[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Pages 13577-13580]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS

       POM-452. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the State of Louisiana relative to the 
     establishment of the Coastal Forest Reserve Program; to the 
     Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

                  Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 75

       Whereas, Louisiana's coastal land loss problem is well 
     known within the state and is gaining recognition across the 
     country as one of the nation's most pressing conservation 
     issues; and
       Whereas, of recent concern in the state is the conservation 
     and management of privately-owned coastal forests due to 
     their importance in stabilizing soils and providing 
     structural barriers against coastal erosion, in addition to 
     their particular importance to neotropical migratory song 
     birds and colonial wading birds; and
       Whereas, the United States Congress has responded to the 
     need to conserve and restore wildlife habitat throughout the 
     nation by authorizing and funding numerous conservation 
     incentive programs such as the Conservation and Wetlands 
     Reserve Programs (CRP/WRP); and
       Whereas, Conservation and Wetlands Reserve Programs are 
     authorized to apply to agricultural lands and therefore are 
     not available to provide incentives to coastal forest owners 
     to preserve their forests or manage them sustainably; and
       Whereas, considering the dramatic loss of coastal forests 
     to saltwater intrusion and the importance of coastal forests, 
     and individual trees, to the structural integrity of 
     Louisiana's coastal wetlands, now popularized as ``America's 
     WETLAND,'' it is ironic that an incentive program is not 
     available to secure the conservation of this critical 
     resource: Therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Legislature of Louisiana memorializes 
     the Congress of the United States to authorize and fund the 
     establishment of a Coastal Forest Reserve Program to provide 
     incentives to coastal forest owners to preserve and 
     sustainably manage their coastal forests as part of the state 
     and national initiative to restore the Mississippi River 
     coastal delta and chenier plain of southwest Louisiana; be it 
     further
       Resolved, That the Legislature of Louisiana urges and 
     requests the United States Department of Agriculture Forest 
     Service, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and 
     Forestry, and the Louisiana State University School of 
     Renewable Natural Resources, with assistance from the 
     University of Louisiana at Lafayette and other Louisiana 
     universities, to provide an inventory of coastal forests and 
     assess their functional values for the purposes of 
     establishing eligibility and priority ranking for enrollment 
     in a Coastal Forest Reserve Program; 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; and be it further
       Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution shall be 
     transmitted to the chief of the United States Department of 
     Agriculture Forest Service, the commissioner of the Louisiana 
     Department of Agriculture and Forestry, the director of the 
     Louisiana State University School of Renewable Natural 
     Resources, and the president of the University of Louisiana 
     at Lafayette.
                                  ____

