[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Pages 8855-8858]
[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-19. A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the State of Michigan urging support for 
     continuation of the STARBASE program; to the Committee on 
     Armed Services.

                        House Resolution No. 85

       Whereas, STARBASE is a U.S. Department of Defense youth 
     program which targets at-risk students who are historically 
     underrepresented in the areas of science, technology, 
     engineering, and math (STEM). Established in 1993, the 
     STARBASE program has grown to 76 locations across 40 states, 
     including three Michigan sites: Selfridge Air National Guard 
     Base, Battle Creek Air National Guard Base, and Alpena Combat 
     Readiness Training Center. The program reached about 3,500 
     Michigan students in Fiscal Year 2012; and
       Whereas, STARBASE provides exceptional, hands-on curriculum 
     to participating schools and students that helps overall 
     comprehension of science and math and improves MEAP scores. 
     It provides an inquiry-based curriculum of experiential, 
     exploratory learning to motivate fifth graders to explore 
     STEM as they continue their education. A more recent 
     addition, STARBASE 2.0, is aimed at middle school students in 
     an after school program. It offers robotic training 
     opportunities and participation in the Lego League team 
     robotics challenge. STARBASE works with school districts to 
     support their learning objectives and expands relationships 
     with local networks of STEM initiatives and organizations; 
     and
       Whereas, The rapid pace of technological change and the 
     globalization of the economy demand that our workforce be 
     literate in science and math. Less than one percent of 
     current elementary students are expected to seek advanced 
     education in the sciences. STARBASE raises student interest 
     and improves their attitudes and confidence in STEM skills: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the 
     support for continuation of the STARBASE program; 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-20. A concurrent resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the General Assembly of the State of Ohio 
     urging the Congress of the United States to maintain 
     operation of the 179th Airlift Wing at Mansfield-Lahm 
     Regional Airport in Mansfield, Ohio; to the Committee on 
     Armed Services.

                   House Concurrent Resolution No. 4

       Whereas, The United States Air Force 179th Airlift Wing is 
     a military airlift organization assigned to the Ohio Air 
     National Guard and stationed at Mansfield-Lahm Regional 
     Airport; and
       Whereas, Due to its superior record, the 179th Airlift Wing 
     received a mission to operate the C-27J Spartan aircraft, a 
     twin turboprop aircraft with short takeoff and landing 
     capabilities, ideal for the nation's current military needs 
     and for providing rapid response support for homeland 
     emergencies; and

[[Page 8856]]

       Whereas, The United States Air Force has published proposed 
     personnel actions associated with plans to retire more than 
     300 aircraft nationwide, including the C-27J; and
       Whereas, The United States Air Force has plans to move 
     personnel positions among states to mitigate the impact of 
     the reductions; and
       Whereas, The United States Air National Guard, including 
     the 179th Airlift Wing, is responsible for homeland defense, 
     and the C-27J is an important tool in accomplishing this 
     mission; and
       Whereas, The 179th Airlift Wing has made United States Air 
     National Guard history by deploying the C-27J in Afghanistan 
     in Operation Enduring Freedom; and
       Whereas, Closing the Air National Guard Station at 
     Mansfield-Lahm, relocating its personnel, and diverting or 
     retiring its C-27J aircraft would create discontinuity and 
     weaken national defense and homeland disaster readiness: Now 
     therefore be it
       Resolved, That the Congress of the United States is urged 
     to maintain operation of the 179th Airlift Wing at Mansfield-
     Lahm Regional Airport to ensure Ohio and our nation will 
     continue to benefit from the unique experience and 
     capabilities of its personnel and the region; and be it 
     further
       Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Representatives 
     transmit duly authenticated copies of this resolution to the 
     President of the United States, to the President Pro Tempore 
     and Secretary of the United States Senate, to the Speaker and 
     the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives, to 
     the members of the Ohio Congressional delegation, and to the 
     news media of Ohio.
                                  ____

       POM-21. A resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the State of Michigan memorializing 
     Congress to pass H.R. 1014 to amend the Balanced Budget and 
     Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to provide that 
     military technicians (dual status) shall be included in 
     military personnel accounts for purposes of any order issued 
     under that Act; to the Committee on the Budget.

