[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 147 (Tuesday, September 12, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4386-S4388]
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-35. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Louisiana urging and requesting the United 
     States Congress to support the extension of funding for the 
     Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) of 2021, which provides 
     their citizens with access to broadband services; to the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

                  House Concurrent Resolution No. 103

       Whereas, in August of 2019, by executive order, Governor 
     John Bel Edwards created the Broadband for Everyone in 
     Louisiana commission. This commission facilitates private 
     sector providers, public entities, and other broadband 
     stakeholders to improve both the adoption and availability of 
     broadband service for Louisiana residents by providing 
     universal access to broadband service; and
       Whereas, during the 2020 Second Extraordinary Session of 
     the Legislature of Louisiana, the legislature created the 
     office of broadband and connectivity within the governor's 
     office to promote and encourage broadband adoption for 
     households in an effort to eliminate the digital divide in 
     Louisiana by 2029; and
       Whereas, the office of broadband and connectivity's mission 
     is to coordinate federal, state, and municipal efforts by 
     identifying best practices and tactics necessary in their 
     goal; and
       Whereas, in 2021, as part of the bipartisan Infrastructure 
     Investment and Jobs Act's historic investment in broadband 
     infrastructure and digital equity, Congress appropriated more 
     than fourteen billion dollars for the ACP; and
       Whereas, Congress assigned the Federal Communications 
     Commission to administer the ACP, the successor program to 
     the Emergency Broadband Benefit, which helped almost nine 
     million households afford internet access during the 
     pandemic; and
       Whereas, under the ACP, eligible households can receive up 
     to thirty dollars per month discount toward internet services 
     and up to seventy-five dollars per month for households on 
     qualifying tribal lands; and
       Whereas, eligible households may also receive a one-time 
     discount of up to one hundred dollars to purchase a laptop, 
     desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers; and
       Whereas, Louisiana was the first state to receive broadband 
     award approval from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment 
     and Jobs Act and is number one in the nation for ACP 
     enrollment with an estimated forty-six percent of eligible 
     households enrolled; and
       Whereas, currently, there are more than nine hundred 
     thousand eligible households within the state that may 
     qualify for the ACP and four hundred and twenty-two thousand, 
     two hundred and fifty-seven households that have enrolled; 
     and
       Whereas, based on current take rates, the more than 
     fourteen billion dollars in funding appropriated for the ACP 
     program could be exhausted in late 2023 or early 2024; and
       Whereas, the ACP has been a critical tool in helping bridge 
     the ``digital divide'' that exists between those who have 
     access to modem information and communications technology and 
     those who do not; therefore, be it
        Resolved, That the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby 
     urge and request each member of the Louisiana congressional 
     delegation to support continued funding of the ACP so that 
     low-income Louisiana households can continue to receive the 
     support they need to participate in the digital marketplace; 
     and be it further
       Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to 
     the presiding officers of the Senate and the House of 
     Representatives of the Congress of the United States of 
     America and to each member of the Louisiana congressional 
     delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-36. A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the State of Louisiana urging and 
     requesting the Transportation and Security Administration 
     (TSA) of the United States to have discussions with the 
     Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C) regarding 
     the development of guidelines and procedures for individuals 
     released from DPS&C custody and those on probation or parole 
     for a pre-application process for Transportation Worker 
     Identification Credential cards (TWIC cards) while in custody 
     and to work on a process to streamline felony conviction 
     automatic denials; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation.

                        House Resolution No. 275

       Whereas, the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2001 
     (MTSA) was introduced following the terrorist attacks on 
     September 11, 2001, and became P.L. 107-295 in 2002; and

[[Page S4387]]

