[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Pages 16788-16793]
[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:


[[Page 16789]]

       POM-474. A concurrent resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the Legislature of the State of Louisiana 
     relative to income guidelines for senior citizens; to the 
     Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

                   House Concurrent Resolution No. 5

       Whereas, Louisiana's senior citizens, with their wealth of 
     lifetime experiences and knowledge, represent a valuable 
     asset to our state; and
       Whereas, according to the latest federal decennial census, 
     108,634 Louisiana citizens age sixty or older live at or 
     below the federal poverty level; and
       Whereas, only 40,754, less than thirty-eight percent, of 
     these low-income senior citizens qualified for participation 
     in the federal food stamp program at the end of February 
     2004, according to the Louisiana Department of Social 
     Services; and
       Whereas, many of these low-income senior citizens subsist 
     on fixed incomes or have supplemental security income (SSI) 
     as their only source of income; and
       Whereas, many of these low-income senior citizens find 
     that, even after being allowed certain medical deductions 
     from income, their incomes disqualify them from receiving 
     assistance through the federal food stamp program or qualify 
     them only for a minimal amount of assistance; and
       Whereas, as a result, many of these low-income senior 
     citizens find themselves at the end of the month without 
     enough money to buy food after meeting other monthly 
     expenses: Therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Louisiana Legislature does hereby 
     memorialize the Congress of the United States of America to 
     study and consider revising the income guidelines for senior 
     citizens and reduce them by ten percent so that they may 
     participate in or receive more assistance through the federal 
     food stamp program; 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-475. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Senate of 
     the Legislature of the State of Louisiana relative to 
     eliminating the ``new shipper'' bonding privilege; to the 
     Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

                  Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 152

       Whereas, antidumping and countervailing duties on imports 
     are implemented to protect domestic fishery, agricultural, 
     and industrial industries from unfairly subsidized imports; 
     and
       Whereas, under the present United States antidumping law, a 
     ``new shipper'' may choose to post low-cost bonds on their 
     imports or the full cash deposit as security for the amount 
     of duties the United States Customs and Border Protection may 
     assess against the imports; and
       Whereas, many exporters, especially from China, are 
     claiming ``new shipper'' status as means of evading the 
     payment of any duties on their imports; and
       Whereas, some ``new shippers'' evade payment of any duties 
     by defaulting or dissolving the company, as shown by the fact 
     that in 2003, the United States Customs and Border Protection 
     failed to collect on $130 million in import duties, with over 
     $100 million of such uncollected duties from Chinese imports; 
     and
       Whereas, the elimination of the option of posting a bond 
     over a full cash deposit will close the loophole used by 
     ``new shippers'' to avoid the payment of antidumping and 
     countervailing duties on imports: Therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Legislature of Louisiana memorializes 
     the Congress of the United States to enact legislation 
     eliminating the ``new shipper'' bonding privilege; be it 
     further
       Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution shall be 
     transmitted to the secretary of the United States Senate and 
     clerk of the United States House of Representatives, and to 
     each member of the Louisiana congressional delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-476. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the State of Michigan relative to emergency 
     supplemental appropriations to strengthen security and 
     increase staffing at United States-Canada border crossings; 
     to the Committee on Appropriations.

                       Senate Resolution No. 118

       Whereas, for generations, the friendly, shared border of 
     4,000 miles between our country and our Canadian neighbors 
     has been a symbol of the blessings of peace. The recent 
     terrorist attacks have, however, shattered our sense of 
     security and prompted a reexamination of how we can better 
     protect ourselves; and
       Whereas, a major component of any new strategy must be 
     making a stronger investment of resources and personnel along 
     our northern border, especially at the crossings between the 
     United States and Canada. The free flow of people and 
     materials crossing our northern border every day reflects our 
     close economic and cultural ties with Canada. The hard 
     lessons learned on September 11, 2001, make it clear that 
     greater scrutiny must be applied at entry points. The United 
     States Customs Service processed 489 million passengers in 
     2000. To monitor this volume of traffic effectively, 
     especially in the era of increased terrorist threats we now 
     face, will require a far greater allocation of staffing, 
     funding, and technology; and
       Whereas, there is widespread agreement that the Customs 
     Service and the Immigration and Naturalization Service are 
     seriously understaffed. This seems to be especially true 
     along our Canadian border when compared to efforts along the 
     Mexican frontier. Allocating a significant portion of the 
     emergency appropriations the President has called for is 
     fundamentally important to our national security and the 
     security of our Canadian neighbors: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate, That we memorialize Congress and 
     the President of the United States to provide emergency 
     supplemental appropriations to strengthen security and 
     increase staffing at United States-Canadian border crossings; 
     and be it further
       Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to 
     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-477. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Senate of 
     the General Assembly of the state of Ohio relative to 
     retention and expansion of all military bases and centers in 
     Ohio; to the Committee on Armed Services.

