[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Pages 16345-16347]
[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-128. A resolution adopted by the Monroe County Board of 
     County Commissioners of the State of Florida urging Congress 
     to appropriate the funds necessary to bring the Herbert 
     Hoover Dike into compliance with current levee protection 
     safety standards and to expedite funding for the improvements 
     through the prompt enactment of the Energy and Water 
     Appropriations Bill; to the Committee on Environment and 
     Public Works.
       POM-129. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Maine urging Congress and the Federal 
     Communications Commission to forego imposing a cap on Federal 
     Universal Service Fund support for Maine's rural wireless 
     carriers; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation.

                            Joint Resolution

       We, your Memorialists, the Members of the One Hundred and 
     Twenty-Third Legislature of the State of Maine now assembled 
     in the First Regular Session, most respectfully present and 
     petition the United States Congress and the Federal 
     Communications Commission as follows:
       Whereas, the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 through 
     the establishment of the Federal Universal Service Fund was 
     intended to promote the availability of quality services at 
     just, reasonable and affordable prices, increased access to 
     advanced telecommunications services throughout the Nation 
     and the availability of quality services to all consumers, 
     including those in low-income, rural, insular and high-cost 
     areas, at rates that are reasonably comparable to those 
     charged in urban areas; and
       Whereas, the intended goals of that legislation have not 
     been met in the State of Maine, and many of Maine's 
     communities have no wireless services or inadequate wireless 
     service; and
       Whereas, the failure to achieve the goals of improved and 
     high-quality services has, and will continue to have, a 
     direct and substantial negative impact on the health and 
     safety of the people living and working in Maine's rural 
     areas; and
       Whereas, the failure to achieve this goal of high-quality 
     wireless services at just, reasonable and affordable rates to 
     everyone is a very significant barrier to the economic 
     development of much of rural Maine; and
       Whereas, there are 2 rural wireless carriers in Maine that 
     have successfully sought certification as eligible 
     telecommunications carriers and have used the federal 
     universal service funding they have received to construct 
     significant additional wireless infrastructure in rural 
     Maine; and
       Whereas, the Maine Public Utilities Commission has 
     certified that these Maine rural wireless carriers have used 
     the funds received from the federal universal service fund in 
     a manner consistent with all laws and regulations governing 
     the funds; and
       Whereas, the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service 
     has recommended that the Federal Communications Commission 
     impose a cap on funding for competitive eligible 
     telecommunications carriers; and
       Whereas, this recommended cap would limit Federal Universal 
     Service Fund support for Maine's rural wireless carriers 
     currently receiving these funds; and
       Whereas, the proposed cap on funding would serve to 
     undercut the purpose and objective of the federal 
     telecommunications Act of 1996 by impairing the ability of 
     Maine's wireless eligible telecommunications carriers to 
     expand infrastructure into rural Maine so that rural and 
     urban wireless service is equal, as promised by that act; 
     now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That We, your Memorialists, on behalf of the 
     people we represent, take this opportunity to request that 
     the Federal Communications Commission reject the cap proposed 
     by the Federal State Joint Board on Universal Service; and be 
     it further
       Resolved, That We, your Memorialists, respectfully urge and 
     request that the United States Congress take action to repeal 
     the cap if it is adopted by the Federal Communications 
     Commission; and be it further
       Resolved, That suitable copies of this resolution, duly 
     authenticated by the Secretary of State, be transmitted to 
     the Honorable Kevin J. Martin, Chairman of the Federal 
     Communications Commission, to the President of the United 
     States Senate, to the Speaker of the United States House of 
     Representatives and to each Member of the Maine Congressional 
     Delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-130. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Nevada urging the Secretary of the Interior to 
     fully fund the interagency airtanker base programs for 
     wildland fire suppression in Battle Mountain, Minden and 
     Stead; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

