and Stacey DeFore, Chair, Colorado 
     Citizens Space Exploration.
                                  ____

       POM-25. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of North Dakota urging the United States 
     Congress to pass the North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act; 
     to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

                 Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 4013

       Whereas, upon statehood in 1889, North Dakota was granted 
     2.6 million acres of scattered lands and minerals with the 
     purpose of funding education and public needs within the 
     state; and
       Whereas, establishment of tribal nations and the Little 
     Missouri National Grasslands trapped state-owned lands and 
     minerals within these boundaries which often are very 
     difficult for North Dakota to access and manage; and
       Whereas, North Dakota currently holds over 130,000 acres of 
     minerals and over 31,000 surface acres within tribal nations 
     alone, which are largely unable to be developed by the state 
     pursuant to North Dakota's mandate to generate income for 
     schools, universities, and other public purposes; and
       Whereas, authorizing North Dakota to relinquish North 
     Dakota land grant parcels located within tribal nations and 
     the grasslands and to select other federal lands or minerals 
     in lieu of not receiving full access to and use of the 
     original land since North Dakota attained statehood will 
     fulfill the promise of land and minerals to North Dakota, 
     provide to Indian tribes greater tribal sovereignty and 
     control of lands and minerals within tribal nations, and 
     provide for greater conservation and preservation of the 
     grasslands; and
       Whereas, Congress should authorize North Dakota to 
     relinquish the lands and minerals located within tribal 
     nations and the grasslands; and to select in lieu of the 
     relinquished land other federal lands or minerals within 
     North Dakota of equal value: Now, therefore, be it resolved 
     by the Senate of North Dakota, the House of Representatives 
     Concurring Therein:
       That the Sixty-seventh Legislative Assembly urges the 
     Congress of the United States to pass the North Dakota Trust 
     Lands Completion Act; and be it further
       Resolved, that the Secretary of State forward copies of 
     this resolution to the President of the United States, the 
     Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the 
     President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate, the United 
     States Secretary of the Interior, and each member of the 
     North Dakota Congressional Delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-26. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Louisiana urging the President of the United 
     States to end the pause on offshore oil and natural gas 
     leasing and allow for the continued exploration, development, 
     and production of oil and natural gas resources in the Gulf 
     of Mexico; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

                   House Concurrent Resolution No. 71

       Whereas, the oil and natural gas industry has historically 
     provided thousands of high-paying jobs for Louisianans 
     working in production or transportation of oil and natural 
     gas, generating millions of dollars in annual revenue for 
     state and local programs, and decreasing America's dependence 
     on imported oil; and
       Whereas, recent action by the federal government has paused 
     offshore oil and natural gas leasing and stopped pipeline 
     development; and
       Whereas, an extended leasing ban would greatly diminish 
     investment and activity in Gulf of Mexico production and 
     result in substantial, irreplaceable job losses and loss of 
     revenue to the state and its communities; and
       Whereas, Gulf of Mexico production provides the only annual 
     recurring revenue from the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security 
     Act, more commonly referred to as GOMESA, a standing revenue 
     sharing arrangement; and
       Whereas, under the GOMESA revenue sharing provisions, Gulf 
     oil and gas producing states, including Louisiana, split 37.5 
     percent of qualified outer continental shelf revenues and 
     12.5 percent of revenues are directed to the Land and Water 
     Conservation Fund stateside program, through which states can 
     receive up to $125 million a year in grants; and


 =========================== NOTE =========================== 

  
  On page S5045, July 22, 2021, in the middle of the third column, 
the following appears: Whereas, under the GOMESA revenue sharing 
provisions, Gulf oil and gas producing states, including 
Louisiana, split 37.5 percent of qualified outer continental shelf 
revenues and 12.5 percent ofrevenues are directed to the Land and 
Water Conservation Fund stateside program, through which states 
can receive up to $125 million a year in grants; and
  
  The online Record has been corrected to read: Whereas, under the 
GOMESA revenue sharing provisions, Gulf oil and gas producing 
states, including Louisiana, split 37.5 percent of qualified outer 
continental shelf revenues and 12.5 percent of revenues are 
directed to the Land and Water Conservation Fund stateside 
program, through which states can receive up to $125 million a 
year in grants; and


 ========================= END NOTE ========================= 


       Whereas, the GOMESA revenues fund vital coastal protection 
     and restoration programs as set forth by the Coastal 
     Protection and Restoration Authority's Master Plan for a 
     Sustainable Coast; and
       Whereas, an Obama Administration report from the Bureau of 
     Ocean Energy Management analyzing the effects of offshore 
     leasing restrictions found that United States greenhouse gas 
     emissions would be little affected and would increase 
     globally in the absence of new offshore leasing due to 
     increased foreign imports; and
       Whereas, the Gulf of Mexico has the lowest carbon intensity 
     in the world in terms of emissions, other than Saudi Arabia, 
     and would be lower than Saudi imports, with 1,274,450 barrels 
     of oil or 62 percent of all 2021 Gulf of Mexico deepwater 
     production being produced by a public corporation with an 
     existing net zero pledge; and
       Whereas, the oil and natural gas industry has invested over 
     $108 billion in greenhouse gas mitigating technologies 
     contributing to a sharp decline in emission of CO2 in the 
     United States; and

