[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Pages 12298-12302]
[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-83. A joint resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the Legislature of the State of Maine 
     urging Congress to increase funding for Community Development 
     Block Grants; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban 
     Affairs.

                            Joint Resolution

       Whereas, the primary objective of the Community Development 
     Block Grant program is the development of viable communities 
     by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment 
     and expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons 
     of low income and moderate income; and
       Whereas, the State of Maine and the Maine entitlement 
     communities receive direct allocations from the Community 
     Development Block Grant program annually for a wide variety 
     of community and economic development activities that 
     principally benefit low-income and moderate-income persons, 
     including the elderly, children and those who are at risk; 
     and
       Whereas, in Maine and in communities throughout the nation, 
     33 years of Community Development Block Grant program funding 
     has developed a strong network of relationships among local 
     governments, residents, businesses and nonprofit 
     organizations; and
       Whereas, the Community Development Block Grant program has 
     been cut every year since fiscal year 2001, and President 
     Bush has released his fiscal year 2008 federal budget to 
     Congress proposing only $2,986,000,000 in formula funding for 
     the Community Development Block Grant program, a reduction of 
     $736,000,000 from last year that would present a severe 
     hardship to Maine communities; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That we, your Memorialists, on behalf of the 
     people we represent, take this opportunity to indicate that 
     this valuable program has made a tremendous contribution to 
     the viability of the housing stock, infrastructure, public 
     services and economic vitality of the State and that we 
     respectfully urge and request that the President of the 
     United States and the Congress of the United States recognize 
     the outstanding work being done locally and nationally by the 
     Community Development Block Grant program by supporting 
     increased funding for the program in fiscal year 2008; 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 Senate of the United States, to the 
     Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States 
     and to each Member of the Maine Congressional Delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-84. A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the State of Michigan expressing 
     opposition to Norfolk Southern Corporation's proposed sale of 
     its rail lines from Ypsilanti to Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids 
     to Kalamazoo and continuing to the Indiana border; to the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

                        House Resolution No. 56

       Whereas, the Norfolk Southern Corporation is considering 
     the sale of its Michigan lines from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo 
     and from Ypsilanti to Kalamazoo. The Ypsilanti to Kalamazoo 
     line carries the state's busiest high-speed Amtrak train, the 
     Wolverine, which travels from Detroit to Chicago. The 
     Wolverine travels on the Norfolk Southern Railroad's rail 
     corridor from Ypsilanti to Kalamazoo until it connects with 
     Amtrak's own line. Ridership on this line increased six 
     percent in 2006 to 142,185 passengers; and
       Whereas, the Ypsilanti to Kalamazoo portion of the Norfolk 
     Southern line is a vital link between Detroit and Chicago. 
     Expanding the high-speed rail capacity on this line is vital 
     to the future development of this area. New industry, 
     including coal energy, bio-diesel, and ethanol fuel plants 
     are proposed for Michigan and specifically along the I-94 
     corridor located near the Ypsilanti to Kalamazoo rail line. 
     Continued operation of this line by Norfolk Southern is 
     essential to expansion of new industry in this area. Over 150 
     railroad employees' jobs are associated with the rail traffic 
     along this line; and

[[Page 12299]]

       Whereas, Norfolk Southern is a Class One railroad operator, 
     earning revenue in excess of $250 million annually. As a 
     Class One operator, Norfolk Southern has the capacity to 
     maintain and promote the use of these lines. The proposed 
     sale of the Ypsilanti to Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids to 
     Kalamazoo lines will almost certainly place the lines under 
     the management of a Class Three operator, a rail company 
     earning revenue of $20 million of less annually. A Class 
     Three operator will be far less likely to have the means to 
     maintain the lines, thus increasing the chance of accidents. 
     Class Three operators also rely on federal grants for line 
     and equipment maintenance, grants that are not always 
     guaranteed; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we express 
     opposition to Norfolk Southern's proposed sale of its rail 
     lines from Ypsilanti to Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids to 
     Kalamazoo and continuing to the Indiana border; 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 Representative; members of the 
     Michigan congressional delegation; the United States 
     Department of Transportation, Surface Transportation Board; 
     the Norfolk Southern Corporation; AMTRAK; and the Michigan 
     Department of Transportation.
                                  ____

