[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 21]
[Senate]
[Page 29947]
[From the U.S. 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-372. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the State of Michigan relative to tobacco 
     subsidies and food-producing agricultural activities; to the 
     Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

                        Senate Resolution No. 68

       Whereas, For many years, even as our country has wrestled 
     with the costly and harmful effects of tobacco use, Americans 
     have provided financial support for tobacco farming through 
     federal tobacco subsidies. These subsidies include money 
     spent for tobacco crop insurance and price support, in 
     addition to inspection and grading services. While changes in 
     federal agricultural programs and law have significantly 
     reduced money going to tobacco farming and related 
     activities, federal dollars continue to be spent on an 
     endeavor that is harmful to our citizens; and
       Whereas, One of the greatest challenges facing humanity in 
     any age is the production of food of sufficient quantity and 
     quality to meet ever-rising needs. Investments in the process 
     of raising crops are among the most important commitments we 
     can make to future generations. Subsidies for food 
     production, research, and marketing hold the potential to 
     touch every citizen in a positive fashion; and
       Whereas, With the recent settlement among the states and 
     the tobacco industry, the enormity of the cost tobacco exacts 
     on our society is clear. Any money going to support any 
     aspect of this activity would be far better spent elsewhere; 
     now therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate, That we memorialize the Congress of 
     the United States to end tobacco subsidies and to redirect 
     this support to food-producing agricultural activities; and 
     be it further
       Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to 
     the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the 
     United States House of Representatives, and the members of 
     the Michigan congressional delegation.

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