[[Page S5046]]

       Whereas, from 2000 to 2018, emissions declined 67 percent 
     in the United Sates relative to oil and gas production; and
       Whereas, in the same period of time, the carbon dioxide 
     emissions in the rest of the world increased by 29 percent; 
     and
       Whereas, the 2020 Louisiana Emissions Analysis, published 
     by the Consumer Energy Alliance, a leading voice for sensible 
     energy policies for families and businesses, found that 
     emissions declined by 71 percent across the state since 1990; 
     and
       Whereas, during that same period of emissions reduction, 
     Louisiana's gross domestic product surged 177 percent; and
       Whereas, pipeline transportation provides a consumer-
     friendly and intrinsically safer mode of transportation 
     compared to others that have higher emissions; and
       Whereas, restricting pipeline development results in higher 
     costs to consumers and higher transportation emissions; and
       Whereas, because projections show energy demand will 
     continue to rise, restricting development on federal lands 
     and waters is nothing more than an ``import more oil'' policy 
     forcing the United States to rely on imports from sometimes 
     hostile foreign countries with lower environmental standards; 
     and
       Whereas, broad and predictable access to offshore oil and 
     natural gas resources will help support and grow more jobs 
     and activity in Louisiana and the Gulf region, reduce 
     America's reliance on overseas imports, and increase revenues 
     to the state and its localities. Therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby 
     urge and request the administration of President Biden to 
     immediately end its pause on offshore oil and natural gas 
     leasing and allow for the continued exploration, development, 
     and production of oil and natural gas resources in the Gulf 
     of Mexico; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Legislature of Louisiana also expresses 
     its support for the ongoing development of America's superior 
     pipeline transportation network to the benefit of American 
     consumers and American workers and allow the inherent 
     economic benefits thereof to be fully realized; and be it 
     further
       Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to 
     the president of the United States, each member of the 
     president's cabinet, and to the members of the capitol press 
     corps.
                                  ____

       POM-27. A resolution adopted by the General Assembly of the 
     State of New Jersey urging the United States Congress to pass 
     the ``Retired Pay Restoration Act''; to the Committee on 
     Armed Services.

                      Assembly Resolution No. 260

       Whereas, A 19th Century law requires military retired pay 
     to be offset, dollar for dollar, by the amount of disability 
     compensation received from the United States Department of 
     Veterans Affairs (VA); and
       Whereas, Military retired pay earned by service and 
     sacrifice in defending the United States should not be 
     reduced because a military retiree is also eligible for 
     veterans' disability compensation awarded for a service-
     connected disability; and
       Whereas, Retired pay and disability compensation are 
     different types of compensation--retired pay is provided to 
     recognize a career of uniformed service while VA disability 
     compensation is compensation for pain, suffering, and lost 
     future earning power due to service-connected disabilities; 
     and
       Whereas, The ``Retired Pay Restoration Act'' pending before 
     Congress would permit retired members of the Armed Forces who 
     have a service-connected disability to receive both military 
     retired pay by reason of their years of military service and 
     disability compensation from the VA; and
       Whereas, Service members make countless sacrifices in 
     service to this country and State and should not be forced to 
     forfeit their military retired pay because a 19th Century law 
     reduces their retirement benefit by the amount they receive 
     in disability compensation: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New 
     Jersey:
       1. This House respectfully urges the United States Congress 
     to pass the ``Retired Pay Restoration Act.''
       2. Copies of the resolution, as filed with the Secretary of 
     State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General 
     Assembly to the President and Vice-President of the United 
     States, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United 
     States Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United 
     States House of Representatives, and every member of Congress 
     elected from this State.
                                  ____

       POM-28. A resolution adopted by the General Assembly of the 
     State of New Jersey urging the United States Congress and 
     President of the United States to pass and enact the 
     ``Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act''; to the Committee 
     on Armed Services.