                        House Resolution No. 71

       Whereas, A federal military technician (dual status) is a 
     federal civilian employee who is assigned to a civilian 
     position as a technician in the administration and training 
     of a Selected Reserve on in the maintenance and repair of 
     supplies or equipment issued to a Selected Reserve or the 
     armed forces. The Selected Reserve include the Army, Navy, 
     Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Reserves, and the 
     Army and Air National Guards. The primary mission of a 
     military technician is to provide day-to-day continuity in 
     the training of reserve units, particularly, Army and Air 
     National Guard. More than 58,000 military technicians are 
     currently employed helping to maintain our military 
     readiness; and
       Whereas, Military technicians are generally required to 
     maintain membership in the National Guard or Reserve as a 
     condition of their employment. They are required to attend 
     weekend drills and annual training with their reserve unit 
     and military technicians can be involuntarily ordered to 
     active duty just as other members of the Guard or Reserve; 
     and
       Whereas, Under sequestration, uniformed military personnel 
     are exempt from furlough days and pay cuts. However, military 
     technicians in the National Guard and the Reserves were not 
     exempted, placing the readiness of our military at home and 
     abroad at risk: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we 
     memorialize Congress to pass H.R. 1014 to amend the Balanced 
     Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to provide 
     that military technicians (dual status) shall be included in 
     military personnel accounts for purposes of any order issued 
     under that 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-22. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the State of 
     Louisiana memorializing the Congress of the United States and 
     requesting the Secretary of the United States Department of 
     Commerce to take such action as necessary relative to red 
     snapper season; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation.

                        Senate Resolution No. 25

       Whereas, it is the responsibility of the National Marine 
     Fisheries Service, an agency in the National Oceanographic 
     and Atmospheric Administration, through the Gulf of Mexico 
     Fisheries Management Council, to manage and regulate marine 
     species located in the Gulf of Mexico; and
       Whereas, such management and regulation includes a 
     determination of the sustainability of each species and 
     preservation of the sustainability through the setting of 
     take limits, individual fishing quotas, and opening and 
     closing seasons; and
       Whereas, on March 25, 2013, a temporary emergency rule was 
     published in the Federal Register that gives the National 
     Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries 
     Services the authority to set separate closure dates for the 
     recreational red snapper season in federal waters off the 
     individual Gulf of Mexico states; and
       Whereas, the closure dates will depend on whether state 
     regulations are consistent with federal regulations for the 
     recreational red snapper season length or bag limit; and
       Whereas, the federal recreational season for Gulf of Mexico 
     red snapper begins June 1 each year with a two-fish bag limit 
     and the length of the season is determined by the amount of 
     the quota, the average weight of fish landed, and the 
     estimated catch rates over time; and
       Whereas, since NOAA Fisheries is responsible for ensuring 
     that the entire recreational harvest, including harvest in 
     state waters, does not exceed the recreational quota, then if 
     states establish a longer season or a larger bag limit for 
     state waters than the federal regulations allow in federal 
     waters, the federal season must be adjusted to account for 
     the additional harvest expected in state waters; and
       Whereas, if all states were to implement consistent 
     regulations, the 2013 recreational season would be twenty-
     eight days, assuming the recreational quota is increased to 
     4.145 million pounds through separate rule-making; and
       Whereas, in addition to Louisiana, the states of Texas and 
     Florida have indicated to NOAA Fisheries that they will 
     implement inconsistent red snapper regulations for their 
     state waters; and
       Whereas, without this emergency rule, the 2013 federal 
     season would be reduced to twenty-two days to compensate for 
     that additional expected harvest; and
       Whereas, this emergency rule allows NOAA Fisheries to 
     calculate the recreational red snapper fishing season 
     separately in the exclusive economic zone off each state to 
     account for any inconsistency of regulations in state waters; 
     and
       Whereas, based on the expected regulations for Texas, 
     Louisiana, and Florida, the preliminary season lengths would 
     be as follows: Texas, twelve days; Louisiana, none days; 
     Mississippi and Alabama, twenty-eight days; and Florida, 
     twenty-one days; and
       Whereas, on March 23, 2013, Louisiana implemented weekend-
     only recreational red snapper season that will end on 
     September 30, with a recreational bag limit of three fish per 
     day at sixteen-inch minimum; and
       Whereas, the regional administrator of the National Oceanic 
     and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Services's Southeast 
     Regional Office and his scientists can provide information on 
     the following issues: (1) emergency rule on the recreational 
     closure authority specific to federal waters off individual 
     states for the recreational red snapper component of the Gulf 
     of Mexico reef fish fishery; (2) methodology for 
     determination of the length, allocations, and quotas for the 
     red snapper season; (3) plans for the future allocations and 
     quotas of red snapper; (4) update on the regional and Gulf of 
     Mexico red snapper stock assessments on natural and 
     artificial habitats; (5) relationship of size of quota to 
     recovery of red snapper fisheries; (6) general conditions and 
     health of red snapper fisheries and projections for future; 
     and (7) requirements in order for Louisiana to get additional 
     allocations or quotas based on Louisiana's management and 
     growth of the red snapper fisheries: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, that the Legislature of Louisiana memorializes 
     the Congress of the United States and requests the secretary 
     of the United States Department of Commerce to take such 
     action as necessary to require the regional administrator of 
     the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries 
     Service's Southeast Regional Office and his scientists to 
     attend a meeting of the Louisiana Senate Committee on Natural 
     Resources, on a date that is convenient for the parties 
     during the month of April or the first week of May, to 
     provide information on the red snapper season, 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, to 
     each member of the Louisiana delegation to the United States 
     Congress, to the secretary of the United States Department of 
     Commerce, and the regional administrator of the National 
     Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service's 
     Southeast Regional Office.
                                  ____