                  Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 31

       Whereas, the United States Department of Defense is 
     required by law to prepare a list of military bases to be 
     closed or realigned for the Base Closure and Realignment 
     Commission by May 16, 2005. The Department has announced that 
     the 2005 round of closures could have an impact as great as 
     the previous four rounds combined, closing nearly 100 bases; 
     and
       Whereas, the Commission will submit its list to the 
     President of the United States by September 8, 2005, and, if 
     the President approves the list, he will forward it to the 
     United States Congress by September 23, 2005. The Congress 
     will either vote on the approved list, or it will become 
     effective 45 days after submission; and
       Whereas, Ohio's military bases and centers are critical to 
     our national security and impact the present and future 
     capability of our defense force structure nationwide. The 
     state of Ohio has always worked on behalf of a strong 
     national defense and has a long history of outstanding 
     community and state support of Ohio's military bases and 
     centers; and
       Whereas, Ohio has 38,000 defense jobs with a more than $4 
     billion economic impact on our state and local economies, 
     including Wright Patterson Air Force Base as the largest 
     single-site employer in Ohio. Thus, significant closures or 
     defense job losses during the 2005 base realignment and 
     closure process would have an extremely detrimental effect at 
     both the state and local levels: Now therefore be it
       Resolved, That we, the members of the 125th General 
     Assembly of the State of Ohio, express our support for 
     retention and expansion of all military bases and centers in 
     Ohio and encourage all local governments to support the 
     continued operation of those bases and centers at full 
     capacity; and be it further
       Resolved, That we, the members of the 125th General 
     Assembly of the State of Ohio, urge the Governor's All-Ohio 
     Task Force to Save Defense Jobs to work with communities, 
     legislators, local officials, and industry and labor leaders 
     to protect any threatened defense bases and centers and urge 
     local governments and community, industry, and labor leaders 
     to work with the Task Force to enhance the efficiency and 
     effectiveness of Ohio's military bases and centers so that 
     the Department of Defense will fully appreciate the military 
     value of Ohio's defense contributions and exploit those 
     capabilities by moving additional missions to our state, 
     thereby strengthening national defense; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit copies of 
     this resolution to the President of the United States, to the 
     United States Secretary of Defense, to the Speaker and Clerk 
     of the United States House of Representatives, to the 
     President Pro Tempore and the Secretary of the United States 
     Senate, to the members of the Ohio Congressional delegation, 
     to the Governor of Ohio, and to the news media of Ohio.
                                  ____

       POM-478. A concurrent resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the Legislature of the State of New 
     Hampshire relative to the posthumous promotion of Colonel 
     Edward Ephraim Cross; to the Committee on Armed Services.

                   House Concurrent Resolution No. 17

       Whereas, Colonel Edward Ephraim Cross, a native of 
     Lancaster, New Hampshire, was named a colonel by the governor 
     of New Hampshire in 1861 at the outbreak of the Civil War and 
     was given command of the 5th Regiment, New Hampshire 
     Volunteers; and
       Whereas, Colonel Cross valiantly led his regiment through 
     many battles of the Civil War, including the battles of Fair 
     Oaks,

[[Page 16790]]

     Glendale, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, and 
     Gettysburg, and was wounded several times; and
       Whereas, prior to Colonel Cross's untimely death after 
     suffering a wound by a sniper at the Battle of Gettysburg on 
     July 2, 1863, he was informed by his division commander, 
     Major General Winfield Scott Hancock, that he was to be 
     promoted to brigadier general; and
       Whereas, a number of Civil War historians and enthusiasts 
     have over the years made requests of New Hampshire's governor 
     and congressional delegation that Colonel Cross be promoted 
     to brigadier general or brevet brigadier general: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate 
     concurring:
       That the New Hampshire general court finds that Colonel 
     Cross's record of conduct, performance, and devotion to duty 
     reflect his allegiance to the highest standards of the 
     military profession and that, if not for his untimely death 
     at Gettysburg, Colonel Cross would have received a promotion 
     to brigadier general; and
       That the New Hampshire general court urges the governor and 
     the federal government to take the procedural steps necessary 
     to posthumously promote New Hampshire native Colonel Edward 
     Ephraim Cross to the rank of brigadier general; and
       That copies of this resolution be sent by the house clerk 
     to the governor, the President of the United States, the Vice 
     President of the United States, the Speaker of the United 
     States House of Representatives, and the members of the New 
     Hampshire Congressional delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-479. A joint resolution adopted by the General Assembly 
     of the State of Colorado relative to Colorado's reservists 
     and national guard members; to the Committee on Armed 
     Services.