                      Assembly Resolution No. 262

       Whereas, The State is home to approximately 355,000 U.S. 
     military veterans; and
       Whereas, Under current federal law, a military veteran with 
     a service-connected disability can only claim concurrent 
     retirement and disability pay if the veteran has a service-
     connected disability rating of 50 percent or higher; and
       Whereas, Disability rating is a percentage assigned by the 
     federal Department of Veterans Affairs to reflect the 
     severity of a veteran's disability; and
       Whereas, Concurrent retirement and disability pay allows 
     military veterans to claim military retirement pay without 
     having the retirement pay offset by the amount of disability 
     compensation that those veterans receive; and
       Whereas, Under current federal law, a military veteran not 
     receiving concurrent retirement and disability pay has his or 
     her military retirement pay reduced dollar for dollar by the 
     amount received from veteran disability compensation; and
       Whereas, A military veteran who is entitled to both 
     retirement pay and disability compensation should not be 
     subject to a retirement pay reduction for receiving 
     disability compensation; and
       Whereas, The federal ``Disabled Veterans Tax Termination 
     Act'' would allow a veteran with a disability rating lower 
     than 50 percent to receive concurrent retirement and 
     disability pay; and
       Whereas, Currently, a military veteran under Chapter 61 can 
     only claim concurrent retirement and disability pay if the 
     veteran has at least 20 years of service; and
       Whereas, A Chapter 61 military veteran is one who retires 
     from the military due to a service-connected disability and 
     whose disability rating is 30 percent or higher; and
       Whereas, The federal ``Disabled Veterans Tax Termination 
     Act'' would allow a military veteran under Chapter 61 with 
     less than 20 years of service to receive concurrent 
     retirement and disability pay; and
       Whereas, The federal government should not limit the amount 
     of retirement pay a military veteran receives just because 
     the military veteran also receives disability compensation: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New 
     Jersey:
       1. This House urges the Congress and President of the 
     United States to pass and enact the ``Disabled Veterans Tax 
     Termination Act.''
       2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Clerk of 
     the General Assembly, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of 
     the General Assembly to the President and Vice President of 
     the United States, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the 
     United States Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the 
     House of Representatives, and each member of the United 
     States Congress elected from this State.
                                  ____

       POM-29. A joint memorial adopted by the Legislature of the 
     State of New Mexico requesting the United States Congress and 
     the President of the United States to base payments in lieu 
     of taxes on a full property tax equivalency basis; to the 
     Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

                        Senate Joint Memorial 2

       Whereas, payments in lieu of taxes are federal payments to 
     local governments that help offset losses in property taxes 
     due to the existence of nontaxable federal lands within their 
     boundaries; and
       Whereas, according to the United States Department of the 
     Interior, New Mexico has twenty-two million three hundred 
     sixty-nine thousand five hundred thirty-one acres of land 
     eligible for payments in lieu of taxes; and
       Whereas, New Mexico received forty-one million four hundred 
     thousand dollars ($41,400,000) of payments in lieu of taxes 
     from the Federal Government in Fiscal Year 2020; and
       Whereas, technology now exists to more accurately determine 
     the property tax equivalency value of all federal lands in 
     the State; and
       Whereas, according to the Congressional Research Service, 
     when the Federal Government changed its public lands policy 
     in 1976 from one of disposal to one of retention, Congress 
     agreed to make payments in lieu of taxes ``to make up for the 
     presence of nontaxable land'' on a ``tax equivalency'' basis; 
     and
       Whereas, tax equivalency means the amount that would have 
     been received by these jurisdictions if the federal lands 
     were privately owned; and
       Whereas, the Federal commitment to pay the property tax 
     equivalency for payments in lieu of taxes is vital for New 
     Mexico's children and communities and is particularly 
     important during periods of fluctuating economic conditions; 
     and
       Whereas, New Mexico appreciates every dollar of payments in 
     lieu of taxes received, yet the payments in lieu of taxes 
     that New Mexico receives are not the fair property tax 
     equivalency value, resulting in exponentially compounding 
     depressive impacts on funding for education and essential 
     government services, including first responder services, the 
     construction of roads, schools and other infrastructure and 
     search and rescue services; and
       Whereas, the current fluctuating economic conditions have 
     intensified this structural burden borne by New Mexico 
     residents and communities to fund education and all other 
     government services; Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, by the Legislature of the State of New Mexico 
     that it call upon the United States Congress and the 
     President of the United States to base payments in lieu of 
     taxes on a full property tax equivalency basis, as committed 
     at the inception of the payment in lieu of taxes program; and 
     be it further
       Resolved, That the Legislature of the State of New Mexico 
     call upon the United States Congress and the President of the 
     United States to coordinate expeditiously and in

[[Page S5047]]

     good faith with New Mexico and other willing states to adopt 
     such laws, regulations and policies as are necessary to 
     ensure that all future payments in lieu of taxes are 
     permanently made on a full property tax equivalency basis; 
     and be it further
       Resolved, That the Legislature of the State of New Mexico 
     call upon all people of good will and local, state and 
     national leaders to come together to secure the full and fair 
     property tax equivalency of payments in lieu of taxes for 
     children and communities throughout New Mexico and the 
     Nation; and be it further
       Resolved, That copies of this memorial be transmitted to 
     the President of the United States, the Vice President of the 
     United States, the Majority Leader and Minority Leader of the 
     United States Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the 
     United States House of Representatives, the New Mexico 
     Congressional Delegation and the Governor of New Mexico.
                                  ____

       POM-30. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the State of 
     Michigan urging the President of the United States to support 
     the Keystone XL Pipeline, reverse his decision to cancel the 
     permit, and to support American jobs and energy cooperation 
     with our Canadian neighbors; to the Committee on Energy and 
     Natural Resources.