       POM-23. A concurrent resolution adopted by the House of 
     Representatives of the State of Missouri supporting continued 
     and increased development and delivery of oil derived from 
     North American oil reserves to United States refineries; to 
     the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

                   House Concurrent Resolution No. 19

       Whereas, the United States relies--and will continue to 
     rely for many years--on gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, as 
     well as renewable and alternative sources of energy; and
       Whereas, in order to fuel our economy, the United States 
     will need more oil and natural gas while also requiring 
     additional alternative energy sources; and
       Whereas, the United States accounts for 20% of world energy 
     consumption and is the world's largest petroleum consumer. 
     The United States consumes more than 15 million barrels of 
     oil each day, with forecast suggesting that this will not 
     change for decades; and
       Whereas, even with new technology, oil discoveries, 
     alternative fuels, and conservation efforts, the United 
     States will remain

[[Page 8857]]

     dependent on imported energy for decades to come. A secure 
     supply of crude oil is not only needed for Americans to 
     continue to heat their homes, cook their food, and drive 
     their vehicles, but to allow the United States economy to 
     thrive and grow free from the potential threats and 
     disruptions of crude oil supply from less secure parts of the 
     world; and
       Whereas, the growing production of conflict-free oil from 
     Canada's oil sands and the Bakken formation in Saskatchewan, 
     Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota can replace crude 
     imported from countries that do not share American values, 
     but additional pipeline capacity to refineries in the United 
     States Midwest and Gulf Coast is required; and
       Whereas, increasing energy imports from Canada makes sense 
     for the United States. Canada is a trusted neighbor with a 
     stable democratic government, strong environmental standards 
     equal to that of the United States, and some of the most 
     stringent human rights and worker protection laws in the 
     world; and
       Whereas, improvements in production technology have reduced 
     the carbon footprint of Canadian oil sands development by 26% 
     on a per barrel basis since 1990. Oil sands production 
     accounts for 6.9% of Canada's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 
     and 0.1% (1/100th) of global GHG emissions. Total emissions 
     from Canada's oil sands sector was 48 megatons in 2010, 
     equivalent to 0.5% of United States GHG emissions. Oil sands 
     crude has similar CO2 emissions to other heavy oils and is 6% 
     more carbon-intensive than the average crude refined in the 
     United States on a wells-to-wheels basis; and
       Whereas, the 57 refineries in the Gulf Coast region provide 
     a total refining capacity of approximately 8.7 million 
     barrels per day (bpd), or half of United States refining 
     capacity. In 2011, these refineries imported approximately 5 
     million bpd of crude oil from more than 30 countries, with 
     the top four suppliers being Mexico (22%), Saudi Arabia 
     (17%), Venezuela (16%), and Nigeria (9%). Imports from Mexico 
     and Venezuela are declining as production from those 
     countries decreases and supply contracts expire. Once 
     completed, TransCanada's Keystone XL Pipeline and Gulf Coast 
     Expansion projects could displace roughly 40% of the oil the 
     United States currently imports from the Persian Gulf and 
     Venezuela; and
       Whereas, the Keystone XL Pipeline project has been subject 
     to the most thorough public consultation process of any 
     proposed United States pipeline, and the subject of multiple 
     environmental impacts statements and several United States 
     Department of State studies which have concluded that it 
     poses the least impact to the environment and is much safer 
     than other modes of transporting crude oil; and
       Whereas, the original Keystone Pipeline, which spans across 
     the northern part of Missouri, supplies over 500,000 barrels 
     of North American crude oil to American refiners in the 
     Midwest. When completed, the Keystone XL Pipeline will carry 
     830,000 barrels of North American crude oil to American 
     refineries in the Gulf Coast region which will make its way 
     back to Missouri in the form of gasoline, diesel, and jet 
     fuel; and
       Whereas, the Keystone XL Pipeline project will create 
     approximately 9,000 construction jobs. The Gulf Coast 
     Expansion project is a $2.3 billion project that has created 
     approximately 4,000 construction jobs. Combined, these 
     projects support yet another 7,000 manufacturing jobs. 75% of 
     the pipe used to build the Keystone XL Pipeline in the United 
     States will come from North American mills, including half 
     made by United States workers. Goods for the pipeline valued 
     at approximately $800 million have already been sourced from 
     United States manufacturers: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the members of the House of Representatives 
     of the Ninety-seventh General Assembly, First Regular 
     Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby strongly:
       (1) Support continued and increased development and 
     delivery of oil derived from North American oil reserves to 
     United States refineries;
       (2) Urge the United States Congress to support continued 
     and increased development and delivery of oil from Canada to 
     the United States;
       (3) Urge the President of the United States to support the 
     continued and increased importation of oil derived from the 
     Bakken formation in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota, 
     as well as Canadian oil sands;
       (4) Urge the United States Secretary of State to approve 
     the newly routed pipeline application from TransCanada to 
     reduce dependence on unstable governments, create new jobs, 
     improve our national security, and strengthen ties with an 
     important ally; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of 
     Representatives be instructed to prepare properly inscribed 
     copies of this resolution for the President of the United 
     States, the President Pro Tem of the United States Senate, 
     the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, 
     and each member of the Missouri Congressional delegation.
       Adam Crumbliss, Chief Clerk of the House of 
     Representatives, and Terry L. Spieler, Secretary of the 
     Senate, do hereby certify that the aforementioned is a true 
     and correct copy of House Concurrent Resolution No. 19, 
     adopted by the House of Representatives on March 14, 2013, 
     and concurred in the Senate on April 17, 2013.
                                  ____

