[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Pages 10202-10204]
[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-77. A resolution adopted by the Board of Trustees of 
     the Incorporated Village of East Rockaway, New York relative 
     to Project Impact; to the Committee on Appropriations.
       POM-78. A joint resolution adopted by the Town Council and 
     School Committee of Kittery, Maine relative to the education 
     of children with disabilities; to the Committee on 
     Appropriations.
       POM-79. A resolution adopted by the City Council of 
     Prosser, Washington relative to energy; to the Committee on 
     Energy and Natural Resources.
       POM-80. A resolution adopted by the City Commission of 
     Hollywood, Florida relative to Beach Erosion Control 
     Projects; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
       POM-81. A resolution adopted by the City Council of Brook 
     Park, Ohio relative to the Steel Industry; to the Committee 
     on Finance.
       POM-82. A concurrent resolution adopted by the House of the 
     Legislature of the State of Louisiana relative to the United 
     States Postal Service; to the Committee on Governmental 
     Affairs.

                   House Concurrent Resolution No. 5

       Whereas, the original Purple Heart, designated as the Badge 
     of Military Merit, was established by General George 
     Washington on August 7, 1782, during the Revolutionary War, 
     when he wrote, ``Whenever any singularly meritorious action 
     is performed, the author of it shall be permitted to wear on 
     his facings over the left breast, the figure of a heart in 
     purple cloth of silk, edged with narrow lace or binding. Not 
     only instances of unusual gallantry, but also of 
     extraordinary fidelity and essential service in any way shall 
     meet with a due reward''; and
       Whereas, the Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration 
     in the world in present use and the first award given to a 
     common soldier; a Purple Heart is an eloquent and forceful 
     symbol of each man and woman who has stepped forward in a 
     time of national crisis to defend the values of the United 
     States; and
       Whereas, the Purple Heart is a combat decoration awarded in 
     the name of the President of the United States to members of 
     the armed forces who are wounded by an instrument of war in 
     the hands of the enemy; and
       Whereas, an effort is currently underway to petition the 
     United States Postal Service to authorize the issuance of an 
     official United States postal stamp displaying the image of 
     the Purple Heart medal; and
       Whereas, in recent years, the United States Postal Service 
     has issued stamps honoring comic strips, movie monsters, and 
     cartoon characters but has opted not to issue a Purple Heart 
     stamp honoring American soldiers wounded in battle; and
       Whereas, the Purple Heart stamp would serve as a permanent 
     and long-overdue honor for the one million eight hundred 
     thousand recipients of the Purple Heart, half of whom are 
     still alive today, and to remind the nation of the monumental 
     sacrifices veterans have made in the service and defense of 
     the United States of America. Therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby 
     urge and request the United States Congress to take 
     appropriate steps to cause the United States Postal Service 
     to issue a Purple Heart stamp to recognize the tremendous 
     valor and fortitude displayed by wounded soldiers and to 
     express the enduring appreciation of the citizens of the 
     United States of America for the sacrifices that members of 
     the armed forces have made in the name of freedom. Be it 
     further
       Resolved, That suitable copies of this Resolution be 
     transmitted to the Speaker of the United States House of 
     Representatives; the President of the United States Senate; 
     James Tolbert, Jr., Executive Director of Stamp Services for 
     the United States Postal Service; and The Honorable William 
     J. Henderson, Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer 
     of the United States Postal Service.
                                  ____

       POM-83. A concurrent resolution adopted by the House of the 
     Legislature of the State of Louisiana relative to the 
     Railroad Retirement and Survivor's Improvement Act of 2001; 
     to the Committee on Finance.