                        Senate Resolution No. 53

       Whereas, In order to continue fueling our economy, the 
     United States will need more oil and natural gas. Despite 
     efforts to increase the use of renewable energy, the United 
     States is still many years away from ending its dependence on 
     nonrenewable resources; and
       Whereas, While working towards cleaner energy standards and 
     pursuing ways to use energy more efficiently is laudable, 
     blindly rejecting the critical role of the oil and gas 
     industry in fueling America's economy will not only result in 
     skyrocketing energy prices, but will also cripple job growth. 
     Those most impacted by increased prices to heat their homes, 
     fill their gas tanks, and keep the lights on are those least 
     able to afford it; and
       Whereas, The Premier of Alberta Province in Canada, upon 
     hearing that President Joe Biden will revoke the Keystone XL 
     Pipeline, has urged the Prime Minister of Canada to reach out 
     to the Biden administration to reverse course. Unfortunately, 
     instead of going forward with a project that will benefit 
     countless communities and individuals on both sides of the 
     border, President Joe Biden has decided to hinder American-
     Canadian energy cooperation as one of his first actions as 
     president; and
       Whereas, The United States and Canada are each other's 
     largest energy trading partners. Canada has significant oil 
     reserves and is a responsible partner in regulating the oil 
     and gas industry. Projects such as the Keystone XL Pipeline, 
     when combined with other oil and gas projects in both Canada 
     and the United States, promote North American energy 
     independence and job creation. The United States should be 
     looking for ways to increase and improve our relationship 
     with Canada, not diminish it: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate, That we urge President Joe Biden to 
     support the Keystone XL Pipeline, reverse his decision to 
     cancel the permit, and to support American jobs and energy 
     cooperation with our Canadian neighbors; and be it further
       Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to 
     the Office of 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.
                                  ____

       POM-31. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Louisiana urging the United States Congress 
     to take such actions as are necessary to reauthorize the 
     Atchafalaya Heritage Area program; to the Committee on Energy 
     and Natural Resources.

                  Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 27

       Whereas, the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area program was 
     designated in 2006 for the purpose of enhancing and 
     protecting the historic, cultural, scenic, recreational, and 
     environmental assets in the fourteen-parish region; and
       Whereas, the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area is one of 
     fifty-five national heritage areas designated by Congress 
     since 1984; and
       Whereas, National Heritage Areas tell significant stories 
     that celebrate the nation's diverse heritage; and
       Whereas, the Atchafalaya basin is the largest and most 
     productive river swamp in the United States; and
       Whereas, the Atchafalaya basin provides habitat for twenty-
     four federal and state-listed threatened or endangered 
     species or species of concern including the Louisiana black 
     bear, the brown pelican, and the bald eagle; and
       Whereas, the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area supported 
     events and programs that engaged over fifty thousand 
     residents and visitors and leveraged over sixteen thousand 
     volunteer hours since 2006; and
       Whereas, the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area directly 
     leveraged over five million dollars in matching funds over 
     the life of the program; and
       Whereas, the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area is among 
     the most culturally-rich and ecologically-varied regions in 
     the United States, home to the widely recognized Cajun 
     culture as well as a diverse population of European, African, 
     Caribbean, and Native-American descent. Therefore, be it
       Resolved, that the Legislature of Louisiana memorializes 
     the Congress of the United States to take action to 
     reauthorize the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area program to 
     continue the work of promotion and preservation of the 
     cultural, natural, and recreational resources of the area for 
     the next fifteen years; and be it further
       Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution shall be 
     transmitted to the secretary of the United States Senate, the 
     clerk of the United States House of Representatives, and to 
     each member of the Louisiana delegation to the United States 
     Congress.
                                  ____



       POM-32. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Wyoming requesting the United States Congress 
     and the federal government to reverse federal orders and 
     actions that inhibit the safe development of oil and gas in 
     Wyoming; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