       POM-24. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Louisiana memorializing the United States 
     Congress to take whatever actions necessary to encourage and 
     support reunification of Ireland; to the Committee on Foreign 
     Relations.

                  Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 21

       Whereas, Ireland is an ancient and distinct land, an 
     island-nation artificially rendered in two in 1922; 
     partitioned by the Government of Ireland Act as an 
     independent Irish state and Northern Ireland which remained a 
     dominion of the United Kingdom; and
       Whereas, the partition divided the nation into Northern 
     Ireland, which is composed of six counties and is one of the 
     four constituent countries of the British Crown, and Southern 
     Ireland, which consists of the remaining twenty-six counties 
     and which eventually became the Republic of Ireland in 1949; 
     and
       Whereas, the Belfast Agreement, also known as the Good 
     Friday Agreement, was ratified by the Irish and British 
     governments on April 10, 1998, as was successfully negotiated 
     with support from the United States; and
       Whereas, the Good Friday Agreement represents a fundamental 
     political advance that created a framework and a mechanism 
     for further political development toward the final resolution 
     of the issue and reunification; and
       Whereas, today with self determination, the Irish Republic 
     enjoys an unencumbered economic future as a viable member of 
     the European Union; and
       Whereas, the time has come to bring about a seamless 
     resolution of the partition of Ireland in favor of a more 
     united, sovereign nation that guarantees equal rights and 
     equal opportunities for all of its citizens; and
       Whereas, in every area that affects the overall well-being 
     of the Irish people, including their economy, education, 
     health, governance, and social interaction, a united Ireland 
     proffers the best opportunity for peace and prosperity for a 
     divided Irish population; Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Legislature of Louisiana memorializes 
     the Congress of the United States to take whatever actions 
     necessary to encourage and support the reunification of 
     Ireland, and be if 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-25. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Louisiana memorializing the Congress of the 
     United States to enact legislation to provide additional 
     funding for research in order to find a treatment and a cure 
     for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; to the Committee on 
     Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

                  Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 14

       Whereas, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, is more 
     commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease; and
       Whereas, ALS is a fatal neurodegenerative disease 
     characterized by degeneration of cell bodies of the lower 
     motor neurons in the gray matter of the anterior horns of the 
     spinal cord; and
       Whereas, the initial symptom of ALS is usually weakness of 
     the skeletal muscles, especially those of the extremities; 
     and
       Whereas, as ALS progresses, the patient typically 
     experiences difficulty in swallowing, talking, and breathing; 
     and
       Whereas, ALS eventually causes muscles to atrophy and the 
     patient becomes a functional quadriplegic; and
       Whereas, ALS does not affect mental capacity of the 
     patient, such that the patient remains alert and aware of 
     surroundings and aware of the loss of motor functions and the 
     inevitable outcome of continued deterioration and death; and
       Whereas, on average, patients diagnosed with ALS survive 
     only two to five years from the time of diagnosis; and
       Whereas, despite the catastrophic consequences of a 
     diagnosis of ALS, the disease currently has no known cause, 
     means of protection, or cure; and
       Whereas, research indicates that military veterans are at a 
     sixty percent greater risk of developing ALS than those who 
     have not served in the military; and
       Whereas, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs 
     has promulgated regulations to establish a presumption of 
     service connection for ALS thereby presuming that the 
     development of ALS was incurred or aggravated by a veteran's 
     service in the military; and
       Whereas, a national ALS registry, administered by the 
     Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is currently 
     identifying cases of ALS in the United States and may become 
     the largest ALS research project ever undertaken; and
       Whereas, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month 
     increases the awareness of