                   House Concurrent Resolution No. 7

       Whereas, the Railroad Retirement and Survivor's Improvement 
     Act was approved in a bipartisan effort by three hundred 
     ninety-one members of the United States House of 
     Representatives in the 106th Congress, including every member 
     of the Louisiana delegation; and
       Whereas, more than eighty United States senators, including 
     both Louisiana senators, signed letters of support for this 
     legislation in 2000, but despite strong support for the 
     Railroad Retirement and Survivor's Improvement Act of 2000, 
     the legislation did not become law as the Senate did not vote 
     on it before adjournment; and
       Whereas, the Railroad Retirement and Survivor's Improvement 
     Act of 2001, authored by Don Young, Chairman of the House 
     Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, provides for 
     the modernization of the railroad retirement system for its 
     seven hundred forty-eight thousand beneficiaries nationwide, 
     including nine thousand four hundred people in Louisiana; and
       Whereas, railroad management, labor, and retiree 
     organizations have agreed to support the Railroad Retirement 
     and Survivor's Improvement Act of 2001; and
       Whereas, the Railroad Retirement and Survivor's Improvement 
     Act of 2001 would provide tax relief to freight railroads, 
     Amtrak, and commuter lines; and
       Whereas, the Railroad Retirement and Survivor's Improvement 
     Act of 2001 would provide benefit improvements for surviving 
     spouses of rail workers, who currently suffer deep cuts in 
     income when the rail retiree dies; and
       Whereas, no outside contributions from taxpayers are needed 
     to implement the changes called for in the Railroad 
     Retirement and Survivor's Improvement Act of 2001; and
       Whereas, all changes will be paid for from within the 
     railroad industry, including a full share by active 
     employees. Therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby 
     urge and request the United States Congress to enact the 
     Railroad Retirement and Survivor's Improvement Act of 2001. 
     Be it further
       Resolved, That suitable copies of this Resolution be 
     transmitted to President George W. Bush, the president of the 
     United States Senate, the speaker of the United States House 
     of Representatives, and the members of the Louisiana 
     congressional delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-84. A concurrent resolution adopted by the House of the 
     Legislature of the State of Louisiana relative to natural gas 
     and liquids pipeline operations; to the Committee on Energy 
     and Natural Resources.

                   House Concurrent Resolution No. 9

       Whereas, the nation's natural gas and liquids pipeline 
     facilities provide critical service to all citizens of this 
     nation; and
       Whereas, the state of Louisiana has a vital interest in the 
     integrity and safety of the interstate natural gas and 
     liquids pipelines within the state; and
       Whereas, recent incidents of pipeline leaks and ruptures 
     have led to heightened concern for the health and welfare of 
     the citizens of Louisiana; and
       Whereas, these incidents have led to intense discussion 
     about the reliability of the natural gas supply and 
     prevention, mitigation, and response to pipeline incidents; 
     and
       Whereas, enhancements to federal pipeline safety 
     requirements can translate into enhanced safety requirements 
     for state-regulated facilities within the state of Louisiana. 
     Therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Louisiana Legislature does hereby 
     memorialize the United States Congress to support federal 
     legislation to strengthen the rules regarding the safety of

[[Page 10203]]

     natural gas and liquids pipeline operations. 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-85. A concurrent resolution adopted by the House of the 
     Legislature of the State of Louisiana relative to Ministers 
     Appreciation Week; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

                   House Concurrent Resolution No. 50

       Whereas, throughout this nation's long history of praise 
     and worship, the citizens of the United States of America 
     have been guided with outstanding commitment and dedicated 
     leadership by their ministers, who have paved the way for the 
     leaders and members of their churches to be graced with the 
     blessings they enjoy today; and
       Whereas, the ministers of the United States of America 
     merit a sincere measure of commendation for the noble 
     achievements and exemplary strides that they have taken in 
     their guidance of the nation's loving and dedicated spiritual 
     communities; and
       Whereas, the ministers of the nation serve not only as 
     spiritual leaders, but they serve individual members of their 
     spiritual communities on a daily basis, counseling them, 
     giving them guidance in handling personal crises, visiting 
     them in sickness, helping them bear the sorrow of the death 
     of a loved one, and being a source of strength and help in 
     countless situations; and
       Whereas, it is appropriate to commend the ministers of the 
     United States of America for their remarkable devotion to God 
     and to their congregations, to extend sincere and heartfelt 
     congratulations to all ministers, and to recognize the 
     ministers of the nation in a special way. Therefore be it
       Resolved, That the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby 
     memorialize the United States Congress to recognize the final 
     week in April of every year as Minister Appreciation Week and 
     does hereby commend and congratulate all ministers of the 
     United States of America for their important service to the 
     people of the nation. Be it further
       Resolved, That copies of this Resolution shall be 
     transmitted to the presiding officer of each house of the 
     United States Congress and to each member of the Louisiana 
     delegation of the United States Congress.
                                  ____

       POM-86. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the State of Georgia relative to agricultural 
     equipment; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation.

                         Senate Resolution 193

       Whereas, water well drilling contractors are extremely 
     small construction contractors who drill water wells for 
     individuals, cities, counties, industry, and farmers; and
       Whereas, federal law requires all persons operating 
     vehicles in excess of 26,000 pounds transporting people or 
     property to have a commercial driver's license (CDL); and
       Whereas, this act is primarily for the common or contractor 
     carrier; and
       Whereas, agricultural vehicles are exempt from the 
     requirements of the commercial driver's license statute; and
       Whereas, water well drilling contractors rarely travel more 
     than 150 miles from their home office, which is one of the 
     criteria of agricultural vehicles contained in the commercial 
     driver's license statute; and
       Whereas, these contractors rarely travel across state 
     boundaries; and
       Whereas, the requirements of the commercial driver's 
     license statute are extremely difficult to pass; and
       Whereas, it is a tremendous burden on these small 
     businesses to find, hire, and pay employees who have a 
     commercial driver's license; and
       Whereas, this requirement adds a great deal of unnecessary 
     expense to the price of a well for the well owner. Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this body 
     respectfully reuest that the United States Congress enact 
     legislation reclassifying water well drilling vehicles and 
     equipment as agricultural equipment under the federal 
     commercial driver's license laws. Be it further
       Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate is authorized 
     and directed to transmit appropriate copies of this 
     resolution to the Clerk of the United States House of 
     Representatives and the Secretary of the United States 
     Senate.
                                  ____

