[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Pages 12928-12930]
[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-395. A collection of petitions forwarded by the Benefit 
     Security Coalition relative to establishing a more equitable 
     method of computing cost of living adjustments for Social 
     Security benefits; to the Committee on Finance.
       POM-396. A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the State of Michigan urging Congress to 
     enact legislation to reform the No Child Left Behind Act; to 
     the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

                        House Resolution No. 268

       Whereas, the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) is an 
     ambitious effort by the Federal Government to ensure that all 
     States improve K-12 education opportunities. While standards, 
     accountability, and benchmarks are key features of this 
     landmark 2002 legislation, the goal of making sure all of our 
     children receive a quality education must not be forgotten. 
     The current reauthorization process for NCLB is an 
     opportunity to reform the act to ensure that no child is left 
     behind in this Federal, State, and school partnership; and
       Whereas, NCLB needs to be amended in a number of areas to 
     fulfill its admirable goal. First, while schools are being 
     identified for failing to meet standards, Congress has not 
     met its promises for funding levels to allow schools to 
     correct identified inadequacies. Further, a whole range of 
     initiatives that expand early education, before- and after-
     school programs, summer school options, and family support, 
     would enhance the ability of our schools to educate all of 
     our children to their full potential; and
       Whereas, schools also need flexibility in a whole range of 
     areas. Special education implementation, teacher subject area 
     competency, school benchmarks, and student cohort definitions 
     must not be imposed from Washington, D.C. Local educators and 
     State legislatures must be allowed to refine these aspects of 
     NCLB to reflect local conditions and needs. Flexibility and 
     more sophisticated measurements will keep the focus on 
     educating children and not meeting unrealistic and rigid 
     standards; and
       Whereas, the entire sanctions concept must be revised. It 
     may be comforting to think that NCLB sanctions ``schools'' 
     when they do not meet NCLB-established standards, but in 
     reality we sanction children in those schools by withholding 
     or effectively diverting resources from those schools. The 
     first response must be to target additional resources to 
     correct recognized deficiencies; and
       Whereas, to support effective intervention in failing 
     schools, develop proper standards that promote education of 
     all children, and ensure relevant definitions and procedures 
     that reflect real conditions, NCLB must be amended to ensure 
     that the act's assumptions and standards are based on sound 
     research in student achievement and effective teaching; and
       Whereas, the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind 
     Act is an opportunity to refine the admirable goals of the 
     act based on five years of experience in implementing the 
     2002 initiative. We have much to do before ``no child left 
     behind'' is more than just a goal: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we 
     memorialize the United States Congress to enact legislation 
     to reform the No Child Left Behind Act; 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-397. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the State of 
     Michigan urging Congress to enact the Youth Prison Reduction 
     through Opportunities, Mentoring, Intervention, Support, and 
     Education Act; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

                       Senate Resolution No. 155

       Whereas, among the most effective approaches to reducing 
     juvenile delinquency and criminal street gang activity are 
     those preventing children from turning to crime in the first 
     place, encouraging early childhood home visitation, parental 
     love and education, quality schooling, and proven youth and 
     family development initiatives; and
       Whereas, there are many alternatives to incarcerating youth 
     that have been proven to be more effective in reducing crime 
     and violence at the national, state, local, and tribal 
     levels. Failure to provide for such effective alternatives is 
     a pervasive problem that leads to increased youth, and later 
     adult, crime and violence; and
       Whereas, research funded by the U.S. Department of Justice 
     indicates that gang membership is short-lived among 
     adolescents--with very few youth remaining gang-involved 
     through their adolescent years, and therefore, allowing 
     ongoing opportunities for intervention; and
       Whereas, over-reliance on incarceration and confinement of 
     youth, particularly in the early stages of delinquent 
     behavior and for nonviolent delinquent behavior, has been 
     shown to increase long-term crime risks; and
       Whereas, the Youth PROMISE Act will provide resources to 
     enable communities with the greatest concentration of 
     juvenile delinquency and criminal street gang activity to 
     come together to assess unmet needs and implement research-
     based prevention and intervention approaches to promote youth 
     success and community safety; and
       Whereas, the Youth PROMISE Act creates a PROMISE Advisory 
     panel, which will help the Office of Juvenile Justice and 
     Delinquency Prevention select PROMISE communities. It will 
     also develop standards for the