       POM-453. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the State of Hawaii relative to the Marine 
     Corps Training Area in Waikane Valley, Hawaii; to the 
     Committee on Armed Services.
       Whereas, Waikane Valley contains undeveloped land in the 
     ahupuaa of Waikane on Oahu's windward side; and
       Whereas, 33 years ago, the United States Marine Corps 
     obtained 187 acres in Waikane Valley, commonly referred to as 
     the ``Waikane Training Area,'' for military jungle and live 
     ordnance training; and
       Whereas, the United States Marine Corps has announced its 
     intention to close the Waikane Training Area, but as recently 
     as last year, the United States Marine Corps has sought to 
     use Waikane Valley for more military jungle training; and
       Whereas, ironically, Waikane Valley was abandoned as a 
     training site by the United States Marine Corps because of 
     safety concerns over the use of high explosive anti-tank and 
     bazooka rounds used in the past and the insufficient data to 
     determine the exact number of ammunition rounds fired in the 
     valley; and
       Whereas, the United States Marine Corps originally obtained 
     the right to use the Waikane Training Area by a lease from 
     the McCandless Estate and Waiahole Water Company in 1953 and 
     subsequently by a lease from the same parties and the heirs 
     of John Kamaka; and
       Whereas, the Kamaka heirs acquired title to the Waikane 
     Training Area by quitclaim deed in June of 1972 and 
     terminated the lease with the United States Marine Corps in 
     1976; and
       Whereas, between 1976 and 1993, the United States Marine 
     Corps conducted several investigations and ordnance removal 
     efforts on the property and concluded that the Waikane 
     Training Area could never be certified as being clear of 
     ordnance; and
       Whereas, the United States Navy and Marine Corps acquired 
     title to the Waikane Training Area in 1993 by condemnation as 
     a means to address the problem of not being able to fulfill 
     their lease obligations to return the property to the Kamaka 
     heirs in an ordnance-free and safe condition; and
       Whereas, land in Hawaii, and particularly agricultural and 
     conservation land, is Hawaii's most precious and limited 
     resource; and
       Whereas, Waikane Valley has served historically as 
     important agricultural area for the island of Oahu and 
     contains precious archaeological and historic sites; and
       Whereas, regardless of the 1993 condemnation, members of 
     the Waikane community believe that the United States Marine 
     Corps should live up to their commitment of cleaning up the 
     land, and they have expressed their desire to have the 
     Waikane Training Area restored to a condition that will 
     permit them to return to the aina and engage in farming and 
     other agricultural activities that would be appropriate based 
     on the condition of the remediated property; and
       Whereas, the federal government and military have 
     previously demonstrated their will and capacity to honor 
     their obligations to remediate and restore other equally or 
     more severely contaminated installations upon closure under 
     the Formerly Used Defense Site Program, Defense Environmental 
     Restoration Program, Installation Restoration Program, other 
     Department of Defense initiatives and programs, and with 
     special appropriations from Congress; and
       Whereas, the current official position of United States 
     Department of Defense is that no ordnance-contaminated site 
     can ever be certified as being clear of unexploded ordnance; 
     and
       Whereas, based on the inability to certify the Waikane 
     Training Area as being clear of unexploded ordnance, the 
     United States Navy and Marine Corps are considering permanent 
     closure of the property to the general public by erecting a 
     security fence around the area; and
       Whereas, the permanent closure of the Waikane Training Area 
     would be a devastating loss of precious agricultural, 
     historical, cultural, and natural resources to Hawaii; and
       Whereas, with sufficient funding from existing restoration 
     programs or special appropriations from Congress, or both, 
     the United States Navy and Marine Corps have the means to 
     clean-up the Waikane Training Area to a condition that is 
     reasonably safe for certain restricted uses, provided long-
     term monitoring and guidelines are established: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate of the Twenty-Second Legislature of 
     the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2004, That the 
     federal government is

[[Page 13578]]

     requested to conduct a thorough evaluation of the condition 
     of the Waikane Training Area, particularly with regard to 
     environmental and ordnance-related hazards that exist on the 
     property; and be it further
       Resolved, That the federal government is requested to plan 
     for and conduct as thorough a clean-up of the Waikane 
     Training Area as is technologically possible, including the 
     remediation or removal of all environmental hazards and 
     contamination and removal of all practice and live ordnance; 
     and be it further
       Resolved, That the federal government is requested to 
     conduct a post-clean-up environmental assessment of the 
     Waikane Training Area evaluating the potential risks to human 
     health and safety, for the purpose of determining the types 
     of uses and activities that could appropriately be conducted 
     on the property with minimal risk to potential users and the 
     community at large; and be it further
       Resolved, That the federal government is requested to 
     return the Waikane Training Area to the State of Hawaii upon 
     completion of the clean-up; and be it further
       Resolved, that the federal government is requested to 
     appropriate sufficient funds to plan for, implement, and 
     complete the rehabilitation and transfer of the Waikane 
     Training Area; and be it further
       Resolved, That the members of Hawaii's congressional 
     delegation are requested to assist in seeking and obtaining 
     the relief sought above; and be it further
       Resolved, That certified copies of this Resolution be 
     transmitted to President of the United States, President of 
     the United States Senate, Speaker of the United States House 
     of Representatives, members of Hawaii's congressional 
     delegation, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and the 
     Secretary of the Navy.
                                  ____

       POM-454. A joint resolution adopted by the General Assembly 
     of the State of Tennessee relative to United States 
     government uniforms and equipment; to the Committee on Armed 
     Services.