       Whereas, the MTSA provided that TWIC cards were to be 
     issued to workers who have access to secure areas of the 
     nation's maritime facilities and vessels; and
       Whereas, TSA and the United States Coast Guard jointly 
     administer the TWIC card program; and
       Whereas, TSA has rules and regulations in place to address 
     an applicant's criminal history on a case-by-case basis 
     through an appeals and waiver process; and
       Whereas, DPS&C releases over thirteen thousand individuals 
     back into the community each year and supervises over forty-
     four thousand individuals; and
       Whereas, securing a TWIC card as soon as possible after 
     release provides for more opportunities for employment; and
       Whereas, according to the Ports Association of Louisiana, 
     five hundred twenty-five thousand jobs in Louisiana are tied 
     to the state's ports; additionally, there are over two 
     hundred sixty thousand jobs related to the oil and gas 
     industry in Louisiana; many of the jobs require a valid TWIC 
     card; and
       Whereas, employment is critical to the success of those on 
     supervision and studies show that unemployment is a major 
     predictor of recidivism; and
       Whereas, it is critical to our national security to protect 
     and secure the nation's maritime facilities and vessels 
     through the TWIC card process; and
       Whereas, it is also critical that opportunities are 
     available to those who have demonstrated rehabilitation and 
     are seeking a second chance; and
       Whereas, according to TSA, individuals in the custody of 
     DPS&C are not eligible to apply for a TWIC card until after 
     they have been released from custody; and
       Whereas, TSA issues TWIC cards within its current 
     regulations to individuals with certain felony convictions; 
     and
       Whereas, the appeal and waiver process takes months for TSA 
     to review conviction details, circumstances, proof of 
     rehabilitation, and whether the person is in the process of 
     rehabilitation before issuing a waiver or ruling on an 
     appeal; and
       Whereas, applying for a TWIC card and beginning the appeal 
     and waiver process prior to a person's release from DPS&C 
     will increase chances of employment shortly after release: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives of the 
     Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the 
     Transportation and Security Administration of the United 
     States to have discussions with the Department of Public 
     Safety and Corrections regarding the development of 
     guidelines and procedures for individuals released from the 
     custody of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections 
     and those on probation or parole for a pre-application 
     process for Transportation Worker Identification Credential 
     cards while in custody and to work on a process to streamline 
     felony conviction automatic denials; and be it further
       Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to 
     the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security of the 
     United States, the administrator of the Transportation and 
     Security Administration, presiding officers of the Senate and 
     House of Representatives of the United States, and to each 
     member of the Louisiana Congressional Delegation.
                                  ____


       POM-37. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Wyoming recognizing and congratulating the 
     United States Air Force on the 75th anniversary of its 
     founding; to the Committee on Armed Services.

