[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Pages 5531-5534]
[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-76. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Maine urging the President of the United States 
     and the United States Congress to review portions of the 
     National Defense Authorization Act; to the Committee on Armed 
     Services.

                          House Paper No. 1397

       We, your Memorialists, the Members of the One Hundred and 
     Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Maine now assembled 
     in the Second Regular Session, most respectfully present and 
     petition the President of the United States and the United 
     States Congress as follows:
       Whereas, the United States Congress passed the National 
     Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2012 on December 
     15, 2011, and the President of the United States signed the 
     Act into law on December 31, 2011; and
       Whereas, the Act directs the Armed Forces of the United 
     States to detain any person who is captured in the course of 
     hostilities authorized by the federal Authorization for Use 
     of Military Force Against Terrorists and who is determined to 
     be a member of or part of al-Qaeda or an associated force 
     that acts in coordination with or pursuant to the direction 
     of al-Qaeda and to have participated in the course of 
     planning or carrying out an attack against the United States 
     or its coalition partners; and
       Whereas, the disagreements and uncertainty in 
     interpretation of the law has raised significant concerns 
     about due process for United States citizens; and
       Whereas, the prospect of the indefinite detention of United 
     States citizens violates, without due process of law, basic 
     rights enshrined in the United States Constitution, such as 
     the right to seek a writ of habeas corpus, the right to 
     petition for a redress of grievances, the right to be free 
     from unreasonable searches and seizures and the right to 
     counsel; and
       Whereas, it is crucial to national security that funding 
     contained in the National Defense Authorization Act for the 
     Department of Defense and members of the military and their 
     dependents remain intact; and
       Whereas, the members of this Legislature have taken an oath 
     to uphold the United States Constitution and the Constitution 
     of Maine: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That We, your Memorialists, most respectfully 
     urge and request that the President of the United States and 
     the United States Congress amend the National Defense 
     Authorization Act to clarify that any provisions contained 
     within will not deprive United States citizens of the rights 
     of due process; and be it further
       Resolved, That suitable copies of this resolution, duly 
     authenticated by the Secretary of State, be transmitted to 
     the Honorable Barack H. Obama, 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-77. A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the State of Michigan memorializing 
     Congress to reject the recommendations of the United States 
     Department of Defense to remove the A-10 Thunderbolt II force 
     from the 127th Wing of the Air National Guard at Selfridge 
     Air National Guard Base; to the Committee on Armed Services.

                        House Resolution No. 211

       Whereas, The federal mission of the Air National Guard is 
     to maintain well-trained, well-equipped units available for 
     prompt mobilization during war and to provide assistance 
     during national emergencies; and
       Whereas, The Michigan Air National Guard exemplifies this 
     federal mission and provides well-trained citizen-airmen to 
     the United States Air Force; and
       Whereas, Utilizing the highly-trained and experienced 
     citizen-airmen of the Michigan Air National Guard is 
     significantly more economical for the United States 
     Department of Defense than utilizing active military units; 
     and
       Whereas, The Michigan Air National Guard provides 
     protection of life and property, and preserves peace, order, 
     and public safety in the state of Michigan, by providing 
     emergency relief support during natural disasters;

[[Page 5532]]