                   House Joint Resolution No. 04-1006

       Whereas, our volunteer military is one of the best in the 
     world; and
       Whereas, a key to the success of this force is its ability 
     to combine active duty troops from the Army, Navy, Air Force, 
     and Marines with the citizen soldiers of the Colorado Reserve 
     and National Guard; and
       Whereas, throughout the history of this state Coloradans 
     have contributed commendable service to this country, and 
     currently Colorado is the proud home of active military bases 
     as well as the ``Home of Heroes'', which has produced 5 
     Congressional Medal of Honor winners; and
       Whereas, the War on Terrorism may go on for many years and 
     may consist of smaller deployments of troops requiring mass 
     support and rapid response; and
       Whereas, there is a great reliance on our Colorado Reserve 
     and National Guard units; and
       Whereas, currently there are over 3,000 Colorado citizen 
     soldiers who have been called up to fight this War on 
     Terrorism both at home and abroad; and
       Whereas, these citizen soldiers are our friends and 
     neighbors; people who live, work, and raise their families 
     here in Colorado; and
       Whereas, these citizen soldiers are standing in the gap for 
     us, activated to fill an essential need, protecting us both 
     here at home and abroad from those who wish us harm; and
       Whereas, while these citizen soldiers stand in the gap for 
     us in our armed forces, keeping the War on Terrorism away 
     from our homes and families, a gap is created in the families 
     they leave behind; and
       Whereas, these Colorado Reservists and members of the 
     Colorado National Guard are often not only spouses, but also 
     parents and frequently the primary breadwinners for their 
     families; and
       Whereas, the stress and financial difficulties resulting 
     from the gap created by the volunteer's absence adds to the 
     burdens of an already worried family; and
       Whereas, while limited emergency relief funds do exist to 
     help ease these financial burdens, these funds are not 
     enough. It is unacceptable for us to stand by and let the 
     burdens that our Reservists, National Guard members, and 
     their families face continue to mount. It is time for the 
     people of Colorado to take action and stand in the gap here 
     at home for Colorado's fighting men and women; and
       Whereas, neighbors helping neighbors is a Western tradition 
     that is still alive and well here in Colorado; and
       Whereas, we, the people of Colorado, must do our part to 
     ensure that our fighting forces may take comfort in knowing 
     that the entire state of Colorado is helping to fill the gap 
     occasioned by their absence from their families so that they 
     may focus on protecting us; and
       Whereas, our role as citizens in the War on Terrorism is 
     not only to function at a heightened state of vigilance 
     throughout our daily lives in order to help prevent another 
     terrorist attack, but also to ensure that our brave Colorado 
     fighting men and women and their families are supported 
     financially, emotionally, and spiritually; and
       Whereas, currently, no Colorado organization exists that 
     allows citizens to help their fellow citizen soldiers who 
     serve either in the Reserves or National Guard lessen these 
     financial burdens; and
       Whereas, recently, The Stand in the Gap Project, Inc., was 
     formed as a not-for-profit organization under section 
     501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code to unite leaders and 
     citizens in working toward a real, financial, and long-term 
     solution for the burdens carried by military families; and
       Whereas, the Stand in the Gap Project, Inc., aims to 
     provide a method by which Colorado citizens can help by 
     contributing their time, treasure, and talent to assist their 
     fellow Coloradans who are standing in the gap through 
     military service; and
       Whereas, the Stand in the Gap Project, Inc., hopes to serve 
     as a catalyst and a focal point for other organizations 
     within the state to help effectively and efficiently reduce 
     the stresses experienced by National Guard and Reserve 
     families here in Colorado: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Sixty-
     fourth General Assembly of the State of Colorado, the Senate 
     concurring herein:
       (1) That we, the members of the Sixty-fourth General 
     Assembly, support the efforts of The Stand in the Gap 
     Project, Inc., and urge our fellow Coloradans to join us in 
     taking responsibility for our troops and their families who 
     struggle to help protect us.
       (2) That we, as Colorado citizen legislators, are committed 
     to doing everything humanly possible to address this problem 
     and that we pledge to stand in the gap for Colorado 
     Reservists, National Guard members, and their families in our 
     own districts and throughout Colorado.
       (3) That we encourage our fellow Coloradans to contact The 
     Stand in the Gap Project, Inc., at 
     www.thestandinthegapproject.org to find out how to contribute 
     to this effort, both financially and through the organization 
     of Stand in the Gap events in their own communities.
       (4) That we urge all Coloradans to join in this effort and 
     to continue to work to stand in the gap for our citizen 
     soldiers until they all come safely home; be it further
       Resolved, That copies of this joint resolution be sent to 
     George W. Bush, President of the United States; Dick Cheney, 
     Vice President of the United States; Donald H. Rumsfeld, 
     Secretary of Defense; J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the 
     United States House of Representatives; Ted Stevens, 
     President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate; the 
     members of Colorado's congressional delegation; The Stand in 
     the Gap Project, Inc.; and the local affiliates of the 
     Colorado Reserve and National Guard.
                                  ____