       POM-85. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the State of 
     Michigan urging Congress to restore funding for the 
     Weatherization Assistance Program in fiscal year 2008 and to 
     consider increasing future funding for this important federal 
     program; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

                        Senate Resolution No. 36

       Whereas, the Federal Weatherization Assistance Program 
     (WAP), created in 1976 during the nation's oil crisis and 
     administered by the United States Department of Energy (DOE), 
     provides funding to states to operate programs that pay for 
     weatherization improvements for low-income homes. 
     Weatherization refers to a wide variety of measures and 
     technologies, such as weather stripping, caulking, 
     insulation, and energy-efficient appliances that reduce a 
     building's energy consumption. The WAP is the country's 
     longest running and perhaps most successful energy-efficiency 
     program. During the last 30 years, the WAP has provided 
     weatherization services to more than 5.5 million low-income 
     families; and
       Whereas, the WAP is a proven and effective program that 
     helps not only low-income households, but the nation as a 
     whole. The WAP empowers low-income families by enabling them 
     to reduce energy costs and take responsibility for their 
     energy bills. Weatherization reduces heating bills by an 
     average of 31 percent. Low-income families receiving WAP 
     retrofits commonly save about $200 to $300 each year in 
     energy costs. In addition to the direct benefits that low-
     income families receive, a recent study by Oak Ridge National 
     Laboratory (ORNL) documents a multitude of indirect benefits 
     to local economies, the nation's energy security, and the 
     environment. These benefits include job creation, increased 
     property values, reduced national energy consumption, and a 
     reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by an average of one 
     ton per weatherized house. The ORNL study concludes that for 
     each $1 of investment in the WAP program, the nation receives 
     $3.71 worth of benefits. Surely, no other program receives 
     such bang for its buck; and
       Whereas, the effectiveness of the WAP program is threatened 
     by recent DOE funding decisions. The DOE recently cut the 
     Fiscal Year 2007 budget for the WAP by about 16 percent or 
     about $38 million less than it was a year ago. Local 
     communities and state weatherization directors throughout the 
     nation were dismayed by this decision; and
       Whereas, under the Fiscal Year 2007 budget, Michigan is 
     receiving almost $2 million less then it did a year ago, and 
     it could not have come at a worse time. The state is 
     suffering through disturbingly high unemployment rates and a 
     weakened economy and is in the midst of its most devastating 
     and prolonged economic downturn since the Great Depression. 
     Losing about $1.9 million in WAP funds and the associated job 
     stimulus that WAP generally provides is a hard pill for the 
     state to swallow; and
       Whereas, as the Fiscal Year 2008 federal budget is hammered 
     out, the WAP program should be recognized and celebrated for 
     its immense effectiveness rather than having its budget 
     slashed. Clearly, it is fiscally wise to invest in the 
     energy-saving WAP program; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate, That we urge the President of the 
     United States, the United States Congress, and the United 
     States Department of Energy to restore funding for the 
     Weatherization Assistance Program in Fiscal Year 2008 and to 
     consider increasing future funding for this important federal 
     program; and be it further
       Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to 
     the Office of the President of the United States, the 
     President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the 
     United States House of Representatives, the members of the 
     Michigan congressional delegation, and the Secretary of the 
     United States Department of Energy.
                                  ____

       POM-86. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Montana urging Congress to reauthorize the 
     Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act and 
     work toward a permanent solution to compensate states and 
     local governments for lost tax revenue on federal land within 
     Montana; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