     conducting search and rescue operations; providing support to 
     civil defense authorities; and maintaining vital public 
     services and counterdrug operations in the state; and
       Whereas, The Michigan Air National Guard, being the air 
     force militia of the state, has a long and proud history with 
     the state of Michigan; and
       Whereas, The Selfridge Air National Guard Base dates back 
     to 1917, and currently hosts 20 units from all branches of 
     the United States military, as well as the United States 
     Coast Guard and the United States Customs and Border Patrol; 
     and
       Whereas, The 127th Wing flies KC-135 Stratotankers, which 
     provide aerial refueling capabilities around the globe in 
     support of Air Mobility Command, and A-10 Thunderbolt 11, 
     which provide support to Air Combat Command. Additionally, 
     the 127th Wing supports the Air Force Special Operations 
     Command with its 107th Weather Flight; and
       Whereas, The A-10 Thunderbolt II mission was transferred to 
     Selfridge Air National Guard Base from the Battle Creek Air 
     National Guard Base following the 2005 Base Realignment and 
     Closure Commission recommendations; and
       Whereas, The Department of Defense has proposed the removal 
     of all 24 of the A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft from the 127th 
     Wing and replacing them with four additional KC 135 
     Stratotankers; and
       Whereas, Approximately 650 personnel are attached to the A-
     10 Thunderbolt 11 mission; and
       Whereas, It is unknown how many support personnel will be 
     necessary to service the additional KC-35 Stratotankers; and
       Whereas, Removing the A-10 Thunderbolt II mission could 
     affect more than 600 families in and around Macomb County; 
     and
       Whereas, The removal of the A-10 Thunderbolt 11 mission 
     could make the Selfridge Air National Guard Base vulnerable 
     to closure in future Base Realignment and Closure Commission 
     recommendations; and
       Whereas, The Selfridge Air National Guard Base is one of 
     the busiest, most diverse military installations in the 
     United States, encompassing approximately 680 buildings, 
     runways measuring 9,000 and 4,870 feet, over a million square 
     yards of taxiway and paved aircraft parking ramps, 39 miles 
     of paved roads, and seven miles of railroad track; and
       Whereas, Recent military construction improvements to 
     Selfridge include $5.2 million to replace the Control Tower/
     Radar Approach Control Center and $9.8 million for an 
     infrastructure upgrade; and
       Whereas, The Selfridge Air National Guard Base is essential 
     to the local economy, as nearly 3,000 full-time civilian and 
     military personnel work at the base, in addition to 
     approximately 3,000 members of the Air and Army National 
     Guard and the reserve components of the United States 
     military who are stationed at the base; and
       Whereas, Portions of the Selfridge Air National Guard Base 
     have previously been targeted for closure in 1995 and 2005; 
     and
       Whereas, The defense industry is vital to the economy of 
     Macomb County; and
       Whereas, The loss of the Selfridge Air National Guard Base 
     will have a significant impact on the local community, with 
     the loss of employment positions, local revenue, and a 
     significant source of community pride; and
       Whereas, The military presence in Michigan has already been 
     significantly reduced by the United States Department of 
     Defense with the 1977 decision to close Kincheloe Air Force 
     Base in Chippewa County, the 1991 decision to close the 
     Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Iosco County, the 1993 decision 
     to close the K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base in Marquette County, 
     and the 2005 decision to close the United States Army 
     Garrison at Selfridge Air National Guard Base; and
       Whereas, Losses to the 127th Wing of the Air National Guard 
     at Selfridge Air National Guard Base will have immeasurable 
     consequences for the state of Michigan, both in terms of 
     economic ramifications, as well as in terms of community 
     pride and disaster readiness: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the 
     Congress of the United States to reject the United States 
     Department of Defense recommendations to remove the A-10 
     Thunderbolt II aircraft from the 127th Wing of the Air 
     National Guard at Selfridge Air National Guard Base; and be 
     it further
       Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to 
     the United States Secretary of Defense, President of the 
     United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House 
     of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan 
     congressional delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-78. A memorial adopted by the Legislature of the State 
     of Florida, memorializing Congress to repeal the Dodd-Frank 
     Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010; to 
     the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