       POM-480. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of California relative to military airfares; to the 
     Committee on Armed Services.

                     Senate Joint Resolution No. 16

       Whereas, many thousands of Californians are serving in the 
     United States military in stations spread throughout the 
     world; and
       Whereas, many of these men and women are in grave danger 
     due to their engagement in, or exposure to, combat 
     situations; and
       Whereas, military service often requires individuals to be 
     separated from their families on short notice for long 
     periods of time under stressful conditions; and
       Whereas, it is the patriotic duty of all Americans to 
     support the men and women of the United States Armed Forces 
     who are defending American interests around the world at 
     great personal sacrifice: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and Assembly of the State of 
     California, jointly, That the Legislature of the State of 
     California urges all airline companies in the United States 
     to permanently establish, for active duty military personnel, 
     a reduced price airfare equal to, or lower than, the lowest 
     airfare offered for each ticketed flight, and that the 
     airfare be free from time restrictions and fees or penalties 
     for changes; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Legislature of the State of California 
     expresses gratitude to the commercial airline companies 
     currently supporting our active duty military personnel 
     through company policies that provide reduced airfares, 
     flexible policies, and the use of frequent flyer award 
     programs; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Legislature of the State of California 
     commends those commercial airline companies that support 
     their employees who participate in National Guard and 
     Military Reserve duty and are on leave from those companies 
     for military duty; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies 
     of this resolution to the President of the United States, to 
     all Members of the Congress of the United States, to the 
     Chair of the Federal Aviation Administration, and to the 
     chief executive' officer of every airline company in the 
     United States.
                                  ____

       POM-481. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the State of Michigan relative to funding for 
     the dredging of canals around the city of Gibraltar; to the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

                       Senate Resolution No. 234

       Whereas, the city of Gibraltar in Wayne County is a unique 
     community, with more than five miles of canals bisecting the 
     city and its four islands of residences. These public 
     transportation routes include access to

[[Page 16791]]

     public and private facilities, including boat ramps and 
     marinas. Thousands of people use the canals each year; and
       Whereas, with no dredging of the Gibraltar canals since the 
     late 1950s, the use of the canals is today significantly 
     threatened by the buildup of sediment throughout the system. 
     Boating traffic is hampered by the buildup. The task of 
     dealing with the Gibraltar canals is made more complex by the 
     results of testing that has identified contamination in the 
     sediment. This fact will greatly increase the costs of 
     dredging and disposal of the sediment; and
       Whereas, the costs of dredging the canals is far beyond the 
     resources available within the community of Gibraltar, and 
     the canals are available to and used by many more people than 
     residents of Gibraltar. This work clearly needs to be 
     completed. The Gibraltar canals are notable components of the 
     Detroit River system, and maintaining the quality of the 
     canals is work that is strongly related to the quality of 
     this vital part of our water transportation network. It is 
     essential that necessary resources be directed to this task: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate, That we memorialize the Congress of 
     the United States to provide funding for the dredging of 
     canals around the city of Gibraltar; 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-482. A concurrent memorial adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the Legislature of the State of Arizona 
     relative to responsibility for surface transportation policy; 
     to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