                     Senate Joint Resolution No. 3

       Whereas, the state of Wyoming contains abundant and vast 
     natural resources that are and can be used for the production 
     of energy throughout the United States and world; and
       Whereas, Wyoming produces energy that benefits consumers 
     and industries throughout the United States; and
       Whereas, the energy industry in Wyoming provides millions 
     of dollars in taxes and other revenues annually to the state 
     of Wyoming; and
       Whereas, the state of Wyoming and the energy industry have 
     worked together for years to develop Wyoming's energy 
     resources in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, 
     including the development of technologies to promote the 
     responsible development and use of Wyoming energy; and
       Whereas, the federal government owns almost one-half (1/2) 
     of the surface acreage within the state of Wyoming and more 
     than forty-two million (42,000,000) acres of mineral estate 
     in Wyoming; and
       Whereas, federal decisions and actions banning, pausing or 
     significantly reducing the production of energy negatively 
     impact the economy of Wyoming and the livelihoods and 
     wellbeing of Wyoming's residents; and
       Whereas, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. signed Executive 
     Order No. 13,990 on January 20, 2021, which requires the 
     federal Secretary of the Interior to unilaterally stop all 
     federal leasing of oil and gas resources in Wyoming; and
       Whereas, President Biden signed Executive Order No. 14,008 
     on January 27, 2021, which indefinitely pauses oil and 
     natural gas leasing and calls for a comprehensive review of 
     federal oil and gas permitting and leasing practices to 
     evaluate potential climate impacts; and
       Whereas, the President and various federal agencies have, 
     since January 20, 2021, taken actions and issued orders to 
     limit actions, permits and leases for oil and gas production, 
     including a Department of the Interior order that revoked 
     authority for issuing fossil-fuel authorizations, leases, 
     permits to drill and the affirmative extension of leases and 
     contracts; and
       Whereas, these executive actions will lead companies to 
     pursue energy development in other parts of the world where 
     energy resources are not as environmentally responsible and 
     where responsible energy regulations are lacking to where a 
     net negative impact on climate emissions may likely result; 
     and
       Whereas, these executive actions severely and negatively 
     affect the value of property held by the state and citizens 
     of Wyoming in areas affected by these orders due to the fact 
     that federal property is intermingled with private and state 
     lands and oil and gas development often involves lateral 
     drilling techniques which cross several classes of property; 
     and
       Whereas, these executive actions will adversely impact and 
     jeopardize the employment of at least twenty thousand 
     (20,000) Wyoming citizens who directly or indirectly work in 
     oil, gas and related industries representing over seven 
     percent (7%) of the total employment in Wyoming; and
       Whereas, these executive actions may result in negative 
     impacts to Wyoming's diverse wildlife and habitat, including 
     a decreased ability to mitigate wildlife impacts, increased 
     development on currently undisturbed lands and a decrease in 
     quality habitat reclamation work; and
       Whereas, these executive actions are causing immediate, 
     disproportionate and extensive harm to the state of Wyoming 
     and will inflict lasting damage on Wyoming residents, 
     industries and the critical services upon which Wyoming 
     residents depend. Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Members of the Legislature of the State of 
     Wyoming:
       Section 1. That the President of the United States rescind, 
     reverse or repeal the executive orders that were issued in 
     January 2021 that suspend or pause leasing, permitting, 
     extensions and authorizations of oil and gas development in 
     Wyoming and that will have an adverse impact on climate 
     change and Wyoming's wildlife and habitat resources while 
     inflicting irreparable and disproportionate harm on the state 
     of Wyoming.
       Section 2. That the President of the United States direct 
     all federal agencies to rescind, reverse or repeal any 
     secretarial orders or actions that negatively impact 
     responsible

[[Page S5048]]

     energy and energy technology development in Wyoming, 
     including Department of the Interior Secretarial Order No. 
     3395.
       Section 3. That the Wyoming Legislature strongly opposes 
     actions by or that direct federal agencies, including the 
     federal Environmental Protection Agency, to unilaterally 
     increase the burden on existing oil and gas companies in 
     Wyoming and to increase the burden on those companies' 
     facilities in Wyoming in an attempt to achieve climate-
     related goals that are unrealistic and that 
     disproportionately impact the people of Wyoming.
       Section 4. That the Wyoming Legislature strongly supports 
     the efforts of the Wyoming congressional delegation to 
     prevent the President and the federal executive branch from 
     unilaterally issuing suspensions and moratoriums on energy 
     development in Wyoming, including the Protecting Our Wealth 
     of Energy Resources (POWER) Act of 2021 and the Safeguarding 
     Oil and Gas Leasing and Permitting Act.
       Section 5. That the Wyoming Legislature strongly encourages 
     further congressional action to protect responsible leasing 
     and permitting of oil and gas in Wyoming and to protect 
     Wyoming's residents, energy industry and other industries 
     that are negatively impacted by these executive actions.
       Section 6. That the Secretary of State of Wyoming transmit 
     copies of this resolution to the President of the United 
     States, to the Acting Secretary of the Department of the 
     Interior, to the Acting Administrator of the federal 
     Environmental Protection Agency, to the President of the 
     Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the 
     United States Congress and to the Wyoming Congressional 
     Delegation.
                                  ____



       POM-33. A concurrent memorial adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Arizona urging the United States Congress to 
     fund a study on floodwater harvesting; to the Committee on 
     Environment and Public Works.