                        Senate Memorial No. 1778

       Whereas, Congress enacted the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform 
     and Consumer Protection Act in 2010, and
       Whereas, the stated purposes of the act are ``To promote 
     the financial stability of the United States by improving 
     accountability and transparency in the financial system, to 
     end `too big to fail,' to protect the American taxpayer by 
     ending bailouts, to protect consumers from abusive financial 
     Services practices . . .,'' and
       Whereas, the act's almost 2,400 pages of federal 
     legislation increases the size of the Federal Government by 
     creating 13 new regulatory agencies requiring 2,600 new 
     positions while abolishing only one agency, and
       Whereas, the Congressional Budget Office predicts that the 
     cost for companies to implement the act over the next 5 years 
     will be approximately $2.9 billion, and other groups estimate 
     that the broader economic costs of the act could approach $1 
     trillion, and
       Whereas, the extensive regulations imposed by the Dodd-
     Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act will 
     severely damage the ability of American companies to compete 
     internationally with foreign companies or even create 
     American jobs, and
       Whereas, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer 
     Protection Act is an inadequate response to the financial 
     devastation that began in 2008, in part because it has given 
     unfair advantages to the Federal Home Loan Mortgage 
     Corporation (``Freddie Mac'') and the Federal National 
     Mortgage Association (``Fannie Mae''), institutions that were 
     substantial contributors to the financial crisis, and,
       Whereas, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer 
     Protection Act was championed as creating the most 
     significant financial regulatory reform since the Great 
     Depression, but, in contrast, it has become a radical 
     expansion of federal regulation, vests unprecedented power in 
     the hands of unelected bureaucrats, increases the likelihood 
     that there will be more taxpayer bailouts, has not 
     strengthened the economy or brought stability to the troubled 
     housing market, and does nothing to address the most 
     elemental causes that created the financial crisis of 2008: 
     Now, therefore, be it Resolved, by the Legislature of the 
     State of Florida: That the Congress of the United States is 
     urged to repeal the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and 
     Consumer Protection Act of 2010; be it further
       Resolved, that copies of this memorial be dispatched to the 
     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 Florida 
     delegation to the United States Congress.
                                  ____

       POM-79. A concurrent memorial adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Arizona memorializing the United States Congress 
     enact legislation exempting United States military bases and 
     training facilities from the regulations and restrictions of 
     the Endangered Species Act; to the Committee on Environment 
     and Public Works.

                  Senate Concurrent Memorial No. 1008

       Whereas, the mission of the United States Department of 
     Defense is ``to provide the military forces needed to deter 
     war and to protect the security of our country''; and
       Whereas, according to the Department of Defense and the 
     Government Accountability Office (GAO), a fundamental 
     principle of military readiness is that the military must 
     train as it intends to fight; and
       Whereas, the Department of Defense has established military 
     training facilities in Arizona, including Luke Air Force 
     Base, Fort Huachuca and the Barry M. Goldwater range, among 
     others, to accomplish this goal; and
       Whereas, Department of Defense officials indicate that 
     heightened focus on the application of environmental statutes 
     has affected the use of its training areas; and
       Whereas, compliance with environmental regulations, 
     especially the Endangered Species Act (ESA), has caused some 
     training activities to be canceled, postponed or modified; 
     and
       Whereas, compliance with environmental regulations, 
     particularly the ESA, has forced military officials to make 
     adjustments to training regimens, including requiring units 
     in training to avoid areas with ESA restrictions; and
       Whereas, since 2003, the Department of Defense has obtained 
     exemptions from three environmental laws and sought 
     exemptions from three others; and
       Whereas, these exemptions allow the military to maintain 
     its high state of readiness and help to ensure its ability to 
     meet unexpected threats; and
       Whereas, these exemptions are under increased scrutiny by 
     environmental groups and federal officials who would rather 
     protect wildlife than allow the military to maintain its 
     readiness; and
       Whereas, a GAO report found no instances in which the 
     Department of Defense's use of exemptions from the ESA or the 
     Migratory Bird Treaty Act has adversely affected the 
     environment; and
       Whereas, the United States military has proven itself to be 
     a responsible and effective steward of the land and 
     environment.
       Wherefore your memorialist, the Senate of the State of 
     Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring, prays:
       1. That the United States Congress enact legislation 
     exempting United States military bases and training 
     facilities from the regulations and restrictions of the 
     Endangered Species Act.
       2. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona 
     transmit a copy of this Memorial

[[Page 5533]]

     to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of 
     the United States House of Representatives and each Member of 
     Congress from the State of Arizona.
                                  ____

       POM-80. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Louisiana memorializing the United States 
     Congress to review the Government Pension Offset and the 
     Windfall Elimination Provision Social Security benefit 
     reductions and to consider eliminating or reducing them; to 
     the Committee on Finance.