                   House Concurrent Memorial No. 2003

       Whereas, the motoring public in this state pays a federal 
     fuel tax of 18.4 cents per gallon, and Congress has recently 
     considered raising that tax by 5.4 cents per gallon, an 
     increase of nearly one-third, with ongoing increases by 
     indexation thereafter; and
       Whereas, for nearly half a century the federal fuel tax has 
     supported the Federal Highway Administration, which was 
     formed in 1956 to build the interstate highway system and 
     which successfully completed that mission by the mid-1980s; 
     and
       Whereas, most of the transportation problems that confront 
     travelers today are local or regional, and state and local 
     governments can respond to them more effectively than distant 
     bureaucracies; and
       Whereas, a growing share of the federal fuel tax is 
     diverted to purposes other than highways and roads, including 
     urban mass transit, ferry boats, commuter rails, historic 
     renovation, hiking trails, landscaping, covered bridges, 
     scenic byways and Appalachian redevelopment, which benefit 
     narrow yet influential constituencies at the expense of the 
     motoring public; and
       Whereas, the federal government often threatens to withhold 
     a state's share of federal highway money in order to force 
     the state to comply with a variety of federal mandates, 
     including clean air and safety standards, law enforcement and 
     union contracts; and
       Whereas, the federal management of highway funding results 
     in a subsidy to wealthier states and slower growing states at 
     the expense of less affluent states and fast growing states 
     with greater transportation needs; and
       Whereas, ``turnback'' legislation that would give each 
     state full control of the federal fuel tax revenues collected 
     by that state has been proposed in several past sessions of 
     Congress and has again been introduced as H.R. 3113, the 
     Transportation Empowerment Act.
       Wherefore your memorialist, the House of Representatives of 
     the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring, prays:
       1. That the Congress of the United States enact legislation 
     that would return to the states full responsibility to 
     formulate and implement their own surface transportation 
     priorities by allowing each state to retain the revenues from 
     the federal tax on fuel that is sold within its borders.
       2. 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 
     President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives of each state's legislature and each Member 
     of Congress from the State of Arizona.
                                  ____

       POM-483. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the State of Illinois relative to the cost of 
     motor fuel; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

                       Senate Resolution No. 102

       Whereas, the price of gasoline has reached an average $1.70 
     per gallon nationwide; and
       Whereas, the price of gasoline continues to climb, to the 
     extent that some experts have predicted prices of $2.50 per 
     gallon in the near future: Therefore, be it
       Resolved, by the Senate of the Ninety-Third General 
     Assembly of the State of Illinois, That we call upon the 
     United States Congress to investigate and determine why the 
     cost of motor fuel is so high and climbing; and be it further
       Resolved, That suitable copies of this resolution be 
     delivered to the President pro tempore of the U.S. Senate, 
     the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and each 
     member of the Illinois congressional delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-484. A resolution adopted by the Council of the City of 
     Parma of the State of Ohio relative to the No Oil Producing 
     and Exporting Cartels Act of 2004 (NOPEC); to the Committee 
     on Energy and Natural Resources.
                                  ____

       POM-485. A concurrent memorial adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the Legislature of the State of Arizona 
     relative to Luke Air Force Base and Yuma Army Proving Ground; 
     to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

                   House Concurrent Memorial No. 2011

       Whereas, the State of Arizona, its local governments and 
     its people recognize the vital role Arizona's Barry M. 
     Goldwater Range and other military facilities play in 
     ensuring our military's unparalleled training, combat 
     readiness and air superiority in protecting American freedom; 
     and
       Whereas, Luke Air Force Base has operated continuously 
     since 1951 as a top rate pilot training facility, plays a 
     vital role in our nation's military superiority, is the home 
     of the largest fighter wing in the United States Air Force, 
     trains all F-16 pilots and crew chiefs for the United States 
     Air Force and is strategically located within fifty miles of 
     the Barry M. Goldwater Range; and
       Whereas, in 1951 Luke Air Force Base and its related 
     auxiliary fields was located in an unurbanized, agricultural 
     portion of the Phoenix metropolitan area, but is now within 
     one of the fastest growing counties and municipal areas in 
     the Nation and State of Arizona, which has exacerbated the 
     challenges caused by urbanization in the Phoenix metropolitan 
     area; and
       Whereas, the preservation of Luke Air Force Base is an 
     issue of national, state and local concern; and
       Whereas, the State of Arizona, local communities and 
     landowners surrounding Luke Air Force Base and its related 
     auxiliary fields have made substantial strides in preserving 
     the mission of Luke Air Force Base and those efforts have 
     been held as a model around the Nation for military 
     facilities preservation; and
       Whereas, the preservation efforts have placed a 
     considerably disproportionate burden on the surrounding 
     landowners of protecting a vital national defense asset; and
       Whereas, despite the efforts Luke Air Force Base and its 
     related auxiliary fields continue to face the increasing 
     challenges caused by considerable growth; and
       Whereas, additional land use restrictions surrounding Luke 
     Air Force Base and its related auxiliary fields are 
     impractical to implement without imposing an even greater and 
     disproportionate burden on the landowners, many of whom's 
     families have owned and farmed the surrounding lands before 
     the presence of Luke Air Force Base; and
       Whereas, the federal government has extraordinary 
     landholdings in Arizona and the best long-term public policy 
     solution for the preservation of Luke Air Force Base and its 
     related auxiliary fields is a voluntary land exchange between 
     the United States Bureau of Land Management and the owners of 
     the vacant land and farm land within the high noise or 
     accident potential :ones surrounding Luke Air Force Base and 
     its related auxiliary fields; and
       Whereas, the United States Army Yuma Proving Ground was 
     established in 1942 and has continuously operated as a 
     multipurpose training and testing facility able to test 
     nearly every weapon system in the ground combat arsenal; and
       Whereas, at one thousand three hundred square miles, Yuma 
     Army Proving Ground has the size to allow Army weapon systems 
     to fully exercise their capabilities, and to continue testing 
     advanced systems capable of reaching greater distances 
     requiring a larger footprint without endangering the public; 
     and
       Whereas, Yuma Army Proving Ground is a national and 
     international testing site for innovations in security, 
     surveillance and weaponry systems; and
       Whereas, Yuma Army Proving Ground is the United States 
     Army's center for desert natural environment testing and its 
     climate, terrain and excellent range facilities make almost 
     perfect testing and training conditions; and
       Whereas, in the last ten years, Yuma Army Proving Ground 
     has become a key location for training operations for all 
     services because of the similarity of its terrain and climate 
     to the Middle East; and
       Whereas, the mission of Yuma Army Proving Ground is an 
     issue of national, state and local concern; and
       Whereas, there remains within the boundaries of the Yuma 
     Army Proving Ground testing and training ranges many parcels 
     of property owned by both private land owners and the State 
     of Arizona; and