                     Senate Joint Resolution No. 64

       Whereas, it is with great pride and honor that the 
     hardworking employees of American factories craft the 
     uniforms and equipment that clothe and protect the members of 
     the United States government; and
       Whereas, to take that privilege away from those Americans 
     who ceaselessly toil to fulfill their patriotic duty to the 
     men and women who serve our fine country is a grievous insult 
     to the American people; and
       Whereas, on October 28, 2002, Fechheimer Brothers 
     Manufacturing Company in Martin learned that one of its 
     largest accounts, the United States Postal Service, had 
     certified a new supplier of postal uniforms, San Francisco 
     Knitting Mills--one that cuts costs by manufacturing the 
     product outside the United States; and
       Whereas, according to a memo from Fechheimer President and 
     CEO, Brad Kinstler, San Francisco Knitting Mills is ``the 
     first manufacturer to venture outside of the U.S. to make 
     products for the postal market,'' an action which may result 
     in setting a dangerous precedent; and
       Whereas, the Fechheimer-Martin plant, formerly Martin 
     Manufacturing Company, is one of four plants owned by the 
     Fechheimer Corporation of Cincinnati; and
       Whereas, three of the plants: Martin, Tennessee; Jefferson, 
     Pennsylvania; and Grantsville, Maryland; manufacture uniform 
     shirts. The corporation's plant in Hodgenville, Kentucky 
     manufactures uniform trousers; and
       Whereas, twenty percent of the Fechheimer Brothers 
     Manufacturing Company's annual production consists of the 
     postal service's purchases; the loss of the contract with the 
     postal service could result in massive layoffs at the plant, 
     possibly up to twenty percent of the company's 200 workers, 
     which would then put a crimp in the local economy; and
       Whereas, plant manager Marc Lemacks describes Fechheimer 
     Brothers Manufacturing Company as the ``Cadillac of the 
     industry,'' a corporation that consistently provides its 
     clients and customers with quality products and service; and
       Whereas, Mr. Lemacks is aware of no complaints from the 
     United States Postal Service in regards to the uniforms 
     produced by his company; instead, he fears the postal 
     service's decision to change suppliers is based on an attempt 
     to secure a lower price with an offshore company; and
       Whereas, not only will transferring production of postal 
     service uniforms to another country rob the American people 
     of their jobs and livelihoods, but it will result in a 
     decrease in revenue to the American government through the 
     loss of taxes paid by American workers; and
       Whereas, it is crucial that the production of uniforms and 
     equipment for United States government workers remain in 
     American factories, for the producing and wearing of 
     American-made products strengthens the morale of both 
     government and civil service workers, boosts the country's 
     economy, and manifests the pride of the American government 
     toward its citizens: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the senate of the one hundred third General 
     Assembly of the State of Tennessee, the House of 
     Representatives concurring, That we respectfully urge the 
     Congress of the United States to resolve this important issue 
     and require that government uniforms and equipment be 
     manufactured in the United States, thus saving the jobs of 
     myriad Americans and strengthening the national economy; be 
     it further
       Resolved, That appropriate copies of this resolution be 
     transmitted forthwith to the President of the United States, 
     the Speaker and the Clerk of the United States House of 
     Representatives, the President and the Secretary of the 
     United States Senate, and to each member of the Tennessee 
     Congressional Delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-455. A resolution adopted by the Council of the city of 
     Parma of the State of Ohio relative to funding for the 
     Department of Housing and Urban Development's 2005 Budget; to 
     the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
                                  ____