                   House Concurrent Resolution No. 57

       Whereas, the Congress of the United States has enacted both 
     the Government Pension Offset (GPO), reducing the spousal and 
     survivor Social Security benefit, and the Windfall 
     Elimination Provision (WEP), reducing the earned Social 
     Security benefit for any person who also receives a public 
     pension benefit; and
       Whereas, the intent of Congress in enacting the GPO and the 
     WEP provisions was to address concerns that a public employee 
     who had worked primarily in federal, state, or local 
     government employment might receive a public pension in 
     addition to the same Social Security benefit as a person who 
     had worked only in employment covered by Social Security 
     throughout his career; and
       Whereas, the purpose of Congress in enacting these 
     reduction provisions was to provide a disincentive for public 
     employees to receive two pensions; and
       Whereas, the GPO negatively affects a spouse or survivor 
     receiving a federal, state, or local government retirement or 
     pension benefit who would also be entitled to a Social 
     Security benefit earned by a spouse; and
       Whereas, the GPO formula reduces the spousal or survivor 
     Social Security benefit by two-thirds of the amount of the 
     federal, state, or local government retirement or pension 
     benefit received by the spouse or survivor, in many cases 
     completely eliminating the Social Security benefit; and
       Whereas, nine out of ten public employees affected by the 
     GPO lose their entire spousal benefits, even though their 
     spouses paid Social Security taxes for many years; and
       Whereas, the GPO often reduces spousal benefits so 
     significantly it makes the difference between self-
     sufficiency and poverty; and
       Whereas, the GPO has a harsh effect on thousands of 
     citizens and undermines the original purpose of the Social 
     Security dependent/survivor benefit; and
       Whereas, the GPO negatively impacts approximately 28,825 
     Louisianians; and
       Whereas, the WEP applies to those persons who have earned 
     federal, state, or local government retirement or pension 
     benefits, in addition to working in employment covered under 
     Social Security and paying into the Social Security system; 
     and
       Whereas, the WEP reduces the earned Social Security benefit 
     using an averaged indexed monthly earnings formula and may 
     reduce Social Security benefits for affected persons by as 
     much as one-half of the retirement benefit earned as a public 
     servant in employment not covered under Social Security; and
       Whereas, the WEP causes hardworking individuals to lose a 
     significant portion of the Social Security benefits that they 
     earn themselves; and
       Whereas, the WEP negatively impacts approximately 27,755 
     Louisianians; and
       Whereas, because of these calculation characteristics, the 
     GPO and the WEP have a disproportionately negative effect on 
     employees working in lower-wage government jobs, like 
     policemen, firefighters, teachers, and state employees; and
       Whereas, these provisions also have a greater adverse 
     effect on women than on men because of the gender differences 
     in salary that continue to plague our nation and because of 
     the longer life expectancy of women; and
       Whereas, Louisiana is making every effort to improve the 
     quality of life of its citizens and to encourage them to live 
     here lifelong, yet the current GPO and WEP provisions 
     compromise that quality of life; and
       Whereas, retired individuals negatively affected by GPO and 
     WEP have significantly less money to support their basic 
     needs and sometimes have to turn to government assistance 
     programs; and
       Whereas, the GPO and the WEP penalize individuals who have 
     dedicated their lives to public service by taking away 
     benefits they have earned; and
       Whereas, our nation should respect, not penalize, public 
     servants; and
       Whereas, the number of people affected by GPO and WEP is 
     growing every day as more and more people reach retirement 
     age;
       Whereas, the GPO and WEP are established in federal law, 
     and repeal of the GPO and the WEP can only be enacted by the 
     United States Congress: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby 
     memorialize the Congress of the United States to review the 
     Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination 
     Provision Social Security benefit reductions and to consider 
     eliminating or reducing them by enacting the Social Security 
     Fairness Act of 2011 (H.R. 1332), the Public Servant 
     Retirement Protection Act of 2011 (S. 113), or a similar 
     instrument; and be it further
       Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution shall be 
     transmitted to the secretary of the United States Senate and 
     the clerk of the United States House of Representatives and 
     to each member of the Louisiana delegation to the United 
     States Congress.
                                  ____

