[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Pages 8664-8669]
[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-174. A concurrent memorial adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Arizona urging the United States Congress to 
     enact the resilient Federal Forests Act; to the Committee on 
     Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

                    Senate Concurrent Memorial 1011

       Whereas, national forest lands are the largest single 
     source of water in the United States and, in some regions of 
     the west, contribute nearly 50% of the overall water supply: 
     and
       Whereas, the unhealthy state of these forests has resulted 
     in catastrophic wildfires that are threatening the 
     reliability, volume and quality of water for tens of millions 
     of Americans; and
       Whereas, severe drought and record-breaking wildfire 
     seasons have highlighted the need for the implementation of a 
     process that would require and provide for the United States 
     Forest Service to accelerate restoration work in our national 
     forests, which would protect critical headwaters and make 
     forest lands more resilient against prolonged dry conditions, 
     insect infestation and fire; and
       Whereas, failure to take quick action will result in a 
     continued increase in the frequency and intensity of 
     destructive wildfires, impacting the nation's water resources 
     for decades at considerable cost to stakeholders and United 
     States taxpayers; and
       Whereas, the customs, cultures and economic well-being of 
     our local communities, as well as important historic and 
     cultural aspects of our local heritage, are being ignored, 
     which adversely affects the lives and jobs of the people of 
     the United States and devastates local and state economies; 
     and
       Whereas, on June 4, 2015, Representative Bruce Westerman 
     introduced H.R. 2647, the Resilient Federal Forests Act. The 
     bill passed in the House on July 9, 2015 and was transmitted 
     to the Senate, where it died in committee; and
       Whereas, the Resilient Federal Forests Act expedites and 
     improves forest management activities through a collaborative 
     process, resulting in the protection of water resources.
       Wherefore your memorialist, the Senate of the State of 
     Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring, prays:
       1. That the United States Congress enact the Resilient 
     Federal Forests Act.
       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.
                                  ____

       POM-175. A concurrent memorial adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Arizona urging the United States Congress to 
     act to prohibit Federal agencies from recommending and 
     identifying Arizona's public lands as wilderness areas 
     without express congressional consent; to the Committee on 
     Energy and Natural Resources.

                    Senate Concurrent Memorial 1014

       Whereas, through federal land management planning and 
     associated guidelines, federal agencies are recommending and 
     identifying Arizona's public lands as wilderness areas; and
       Whereas, these administratively recommended wilderness 
     areas circumvent congressional intent and lack full and 
     appropriate National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
     analyses; and
       Whereas, the identification of these de facto wilderness 
     areas has resulted in significant restrictions on public 
     access and recreation, paralyzing restrictions on the Arizona 
     Game and Fish Department's ability to manage wildlife and 
     potentially catastrophic restrictions on vegetation and 
     habitat improvement projects, including fire management 
     activities; and
       Whereas, the conservation of wildlife resources is the 
     trust responsibility of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, 
     and this responsibility extends to all lands within Arizona 
     to ensure abundant wildlife resources for current and future 
     generations; and
       Whereas, the designation of Arizona's public lands as 
     wilderness areas has resulted in the erosion of the Arizona 
     Game and Fish Department's ability to comply with its federal 
     mandate to proactively recover threatened and endangered 
     species; and
       Whereas, according to federal land management agency 
     guidelines, an administratively recommended wilderness area 
     must be managed to ``protect and maintain the social and 
     ecological characteristics that provide the basis for 
     wilderness recommendation'' in perpetuity or until Congress 
     takes action to formally designate the area as a wilderness 
     area; and
       Whereas, allowable activities within administratively 
     recommended wilderness areas will be left to the discretion 
     of federal staff and deciding officers, resulting in even 
     greater restrictions and limitations than those formally 
     vetted and designated by Congress; and
       Whereas, congressionally designated wilderness provides 
     clearer guidance for management and coordination with this 
     state, specific processes for wildlife management exemptions 
     and direction for collaboration via existing state agreements 
     and guidelines; and
       Whereas, administratively recommended wilderness areas 
     circumvent the spirit of NEPA and congressional intent and 
     lack transparency; and
       Whereas, with the implementation of federal land management 
     plans, recommended wilderness areas constitute a significant 
     and immediate change in management without a fully disclosed 
     impact analysis required by NEPA; and
       Whereas, the federal land management plans lack full NEPA 
     disclosure of potential impacts to this state and the public, 
     assurances protecting this state's ability to proactively 
     manage wildlife and fulfill its public trust responsibility, 
     including specific management activities, and analyses of the 
     cumulative impacts of further loss of public lands that 
     provide for S.C.M. 1014 multiple-use and wildlife-related 
     recreational and economic opportunities; and
       Whereas, the areas being recommended as wilderness were not 
     included within the original wilderness designations with 
     purposeful intent by Congress; and
       Whereas, the subsequent expansion of previously designated 
     wilderness is an overreach of the federal agencies and 
     disingenuous to the public, subverting original 
     collaboration, coordination, negotiation and agreements; and
       Whereas, the federal agency planning documents suggest that 
     no significant management action or recommendation to 
     Congress will take place before further NEPA analyses are 
     completed. Within the recently released Prescott and Apache-
     Sitgreaves National Forest recommended wildernesses, the 
     United States Forest Service indicates that these areas are 
     simply preliminary administrative recommendations and that 
     further NEPA analyses are necessary. However, in transmittal 
     letters, the United States Forest Service states that ``the 
     Final Environmental Impact Statement for the . . . Forest's 
     Revised Resource Management Plan

[[Page 8665]]

     contains the NEPA analysis necessary to support a legislative 
     proposal.'' This is an egregious lack of transparency.
       Wherefore your memorialist, the Senate of the State of 
     Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring, prays:
       1. That the Congress of the United States act to prohibit 
     federal agencies from recommending and identifying Arizona's 
     public lands as wilderness areas without express 
     congressional consent.
       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.
                                  ____

       POM-176. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the State of 
     Iowa calling upon the United States Congress, the United 
     States Environmental Protection Agency, the President of the 
     United States, and this country's future President of the 
     United States and administration, to continue to support the 
     renewable fuel standard in order to encourage American energy 
     production and to strengthen rural communities; to the 
     Committee on Environment and Public Works.