       POM-456. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the General 
     Assembly of the State of Iowa relative to funds for the 
     National Park Service for Loess Hills in Iowa; to the 
     Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
       Whereas, the Loess Hills in Iowa are a unique natural 
     resource that are recognized worldwide for their unique 
     landscape and geological value; and
       Whereas, the Loess Hills are also recognized for their 
     unique cultural and archaeological resources; and
       Whereas, the National Park Service and a team of Iowa 
     specialists, completed a Special Resource Study and 
     Environmental Assessment of the Loess Hills in 2002; and
       Whereas, the Special Resources Study provided national 
     recognition that the Loess Hills in western Iowa with their 
     extensive prairie ecosystems are of ``exceptional value''; 
     and
       Whereas, the Special Resource Study catalogued a series of 
     threats to the integrity of the Loess Hills including 
     erosion, displacement of prairie, unplanned growth, and 
     degradation of archaeological resources; and
       Whereas, a comprehensive plan would complement and assist 
     in synthesizing the efforts of a broad range of state, 
     private, and federal programs; and
       Whereas, the need for assistance is most acute in the 
     twelve special landscape areas that have been identified in 
     the Loess Hills; and
       Whereas, federal assistance is needed to aid state and 
     local governments and private landowners in the Loess Hills 
     in their efforts to preserve these last native prairies of 
     Iowa and this scenic landform; and
       Whereas, the State of Iowa and the nation are celebrating 
     the visit of the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery to this 
     treasured Iowa landform 200 years ago. Now therefore, be it
       Resolved by the senate, That the Iowa Senate urges Congress 
     to immediately act to authorize and appropriate funding to 
     the National Park Service so that the National Park Service 
     can participate with the Loess Hills Development and 
     Conservation Authority and with representatives of the Iowa 
     Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the Iowa 
     Department of Natural Resources, the Iowa Department of 
     Transportation, educational institutions, nongovernmental 
     organizations, and private landowners in the development of a 
     comprehensive plan to ensure the long-term protection of the 
     Loess Hills in Iowa; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate send copies of 
     this Resolution to the President of the United States; the 
     President of the United States Senate; the Speaker of the 
     United States House of Representatives; and to members of 
     Iowa's congressional delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-457. A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the Legislature of the State of Louisiana 
     relative to the proposed federal funding cuts to maintenance 
     and operation of locks and dams along the Ouachita and Black 
     River navigational system; to the Committee on Environment 
     and Public Works.

                        House Resolution No. 39

       Whereas, four locks and dams along the Ouachita and Black 
     River navigational system maintain a nine-foot channel for 
     approximately three hundred thirty-six miles in Louisiana and 
     Arkansas, which is a remarkably efficient use of resources; 
     and
       Whereas, the Congress of the United States is considering a 
     funding cut of eight million dollars per year, which would 
     eliminate funding for the maintenance and operation of this 
     system of locks and dams; and
       Whereas, this federal funding cut has been proposed based 
     solely on ton-miles analysis and has not been evaluated 
     through public hearings; and
       Whereas, numerous industries are dependent on the 
     maintenance of these locks and dams, including a number of 
     cities and industries which process the water for drinking 
     purposes and industrial purposes; and
       Whereas, such cities and industries would be dramatically 
     affected by the lowering of the water levels in the Ouachita 
     and Black River navigational system; and
       Whereas, additionally, the Sparta Acquifier located in 
     north Louisiana and

[[Page 13579]]

     south Arkansas is currently in crises and would be further 
     harmed by a reduction in recharge from this river water; and
       Whereas, in contrast to other federal procedures when 
     deactivating facilities, no economic impact study has be 
     conducted by the federal government prior to proposing these 
     funding cuts, and it is unclear whether the United States 
     Army Corps of Engineers can legally close these locks, 
     thereby dramatically reducing the navigability of the 
     Ouachita and Black Rivers: Therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives of the 
     Louisiana Legislature does hereby memorialize the United 
     States Congress to oppose the proposed funding cuts to locks 
     and dams along the Ouachita and Black River navigational 
     system until such time as a proper economic impact study can 
     be conducted by appropriate federal and state authorities and 
     until a determination can be made regarding the legality of 
     closing such locks; be it further
       Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to 
     the presiding officers of the Senate and House of 
     Representatives of the Congress of the United States of 
     America and to each member of the Louisiana congressional 
     delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-458. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the State of Louisiana relative to the 
     proposed federal funding cuts to maintenance and operation of 
     locks and dams along the Ouachita and Black River 
     navigational system; to the Committee on Environment and 
     Public Works.