                     Senate Joint Resolution No. 4

       Whereas, the stability of Montana's economy has 
     historically been dependent on use of our abundant natural 
     resources; and
       Whereas, the natural resource harvest has historically 
     contributed billions of dollars to Montana's economy by 
     providing employment opportunities to members of our 
     communities, supporting our business communities, and 
     contributing to the health of our schools; and
       Whereas, revenue from industries related to the natural 
     resource harvest has produced taxes for the support of local 
     and state governments; and
       Whereas, the amount of money generated by national forests 
     has dropped more than 85% between 1986 and 2005, creating a 
     financial crisis for rural forest communities in Montana and 
     around the country; and
       Whereas, Congress passed the Secure Rural Schools and 
     Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 to provide a safety 
     net for these communities, and the purpose of the Act was to 
     stabilize payments to states and counties to help support 
     roads and schools, provide projects that enhance forest 
     ecosystem health, provide employment opportunities, and 
     improve cooperative relationships among federal land 
     management agencies and those who use and care about the 
     lands that the agencies manage; and
       Whereas, counties in Montana received more than $14 million 
     in the last year to maintain schools and roads; and
       Whereas, the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-
     Determination Act has expired; and
       Whereas, if the Act is not reauthorized, many counties will 
     suffer severe financial impacts resulting in significant 
     reduction in services, including but not limited to public 
     safety and education: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, by the Senate and the House of Representatives of 
     the State of Montana:
       (1) That the Legislature of the State of Montana urge the 
     U.S. Congress to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and 
     Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 and work toward a 
     permanent solution to compensate states and local governments 
     for lost tax revenue on federal land within Montana.
       (2) That the Secretary of State send copies of this 
     resolution to the President of the United States, the 
     Secretary of State of the United States, the President of the 
     United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House 
     of Representatives, the Western Governors' Association, and 
     the Montana Congressional Delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-87. A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the State of Michigan urging Congress to 
     establish a ``Marshall Plan'' for the United States 
     automotive industry; to the Committee on Environment and 
     Public Works.

                        House Resolution No. 31

       Whereas, at a time when our country's auto sector is facing 
     untold, and often unfair, challenges, it is in our national 
     interest to establish a ``Marshall Plan,'' similar to the 
     plan instituted to jump-start the decimated post-WWII 
     European economy, to help accelerate the domestic production 
     of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles. 
     Providing assistance to the automobile manufacturers and auto 
     parts suppliers to dramatically accelerate the domestic 
     production of alternative fuel and advanced technology 
     (hybrid, clean diesel, and fuel cell) vehicles and their key 
     components is of paramount importance to our entire economy; 
     and
       Whereas, only through action of the federal government 
     could a comprehensive plan be developed to help retain and 
     crate tens of thousands of jobs for American workers, and 
     assure that American companies are producing the cars and 
     trucks of the future right here in the United States. 
     Providing the opportunity for the automotive sector to retool 
     and expand existing facilities, and helping to make sure that 
     there is a level playing field among all automotive companies 
     with respect to corporate taxes and health care costs, will 
     produce tremendous benefits for years to come; and
       Whereas, indeed, a Marshall Plan would have any number of 
     direct and indirect benefits. It would reduce our dependence 
     on foreign oil, thereby reducing our dangerous reliance on 
     foreign oil and increasing our energy security. It would also 
     improve the environment by reducing global warming emissions. 
     The plan would further generate additional revenue for 
     federal, state, and local governments because of the jobs 
     that would be created for American workers. Moreover, it 
     would benefit consumers through lower costs for flex fuel and 
     advanced technology vehicles, and lower overall fuel costs. 
     Finally, the plan would help corporate profitability and help 
     ensure that workers and retirees receive the health care and 
     retirement benefits they have earned; now, therefore, be it

[[Page 12300]]

       Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we hereby 
     memorialize the Congress of the United States to establish a 
     ``Marshall Plan'' for the United States automotive industry; 
     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-88. A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the State of Michigan urging Congress to 
     reauthorize the State Children's Health Insurance Program for 
     the State of Michigan; to the Committee on Finance.

                        House Resolution No. 50

       Whereas, the House of Representatives regard the health of 
     our children to be of paramount importance to families in our 
     state. Poor child health is a threat to educational 
     achievement as well as the social and psychological well-
     being of the children of our state; and
       Whereas, the members of the Michigan Legislature consider 
     protecting the health of our children to be essential to 
     improving the lives of our youngest citizens and the quality 
     of life in this state. The Michigan SCHIP program, which has 
     enrolled uninsured children since its inception, is an 
     integral part of the arrangements for health benefits for the 
     children of the State of Michigan. We recognize the value of 
     the Michigan SCHIP in preserving child wellness, preventing 
     and treating childhood disease, and improving health 
     outcomes, including overall health costs; and
       Whereas, the federal funding available to the State of 
     Michigan through SCHIP is an invaluable source of funding to 
     provide health benefits for children of modest means. 
     Furthermore, we encourage all components of state government 
     to work with educators, health care providers, social 
     workers, and parents to ensure that all available public and 
     private assistance to provide health benefits for uninsured 
     children be garnered and used to the maximum extent; now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we 
     memorialize the United States Congress to ensure timely 
     reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance 
     Program (SCHIP) to assure federal funding for Michigan SCHIP; 
     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-89. A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the State of Georgia urging Congress to 
     continue to press for strong measures to end the violence in 
     Sudan and urging the Securities and Exchange Commission to 
     provide guidance to public pension fund managers in order to 
     avoid investments which may be supporting nations involved in 
     the support of terrorism or human rights violations; to the 
     Committee on Foreign Relations.