                    Assembly Joint Resolution No. 7

       Whereas, the United States Department of the Interior, 
     through the Bureau of Land Management, has provided vital 
     fire suppression services to the State of Nevada; and
       Whereas, these services include air support for wildland 
     fire suppression in northern Nevada through interagency 
     airtanker base operations at the Battle Mountain, Minden-
     Tahoe and Reno Stead Airports; and
       Whereas, the areas of service include the forests and 
     watershed surrounding Lake Tahoe, one of the nation's 
     premiere natural treasures, and the Wildland urban interface 
     along the Sierra Front in both Nevada and California; and
       Whereas, in July 2006, Nevada ranked first in the nation in 
     the amount of wildland acreage burned by wildfire in the 
     United States; and
       Whereas, the Federal Government owns and manages 87 percent 
     of the land in Nevada; and
       Whereas, the Bureau of Land Management has provided 
     exemplary air support for fighting the wildland fires which 
     have threatened Nevada's residents, private property, public 
     lands and other valuable natural resources; and
       Whereas, the Sierra Front has complex and challenging 
     conditions that generate volatile and high-intensity wildland 
     fires which are fought over rugged terrain, and airtankers 
     are a critical component of the fight, being used primarily 
     for initial attack and support; and
       Whereas, continued funding for the full operation of the 
     interagency airtanker base programs in Battle Mountain, 
     Minden and Stead with single-engine airtankers that can 
     provide the quick response needed for early suppression of a 
     wildland fire is critical; and
       Whereas, the Secretary of the Interior has the authority to 
     authorize the expenditure of money to provide full funding 
     for the interagency airtanker base programs: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved by the Assembly and Senate of the State of Nevada, 
     jointly, That the members of the 74th Session of the Nevada 
     Legislature hereby urge the Secretary of the Interior to 
     fully fund the interagency airtanker base programs for 
     wildland fire suppression in Battle Mountain, Minden and 
     Stead; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly prepare and 
     transmit a copy of this resolution to the Vice President of 
     the United States as the presiding officer of the United 
     States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 
     the Secretary of the Interior and each member of the Nevada 
     Congressional Delegation; and be it further
       Resolved, That this resolution becomes effective upon 
     passage.
                                  ____

       POM-131. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Nevada urging Congress to allow certain proceeds 
     from the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act of 1998 
     to be used for Nevada's state parks; to the Committee on 
     Energy and Natural Resources.

                    Assembly Joint Resolution No. 9

       Whereas, in 1998, Congress passed the Southern Nevada 
     Public Land Management Act of 1998, Public Law 105-263, which 
     allows the Secretary of the Interior to sell certain federal 
     lands in Clark County, Nevada, for possible development and 
     authorizes use of the proceeds to acquire, conserve and 
     protect environmentally sensitive lands in the State of 
     Nevada; and
       Whereas, under the provisions of the Act, 5 percent of the 
     profits from sales of the land is allocated to help fund 
     education, 10 percent is allocated for water and airport 
     infrastructure projects and the remaining 85 percent is 
     deposited into a special account for disbursement; and
       Whereas, the money in the special account is specified for 
     certain capital improvement projects, including projects at 
     Lake Mead, Red Rock Canyon, the Desert National Wildlife 
     Refuge and other federally managed recreational areas, the 
     development of parks, trails and a multispecies habitat 
     conservation plan in and around Clark County, the acquisition 
     of environmentally sensitive lands, and restoration and 
     conservation of the Lake Tahoe Basin; and
       Whereas, since the first auction of land in 1999, this Act 
     has generated approximately $3 billion, $2.5 billion of which 
     has been disbursed from the special account; and
       Whereas, although the money distributed pursuant to the Act 
     has been used for the enhancement and conservation of many 
     federally managed areas in Nevada, there are numerous state 
     parks in Nevada which could also benefit from this money; and
       Whereas, with the growing popularity of the many rural 
     recreational and historic sites in Nevada, it is vital that 
     Nevada's state parks be maintained and preserved for the 
     continued enjoyment of the residents of Nevada and its 
     tourists; Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Assembly and Senate of the State of Nevada, 
     jointly, That the members of the Nevada Legislature urge 
     Congress to amend the Southern Nevada Public Land Management 
     Act of 1998 to authorize the State of Nevada to use a portion 
     of the money in the special account for the improvement and 
     preservation of Nevada's state parks; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly prepare and 
     transmit a copy of this resolution to the Vice President of 
     the United States as the presiding officer of the United 
     States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 
     the Secretary of the Interior and each member of the Nevada 
     Congressional Delegation; and be it further