[[Page 16792]]

       Whereas, these privately and publicly owned lands within 
     the boundaries of the Yuma Army Proving Ground testing and 
     training ranges are a safety concern and compromise the 
     overal1 mission and safety of the base; and
       Whereas, the federal government has vast land holdings in 
     the vicinity of Yuma Army Proving Ground and the best long 
     term policy solution for the preservation of the Yuma Army 
     Proving Grounds is a voluntary exchange of land between the 
     United States Bureau of Land Management and the owners of 
     private property, and between the Bureau of Land Management 
     and the State of Arizona for the property that is located 
     within the boundaries of the testing and training ranges; and
       Whereas, such land exchanges would otherwise compromise the 
     overall safety establish protections needed to eliminate the 
     challenges caused by growth, pressures.
       Wherefore your memorialist, the House of Representatives of 
     the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring, prays:
       1. That the United States Congress, through statutory 
     authority, authorize the United States Bureau of Land 
     Management to prepare and execute a land trade of equitable 
     value between the United States and the landowners of vacant 
     land and farm land within the high noise or accident 
     potential zones of Luke Air Force Base and its related 
     auxiliary fields.
       2. That the United States Congress, through statutory 
     authority, authorize the United States Bureau of Land 
     Management to prepare and execute a land trade between the 
     United States and the private property owners and between the 
     United States and the State of Arizona for land outside the 
     boundaries of the Yuma Army Proving Ground testing and 
     training ranges.
       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 and each Member of Congress from the State 
     of Arizona.
                                  ____

       POM-486. A resolution adopted by the California State Lands 
     Commission relative to the federal moratorium on oil and gas 
     leasing off the California Coast; to the Committee on Energy 
     and Natural Resources.
                                  ____

       POM-487. A resolution adopted by the California State Lands 
     Commission relative to the Commission on Ocean Policy and the 
     Pew Oceans Commission report; to the Committee on Energy and 
     Natural Resources.
                                  ____

       POM-488. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the House Representatives of the Legislature of the State 
     of Louisiana relative to water-related environmental 
     infrastructure and resource development and protection 
     projects in Louisiana; to the Committee on Environment and 
     Public Works.

                   House Concurrent Resolution No. 61

       Whereas, during Fiscal Year 2000, the United States 
     Congress appropriated the sum of twenty-five million dollars 
     through Section 592 of the Water Resources Development Act 
     for the establishment of water-related environmental 
     infrastructure and resource protection and development 
     projects in the state of Mississippi; and
       Whereas, it has been indicated that congress is now 
     considering the allocation of additional Section 592 funds to 
     the state of Mississippi; and
       Whereas, the state of Louisiana is experiencing water-
     related environmental problems, such as the depletion of 
     portions of the Sparta and Chicot Aquifers and the 
     contamination of available water supplies by effluent from 
     wastewater treatment plants; and
       Whereas, the public interest is served by utilizing federal 
     funds to establish programs in the state of Louisiana to 
     provide water-related environmental infrastructure and 
     resource development and protection projects, including but 
     not limited to wastewater treatment and related facilities, 
     elimination or control of combined sewer overflows, water 
     supply and related facilities, environmental restoration, and 
     surface water resource protection and development: Therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the Louisiana Legislature does hereby 
     memorialize the United States Congress to appropriate funds 
     for design and construction assistance for water-related 
     environmental infrastructure and resource development and 
     protection projects in Louisiana; 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-489. A concurrent resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the Legislature of the State of Louisiana 
     relative to Mississippi River Gulf Outlet; to the Committee 
     on Environment and Public Works.