                   House Concurrent Memorial No. 2004

       Whereas, the seven Colorado Basin states, which consist of 
     Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and 
     Wyoming, are in the twentieth year of severe drought and are 
     therefore experiencing a severe water shortage: and
       Whereas, water levels are critical. Lake Powell and Lake 
     Mead store the water supply for both urban and rural usage, 
     and, if drought conditions continue, these reservoirs are 
     likely to reach critically low elevations by 2026; and
       Whereas, on January 21, 2020, the Lake Mead water level was 
     at 43%, or approximately 1,093 feet; and
       Whereas, the Hoover Dam impounds Lake Mead and provides 
     power to millions of people in Southern California, Nevada 
     and Arizona. If the level of Lake Mead declines below 1,050 
     feet, hydropower generation will be significantly reduced; 
     and
       Whereas, at 895 feet, Lake Mead can no longer provide 
     water; and
       Whereas, a new water source could help augment Colorado 
     River supplies; and
       Whereas, Denver, Colorado is successfully harvesting 
     floodwater from the Missouri River to help alleviate its 
     water shortage; and
       Whereas, in wet years, the Mississippi River reaches flood 
     level with a resulting loss of vast quantities of water into 
     the Gulf of Mexico; and
       Whereas, historic flooding in 2011 and 2019 along the 
     Mississippi River caused 11 deaths and damaged 
     infrastructure, homes, businesses and agriculture and other 
     industries. Combined estimates of damages and losses of the 
     flooding exceeded $9.5 bi11ion, according to the United 
     States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and
       Whereas, liquid can be successfully moved thousands of 
     miles through pipelines; and
       Whereas, Arizona has long been at the forefront among 
     western states in supporting the development and 
     implementation of pioneering, well-reasoned water management 
     policies.
       Wherefore your memorialist, the House of Representatives of 
     the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring, prays:
       1. That the United States Congress fund a technological and 
     feasibility study of developing a diversion dam and pipeline 
     to harvest floodwater from the Mississippi River to replenish 
     the Colorado River and prevent flood damage along the 
     Mississippi River.
       2. That, if shown to be feasible, the United States 
     Congress implement the diversion dam and pipeline as a 
     partial solution to the water supply shortage in Lake Powell 
     and Lake Mead and the flood damage that occurs along the 
     Mississippi River.
       3. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona 
     transmit copies of this Memorial to the President of the 
     United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House 
     of Representatives, the Governors of the Mississippi River 
     states of Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, 
     Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee and Wisconsin, 
     and each Member of Congress from the State of Arizona.
                                  ____

       POM-34. A concurrent memorial adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Arizona urging the United States Congress to 
     appropriate monies to eradicate salt cedars from Arizona 
     waterways; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

                   House Concurrent Memorial No. 2001

       Whereas, the salt cedar tree, also known as the tamarisk, 
     was brought to the United States in the 1800s as an 
     ornamental plant to stabilize soil and control erosion; and
       Whereas, salt cedars are now listed as an invasive species 
     by the United States Department of Agriculture; and
       Whereas, salt cedars spread prolifically by both seed and 
     sprouting, congesting thousands of acres of river land in 
     Arizona; and
       Whereas, the density of salt cedars creates dangerous 
     conditions by congesting flood-prone areas, impeding water 
     flow and exacerbating the impact of flooding; and
       Whereas, by increasing the frequency and intensity of 
     wildfires, salt cedars threaten existing and future 
     infrastructure in surrounding communities; and
       Whereas, this invasive plant out-competes native 
     cottonwood. mesquite and willow and displaces riparian and 
     other wildlife habitats by altering the ecology and hydrology 
     of native systems; and
       Whereas, each salt cedar tree consumes 200 to 300 gallons 
     of water a day, which lowers the water table and creates 
     large deposits of salt in the soil; and
       Whereas, salt cedars negatively impact Arizona's economy by 
     jeopardizing agriculture due to high water usage, tending to 
     obstruct irrigation canals and limiting recreational 
     opportunities; and
       Whereas, eliminating salt cedars will sustain precious 
     water supplies, reduce the risk of environmental disasters. 
     and minimize structural and ecological damage and loss of 
     life.
       Wherefore your memorialist, the House of Representatives of 
     the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring, prays:
       1. That the United States Congress appropriate monies to 
     the State of Arizona to eradicate salt cedars from Arizona 
     waterways.
       2. That the United States Department of the Interior and 
     the United States Department of Agriculture develop 
     innovative solutions to control the proliferation of salt 
     cedars.
       3. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona 
     transmit copies of this Memorial to the President of the 
     United States, the President of the United States Senate, the 
     Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the 
     Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior, 
     the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture 
     and each Member of Congress from the State of Arizona.
                                  ____

       POM-35. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Louisiana urging the Natural Resources 
     Conservation Service of the Department of Agriculture and the 
     United States Fish and Wildlife Service to collaborate and 
     contribute their knowledge and expertise with the Louisiana 
     Waterfowl Working Group in an effort to improve waterfowl 
     habitats on private, state, and federally owned lands; to the 
     Committee on Environment and Public Works.