                        House Resolution No. 273

       Whereas, Sudan's government and southern rebels have come 
     to an historic, long-awaited agreement that ends Africa's 
     longest civil war and brings hope to millions of exiled 
     Sudanese yearning to return home; and
       Whereas, continued violence in the troubled region of 
     Darfur, Sudan, previously described by the Bush 
     administration as genocide, casts a shadow over the agreement 
     that does not cover the Darfur conflict; and
       Whereas, the government of Sudan appears to have sponsored 
     a militia composed of a loose collection of fighters, 
     apparently of Arab background, known as the ``Janjaweed''; 
     and with the active support of the regular army, the 
     Janjaweed have attacked villages and committed numerous human 
     rights violations; and
       Whereas, the humanitarian consequences of the situation in 
     Darfur are grave, with an estimated over 100,000 innocent 
     civilians brutally murdered; and according to the Office of 
     the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees 2004 
     statistics, 662,302 people have been internally displaced and 
     730,650 people have been forced from their homes to flee to 
     neighboring countries; and
       Whereas, the citizens of the State of Georgia abhor this 
     violence and desire that their tax dollars neither directly 
     nor indirectly support these human rights violations through 
     investment in companies aiding the government of Sudan in 
     these acts of terror; and
       Whereas, the United States Congress established the Office 
     of Global Security Risk in the Securities and Exchange 
     Commission to provide information to United States investors, 
     including public pension plans, to ascertain whether their 
     funds are invested in corporations with ties to governments 
     that support terrorism; and
       Whereas, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the 
     National Association of State Retirement Administrators, the 
     National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and 
     Treasurers, and the National Council on Teacher Retirement 
     have joined in urging the Securities and Exchange Commission 
     to assist investors by requiring companies to disclose 
     business conducted in states designated by the State 
     Department as sponsoring terrorism: Now. therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the 
     President, the United States Congress, the United Nations, 
     and the African Union are urged to continue to work with the 
     international community to press the government of Sudan to 
     halt these ongoing human rights violations; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Securities and Exchange Commission is 
     urged to issue guidance to public pension fund managers so 
     that the state may be assured that its funds are not invested 
     in companies that are not in compliance with relevant U.S. 
     laws and are not contributing to terrorism; be it further
       Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Representatives is 
     authorized and directed to transmit appropriate copies of 
     this resolution to the Clerk of the House of Representatives 
     of the United States, the Clerk of the Senate of the United 
     States, each member of the Georgia delegation to the Congress 
     of the United States, Christopher Cox, Chairman, Securities 
     and Exchange Commission, the Secretary General of the United 
     Nations, and the President of the African Union.
                                  ____

       POM-90. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the State of 
     Massachusetts commending Taiwan on its contributions to 
     promote world health; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