       POM-81. A memorial adopted by the Legislature of the State 
     of Florida memorializing Congress to initiate and support 
     nationwide efforts to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 
     end of the United States' involvement in the Vietnam War and 
     demonstrate the nation's appreciation for the honorable 
     service and sacrifice of Vietnam veterans; to the Committee 
     on Foreign Relations.

                        Senate Memorial No. 1080

       Whereas, the Vietnam War was a Cold War military conflict 
     that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from November 1, 
     1955, until the United States Congress passed the Case-Church 
     amendment in 1973 which prohibited the further use of 
     American military forces in the conflict, and
       Whereas, 2013 marks the 40th anniversary of the end of the 
     United States' involvement in the Vietnam War, and
       Whereas, there are an estimated 650,000 Vietnam veterans in 
     the State of Florida, and
       Whereas, because of the intense public opposition to the 
     war that existed at the time, members of the United States 
     Armed Services returned home to an unprecedented lack of 
     formal positive recognition of the honorable service they had 
     provided on behalf of their country and the tremendous 
     sacrifices they had made, and
       Whereas, the lack of formal ``Welcome Home'' parades and 
     other traditional celebrations for returning soldiers that 
     were common in previous military conflicts in which the 
     United States was engaged, coupled with verbal and sometimes 
     physical abuse, resulted in great disillusionment, undeserved 
     indignity, and often great suffering and anguish among 
     returning Vietnam veterans, and
       Whereas, many of these brave men and women are now reaching 
     an advanced age, and
       Whereas, March 30, 2013, will mark the official date of the 
     40th anniversary of the end of the United States' involvement 
     in the Vietnam War, and
       Whereas, on that date this nation will be presented with a 
     unique and historic opportunity to hold appropriate 
     observances and long-overdue recognition ceremonies that will 
     honor our nation's aging Vietnam War veterans and that may 
     finally provide these brave men and women a fitting 
     expression of gratitude and a measure of healing and official 
     closure that has been denied them for decades and that they 
     so greatly deserve, and
       Whereas, the importance of the commemoration of the 40th 
     anniversary of the end of the United States' involvement in 
     the Vietnam War and the opportunity that such an historical 
     anniversary presents to attempt to rectify past injustices 
     and ingratitude cannot be stressed strongly enough, and
       Whereas, it is fitting and appropriate that the United 
     States Congress initiate and support efforts at the national 
     level to mark this historic anniversary and to attempt to 
     redress the lack of appropriate recognition and undeserved 
     ingratitude that so many of these brave servicemen and 
     servicewomen received upon returning home, and
       Whereas, as part of a national effort, it is also requested 
     that the United States Congress authorize the minting of a 
     40th anniversary commemorative medal expressing the nation's 
     appreciation for the honorable service of Vietnam veterans, 
     and
       Whereas, for this historic opportunity to be fully 
     realized, the United States Congress should act promptly and 
     decisively: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Florida: That 
     the Congress of the United States is urged to initiate and 
     support nationwide efforts to commemorate the 40th 
     anniversary of the end of the United States' involvement in 
     the Vietnam War and demonstrate the nation's appreciation for 
     the honorable service and sacrifice of Vietnam veterans; and 
     be it further
       Resolved, That, as part of such national effort, the United 
     States Congress is requested to authorize the minting of a 
     40th anniversary commemorative medal expressing the nation's 
     appreciation for the honorable service of Vietnam veterans; 
     and be it further
       Resolved, That copies of this memorial be dispatched to the 
     President of the United States, to the President of the 
     United States Senate, to the Speaker of the United States 
     House of Representatives, to each member of the Florida 
     delegation to the United States Congress, and to the 
     legislative governing body of each of the other 49 states of 
     the United States.
                                  ____