       POM-87. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Senate of 
     the Legislature of the State of Hawaii relative to special 
     education and children with disabilities; to the Committee on 
     Appropriations.

                    Senate Concurrent Resolution 97

       Whereas, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 
     (IDEA) passed by the United States Congress, finds that 
     disability is a natural part of the human experience and does 
     not take away or minimize the right of those individuals to 
     participate in, or contribute to, society; and
       Whereas, Congress further found that improving educational 
     results for disabled children is an essential part of our 
     national policy of ensuring equal opportunity, full 
     participation, independent living, and economic self-
     sufficiency for disabled individuals; and
       Whereas, currently there are special education students in 
     every school in this State and with the rising cost of 
     special education, it is a heavy burden on Hawaii's already 
     financially challenged public education system; and
       Whereas, the Department of Education's January 2001 
     Quarterly Report on the Status of the State's Progress in 
     meeting the Requirements of the Felix v. Cayetano Consent 
     Decree (hereinafter DOE Quarterly Report) reported a total of 
     22,962 students identified for special education services, 
     13,146 children registered for services with the Child and 
     Adolescent Mental Health Division (CAMHD), and 1,962 children 
     identified for zero-to-three related mental health services; 
     and
       Whereas, the DOE Quarterly Report further reported that of 
     the $154,035,838 appropriated to the Department of Education 
     for the 2000-2001 school year, $75,838,006 already was 
     expended by December 31, 2000 and of the $102,227,071 
     appropriated to the Department of Health's CAMHD, $76,111,621 
     was already expended by December 31, 2000; and
       Whereas, according to the Court Monitor's Felix Consent 
     Decree Quarterly Status Report, August 2000 to November 2000, 
     over the six-year period from 1994 to 2000, the number of 
     children served by the Department of Education increased from 
     12,000 to over 22,000 while the number provided mental health 
     services by CAMHD increased from 1,800 to 11,000; and
       Whereas, these dramatic increases have resulted in an 
     increase in the combined mental health and special education 
     costs by over $150 million, prompting the Court Monitor to 
     note that ``[n]o other state or school district in the United 
     States of America has undergone such expansion and dramatic 
     redesign in six years''; and
       Whereas, despite earnest efforts to control the Felix 
     program costs, and the over $250 million combined 
     appropriations to the Department of Education and Department 
     of Health for the current fiscal year, the Governor has 
     requested the 2001 Legislature to appropriate $107 million in 
     emergency funds to address Felix program costs overruns; and
       Whereas, Congress in Title 20, section 1411(a) of the 
     United States Code committed to providing up to forty percent 
     of the cost states would incur in providing special 
     education; and
       Whereas, in fiscal year 1999-2000 federal funding of the 
     Department of Education special education program amounted to 
     a meager 10% of cost and has never exceeded 14% in any given 
     year. Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate of the Twenty-first Legislature of 
     the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2001, the House of 
     Representatives concurring, That the Hawaii Congressional 
     delegation is urged to coordinate efforts in the United 
     States Congress to obtain funding for forty percent of the 
     cost of special education and related services for children 
     with disabilities; and be it further
       Resolved, That certified copies of this Concurrent 
     Resolution be transmitted to the Speaker of the United States 
     House of Representatives, the President pro tempore of the 
     United States Senate, the Vice President of the United 
     States, and the members of Hawaii's congressional delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-88. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Senate of 
     the State Louisiana relative to Louisiana farmers; to the 
     committee on appropriations.