                        Senate Resolution No. 65

       Whereas, four locks and dams along the Ouachita and Black 
     River navigational system maintain a nine-foot channel for 
     approximately three hundred thirty-six miles in Louisiana and 
     Arkansas, which is a remarkably efficient use of resources; 
     and
       Whereas, the Congress of the United States is considering a 
     funding cut of eight million dollars per year, which would 
     eliminate funding for the maintenance and operation of this 
     system of locks and dams; and
       Whereas, this federal funding cut has been proposed based 
     solely on ton-miles analysis and has not been evaluated 
     through public hearings; and
       Whereas, numerous industries are dependent on the 
     maintenance of these locks and dams, including a number of 
     cities and industries which process the water for drinking 
     purposes and industrial purposes; and
       Whereas, such cities and industries would be dramatically 
     affected by the lowering of the water levels in the Ouachita 
     and Black River navigational system; and
       Whereas, additionally, the Sparta Acquifier located in 
     north Louisiana and south Arkansas is currently in crises and 
     would be further harmed by a reduction in recharge from this 
     river water; and
       Whereas, in contrast to other federal procedures when 
     deactivating facilities, no economic impact study has been 
     conducted by the federal government prior to proposing these 
     funding cuts, and it is unclear whether the United States 
     Army Corps of Engineers can legally close these locks, 
     thereby dramatically reducing the navigability of the 
     Ouachiata and Black Rivers: Therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana 
     does hereby memorialize the United States Congress to oppose 
     the proposed funding cuts to locks and dams along the 
     Ouachita and Black River navigational system until such time 
     as a proper economic impact study can be conducted by 
     appropriate federal and state authorities and until a 
     determination can be made regarding the legality of closing 
     such locks; be it further
       Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to 
     the presiding officers of the Senate and House of 
     Representatives of the Congress of the United Sates of 
     America and to each member of the Louisiana congressional 
     delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-459. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Senate of 
     the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 
     relative to the Clean Water State Resolving Program; to the 
     Committee on Environment and Public Works.

                        Senate Resolution No. 98

       Whereas, the Congress of the United States established the 
     Clean Water State Revolving Fund to lend money to communities 
     to help pay for urgently needed wastewater infrastructure 
     projects; and
       Whereas, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund has been one 
     of the most effective and practical ways to address the 
     United States' rapidly deteriorating water infrastructure 
     system; and
       Whereas, in 1994, when authorization for the Clean Water 
     State Revolving Fund expired, the Congress continued to 
     approve money to capitalize the Clean Water State Revolving 
     Fund without authorization; and
       Whereas, the United States Environmental Protection 
     Agency's 200 Clean Watersheds Needs Survey Report to Congress 
     documented five-year capital investment need for publicly 
     owned wastewater treatment facilities that are eligible for 
     funding under the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean 
     Water State Revolving Loan Fund Program and found national 
     needs of more than $181 billion; and
       Whereas, that same study found the total needs across 
     Pennsylvania to be in excess of $8 billion, including $1 
     billion for treatment facilities, $1.6 billion for new 
     collector and interceptor sewers and more than $4 billion for 
     the combined sewer overflow problem; and
       Whereas, a 1999 Environmental Protection Agency Needs Gaps 
     Study found that sanitary sewer overflow needs in the 1996 
     study were grossly underestimated, bringing the total 
     national wastewater infrastructure needs to more than $200 
     billion; and
        Whereas, independent studies indicate that when 20-year 
     replacement costs are added, the total wastewater 
     infrastructure needs will exceed $300 billion; and
        Whereas, the performance of the Clean Water State 
     Revolving Fund has leveraged more than $21.2 billion in 
     capitalization grants into more than $38.7 billion in water 
     infrastructure projects; and
        Whereas, up to 55,000 new jobs are created for every $1 
     billion expended on water infrastructure; and
        Whereas, the gap between funding and needs continues to 
     grow despite the significant amounts contributed to the Clean 
     Water State Revolving Fund in capitalization grants; and
        Whereas, while the investor-owned utilities have had 
     access to the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DW-SRF) 
     since its inception, they have not had access to the Clean 
     Water State Revolving Fund; and
        Whereas, the benefits of investor-owned utility access 
     would flow back to their customers, who are also taxpayers 
     contributing to the State revolving funds; and
        Whereas, investor-owned utilities could use the Clean 
     Water State Revolving Fund to assist states with failing 
     systems, compliance problems or underserved areas, while 
     creating jobs and paying more taxes; Therefore be it
        Resolved (the house of representatives concurring),That 
     the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 
     acknowledge the key role of the Clean Water State Revolving 
     Fund Program in enhancing public health and safety, 
     protecting the environment and maintaining a strong economic 
     base by increasing labor productivity, creating jobs, 
     rehabilitating old neighborhoods and ensuring the 
     availability of recreational use of our waterways and 
     shorelines; and be it further
        Resolved, That the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 
     Pennsylvania recognize the Clean Water State Revolving Fund 
     Program as the most pragmatic and effective program that 
     provides states vital financial resources to address their 
     wastewater infrastructure needs; and be it further
        Resolved, That the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 
     Pennsylvania encourage all communities in the Commonwealth of 
     Pennsylvania to participate in this important program; and be 
     it further
        Resolved, That the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 
     Pennsylvania urge the Congress of the United States to expand 
     eligibility to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund so the 
     customers of investor-owned utilities can share in the 
     benefits of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund; and be it 
     further
        Resolved, That the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 
     Pennsylvania urge the Congress of the United States to 
     increase the annual Federal capitalization grant to the Clean 
     Water State Revolving Fund to better address the tremendous 
     needs across the United States and the Commonwealth of 
     Pennsylvania; and be it further
        Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to 
     the President of the United States, the presiding officers of 
     each house of Congress and to each member of Congress from 
     Pennsylvania.
                                  ____