       POM-82. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Wyoming memorializing the United States 
     Congress, the United States Department of Health and Human 
     Services, and the President of the United States reverse the 
     mandate that virtually all private health care plans must 
     cover sterilization, abortifacients and contraception; to the 
     Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

[[Page 5534]]



                      House Joint Resolution No. 5

       Whereas, on January 20, 2012 the U.S. Department of Health 
     and Human Services reaffirmed a rule that virtually all 
     private health care plans must cover sterilization, 
     abortifacients and contraception; and
       Whereas, there are religious faiths in the United States 
     that view sterilization, abortifacients and contraception as 
     immoral and view paying for them as against their religion; 
     and
       Whereas, the administration is attempting to force those 
     religious faiths and their institutions, including schools 
     and hospitals to violate the commandments of their faith by 
     paying for this mandate; and
       Whereas, this mandate violates the First Amendment to the 
     Constitution of the United States by denying these faiths the 
     free exercise of their religion; and
       Whereas, this mandate sets a precedent that would allow for 
     an opposite law forbidding the coverage of these items thus 
     denying faiths with opposing views the free exercise of their 
     religion; and
       Whereas, the mandate threatens the religious freedoms of 
     all Americans; and
       Whereas, it is an injustice to force Americans to choose 
     between violating their consciences and forgoing their 
     healthcare; and
       Whereas, longstanding federal laws expressing the decided 
     opinion of Congress and the American people have protected 
     Constitutional conscience rights: Now therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Members of the Legislature of the State of 
     Wyoming:
       Section 1. That the Wyoming Legislature call on all 
     Americans to defend our freedom of religion by opposing this 
     mandate.
       Section 2. That the Wyoming Legislature calls upon The 
     President to reverse the mandate of the U.S. Department Human 
     Services.
       Section 3. That the Wyoming Legislature calls upon Congress 
     to act in defense of First Amendment rights, states' rights, 
     rights of conscience and freedom of religion.
       Section 4. That the Secretary of State of Wyoming transmit 
     copies of this resolution to the President of the United 
     States, to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the 
     House of Representatives of the United States Congress and to 
     the Wyoming Congressional Delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-83. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Arizona memorializing its support of 
     increasing Border Patrol personnel; to the Committee on 
     Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

                 Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 1014

       Whereas, the United States Customs and Border Protection 
     service (CBP) of the United States Department of Homeland 
     Security is vested with a priority mission of enforcing 
     immigration and drug laws and the responsibility for securing 
     and facilitating trade; and
       Whereas, the CBP includes both Border Patrol and Customs 
     Field Office personnel; and
       Whereas, the need to increase CBP personnel in the Tucson 
     sector along the border between the United States and Mexico 
     is critical to increasing border security as well as economic 
     stability in our border communities; and
       Whereas, the need to increase the number of Customs Field 
     Office personnel who work at the port of entry in Nogales, 
     Douglas and Yuma, Arizona is a vital component of the 
     economic stability in our border communities and will 
     increase border security between the United States and 
     Mexico; and
       Whereas, an integrated approach to securing the border and 
     increasing economic stability along the border and in our 
     border communities is important to residents living along the 
     border and in our border communities, and
       Whereas, increasing the number of Customs Field Office 
     personnel at the port of entry in Nogales, Douglas and Yuma, 
     Arizona will allow increased commercial traffic and will 
     result in increased economic growth and stability for 
     Arizona; and
       Whereas, all of the benefits of increased economic 
     stability in Arizona can be realized if the port of entry's 
     workload capacity is increased and less congestion and delay 
     result; and
       Whereas, increasing the number of Customs Field Office 
     personnel at the port of entry in Nogales, Douglas and Yuma, 
     Arizona should be part of the infrastructure improvements 
     that are occurring at the port of entry: Therefore be it
       Resolved by the Senate of the State of Arizona, the House 
     of Representatives concurring:
       A. That, in order to secure the border between the United 
     States and Mexico, to enhance the security of people and 
     their property in the currently unsecure regions of the 
     border and to increase economic growth and stability for the 
     residents of Arizona, the Legislature:
       1. Supports the increase of Border Patrol personnel as 
     called for in the Restore Our Border (ROB) Security Plan in 
     the Tucson sector along the border between the United States 
     and Mexico.
       2. Supports the increase of Customs Field Office personnel 
     at the ports of entry in Nogales, Douglas and Yuma, Arizona.
       B. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona 
     transmit a copy of this resolution to the President of the 
     United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House 
     of Representatives and each Member of Congress from the State 
     of Arizona.
                                  ____