[[Page 12929]]

     evaluation of juvenile delinquency and criminal street gang 
     activity prevention and street gang activity prevention and 
     intervention needs and resources in each designated 
     geographic area in order to facilitate the strategic 
     geographic allocation of resources provided under the act; 
     and
       Whereas, the Youth PROMISE Act establishes grants to enable 
     local and tribal communities, via PROMISE Coordinating 
     Councils, to conduct an objective assessment regarding 
     juvenile delinquency and criminal street gang activity, 
     resource needs, and community strengths necessary to 
     effectively address juvenile delinquency and criminal street 
     gang activity. Based upon the assessment, the PROMISE 
     Councils will develop plans that include a broad array of 
     prevention and intervention programs which are responsive to 
     the specifics of the community, account for the cultural and 
     linguistic requirements of the community, and utilize 
     approaches that have been shown effective in reducing the 
     likelihood of a young person becoming involved in or 
     continuing delinquent conduct or criminal street gang 
     activity. Upon completion of the plan, the PROMISE Councils 
     may then apply for federal funds to assist with 
     implementation. The act also provides for national 
     evaluations of PROMISE programs and activities, and
       Whereas, the Youth PROMISE Act requires that local units of 
     government or Indian tribes receiving grants shall provide 
     from nonfederal funds, in cash or in-kind, 25 percent of the 
     costs of the activities carried out with such grants; and
       Wheereas, the Youth PROMISE Act establishes a National 
     Center for Proven Practices Research, which will collect and 
     disseminate research to PROMISE Councils and to the public 
     (including via an Internet website), as well as other 
     information regarding evidence-based promising practices 
     related to juvenile delinquency and criminal street gang 
     activity prevention and intervention. The act also provides 
     the opportunity for regional research partners to assist with 
     developing their assessments and plans; and
       Whereas, the Youth PROMISE Act provides for the hiring and 
     training of Youth-Oriented Policing officers to implement 
     strategic activities to minimize youth crime and 
     victimization and reduce the long-tern involvement of 
     juveniles in illicit activities, juvenile delinquency, and 
     criminal street gang activity. The act also establishes a 
     Center for Youth-Oriented Policing, which will be responsible 
     for identification, development, and dissemination to law 
     enforcement agencies the best practices for Youth-Oriented 
     Policing techniques and technologies; and
       Whereas, the Youth PROMISE Act provides additional 
     improvements to current laws affecting juvenile delinquency 
     and criminal street gang activity, including support for 
     youth victim and witness protection programs and extended and 
     increased authorizations for the juvenile Accountability 
     Block Grant program: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate, That we memorialize the United 
     States Congress to support through enactment the Youth 
     PROMISE Act; 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-398. A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the State of Hawaii urging the President 
     of the United States to include the Republic of Korea in the 
     Visa Waiver Program; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

                        House Resolution No. 86

       Whereas, there are nearly two million Americans of Korean 
     heritage and descent who live in the United States, including 
     forty thousand Hawaii residents, and January 13, 2003 marked 
     the centennial of the first arrival of Koreans in the United 
     States; and
       Whereas, the United States and the Republic of Korea have a 
     long history of friendship, and continue to strengthen 
     alliances and business partnerships; and
       Whereas, the Republic of Korea has been a trusted ally for 
     over fifty years, is a major trading partner of the United 
     States, and is the thirteenth largest economy in the world; 
     and
       Whereas, visitors from the Republic of Korea to the United 
     States reached as high as 500,000 in 1999, inclusive of the 
     40,000 visitors to Hawaii that same year; and
       Whereas, the Visa Waiver Program was established in 1986 
     with the objective of promoting better relations with United 
     States allies, eliminating unnecessary barriers to travel, 
     and stimulating the tourism industry; and
       Whereas, the Visa Waiver Program enables nationals of 
     twenty-seven countries to travel to the United States for 
     tourism or business for stays of ninety days or less without 
     obtaining a visa; the Republic of Korea is not a participant 
     in the Visa Waiver Program; and
       Whereas, due to increased security prompted by the 
     terrorist acts of September 11, 2001, it has become much more 
     difficult for the citizens of the Republic of Korea, 
     especially those living outside the capital city of Seoul, to 
     obtain visitor visas that allow travel to the United States; 
     and
       Whereas, under Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 
     Commission Act of 2007, the United States Congress revised 
     requirements for countries to become eligible for the Visa 
     Waiver Program, enabling South Korea to be eligible for 
     consideration, provided it meets the new security 
     requirements specified in the Act; and
       Whereas, in a letter to the Secretary of State dated July 
     7, 2006, United States Senators Daniel K. Inouye and Daniel 
     K. Akaka, along with several other senators, expressed strong 
     support for including South Korea into the Visa Waiver 
     Program and noted that South Korea has repealed its visa 
     requirement for United States citizens traveling to the 
     Republic of Korea for thirty days or less and that South 
     Korea enjoys a visa-free status with sixty-six other nations; 
     and
       Whereas, including South Korea in the Visa Waiver Program 
     would result in economic benefits to the United States 
     estimated to be $350,000,000 in actualized tourism revenues 
     for every 100,000 tourists increase in South Korean visitors 
     and tourists, based on visitors and tourists to the United 
     States from South Korea spending of nearly $2,200,000,000 in 
     2004; and
       Whereas, while the Republic of Korea is doing its part to 
     facilitate the processing of travel requirements for its 
     citizens, the United States should also encourage visitors 
     from the Republic of Korea, especially as Hawaii continues to 
     be one of the premier destinations in the world and tourism 
     remains the backbone of Hawaii's economy: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-
     fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 
     2008, That the President of the United States, the Secretary 
     of State, and the Secretary of Homeland Security are urged to 
     take all steps necessary to include the Republic of Korea in 
     the Visa Waiver Program; and be it further
       Resolved, That the members of Hawaii's congressional 
     delegation are urged to support the inclusion of the Republic 
     of Korea in the Visa Waiver Program; and be it further
       Resolved, That certified copies of this Resolution be 
     transmitted to the President of the United States, the 
     Secretary of State, the Secretary for Homeland Security, 
     President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the 
     United States House of Representatives, the members of 
     Hawaii's congressional delegation, and the Governor.
                                  ____