[[Page 16346]]

       Resolved, That this resolution becomes effective upon 
     passage.
                                  ____

       POM-132. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Nevada urging Congress to provide additional 
     appropriations or any other form of assistance to federal 
     agencies and the State of Nevada for the prevention and 
     suppression of wildfires and the rehabilitation of public 
     rangelands destroyed by wildfires in Nevada; to the Committee 
     on Energy and Natural Resources.

                     Senate Joint Resolution No. 13

       Whereas, during 2005, approximately 1,032,104 acres of land 
     were burned by 794 wildfires occurring in Nevada; and
       Whereas, during 2006, approximately 1,468,189 acres of land 
     were burned in Nevada, thereby making Nevada one of the 
     highest ranking states for the amount of land destroyed by 
     wildfires; and
       Whereas, the costs of suppressing wildfires for federal 
     agencies nationwide is significant, totaling approximately 
     $161,403,000 for the Bureau of Land Management and 
     approximately $614,000,000 for the United States Forest 
     Service for the fire season for 2005; and
       Whereas, approximately 87 percent of the land in Nevada is 
     controlled by the Federal Government, and much of that land 
     includes public rangelands that are used in rural areas of 
     Nevada to support the local ranching industry; and
       Whereas, the production of livestock is an important asset 
     for rural communities; and
       Whereas, when wildfires occur on public land, those 
     wildfires often destroy portions of the public rangelands in 
     Nevada, thereby making them unavailable for use until 
     rehabilitated; Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and Assembly of the State of Nevada, 
     jointly, That the members of the Nevada Legislature hereby 
     urge Congress to provide additional appropriations or any 
     other form of assistance to federal agencies and the State of 
     Nevada in the prevention and suppression of wildfires and the 
     rehabilitation of public rangelands destroyed by wildfires in 
     Nevada; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate prepare and 
     transmit a copy of this resolution to the Vice President of 
     the United States as the presiding officer of the United 
     States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 
     the Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations of the United 
     States Senate, the Chairman of the Committee on 
     Appropriations of the United States House of Representatives 
     and each member of the Nevada Congressional Delegation; and 
     be it further
       Resolved, That this resolution becomes effective upon 
     passage.
                                  ____

       POM-133. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Maine urging Congress to fully appropriate the 
     money for radioactive waste management; to the Committee on 
     Environment and Public Works.