       POM-460. A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the Legislature of the State of Hawaii 
     relative to repealing the changes made to the Clean Air Act 
     in 2002; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

                        House Resolution No. 191

       Whereas, according to the Clean Air Act, toxic substances 
     such as mercury must be controlled by the ``maximum 
     achievable control technology'' standard; and
       Whereas, two years ago, the Environmental Protection Agency 
     estimated that under a maximum achievable control technology 
     standard, power plants using existing technologies could 
     reduce ninety per cent of mercury emissions from power 
     plants, bringing mercury emissions down from forty-eight tons 
     to roughly five tons per year by 2008; and
       Whereas, under changes made by the Bush administration in 
     2002, there is allowed a significant delay for cleaning up 
     power plant mercury emissions and a standard that is far 
     weaker than the maximum achievable control technology 
     standard and is not protective of public health; and
       Whereas, in effect, these changes would treat power plants' 
     mercury emissions as non-hazardous air pollution and allow 
     power plants to emit six to seven times more mercury into the 
     nation's air, and for a decade longer, than the Clean Air Act 
     requires; and
       Whereas, additionally, changes made by the Bush 
     administration allow some plants

[[Page 13580]]

     to avoid reducing mercury emissions altogether by purchasing 
     pollution credits from other cleaner plants, which increases 
     the chances that toxic ``hotspots'' could develop in 
     communities where deposition is more prevalent: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-
     second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 
     2004, That the United States Congress is requested to repeal 
     the changes made by the Bush administration to the Clean Air 
     in 2002; and be it further
       Resolved, That certified 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 Hawaii's congressional delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-461. A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the Legislature of the State of Michigan 
     relative to a wagering tax in gross receipts at Native 
     American Casinos; to the Committee on Finance.