       POM-399. A joint resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the State of Arizona urging Congress to 
     authorize the placement in Statuary Hall of a statue of 
     Senator Barry Goldwater; to the Committee on Rules and 
     Administration.

                      House Joint Resolution 2001

       Whereas, in 1864, Congress established the National 
     Statuary Hall in the Old Hall of the House of Representatives 
     in the United States Capitol and authorized each state to 
     contribute to the Hall two statues that represent important 
     historical figures of that state; and
       Whereas, Arizona currently has statues on display in 
     Statuary Hall of John Campbell Greenway, which was donated in 
     1930, and Father Eusebio Kino, which was added later in 1965. 
     These are two acclaimed and distinguished individuals of 
     great importance in Arizona's history; and
       Whereas, John C. Greenway was born in Huntsville, Alabama, 
     on July 6, 1872, and attended Yale University where he was a 
     star athlete. After school, he went to work for U.S. Steel, 
     where he worked his way up to a management role. He joined 
     the Rough Riders in the Spanish American War, and was a 
     leader of the charge up San Juan Hill. After the war, 
     Greenway helped U.S. Steel open the Western Mesabi Range. In 
     1910, Greenway moved from Minnesota to Arizona to manage the 
     copper mines at Bisbee. Seeing the potential of the copper 
     deposits at Ajo, he developed a method of extracting low 
     grade ore. Greenway planned and built the city of Ajo. The 
     mine was highly successful, and over three billion pounds of 
     copper were shipped from Ajo. Greenway also served as a 
     regent for the University of Arizona. John C. Greenway died 
     on January 19, 1926. His death at the age of 54 was mourned 
     across the country; and
       Whereas, legislation enacted by Congress in 2000 authorized 
     any state to request the Joint Committee on the Library of 
     Congress to approve the replacement of a statue the state has 
     provided for display in Statuary Hall under certain 
     conditions; and
       Whereas, the state of Arizona will celebrate its centennial 
     on February 14, 2012, it is appropriate at this time to 
     consider honoring a distinguished Arizonan who has played a 
     significant role in our state's history since statehood by 
     placing his statue in Statuary Hall, namely Senator Barry 
     Goldwater, This action in no way seeks to diminish the 
     positive contributions of the two Arizonans already honored 
     in Statuary Hall, and every effort will be made to ensure 
     that their legacy is preserved in our great state; and
       Whereas, it is appropriate that we honor John C. Greenway's 
     legacy by placing his

[[Page 12930]]