                    Senate Concurrent Resolution 64

       Whereas, many farmers in Louisiana are suffering the 
     consequences of low prices for their commodities, illustrated 
     by a market in which the price of soybeans is at a twenty-
     seven year low, the price of cotton is at a twenty-five year 
     low, the price of wheat and corn is selling at a fourteen 
     year low, and the price of rice is at an eight year low; and
       Whereas, Louisiana farmers are trying to overcome the 
     onslaughts of nature, characterized by a devastating drought 
     in 2000 which followed a disappointing crop year in which 
     many farmers were left in financial trouble; and
       Whereas, the existing federal farm bill has not adequately 
     addressed the current circumstances and needs of farmers in 
     Louisiana as well as farmers across the United States; and
       Whereas, hopes for a widespread opening of foreign markets 
     and the implementation of measures to stimulate commodity 
     exports have not materialized; and
       Whereas, it is estimated that $9 billion above the 
     projected budget baseline is needed in federal farm payments 
     this year to assist farmers if they are to survive; and
       Whereas, an increase in farm payments is critical to the 
     agriculture industry given agriculture's vital importance to 
     the sustenance of all people and to the economy of our state; 
     and
       Whereas, many farmers have no other choice but to rely on 
     assistance payments to stay in business. Therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Legislature of Louisiana memorializes 
     the congress of the United states to increase federal aid to 
     Louisiana farmers. Be it further
       Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution shall be 
     transmitted to the secretary of the

[[Page 10204]]

     United States Senate and the clerk of the United states House 
     of Representatives and to each member of the Louisiana 
     delegation to the Congress of the United States.
                                  ____

       POM-89. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Senate of 
     the Legislature of the State of Louisiana relative to a 
     national energy policy; to the Committee on Energy and 
     Natural Resources.

                    Senate Concurrent Resolution 32

       Whereas, the Louisiana ammonia industry accounts for forty 
     percent of the domestic production of ammonia; and
       Whereas, natural gas makes up ninety percent of the costs 
     of producing ammonia; and
       Whereas, in the last year alone the prices of natural gas 
     have almost tripled and the cost of producing ammonia has 
     risen substantially; and
       Whereas, high natural gas prices led the members of the 
     Louisiana Ammonia Producers to temporarily shut down all or 
     part of their ammonia production units; and
       Whereas, two Louisiana companies have gotten out of the 
     ammonia business completely, while others have had to resort 
     to layoffs; and
       Whereas, the majority of the ammonia produced in Louisiana 
     is used to make fertilizer; and
       Whereas, there are numerous untapped natural gas reserves 
     in the United States. Therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Legislature of Louisiana memorializes 
     the Congress of the United States to use the powers at its 
     disposal to commission the United States Department of Energy 
     to establish a national energy policy, which should pursue a 
     long-term remedy to these problems by providing incentives 
     for immediate domestic natural gas exploration and 
     production, including opening untapped natural gas reserves. 
     Be it further
       Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to 
     the president of the United States, the secretary of the 
     United States Senate, the clerk of the United States House of 
     Representatives, the secretaries of the Department of Energy 
     and the Department of the Interior, and to each member of the 
     Louisiana delegation to the United States Congress.
                                  ____

       POM-90. A resolution adopted by the Legislature of Guam 
     relative to the Tax Relief Proposal; ordered to lie on the 
     table.

                             Resolution 66

       Whereas, Federal taxes are the highest they have ever been 
     during peacetime; and
       Whereas, all taxpayers should be allowed to keep more of 
     their own money; and
       Whereas, the best way to encourage economic growth is to 
     cut marginal tax rates across all tax brackets; and
       Whereas, under current tax law, low income workers often 
     pay the highest marginal tax rates; and
       Whereas, the American people have not received any real tax 
     relief in a generation; and
       Whereas, President George W. Bush's Tax Relief Plan will 
     contribute to raising the standard of living for all 
     Americans, including the people of Guam; and
       Whereas, President Bush's Tax Relief Plan will increase 
     access to the middle class for hard-working families, treat 
     all middle class families more fairly, encourage 
     entrepreneurship and growth, and promote charitable giving 
     and education; and
       Whereas, under President Bush's Tax Relief Plan, the 
     largest percentage reductions will go to the lowest income 
     earners; now therefore, be it
       Resolved, That I Mina'Bente Sais Na Liheslaturan Guahan 
     does hereby, on behalf of the people of Guam, urge our 
     elected representatives in the United States Congress, 
     including Guam's Delegate to the U.S. Congress, to support 
     and pass the Tax Relief Plan introduced by President George 
     W. Bush, which includes an across-the-board reduction in 
     marginal rates, eliminates the ``death tax'' and reduces the 
     marriage penalty; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Speaker certify, and the Legislative 
     Secretary attests to, the adoption hereof and that copies of 
     the same be thereafter transmitted to the Honorable George W. 
     Bush, President of the United States of America; to the 
     Honorable Richard Cheney, President, United States Senate; to 
     the Honorable J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker, United States House 
     of Representatives; to the Honorable Robert A. Underwood, 
     Guam's Delegate to the United States House of 
     Representatives; and to the Honorable Carl T.C. Gutierrez, I 
     Maga'lahen Guahan (Governor of Guam).

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