                     Senate Joint Resolution No. 5

       Whereas, the UnIted States Air Force was founded in 1947 
     and has had a continuous and active presence in Wyoming since 
     that time; and
       Whereas, The United States Air force's heritage in Wyoming 
     pre-dates the Air Force founded as a separate military branch 
     and includes the significant training mission of strategic 
     bomber crews at the Casper Army Air Field during World War 
     II; and
       Whereas, Francis E. Warren Air Force Base is the oldest 
     continuously active, Air Force based in the Nation; and
       Whereas, Francis E. Warren Air Force Base has played a 
     vital role in the strategic defense of the United States and 
     its allies by maintaining the first fully operational 
     Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), the Atlas D, in 
     1959; and
       Whereas, Francis E. Warren Air Force Base is home to the 
     90th Missile Wing, one of three active missile wings 
     currently operating the Minuteman III ICBM and the 
     headquarters of 20th Air Force, which commands all. three (3) 
     missile wings; and
       Whereas, the 90th Missile wing was the only military unit 
     to operate the Peacekeeper ICBM, the most advanced ballistic 
     missile fielded to date which was deployed exclusively in 
     Wyoming; and
       Whereas, the 90th Missile Wing will continue to play a 
     vital role in the strategic defense of the United States now 
     and into the future and be the first unit to deploy the new 
     Sentinel ICBM; and
       Whereas, the University of Wyoming has a strong history of 
     supporting the United States Air Force by establishing Air 
     Force ROTC Detachment 940 in 1952 and counting Samuel C. 
     Phillips, the leader of the Air Force's Minuteman ICBM 
     program, as an alumnus; and
       Whereas, the Wyoming Air National Guard has continuously 
     supported our state and nation since 1946; and
       Whereas, the Wyoming Air National Guard became part of the 
     Air Force in 1947 and ever since has honorably, ably and 
     faithfully been the ``Sword and Shield'' for our state and 
     nation; and
       Whereas, the Wyoming Air National Guard, as the Sword, has 
     played a vital role in guarding the United States and 
     defending freedom in nearly every major conflict and 
     contingency by repeatedly answering the nation's call in 
     places such as Korea, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Iraq and around 
     the world; and
       Whereas, the Wyoming Air National Guard, as the Shield, has 
     fought fires on the ground and in the air in Wyoming and 
     throughout the West, mitigated flooding in Saratoga, Fremont 
     county and elsewhere, and most recently provided desperately 
     needed manpower for medical facilities throughout the state 
     during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic; and
       Whereas, the State of Wyoming is dedicated to memorializing 
     the story of the Air Force through the Wyoming Veterans 
     Memorial Museum and Quebec 01 Missile Alert Facility State 
     Historic Site. Now, Therefore
       Be it Resolved by the Members of the Legislature of the 
     State of Wyoming:
       Section 1.
       (a) The State of Wyoming commends the United States Air 
     Force on its 75th anniversary.
       (b) The State of Wyoming acknowledges the strong historic 
     relationship between the United States Air Force and the 
     State.
       (c) The State of Wyoming recognizes the significant service 
     that the United States Air Force currently provides in 
     protecting our vital state and national interests.
       (d) The State of Wyoming is determined to continue the 
     strong partnership between the State and the United States 
     Air Force.
       Section 2. That the Secretary of State of Wyoming transmit 
     copies of this resolution to the President of the United 
     States, to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the 
     House of Representatives of the United States Congress, to 
     the Wyoming Congressional Delegation, the Secretary of 
     Defense, the Secretary of the Air Force, the Commander of the 
     90th Missile Wing, 20th Air Force and the Commander of the 
     Air Force ROTC Detachment 940.
                                  ____


       POM-38. A resolution adopted by the Senate of Louisiana 
     memorializing the United States Congress to pass the 
     AMERICANS Act of 2023 to reinstate any service member removed 
     from any branch of the military for refusing the COVID-19 
     vaccine; to the Committee on Armed Services.

                       Senate Resolution No. 117

       Whereas, in August of 2021, United States Defense Secretary 
     Lloyd Austin required COVID-19 vaccinations for all service 
     members; and
       Whereas, at the direction of Congress in January of 2022, 
     Secretary Austin rescinded the COVID-19 vaccination mandate; 
     and
       Whereas, during the effective period of the mandate, 
     approximately eight thousand two hundred service members of 
     the armed forces were discharged for refusing to get the 
     vaccine for religious or other reasons; and
       Whereas, while the passing of the 2023 National Defense 
     Authorization Act ended the mandate, it did not go far enough 
     to prevent a similar mandate in the future or provide 
     meaningful remedies for service members that were kicked out 
     of the military; and
       Whereas, if the AMERICANS Act of 2023 is enacted, service 
     members that were involuntarily separated from their service 
     would be credited with missed retirement pay, have their rank 
     restored, and receive any compensation for any pay or 
     benefits lost due to the demotion or discharge; and
       Whereas, the AMERICANS Act of 2023 would also change any 
     ``general'' discharge given to the unvaccinated to 
     ``honorable'' and expunge the records of service members who 
     faced adverse action for their refusal to be vaccinated; and
       Whereas, the enactment of the AMERICANS Act of 2023 would 
     result in a fair and just outcome for those loyal service 
     members who were discharged for remaining true to their 
     personal convictions. Therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana 
     does hereby memorialize the Congress of the United States to 
     pass the AMERICANS Act of 2023 to reinstate any service 
     member removed from any branch of the military for refusing 
     the COVID-19 vaccine. 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-39. A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of Louisiana urging the United States 
     Congress to take such actions as are necessary to assist in 
     the establishment of a Louisiana pilot program for the 
     recruitment of new United States Army members to address the 
     military recruitment shortage; to the Committee on Armed 
     Services.