                   House Concurrent Resolution No. 68

       Whereas, the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO), a 
     seventy-mile long manmade navigation channel which connects 
     the Gulf of Mexico to the Port of New Orleans was authorized 
     by the United States Congress in 1956 to be six hundred fifty 
     feet wide at the surface, five hundred feet at the bottom, 
     and to have a guaranteed channel depth of thirty-six feet; 
     and
       Whereas, initial expectations were that the channel would 
     create a regional economic boom in the short term due to 
     construction jobs, but also in the long term due to the 
     industrial development associated with the commerce that 
     would come to the area through the shipping concerns; and
       Whereas, the impact of the MRGO on the surrounding parishes 
     has been more loss than boom--loss of nearly three thousand 
     five hundred acres of fresh and intermediate marsh, loss of 
     over ten thousand acres of brackish marsh, loss of over four 
     thousand acres of saline marsh, loss of nearly fifteen 
     hundred acres of cypress swamps and forest; and
       Whereas, although the channel was authorized for only six 
     hundred fifty feet across and thirty-six feet deep, today the 
     channel is more than twenty-two hundred feet across, and the 
     United States Army Corps of Engineers has routinely dredged 
     the channel to over forty feet deep to accommodate bigger 
     ships than were authorized by the United States Congress at 
     an average cost of more than twenty-two million dollars; and
       Whereas, the loss of marsh and land has put the surrounding 
     area at much greater risk for more frequent and more drastic 
     tidal surges and more prolonged flooding as a result of 
     tropical storms and hurricanes, with the severity getting 
     worse as there is greater and greater loss; and
       Whereas, the loss of marsh habitat has altered the 
     ecosystem throughout the basin resulting in the loss of 
     habitat for more than six hundred fifty thousand fur-bearing 
     animals and similar losses to waterfowl, a movement from a 
     dominant white shrimp fishery toward a dominant brown shrimp 
     fishery, and the movement of oyster production farther and 
     farther inland with the movement inland of the saltwater 
     line, all of which alters the economic foundation for the 
     region; and
       Whereas, in addition to the alterations caused in the 
     fishery and wildlife dependent enterprises, there are impacts 
     on the everyday lives of the people who live in the area--
     impacts which are being felt by a significantly larger 
     population that must live with the threat of storm-driven 
     flood surge, which will cause death and destroy personal 
     property, both land and homes, and their communities through 
     the loss of schools, libraries, public facilities including 
     water purification plants and sewerage treatment plants; and
       Whereas, also in danger of destruction due to the loss of 
     land caused by the MRGO are major oil refineries and miles of 
     pipelines, a sugar refinery, gas condensate recovery plants, 
     and manufacturing plants which together can be valued in 
     excess of three hundred billion dollars with a work force of 
     nearly fifty thousand people at a time when the state is 
     desperately seeking economic development opportunities; and
       Whereas, as long ago as the 1960s it was becoming apparent 
     that the anticipated economic benefits were not likely to 
     materialize, and St. Bernard Parish officials began to call 
     attention to the environmental impacts and damages to the 
     point where by the 1980s the MRGO began to be termed an 
     ``environmental nightmare''; and
       Whereas, in 1993 the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation 
     first called for the closure of the MRGO because of its 
     environmental impact throughout the Pontchartrain Basin, and 
     this was followed in 1998 by the ``Coast 2050 Plan'', adopted 
     by the Department of Natural Resources, including its 
     recommendation for closure of the MRGO; and
       Whereas, in 1999, a MRGO task force convened by the 
     Environmental Protection Agency at the request of Congressman 
     Tauzin also recommended closure of the channel; and
       Whereas, the Congress of the United States has authorized 
     the construction of a new lock on the Inner Harbor Navigation 
     Canal which will serve to provide access to ocean going 
     vessels which are now using the MRGO; and
       Whereas, the Congress of the United States has failed to 
     provide full funding capability for the lock project and 
     thereby delayed its completion: Therefore be it
       Resolved by the Legislature of Louisiana, That the United 
     States Congress and the Louisiana Congressional Delegation 
     are hereby memorialized to authorize the full funding 
     capability of the United States Army Corps of Engineers for 
     the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal lock project; be it further
       Resolved by the Legislature of Louisiana, That the time for 
     study and recommendation has passed and that the United 
     States Congress, the Louisiana Congressional Delegation, and 
     the United States Army Corps of Engineers are hereby 
     memorialized to promptly close the Mississippi River Gulf 
     Outlet in the manner contemplated by the Coast 2050 Plan; be 
     it further
       Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to 
     the United States Congress, the Louisiana Congressional 
     Delegation, and the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
                                  ____