                            Joint Resolution

       Whereas, a nuclear-powered electric generation facility was 
     located in Maine at Wiscasset's Bailey Point; and
       Whereas, spent nuclear fuel and greater-than-class-C, high-
     level radioactive waste is currently being stored in Maine in 
     dry casks 300 yards from the coastal tide of the Sheepscot 
     River, at only 21 feet above sea level; and
       Whereas, dry cask storage is now being required at the 
     Maine Yankee interim storage site well after the expiration 
     of its license to produce electricity; and
       Whereas, continued storage of high-level radioactive spent 
     nuclear fuel and greater-than-class-C, high-level waste in 
     dry casks at the Wiscasset site is not in the best interests 
     of the citizens of that community, nor of the State of Maine; 
     and
       Whereas, the Federal Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 
     established a national policy that the Federal Government is 
     responsible for safe, permanent disposal in a geologic 
     repository of all high-level radioactive waste, including 
     spent nuclear fuel from commercial power reactors and 
     greater-than-class-C waste, as well as military nuclear 
     waste; and
       Whereas, the 109th Congress failed to enact a budget for 
     the nuclear waste disposal program for the current fiscal 
     year and took no action on proposed legislation to reform the 
     federal Nuclear Waste Fund to provide more reliable financing 
     of the repository program; and
       Whereas, the Federal Accountability for Nuclear Waste 
     Storage Act of 2007 (S. 784) has been introduced in this 
     Congress, requiring the Federal Government to assume legal 
     ownership of all spent nuclear fuel in the country; and
       Whereas, the ratepayers of nuclear energy, including Maine, 
     have paid an estimated $19,000,000,000 into the federal 
     Nuclear Waste Fund for the proper disposal of nuclear waste 
     since 1983, and the ratepayers of nuclear energy pay into the 
     Nuclear Waste Fund at least $750,000,000 each year for the 
     purpose of a national repository; and
       Whereas, the United States Department of Energy now affirms 
     it cannot initiate retrieval of repository waste for disposal 
     any sooner than 2017 at the very earliest, 19 years past the 
     federal Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 statutory mandate 
     date for initiating retrieval, and the Department of Energy's 
     Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management will need 
     full funding to submit a construction application to the 
     United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission by June 2008; and
       Whereas, the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission 
     requires a minimum of 3 years to review such an application; 
     and
       Whereas, in order to meet the 2008 license application 
     milestone, the President's budget for fiscal year 2008 
     requests $202,500,000 from the Nuclear Waste Fund and 
     $292,000,000 from the Defense Nuclear Waste Disposal 
     appropriation to achieve these goals; Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That We, your Memorialists, respectfully urge and 
     request that the United States Congress fully appropriate the 
     $494,500,000 budget request for the civilian radioactive 
     waste management program; and be it further
       Resolved, That Congress should enact legislation that will 
     ensure repository appropriations to match annual Nuclear 
     Waste Fund fee revenue collected from ratepayers for this 
     specific purpose, and ensuring the future availability of any 
     and all surplus for its intended purpose; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Legislature of the State of Maine 
     opposes the proposed Federal Accountability for Nuclear Waste 
     Storage Act of 2007 and any proposal for the Federal 
     Government to take title to spent nuclear fuel in this State 
     if the effect of such an action would be that spent nuclear 
     fuel would be kept in Maine without any protection from its 
     long-term effects on the State's population and from acts of 
     intrusion that would endanger the State's environmental and 
     economic well-being; and be it further
       Resolved, That suitable copies of this resolution, duly 
     authenticated by the Secretary of State, be transmitted to 
     the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United States, 
     to the President of the United States Senate, to the Speaker 
     of the United States House of Representatives and to each 
     Member of the Maine Congressional Delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-134. A resolution adopted by the General Assembly of 
     the State of New Jersey urging Congress to enact the Military 
     Death Benefit Improvement Act of 2005; to the Committee on 
     Armed Services.

                      Assembly Resolution No. 126

       Whereas, the bill before Congress known as the Military 
     Death Benefit Improvement Act of 2005 proposes to increase 
     the military death gratuity from $12,000 to $100,000; and
       Whereas, the military death gratuity is money provided 
     within 72 hours to assist with the immediate financial needs 
     of families of service members who are killed while on active 
     duty; and
       Whereas, this legislation would apply not only to those who 
     are currently serving on active duty in the military, but 
     would also be applied retroactively to all active duty 
     service members who have died since September 11, 2001; and
       Whereas, the current military death gratuity of $12,000 is 
     woefully inadequate to compensate families who have made the 
     ultimate sacrifice; and
       Whereas, in the face of the great emotional hardship caused 
     by the loss of a loved one, the families of our brave 
     servicemen and women should not also be faced with financial 
     hardship; and
       Whereas, the passage of the Military Death Benefit 
     Improvement Act of 2005 will send a message to all men and 
     women in uniform that their government and their country 
     recognize and appreciate their service and sacrifice; now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, by the General Assembly of the State of New 
     Jersey:
       1. This House strongly supports an increase in the military 
     death gratuity from $12,000 to $100,000, and urges the 
     President and Congress to enact legislation (H.R. 292 and S. 
     44) implementing this policy.
       2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by 
     the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk 
     of the General Assembly, shall be transmitted to the 
     President of the United States, the Vice President of the 
     United States, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 
     and each member of New Jersey's Congressional delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-135. A resolution adopted by the General Assembly of 
     the State of New Jersey expressing strong opposition to the 
     surge of U.S. troops in Iraq; to the Committee on Foreign 
     Relations.