       POM-84. A concurrent memorial adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Arizona urging Congress to adopt a Veterans 
     Remembered Flag; to the Committee on Rules and 
     Administration.

                  Senate Concurrent Memorial No. 1007

       Whereas, there are flags for all branches of the armed 
     services and there is a flag for POWs and MIAs, but there is 
     no flag to honor the millions of former military personnel 
     who have served our nation; and
       Whereas, a flag is a symbol of recognition for a group or 
     an ideal. Veterans comprise a group and certainly represent 
     an ideal, and surely they deserve their own symbol; and
       Whereas, it is estimated that 20,400,000 veterans, 
     affiliated and unaffiliated with veterans' organizations, who 
     have served in our nation's military comprise a significant 
     portion of our country's population; and
       Whereas, a Veterans Remembered Flag would memorialize and 
     honor all past, present and future veterans and provide an 
     enduring symbol to support tomorrow's veterans today; and
       Whereas, displaying and flying this flag would validate the 
     lives of millions of individuals who have served our country 
     in times of war, peace and national crisis; and
       Whereas, the Veterans Remembered Flag would fill the void 
     of a flag to honor all veterans who have served in our 
     country's armed forces; and
       Whereas, the symbolism of this unique flag's design would 
     be all-inclusive and would pay respect to the history of our 
     nation and to all branches of the military, and would honor 
     those who have served or died in the service of our nation; 
     and
       Whereas, the design of the Veterans Remembered Flag does 
     all of the following:
       1. Depicts the founding of our nation through the 13 stars 
     that emanate from the hoist of the flag and march to the 
     large red star that represents our nation and the five 
     branches of our country's military that defend her: the Army, 
     Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.
       2. The white star indicates a veteran's dedication to 
     service.
       3. The blue star honors all men and women who have ever 
     served in our country's military.
       4. The gold star memorializes those who have fallen while 
     defending our nation.
       5. The blue stripe that bears the title of the flag honors 
     the loyalty of veterans to our nation, flag and government.
       6. The green field represents the hallowed ground where all 
     rest eternally.
       Wherefore your memorialist, the Senate of the State of 
     Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring, prays:
       1. That the United States Congress adopt a Veterans 
     Remembered Flag as described in this Memorial.
       2. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona 
     transmit copies of this Memorial to the President of the 
     United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House 
     of Representatives and each Member of Congress from the State 
     of Arizona.
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       POM-85. A resolution adopted by the California State Lands 
     Commission memorializing its opposition to enactment of any 
     bill that reverses President Obama's Offshore Moratorium Act; 
     to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
       POM-86. A resolution adopted by the Lauderdale Lakes City 
     Commission, Lauderdale Lakes, Florida memorializing 
     condolences to the family of Trayvon Martin and calling upon 
     all authorities to see that justice is served; to the 
     Committee on the Judiciary.

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