       POM-490. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Senate of 
     the Legislature of the State of Louisiana relative to a 
     hurricane evacuation route in Louisiana Mississippi; to the

[[Page 16793]]

     Committee on Environment and Public Works.

                  Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 20

       Whereas, every hurricane season raises the prospect and 
     threat of a hurricane hitting southeastern Louisiana from 
     such a direction as to wreak enormous flooding, loss of life, 
     and other devastation; and
       Whereas, Louisiana's hurricane evacuation routes are 
     growing increasingly vulnerable to coastal storm surge and 
     flooding, and measures need to be taken as soon as possible 
     to ensure the safe navigation of the residents inland; and
       Whereas, due to the large population in the southern part 
     of Louisiana and vulnerability to the destruction of property 
     and businesses due to hurricanes and tropical storms, the 
     development of a hurricane evacuation route is necessary for 
     the protection and safe evacuation of the residents of south 
     Louisiana; and
       Whereas, the proposed evacuation route would offer a four-
     lane route from New Orleans, Louisiana along Highway 25 to 
     the Mississippi state line, and continue along Mississippi 
     Highway 27 to Crystal Springs, Mississippi to intersect with 
     Interstate 55; and
       Whereas, additionally, the proposed evacuation route should 
     include a four-lane route from Paris Road, which is also 
     known as Louisiana Highway 47, and connect in New Orleans 
     into the proposed four-lane evacuation route from New 
     Orleans, Louisiana to the Mississippi state line; and
       Whereas, since Highway 25 and Highway 47 are already 
     designated as evacuation routes, each of the proposed four-
     lanes would become a critical element to move thousands of 
     people from New Orleans and the North Shore to safe areas 
     northward: therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Legislature of Louisiana memorializes 
     the Congress of the United States to appropriate and expedite 
     funding for the development of a hurricane evacuation route 
     in Louisiana and Mississippi; be it further
       Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution 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-491. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Legislature of the State of Michigan relative to ownership of 
     mineral rights and surface rights on state and federal lands 
     in Michigan; to the Committee on Environment and Public 
     Works.

                       Senate Resolution No. 171

       Whereas, State-owned land in Michigan amounts to 
     approximately 12 percent of the acreage, and the federal 
     government manages another 8 percent of Michigan's surface 
     area. This large percentage of state and federal land 
     ownership is especially significant in the situations in 
     which ownership of mineral rights is not consistent with the 
     ownership of the surface rights; and
       Whereas, the degree to which the rights to minerals do not 
     align with rights to the surface of the land is cause for 
     considerable litigation and frustration in Michigan. This 
     frustration is felt by citizen groups, energy companies, 
     local units of government, and all consumers of gas and oil; 
     and
       Whereas, the state of Michigan has jurisdiction over both 
     mineral and surface rights on 3.8 million acres of land and 
     mineral rights alone on another 2.1 million acres. Maps 
     showing ownership of property in Michigan reflect a crazy 
     quilt of ownership. The common situation of surface land 
     ownership differing from ownership of the mineral rights 
     below presents many problems to our state. This nonalignment 
     of ownership makes it difficult to protect land from 
     development and difficult to develop to extract the energy 
     that our society needs. Instead, expensive and minimally 
     productive litigation can be the result; and
       Whereas, it would be far more productive for the state and 
     federal governments to work together to do all possible to 
     minimize conflicts in ownership between surface rights and 
     mineral rights: now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate, That we memorialize the Congress of 
     the United States, the Department of Interior, the Bureau of 
     Land Management, the National Forest Service, and the 
     Department of Energy to work with Michigan officials to 
     exchange property to align the ownership of mineral rights 
     and surface rights on state and federal lands in Michigan and 
     to express our intent to take actions to achieve this goal; 
     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, the members of the 
     Michigan congressional delegation, the Bureau of Land 
     Management, the Department of Interior, the National Forest 
     Service, and the Department of Energy.

                          ____________________