                               Resolution

       Whereas, good health is essential to every person and 
     access to the highest standards of health information and 
     services is necessary to improve public health, especially in 
     view of such world health crises as HIV/AIDS, severe acute 
     respiratory syndrome, Avarian flu, Tuberculosis and Malaria; 
     and
       Whereas, public health knows neither borders nor politics; 
     and
       Whereas, there is a genuine need to improve management and 
     surveillance, foster communications and improve laboratory 
     capabilities among nations; and
       Whereas, the World Health Organization set forth, in the 
     first chapter of its charter, the objective of attaining the 
     highest possible level of health for all people; and
       Whereas, Taiwan's achievements in the field of health are 
     substantial including, having one of the highest life 
     expectancy levels in Asia, maternal and infant mortality 
     rates comparable to those of western countries, having 
     eradicated diseases such as cholera, smallpox and the plague 
     and being the first to eradicate polio and providing children 
     with Hepatitis-B vaccinations; and
       Whereas, Taiwan's population of 23.5 million is larger than 
     that of three-quarters of the member states in the World 
     Health Organization; and
       Whereas, the great potential of cross-borderspread of 
     diseases has made it crucial for all countries, including 
     Taiwan, to have direct and unobstructed access to information 
     and assistance from the World Health Organization in order to 
     successfully limit the spread of various infectious diseases 
     and achieve world health; and
       Whereas, the United States Centers for Disease Control and 
     Prevention and its Taiwanese counterpart have enjoyed close 
     collaboration on a wide range of public health issues and 
     concerns; and
       Whereas, Taiwan has been eagerly and voluntarily assisting, 
     financially and technically, in international health 
     activities supported by the World Health Organization and 
     donating generously to disaster areas; and
       Whereas, in 2001, President George W. Bush and senior 
     members of his administration vocalized support for Taiwan's 
     participation in the World Health Organization; and
       Whereas, in 2002, the European Parliament called on the 
     World Health assembly to accept observer status for Taiwan, 
     and its member states to support the application of Taiwan as 
     an observer to the World Health Organization; and
       Whereas, in 2002, the United States House of 
     Representatives and Senate authorized the Secretary of State 
     to endorse observer status for Taiwan at the World Health 
     assembly; and
       Whereas, in 2002, the United States House of 
     Representatives passed H.R. 441, entitled ``WHO for Taiwan'', 
     in support of Taiwan's participation as an observer in the 
     World Health Organization; Now therefore be it
       Resolved, That the Massachusetts General Court hereby 
     commends the Republic of China, Taiwan, on its many 
     contributions to promote world health and supports its 
     application as an observer to the World Health Organization; 
     and be it further
       Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be transmitted 
     forthwith by the Clerk of the Senate to President George W. 
     Bush, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the 
     Massachusetts Congressional Delegation, President Chen Shui-
     Bian on behalf of the 23 million citizens of Taiwan, the 
     Director-General of the World Health Organization and 
     Director-General Kuo-Tung Yang of the Taipei Economic and 
     Cultural Office in Boston.
                                  ____

       POM-91. A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the State of Pennsylvania designating 
     April 24, 2007, as ``Pennsylvania's Day of Remembrance of the 
     Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923''; to the Committee on Foreign 
     Relations.

[[Page 12301]]



                        House Resolution No. 25

       Whereas, one and one-half million men, women and children 
     of Armenian descent were victims of the brutal genocide 
     perpetrated by the Turkish Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923; 
     and
       Whereas, the Armenian genocide and massacres of the 
     Armenian people have been recognized as an attempt to 
     eliminate all traces of a thriving and noble civilization 
     more than 3,000 years old; and
       Whereas, revisionists still inexplicably deny the existence 
     of these horrific events; and
       Whereas, modern Turkey continues to deny and distort the 
     facts of the Armenian genocide and honors the perpetrators of 
     that crime against humanity as national heroes; and
       Whereas, before the implementation of the Holocaust of 
     European Jews, in order to encourage his followers, Adolf 
     Hitler asked, ``Who remembers the Armenians?''; and
       Whereas, by consistently remembering and openly condemning 
     the atrocities committed against the Armenians, 
     Pennsylvanians affirm the need for constant vigilance to 
     prevent similar atrocities in the future; and
       Whereas, the Armenian people have not received reparations 
     for their losses; and
       Whereas, recognition of the 92nd anniversary of the 
     Armenian genocide and education about past horrors is crucial 
     to ensuring against future genocide; and
       Whereas, Armenia is now a free and independent republic, 
     having embraced democracy following nearly 70 years of 
     oppressive Soviet domination; and
       Whereas, Armenian Americans living in Pennsylvania have 
     greatly enriched this Commonwealth through their leadership 
     in business, agriculture, academia, government and the arts; 
     Therefore be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives of the 
     Commonwealth of Pennsylvania designate April 24, 2007, as 
     ``Pennsylvania's Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide 
     of 1915-1923''; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the House of 
     Representatives transmit copies of this resolution to the 
     Pennsylvania congressional delegation and to the Armenian 
     National Committee of Pennsylvania.
                                  ____

       POM-92. A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the State of Pennsylvania urging the 
     Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee of the United States 
     Postal Service to issue a commemorative stamp honoring coal 
     miners; to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs.