                      Assembly Resolution No. 246

       Whereas, President George W. Bush announced in January that 
     he would send more United States armed forces to Iraq and 
     extend the duty of many such troops already in that country 
     in an effort to end the sectarian violence that has engulfed 
     that nation and to provide stability to the new Iraqi 
     government; and
       Whereas, the United States has already committed 132,000 
     armed forces personnel to that country and plans to escalate 
     troop levels by 21,500 for a total of 153,500, at a cost of 
     $5.6 billion; and
       Whereas, the president's ``surge'' comes at a time when a 
     substantial majority of the American public have expressed 
     opposition to the war, in general, and his plan to expand it, 
     in particular; and

[[Page 16347]]

       Whereas, the president's plan is also opposed by members of 
     Congress, including many who are members of the same 
     political party as the president, who believe that the United 
     States is ultimately responsible for the civil war gripping 
     Iraq; and
       Whereas, many family members of service personnel fighting 
     in Iraq are already deeply concerned about their loved ones' 
     safety and are disappointed that the tour of many such 
     soldiers will be extended by at least several months; and
       Whereas, to date, the global war on terror, of which the 
     war in Iraq is a part, has already had a significant impact 
     on service men and women from New Jersey and their families, 
     with over 6,000 State Army and Air National Guard and Reserve 
     troops deployed and 83 service personnel killed and many more 
     injured; and
       Whereas, the surge will effect 159 members of the New 
     Jersey National Guard currently in Iraq, so that instead of 
     returning in March or April, members of the 117th 
     Reconnaissance Surveillance Target Acquisition Unit and the 
     250th Brigade Support Battalion will now be returning in July 
     or August; and
       Whereas, it is clear to this House that sending more troops 
     to Iraq will result in the death of more American service 
     personnel but will do little to end the civil war in Iraq or 
     bring lasting peace to the Iraqi people and stability to 
     their new government; and
       Whereas, despite this House's opposition to President 
     Bush's action, it strongly and unequivocally supports the 
     brave men and women in all branches of the Armed Forces of 
     the United States who are currently in Iraq, those service 
     personnel who will be sent to that county as a part of the 
     surge and the families of such troops who remain at home 
     concerned about their loved ones in the war zone; and
       Whereas, it is therefore fitting and proper for this House 
     to express its strong opposition to President Bush's surge in 
     United States troops in Iraq; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, by the General Assembly of the State of New 
     Jersey.
       1. This House expresses its strong opposition to President 
     George W. Bush's surge in United States troops in Iraq.
       2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by 
     the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk 
     thereof, shall be transmitted to the President George W. Bush 
     and every member of Congress elected from New Jersey.
                                  ____

       POM-136. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Nevada urging Congress to repeal the REAL ID Act 
     of 2005; to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs.