                   House Concurrent Resolution No. 73

       Whereas, Louisiana has a long and distinguished history of 
     consistent, reliable wintering waterfowl habitat for 
     generations: and
       Whereas, waterfowl biologists estimate seed production in 
     moist-soil wetlands located along migration routes and at 
     wintering sites to calculate duck-energy days; and
       Whereas, duck-energy days are the number of dabbling ducks 
     that potentially can be sustained energetically in a wetland 
     for a specified duration; and
       Whereas, the Louisiana portion of the Chenier Plain 
     Initiative area (CPIA) has a midwinter population objective 
     of over eight hundred and eighty-eight thousand Gadwall and 
     three hundred seventy-eight thousand Blue-winged teal duck-
     energy days; and
       Whereas, the Louisiana portion of the west gulf coastal 
     plain has a population goal of one million seven-hundred 
     thousand duck-energy days of all species; and
       Whereas, the Mississippi River Coastal Wetlands Initiative 
     area (MRCWIA) encompasses important wintering waterfowl 
     habitats including Pass A Loutre, Atchafalaya Delta Wildlife 
     Management Area, Marsh Island, and Delta National Wildlife 
     Refuge; and
       Whereas, the Louisiana portion of the Mississippi Alluvial 
     Valley of the Lower Mississippi Valley Joint Venture has a 
     total duck-energy day objective of one-hundred twenty million 
     nine hundred thousand duck-energy days based on a one hundred 
     ten day wintering period from early November to late 
     February; and
       Whereas, Louisiana supports over half of the breeding 
     population of western gulf coast mottled ducks; and
       Whereas, over four hundred seventy-five thousand acres of 
     rice were planted by Louisiana farmers in 2020, down from a 
     high of six hundred seventy thousand acres in 1981; and
       Whereas, the Gulf Coast Joint Venture has also determined 
     that coastal marshes in the CPIA and MRCWIA are deficient in 
     providing habitat to support their waterfowl population 
     objectives; and
       Whereas, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries 
     (LDWF) owns and manages more than one million six hundred 
     thousand acres of Louisiana's land and waterways as wildlife 
     management areas. refuges, and conservation areas; and
       Whereas, the Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of 
     the Interior of the United States (FWS) manages twenty three 
     national wildlife refuges within Louisiana, covering more 
     than five hundred fifty thousand acres throughout twenty-nine 
     parishes; and

[[Page S5049]]

       Whereas, the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the 
     United States Department of Agriculture (NRCS) has a long 
     record of working with private landowners to implement 
     conservation practices and programs for the benefit of 
     Louisiana's farms, wetlands, and wildlife habitats; and
       Whereas, the Louisiana Waterfowl Working Group (LWWG) is 
     comprised of a diverse group of landowners, managers, 
     business owners, and professionals who share a common 
     interest and concern over the direction Louisiana's waterfowl 
     stock is heading; and
       Whereas, the LWWG's mission is to ensure that waterfowl 
     habitat remains a focal point for policy makers and 
     stakeholders at all levels: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby 
     urge and request the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and 
     Fisheries, the National Resources Conservation Service, and 
     the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to collaborate 
     and contribute their knowledge and expertise with the 
     Louisiana Waterfowl Working Group in an effort to improve 
     waterfowl habitats on private, state, and federally owned 
     lands; and be it further
       Resolved, That the LWWG shall submit an annual written 
     report to the House Committee on Natural Resources and 
     Environment and Senate Committee on Natural Resources 
     detailing the results of its collaborative efforts to improve 
     waterfowl habitats on private, state, and federally owned 
     lands; be it further
       Resolved, that the report should consider meaningful 
     updates on habitat trends, policy recommendations, and other 
     relevant topics related to Louisiana waterfowl, and the 
     habitats they depend upon; be it further
       Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to 
     the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and 
     Fisheries, the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the 
     United States Department of Agriculture, Louisiana State 
     Conservationist, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service 
     Region 4 Director, and the officers of both houses of the 
     United States Congress and each member of the Louisiana 
     congressional delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-36. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of New Jersey urging the President of the United 
     States and the Environmental Protection Agency to take 
     appropriate action to issue waivers and implement other 
     reforms to allow for the blending of renewable fuels under 
     the federal ``Clean Air Act''; to the Committee on 
     Environment and Public Works.