                        House Resolution No. 197

       Whereas, our entire nation owes our coal miners a great 
     deal more than we could ever repay them for the difficult and 
     dangerous job which they perform so that we can have the fuel 
     we need to operate our industries and to heat our homes; and
       Whereas, coal mining is as much a culture as it is an 
     industry; and
       Whereas, coal miners sacrifice life and limb for little 
     recognition, and it would be proper and fitting for our 
     nation to recognize our coal miners, past and present, for 
     their contributions: Therefore be it
       Resolved, That the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 
     Pennsylvania memorialize the Citizens' Stamp Advisory 
     Committee of the United States Postal Service to issue a 
     commemorative stamp honoring our coal miners and their 
     contributions to our nation and its citizens; and be it 
     further
       Resolved, That copies of this resolution be delivered to 
     the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee, c/o Stamp 
     Development, United States Postal Service, 1735 North Lynn 
     Street, Room 5013, Arlington, VA 22209-6432, to the presiding 
     officers of each house of Congress and to each member of 
     Congress from Pennsylvania.
                                  ____

       POM-93. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Montana opposing the relaxation of mail delivery 
     standards under consideration by the President's Commission 
     on the U.S. Postal Service; requesting that the U.S. Postal 
     Service maintain current levels of service; and requesting 
     that the U.S. Postal Service maintain current overnight 
     delivery standards and not centralize Montana's mail sorting 
     operations; to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs.

                      House Joint Resolution No. 4

       Whereas, the United States Postal Service, founded in 1775, 
     provides dependable, affordable mail service to Montana 
     communities; and
       Whereas, the United States Postal Service remains an 
     important part of the nation's economic infrastructure 
     through which nearly $1 trillion of economic activity is 
     conducted each year and in which 9 million people are 
     employed; and
       Whereas, many Montanans, especially in rural areas, do not 
     have easy access to the Internet or to electronic banking and 
     bill paying and are heavily dependent on the United States 
     Postal Service for communication and conducting business 
     transactions; and
       Whereas, Americans currently enjoy the most extensive 
     postal service at the lowest postage rates of any major 
     industrialized nation in the world; and
       Whereas, the President's Commission on the United States 
     Postal Service has recommended changes to postal operations 
     that could sever postal employees from federal employee 
     health, retirement, and workers' compensation programs and 
     has recommended repeal of laws that could pave the way toward 
     reducing rank-and-file wages and benefits while 
     simultaneously eliminating the current salary cap on 
     executive level postal positions; and
       Whereas, the Commission has recommended a new 
     Presidentially appointed, corporate-style board of directors 
     and a new postal regulatory board and has proposed giving 
     these new politically appointed governing bodies broad 
     authority to set rates; and
       Whereas, the Commission has proposed to refine the scope of 
     the United States Postal Service's ``universal service'' 
     obligation and uniform rate structure and change and restrict 
     the scope of services currently protected under postal 
     monopoly regulations; and
       Whereas, the new board's broad authority could allow post 
     offices to be closed and prices to be set with a complicated 
     postage rate structure or could turn over postal operations 
     to private, for-profit enterprises; and
       Whereas, replacing the United States Postal Service's 
     public service obligation with a profit-seeking mandate would 
     undermine the United States Postal Service's historical 
     ``universal service'' obligation and weaken its national 
     infrastructure; and
       Whereas, in the interim period prior to legislated postal 
     reform, the United States Postal Service may move forward 
     with initiatives to close postal facilities in Montana; and
       Whereas, the United States Postal Service is requesting 
     that the United States Postal Rate Commission investigate 
     relaxation of overnight delivery standards; and
       Whereas, the United States Postal Service could consolidate 
     the processing of mail in Montana, including moving all 
     Helena outgoing mail-sorting operatios to Great Falls; and
       Whereas, this consolidation would not serve the public's 
     best interest because of the decrease in productivity 
     compared to the current processing of mail in Helena; and
       Whereas, the consolidation could result in the elimination 
     of the agency's current obligation to deliver local mail 
     overnight and could relax other mail delivery standards 
     across Montana; and
       Whereas, the economy of the Helena area would be negatively 
     impacted as a result of the relaxation of overnight delivery 
     standards; and
       Whereas, the public health and the public services provided 
     by state agencies would be negatively impacted as a result of 
     the relaxation of overnight delivery standards: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, by the Senate and the House of Representatives of 
     the State of Montana, That the Montana Legislature urges the 
     President, the Congress of the United States, and the United 
     States Postal Service to continue to maintain affordable, 
     dependable mail service at current levels because of its 
     social and economic importance to our nation; and Be it 
     further
       Resolved, That any recommendation from the President's 
     Commission on the United States Postal Service or the United 
     States Postal Rate Commission that curtails public services 
     in the current postal service be rejected; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Legislature of the State of Montana 
     opposes any changes that would harm the public and workers of 
     the United States Postal Service, including legislated or 
     United States Postal Service initiatives to close or 
     consolidate postal facilities, relax overnight delivery 
     standards, centralize mail-sorting operations, take away or 
     modify the collective bargaining system of postal workers, or 
     change the current bargaining system for employee benefits; 
     and be it further
       Resolved, That copies of this resolution be sent by the 
     Secretary of State to the Honorable George W. Bush, President 
     of the United States, the President of the United States 
     Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of 
     Representatives, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the 
     United States Senate and House of Representatives, the 
     Postmaster General of the United States Postal Service, the 
     United States Postal Rate Commission, the President's 
     Commission on the United States Postal Service, the Committee 
     on Ways and Means, the Committee on Rules, and the Committee 
     on the Budget of the United States House of Representatives, 
     the Budget Committee of the United States Senate, and each 
     member of the Montana Congressional Delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-94. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the State of 
     Michigan urging Congress to enact the Second Chance Act to 
     help juvenile and adult ex-offenders to successfully reenter 
     their communities; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