                    Assembly Joint Resolution No. 6

       Whereas, in May 2005, the United States Congress enacted 
     the REAL ID Act of 2005 as part of the Emergency Supplemental 
     Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and 
     Tsunami Relief, 2005, Public Law 109-13, which was signed by 
     President George W. Bush on May 11, 2005, and which becomes 
     fully effective on May 11, 2008; and
       Whereas, use of the federal minimum standards for state 
     driver's licenses and state identification cards will be 
     necessary for any type of federally regulated activity for 
     which an identification card must be displayed; and
       Whereas, the United States Department of Homeland Security, 
     to date, has failed to promulgate rules for the 
     implementation of the REAL ID Act; and
       Whereas, the mandate to the states, through federal 
     legislation, provides no funding for its requirements; and
       Whereas, the American Association of Motor Vehicle 
     Administrators, the National Governors' Association and the 
     National Conference of State Legislatures have estimated that 
     the cost to the states to implement the REAL ID Act will be 
     more than $11 billion over 5 years; and
       Whereas, the implementation of the REAL ID Act would cost 
     Nevada taxpayers approximately $30 million during Fiscal Year 
     2007 and Fiscal Year 2008; and
       Whereas, the State of Nevada would incur additional 
     expenditures associated with the implementation of the 
     national identification card through machine readable 
     technology, increased training of Nevada's Department of 
     Motor Vehicles employees and increased Department of Motor 
     Vehicles employee work hours; and
       Whereas, Nevada's compliance with the provisions of the 
     REAL ID Act will require that, over the course of 4 years, an 
     estimated 2 million Nevadans will be subjected to the 
     unnecessary inconvenience of obtaining a REAL ID compliant 
     driver's license or identification card in person at offices 
     of Nevada's Department of Motor Vehicles; and
       Whereas, the State of Nevada is committed to increased 
     security and unimpeachable integrity of driver's licenses and 
     identification cards within the State and the United States; 
     and
       Whereas, the State of Nevada is also committed to 
     compliance with the REAL ID Act, should appropriate rules be 
     adopted and federal funding be provided for implementation; 
     now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Assembly and Senate of the State of Nevada, 
     jointly, That the State of Nevada urges Congress to repeal 
     the REAL ID Act portion of the Emergency Supplemental 
     Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and 
     Tsunami Relief, 2005; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly prepare and 
     transmit a copy of this resolution to the President of the 
     United States, the Vice President of the United States as the 
     presiding officer of the United States Senate, the Speaker of 
     the House of Representatives and each member of the Nevada 
     Congressional Delegation; and be it further
       Resolved, That this resolution becomes effective upon 
     passage.
                                  ____

       POM-137. A resolution adopted by the General Assembly of 
     the State of New Jersey opposing the federal legislation 
     entitled ``Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act of 
     2005''; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

                      Assembly Resolution No. 100

       Whereas, asbestos was used for decades, especially during 
     and after World War II, in several industries in a variety of 
     products, notably insulation, and exposure to asbestos has 
     proven deadly to thousands of workers; and
       Whereas, long-term exposure to asbestos has been associated 
     with various types of cancer, including lung cancer, as well 
     as asbestosis and pleural disease; and
       Whereas, the discovery, on a nationwide basis, of the fatal 
     effects of asbestos exposure has spawned a massive and still 
     growing civil litigation industry; and
       Whereas, the United States Supreme Court has called upon 
     Congress to resolve the national asbestos litigation issue; 
     and
       Whereas, the ``Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act 
     of 2005,'' pending in the United States Senate as Senate Bill 
     852 and sponsored by Senators Specter and Leahy, would seek 
     to provide payouts to people sickened by exposure to asbestos 
     by requiring that such individuals apply to the Department of 
     Labor for compensation rather than take the case to court; 
     and
       Whereas, the bill would establish a $140 billion trust 
     fund, primarily financed by businesses, from which damages 
     would be paid on accordance with a schedule so that those 
     with the most serious health problems related to asbestos 
     exposure would receive the most money, with maximum damages 
     capped at $1 million; and
       Whereas, Senate Bill 852 has drawn reservations and 
     opposition from many members of the United States Congress, 
     organized labor and consumer groups, and some insurance 
     companies, arguing that the bill would allow big businesses 
     to avoid financial responsibility and that the fund would not 
     adequately compensate all of the victims; and
       Whereas, because contributions to the trust fund are capped 
     at $27.5 million per company per year, several Fortune 500 
     companies stand to save billions of dollars under the bill 
     and many companies will be liable for only 10 to 20 cents of 
     every dollar that they would have owed if the cases went to 
     court; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, by the General Assembly of the State of New 
     Jersey:
       1. This House opposes the ``Fairness in Asbestos Injury 
     Resolution Act of 2005,'' currently pending in the United 
     States Senate as Senate Bill 852.
       2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by 
     the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk 
     thereof, shall be transmitted to the President and Vice-
     President of the United States, the Speaker of the United 
     States House of Representatives, the majority and minority 
     leaders of the United States Senate and the United States 
     House of Representatives, and each member of the Congress of 
     the United States elected from this State.

                          ____________________