                        House Resolution No. 239

       Whereas, the United States Army was founded to serve the 
     American people, defend the nation, protect vital national 
     interests, and fulfill national military responsibilities; 
     and
       Whereas, the United States Army helps to maintain peace and 
     stability in the United States and in regions critical to the 
     interests of the United States; and
       Whereas, recruiting and retaining service members is 
     essential for our military members and national security; and

[[Page S4388]]

       Whereas, in recent years, the United States Army has 
     struggled to recruit qualified and willing recruits; and
       Whereas, last fiscal year, the United States Army missed 
     its recruiting goal by fifteen thousand active duty soldiers, 
     or twenty-five percent of its target; and
       Whereas, the United States Senate Committee on Armed 
     Services convened recently to explore solutions to the 
     military recruitment crisis; and
       Whereas, for decades, Louisiana has had the nation's 
     highest incarceration rate and state leaders have sought 
     programs to reduce recidivism and alternatives to 
     incarceration; and
       Whereas, elected officials want to work with the armed 
     forces, law enforcement, and advocates to develop a plan to 
     improve military eligibility which includes nonviolent 
     offenders between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five with a 
     high school diploma or college degree, such as an associate 
     degree or bachelor's degree, to participate in the pilot 
     program and join the United States Army; Therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives of the 
     Legislature of Louisiana does hereby memorialize the United 
     States Congress to take such actions as are necessary to 
     assist in the establishment of a Louisiana pilot program for 
     the recruitment of new United States Army members to address 
     the military recruitment shortage.
       Resolved, that the offenders who fail to complete the pilot 
     program or who fail to enlist in the United States Army shall 
     return to the custody of the Department of Public Safety and 
     Corrections with credit for time served in the pilot program.
       Resolved, that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to 
     the presiding officers of the Senate and the House of 
     Representatives of the Congress of the United States of 
     America and to each member of the Louisiana congressional 
     delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-40. 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 assist in the 
     establishment of a Louisiana pilot program for the 
     recruitment of new United States Army members to address the 
     military recruitment shortage; to the Committee on Armed 
     Services.

                   House Concurrent Resolution No. 90

       Whereas, the United States Army was founded to serve the 
     American people, defend the nation, protect vital national 
     interests, and fulfill national military responsibilities; 
     and
       Whereas, the United States Army helps to maintain peace and 
     stability in the United States and in regions critical to the 
     interests of the United States; and
       Whereas, recruiting and retaining service members is 
     essential for our military members and national security; and
       Whereas, in recent years, the United States Army has 
     struggled to recruit qualified and willing recruits; and
       Whereas, last fiscal year, the United States Army missed 
     its recruiting goal by fifteen thousand active duty soldiers, 
     or twenty-five percent of its target; and
       Whereas, the United States Senate Committee on Armed 
     Services convened recently to explore solutions to the 
     military recruitment crisis; and
       Whereas, for decades, Louisiana has had the nation's 
     highest incarceration rate and state leaders have sought 
     programs to reduce recidivism and alternatives to 
     incarceration; and
       Whereas, elected officials want to work with the armed 
     forces, law enforcement, and advocates to develop a plan to 
     improve military eligibility which includes nonviolent 
     offenders between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five with a 
     high school diploma or college degree, such as an associate 
     degree or bachelor's degree, to participate in the pilot 
     program and join the United States Army; Therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby 
     memorialize the United States Congress to take such actions 
     as are necessary to assist in the establishment of a 
     Louisiana pilot program for the recruitment of new United 
     States Army members to address the military recruitment 
     shortage; and be it further
       Resolved, That the offenders who fail to complete the pilot 
     program or who fail to enlist in the United States Army shall 
     return to the custody of the Department of Public Safety and 
     Corrections with credit for time served in the pilot program; 
     and be it further
       Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to 
     the presiding officers of the Senate and the House of 
     Representatives of the Congress of the United States of 
     America and to each member of the Louisiana congressional 
     delegation.

                          ____________________