     statue prominently and permanently in the Arizona State 
     Capitol building as part of the centennial; and
       Whereas, Barry Morris Goldwater was born in Phoenix on New 
     Year's Day, 1909, three years before Arizona was admitted to 
     the Union. He attended the University of Arizona and took 
     over his family's. mercantile business after his father's 
     death in 1930. He transformed his passion for flying into 
     service in the Army Air Corps during World War II, and on his 
     return to Arizona following the war he helped organize the 
     Arizona Air National Guard. Remaining in the reserves after 
     the war, he retired with the rank of Major General; and
       Whereas, Goldwater entered politics in 1949 when he was 
     elected as a Phoenix city councilman. He first won a United 
     States Senate seat in 1952, when he defeated then Senate 
     majority leader Ernest McFarland. In 1964 Senator Goldwater 
     was the Republican nominee for president. Although defeated 
     in that race, Goldwater became an icon for conservatism, 
     starting a movement which many believe led to the election of 
     Ronald Reagan as president in 1980; and
       Whereas, Senator Goldwater was reelected to the Senate in 
     1968 where he served until his retirement in 1987. During his 
     time in the Senate, Goldwater served as Chairman of the 
     Senate Intelligence Committee and Chairman of the Senate 
     Armed Services Committee; and
       Whereas, Barry Goldwater was a quintessential westerner and 
     a man of great personal charm. His reputation for personal 
     integrity was unblemished. Throughout his life, Barry 
     Goldwater had a love affair with the state of Arizona and her 
     people. He extensively explored areas throughout the state, 
     including the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River, and he 
     loved to photograph the people and landscapes of Arizona. He 
     was a dear friend to the members of the Arizona's Native 
     American tribes. He served both rural and urban constituents 
     with equal passion, and his many years of faithful service to 
     this state earned him the fitting' nickname ``Mr. Arizona''; 
     and
       Whereas, the legacy of Senator Barry Goldwater since his 
     death in 1998 has been a source of inspiration to many, and 
     the placement of a statue in his likeness in Statuary Hall 
     would be a well-deserved and lasting testament to Barry 
     Goldwater's tremendous impact on both our state and nation: 
     Now therefore be it
       Resolved by the Legislature. of the State of Arizona:
       1. That the Members of the Forty-eighth Legislature and the 
     Governor of the State of Arizona respectfully request that 
     the Congress of the United States return the statue of John 
     Campbell Greenway earlier presented by the State of Arizona 
     for placement in Statuary Hall and accept in return, for 
     placement in 'Statuary Hall, a statue of Senator Barry. 
     Goldwater.
       2. That the Members of the Forty-eighth Legislature and the 
     Governor of the State of Arizona direct the Arizona 
     Historical Advisory Commission to organize a solicitation for 
     monies for the creation of a statue of Senator Barry 
     Goldwater; to use the monies to acquire a statue for 
     placement in Statuary Hall in the Capitol of this nation; to 
     select and contract with a gifted and experienced sculptor to 
     create a suitable statue of Senator Barry Goldwater; and to 
     make the statue available for placement in Statuary Hall.
       3. That the Members of the Forty-eighth Legislature and the 
     Governor of the State of Arizona direct that the costs of the 
     creation of the statue of Senator Barry Goldwater, as well as 
     the costs of transporting the statue to Washington, D.C. and 
     any incidental costs, be borne by the State of Arizona 
     through the use of private monies.
       4. That the Secretary of State transmit copies of this 
     Resolution to the President of the United States Senate. the 
     Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, each 
     Member of Congress from the State of Arizona, each Member of 
     the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress and each 
     Member of the Arizona Historical Advisory Commission.
                                  ____

       POM-400. A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the State of Michigan urging Congress to 
     pass the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act; to 
     the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

                        House Resolution No. 372

       Whereas, In 1944, the Congress of the United States passed, 
     and President Roosevelt signed, the Servicemen's Readjustment 
     Act, known to most people as the GI Bill of Rights. Since its 
     establishment, the GI Bill has created educational 
     opportunities for millions of veterans; and
       Whereas, Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, 
     members of the United States military have been asked to 
     perform heroic tasks in the name of freedom. These selfless 
     volunteers have performed with remarkable valor, and it is 
     incumbent on citizens of the United States to honor their 
     service in any way possible; and
       Whereas, The cost of attending college has increased 
     greatly in recent years, and as a result the benefits 
     provided by the G1 Bill are no longer sufficient to cover the 
     average cost of tuition; and
       Whereas, Since 1944, Congress has periodically updated the 
     GI Bill to reflect the changing needs of our soldiers and the 
     military as a whole. However, despite the changes of the past 
     decades, it has been 24 years since the law was significantly 
     reformed; and
       Whereas, Improving and updating the GI bill would create an 
     additional incentive for individuals considering enlistment, 
     which is vital given the all-volunteer nature of our 
     military; and
       Whereas, Two pieces of legislation currently before 
     Congress, S. 22 and H. R. 2702, would update the GI Bill to 
     reflect the current realities facing our servicemembers. 
     These bills, known as the Post 9/11 Veterans Educational 
     Assistance Act, would increase the amount of aid available to 
     these students, and would otherwise remove obstacles to 
     obtaining a college education. While not perfect, these bills 
     represent a significant improvement over the current system; 
     and
       Whereas, Those who would complain about the costs of such a 
     program seem to forget the staggering price we ask of these 
     men and women. Likewise, those who complain that these bills 
     would create an incentive to leave the military underestimate 
     the dedication and devotion of our troops: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we 
     memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact, and 
     the President of the United States to sign, S. 22 and H. R. 
     2702; 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.

                          ____________________