                        House Resolution No. 257

     Whereas, fairness in taxation is a key to effective public 
     policy and to fostering the faith and trust that are vital to 
     the strength of our system of self-government. Inconsistency 
     in the application of laws, including those assessing taxes, 
     is frustrating to individual citizens, business enterprises 
     of all types and sizes, and local and state governments; and
       Whereas, an area of business activity where laws and taxes 
     are applied inconsistently is gaming. The sovereignty of 
     Native American tribes has resulted in a host of different 
     arrangements, even among tribal facilities. There is even 
     greater disparity between the operations of non-Native 
     American gaming facilities and Native American casinos; and
       Whereas, while the states, including Michigan, have a very 
     limited capacity to rectify the differences in the treatment 
     of non-Native American and Native American gaming operations, 
     including taxation, the federal government could bring a 
     needed measure of fairness to this situation: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved by the house of representatives, That we 
     memorialize the Congress of the United States to implement a 
     36 percent federal wagering tax on gross receipts at Native 
     American casinos and to redistribute the revenues to the 
     states of origin; 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.
                                  ____

       POM-462. A concurrent resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the Legislature of the State of Hawaii 
     relative to a center for the advancement of global health, 
     welfare, education, and peace by and for children, youth, and 
     families; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

                  House Concurrent Resolution No. 153

       Whereas, the Millennium Young People's Congress held in 
     Hawaii in October 1999, demonstrated the value of a 
     collective global vision by and for the children of the world 
     as well as the need for a forum for international discussion 
     of issues facing all children and youth; and
       Whereas, the World Youth Congress and representatives from 
     the Kingdom of Morocco met in Hawaii in March 2003, 
     demonstrating the collaboration that a Center for the 
     Advancement of Global Health, Welfare, Education, and Peace 
     By and For Children, Youth, and Families can promote; and
       Whereas, world peace is a major collaborative goal, and 
     youth are key to attaining world peace, sustainability, and 
     productivity for future generations; and
       Whereas, the health, welfare, and education of children and 
     families are part of the basic foundation of values shared 
     globally that should be provided for all children; and
       Whereas, the populations of countries in Asia and the 
     Pacific Rim are the largest and fastest-growing segments of 
     the world's population, with young people representing the 
     largest percentage of those populations; and
       Whereas, Hawaii's location at the center of the Pacific Rim 
     between Asia and the Americans, its diverse culture, and its 
     many shared languages provide an excellent strategic forum 
     for shared languages provide an excellent strategic forum for 
     meetings and exchanges, as demonstrated by the Millennium 
     Young People's Congress, to:
       (1) Discuss issues and solutions for health, welfare, 
     peace, and the rights of children as a basic foundation for 
     all children and youth; and
       (2) Research pertinent issues and alternatives concerning 
     children and youth and propose viable models for societal 
     application and promotion of international peace and conflict 
     resolution; Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-
     second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 
     2004, the Senate concurring, That the United Nations (UN) is 
     respectfully requested to consider establishing in Hawaii a 
     Center for the Advancement of Global Health, Welfare, 
     Education, and Peace By and For Children, Youth, and Families 
     (Center); and be it further
       Resolved, That the President of the United States and 
     members of the United States Congress are urged to support 
     the establishment of such a Center; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Matsunaga Peace Institute, the United 
     Nations Association in Hawaii, the House Committee on 
     International Affairs, and the Keiki Caucus of the Hawaii 
     State Legislature are requested to convene an exploratory 
     task force to develop such a proposal for consideration by 
     the UN; and be it further
       Resolved, That assistance be sought from foundations and 
     other nongovernmental organizations who might assist in 
     funding the Center; and be it further
       Resolved, That the World Youth Congress, which will be 
     holding its third meeting in Glasgow, Scotland, in August 
     2005, is urged to establish a Center dedicated to UN 
     Secretary General Kofi Annan; and be it further
       Resolved, That certified copies of this Concurrent 
     Resolution be transmitted to the Secretary General of the UN, 
     Focal Point on Youth of the UN Office of the Secretary 
     General, Senior Policy Advisor for the UN Children's Fund, 
     President of the United States, President of the United 
     States Senate, Speaker of the United States House of 
     Representatives, members of Hawaii's congressional 
     delegation, United States Representative to the UN, President 
     of the University of Hawaii, President of the East-West 
     Center, Superintendent of Education, Executive Director of 
     the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, President of 
     the United Nations Association in Hawaii, Director of the 
     Matsunaga Peace Institute, Program Director of the American 
     Friends Service Committee--Hawaii, President of the Hawaii 
     State Senate, and the Speaker of the Hawaii State House of 
     Representatives.

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