                   Assembly Joint Resolution No. 238

       Whereas, Over the past year, United States refiners have 
     been devastated by spiking, volatile Renewable Identification 
     Number (RIN) prices under the federal Renewable Fuel Standard 
     (RFS) program and a dramatic reduction in the use of fuel 
     that was triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. These factors 
     have resulted in a shortage of RINs, and eight refinery 
     closures, throughout the nation; and
       Whereas, The United States Environmental Protection Agency 
     (EPA) has authority from Congress to waive the RFS program's 
     renewable fuel requirements ``in whole or in part'' if the 
     EPA Administrator determines that ``implementation of the 
     requirement would severely harm the economy'' of a State, 
     region, or the United States; and
       Whereas, Many independent refiners already struggle with 
     slim margins and the RFS program's RIN requirements, as well 
     as the manner in which the unregulated RIN market operates 
     without oversight and subject to speculation and fraud, all 
     of which are currently inflicting serious economic harm on 
     those businesses; and
       Whereas, Current RFS compliance expenses exceed refineries' 
     combined annual costs for labor, utilities, and maintenance, 
     making the costs of such compliance refineries' largest 
     expense, other than the purchase of crude oil; and
       Whereas, RIN prices have dramatically increased as a result 
     of the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing from as low as 10 cents 
     at the beginning of 2020 to nearly $2.00 in June 2021, and 
     leading to a consequent increase, of approximately 30 cents 
     per gallon, in the cost of making gasoline;
       Whereas, Harmful financial effects associated with the 
     complex RFS program are especially severe under current 
     market conditions, where demand for refined products is 
     significantly depressed by the COVID-19 pandemic and is not 
     expected to fully recover in the near future; and
       Whereas, The COVID-19 pandemic caused an unprecedented 
     year-over-year decline in demand for petroleum and other 
     liquid fuels, leading to temporary, partial, and permanent 
     refinery closures, including the mothballing of the fuels 
     section of the Paulsboro Refinery in New Jersey, as well as 
     other capacity reductions throughout the United States; and
       Whereas, Production data published by the Energy 
     Information Administration (EIA) in the United States 
     Department of Energy (DOE) has repeatedly shown, for several 
     years, that there is no relationship between RIN prices and 
     the amount of ethanol that's actually blended into the 
     nation's gasoline supply; and
       Whereas, The EIA recently noted that, in 2020, 800 million 
     fewer RINs were actually generated than what was required to 
     meet the 2020 RFS standard, thereby resulting in a shortage 
     of available RINs, especially when combined with hoarding by 
     unregulated, non-industry speculators; and
       Whereas, Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, State and regional 
     refineries supported over 16,500 New Jersey jobs, 
     compensating those employees with more than a billion dollars 
     in total, while adding $4.2 billion to the State's gross 
     domestic product and generating over $12.3 billion in total 
     economic output, including the payment of more than $382 
     million in State and local taxes. Unfortunately, some of the 
     jobs supported by these refineries were lost due to a partial 
     shutdown attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic; and
       Whereas, Refining and petrochemical industries contribute 
     approximately $600 billion annually to the nation's economy 
     and employ over three million industrial workers in 33 
     states, but increasing dependence on imported fuels threatens 
     these industries and potentially affects their fuel supplies; 
     and
       Whereas, The recent hacking incident affecting the Colonial 
     Pipeline has exposed the vulnerability of the nation's energy 
     supply, highlighting the need to keep our refineries open to 
     fuel the economy; and
       Whereas, On June 1, 2021, Governor Phil Murphy wrote to the 
     EPA to urge the agency to extend flexibilities to merchant 
     refiners through the renewable volume obligation under the 
     RFS program; now, therefore, and be it
       Resolved, By the Senate and General Assembly of the State 
     of New Jersey:
       1. The Legislature of the State of New Jersey respectfully 
     urges the United States Environmental Protection Agency to 
     exercise its waiver authority, pursuant to section 
     211(o)(7)(A)(i) of the ``Clean Air Act,'' 42 U.S.C. 
     s.7545(o)(7)(A)(i), to reduce nationwide Renewable Fuel 
     Standard volume mandates in order to provide relief to 
     refiners in New Jersey, on the East Coast, and elsewhere.
       2. The Legislature also respectfully urges the President of 
     the United States and the United States Environmental 
     Protection Agency to establish reasonable 2021 and 2022 
     Renewable Fuel Standard volume mandates, which are in line 
     with actual gasoline and diesel demand, and to make the 
     reforming and restructuring of the Renewable Fuel Standard 
     program a national priority, so as to maintain low and stable 
     Renewable Identification Number prices while allowing for the 
     continued blending of renewable fuels consistent with the 
     original intent of the program.
       3. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary 
     of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General 
     Assembly or the Secretary of the Senate to the President of 
     the United States, the Administrator of the United States 
     Environmental Protection Agency, the Majority and Minority 
     Leaders of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Minority 
     Leader of the United States House of Representatives, and 
     every member of Congress elected from this State.
       4. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

                          ____________________