                        Senate Resolution No. 45

       Whereas, the transition from confinement to release 
     presents both great risks and opportunities for young ex-
     offenders and the communities in which they live. 
     Unsuccessful transitions into the community can result in an 
     alarmingly high recidivism rate

[[Page 12302]]

     for offenders. Effective reentry programs can reduce 
     recidivism rates by providing the necessary support and 
     resources to guide ex-offenders through a successful 
     transition from confinement to community life; and
       Whereas, comprehensive reentry programs are especially 
     effective among young people. With their development still in 
     progress, young ex-offenders are more amenable to effective 
     behavior modification interventions, thus saving lives, 
     anguish, and public tax dollars. An example of an effective 
     program that reduces recidivism is Multidimensional Treatment 
     Foster Care (MTFC). This program provides services to youth 
     and their families to assist in the transition from 
     confinement to reentry into the community. MTFC includes 
     ongoing supervision, frequent contact, and coordination of 
     services with the youth's probation officer, teachers, and 
     other involved adults. Studies show that youths in MTFC were 
     less likely to turn back to crime compared to ex-offenders in 
     residential group homes; and
       Whereas, research-based reentry programs such as MTFC not 
     only reduce crime, but they are also cost effective. 
     Currently, many young people are released unconditionally 
     when they ``age-out'' of juvenile court jurisdiction and are 
     not provided access to family reunification or aftercare 
     services. Such unconditional releases increase the likelihood 
     that ex-offenders will return to crime. MTFC and similar 
     programs could save taxpayers thousands of dollars and could 
     save innocent people the heartache of suffering from a 
     criminal attack; and
       Whereas, the Second Chance Act calls for an authorization 
     of around $200 million over two years to assist ex-offenders 
     in making a successful transition from confinement to release 
     into the community. The United States Department of Justice 
     would administer demonstration grants to states and local 
     governments to provide and coordinate reentry programs for 
     juvenile and adult offenders. This legislation includes 
     family reunification services, job training, education, 
     housing, and substance abuse and mental health services. This 
     legislation would establish a federal interagency task force 
     on offender reentry, provide research on reentry, and create 
     a national resource center to collect and disseminate 
     information on best practices in offender reentry: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate, That we memorialize the United 
     States Congress to enact the Second Chance Act to help 
     juvenile and adult ex-offenders to successfully reenter their 
     communities; 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.

                          ____________________