[[Page 8858]]

     the circumstances of living with ALS and acknowledges the 
     terrible impact this disease has not only on the patient, but 
     also on the family and community of anyone receiving such a 
     diagnosis; and
       Whereas, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month also 
     increases awareness of research being done to eradicate this 
     dire disease: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby 
     recognize May 2013 as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness 
     Month, and be it further
       Resolved, That the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby 
     memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact 
     legislation to provide additional funding for research in 
     order to find a treatment and a cure for Amyotrophic Lateral 
     Sclerosis, 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-26. A resolution adopted by the Georgia State Senate 
     requesting that Georgia's Congressional delegation, Congress 
     as a whole, and President Obama immediately resolve our 
     national debt crisis with a bipartisan, balanced, 
     comprehensive, long-term solution; to the Committee on the 
     Judiciary.

                       Senate Resolution No. 423

       Whereas, our national debt is more than 70 percent of our 
     economy ($11.1 trillion) and is on track to exceed 100 
     percent of the economy next decade; and
       Whereas, rising national debt threatens to stunt the 
     strength of our economy and eventually lead to an economic 
     crisis; and
       Whereas, our national debt threatens the solvency of Social 
     Security and medicare; and
       Whereas, if Congress and President Obama fail to avoid the 
     looming fiscal cliff and find a comprehensive solution to our 
     national debt, Georgia could lose up to 50,000 jobs due to 
     federal spending cuts; and
       Whereas, continued missed opportunities for resolution and 
     successive manufactured crises add to economic uncertainty, 
     preventing business development and investment; and
       Whereas, failing to resolve our national debt crisis 
     imperils the economic and financial security of future 
     generations; and
       Whereas, smart and gradual debt reduction can reverse all 
     of the negative economic and generational consequences of 
     elevated and rising debt; and
       Whereas, a credible plan could help strengthen our fragile 
     economic recovery by improving confidence and reducing 
     uncertainty; and
       Whereas, fixing the debt could restore public faith in 
     Washington's ability to solve problems; and
       Whereas, our national debt can only be resolved through a 
     bipartisan, comprehensive solution that reins in spending, 
     raises revenues, and reforms entitlements: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this body 
     request that Georgia's Congressional delegation, Congress as 
     a whole, and President Obama immediately resolve our national 
     debt crisis with a bipartisan, balanced, comprehensive, long-
     term solution, and be it further
       Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate is authorized 
     and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this 
     resolution to Georgia's Congressional delegation, all 
     Congressional members, and President Obama.
                                  ____

       POM-27. A resolution adopted by the Legislature of Rockland 
     County, New York, calling upon the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency to expedite the release of advisory base 
     flood elevations for Rockland County; to the Committee on 
     Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
       POM-28. A resolution adopted by the Pecos River Commission 
     requesting that the United States Congress reauthorize the 
     Water Resources Development Act of 2007, Section 5056, and 
     appropriate sufficient funds to carry out work related to the 
     legislation; to the Committee on Environment and Public 
     Works.
       POM-29. A resolution adopted by the Legislature of Rockland 
     County, New York, urging the United States Congress to pass 
     S. 84 and H.R. 377--Paycheck Fairness Act of 2013; to the 
     Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
       POM-30. A resolution adopted by the City Council of 
     Seaside, California expressing its support to the President 
     of the United States, the Senate, and the House of 
     Representatives, for comprehensive immigration reform and 
     urging action to adopt comprehensive immigration legislation; 
     to the Committee on the Judiciary.
       POM-31. A resolution adopted by the Board of Supervisors of 
     the County of Monterey of the State of California urging the 
     United States Supreme Court to affirm the constitutionality 
     of the Voting Rights Act; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
       POM-32. A resolution adopted by the Pecos River Commission 
     requesting that Congress fully fund the National Streamflow 
     Information Program (NSIP) gages associated with the Pecos 
     River Basin and the U.S. Geological Survey placing a priority 
     on funding these gages under NSIP; to the Committee on 
     Environment and Public Works.

                          ____________________