                         Senate Resolution 118

       Whereas, in accordance with the federal Energy Policy Act 
     of 2005, Pub. L. No. 109-58, as amended by the federal Energy 
     Independence and Security Act of 2007, Pub. L. No. 110-140, 
     the United States has demonstrated its commitment to the 
     long-term policy of increasing the domestic production of 
     clean renewable fuels according to a renewable fuel standard, 
     referred to as the ``RFS''; and
       Whereas, the RFS is one of the single most successful 
     energy policies in our nation's history; and
       Whereas, the RFS is a federal policy that requires a 
     minimum percentage of motor fuel sold in our nation to 
     contain renewable fuels; and
       Whereas, under the RFS, renewable fuels have access to a 
     retail market in the face of a vertically integrated 
     petroleum market; and
       Whereas, the RFS represents a congressional promise to 
     American biofuels producers, farmers, communities, and 
     investors that the blend levels of the RFS will increase each 
     year; and
       Whereas, this congressional policy supporting the RFS will 
     continue to build the long-term capacity of the renewable 
     fuels industry and will encourage the development of new 
     types of clean fuels; and
       Whereas, the RFS helps support over 73,000 jobs in 
     agriculture, biofuels production, and associated businesses 
     in Iowa; and
       Whereas, the renewable fuels industry in Iowa helps pay $5 
     billion in wages annually to this state's employment force; 
     and
       Whereas, renewable fuels create additional markets for Iowa 
     farmers with more than 47 percent of Iowa's corn supply 
     supporting ethanol production: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate, That the Iowa Senate calls upon the 
     Congress of the United States, the United States 
     Environmental Protection Agency, the President of the United 
     States, and this country's future President of the United 
     States and administration, to continue to support the RFS in 
     order to encourage American energy production and to 
     strengthen rural communities; and be it further
       Resolved, That copies of this Resolution be sent to the 
     President of the United States, the Administrator of the 
     United States Environmental Protection Agency, the President 
     and Secretary of the United States Senate, the Speaker and 
     Clerk of the United States House of Representatives, and to 
     the members of Iowa's congressional delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-177. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Louisiana memorializing the United States 
     Congress to designate the Louisiana Highway 8/Louisiana 
     Highway 28 corridor in Louisiana as Future Interstate 14; to 
     the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

                  Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 90

       Whereas, Interstate 14 (I-14), also known as the ``14th 
     Amendment Highway'', the Gulf-Coast Strategic Highway, and 
     the Central Texas Corridor is a proposed interstate highway 
     from Texas to Georgia; the original conceptual western 
     terminus of the highway was from Natchez, Mississippi, and 
     later from I-49 near Alexandria, Louisiana, extending east 
     through the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, 
     ending at Augusta, Georgia or North Augusta, South Carolina; 
     and
       Whereas, advocates of the Gulf-Coast Strategic Highway 
     proposed extending I-14 to the I-10 near Fort Stockton and 
     the junction of US 277 and I-10 near Sonora, Texas; and
       Whereas, the proposal for the 14th Amendment Highway has 
     its origins in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible Transportation 
     Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU); and
       Whereas, the study and planning of I-14 has continued 
     because of support and interest from both the Congress and 
     the associated state highway departments; and,
       Whereas, the I-14 corridor provides a national strategic 
     link to numerous major military bases and major Gulf Coast 
     and Atlantic ports used for overseas deployments in six 
     states from Texas to South Carolina; and
       Whereas, the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) 
     Act, signed by President Obama on December 14, 2015, 
     officially assigned the Future I-14 designation to the US 190 
     Central Texas Corridor; and
       Whereas, congressional advocacy for the legislation spiked 
     following the post-logistics controversies; the act included 
     the 14th Amendment Highway and the 3rd Infantry Division 
     Highway; the legislation did not provide funding for either 
     highway; and
       Whereas, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) 
     currently has no funding identified beyond the Phase II 
     studies to support long-range planning, environmental review 
     or construction which must be initiated at the state or 
     regional level with any further direction from the Congress; 
     and
       Whereas, the 14th Amendment Highway and the Gulf-Coast 
     Strategic Highway concepts continued through active studies 
     to the present as local and state interest began to surface 
     and support in the Congress, FHWA and, most importantly, in 
     the associated state highway departments, all the key 
     ingredients necessary to successfully justify funding any 
     proposed federal-aid highway project; and
       Whereas, the FHWA issued its report on the 14th Amendment 
     Highway to the Congress in 2011 and made recommendation for 
     further environmental and feasibility sub-studies; however, 
     little action to fund these studies advanced in Congress 
     after 2011; and
       Whereas, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) 
     also conducted the US 190/IH-10 Feasibility Study in 2011, 
     which concluded that it was justified to upgrade US 190 to a 
     divided four-lane arterial highway based on current traffic 
     projections to 2040, but that upgrading US 190 to a full 
     freeway through Texas was only justified if the 14th 
     Amendment Highway is actually constructed from Louisiana to 
     Georgia; and
       Whereas, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and 
     Development (DOTD) has not endorsed designation of ``Future 
     I-14'' in Louisiana as proponents of the Gulf-Coast Strategic 
     Highway presented the LA 8/LA 28 corridor as a conventional 
     four lane highway; and DOTD is pursuing its development of 
     the LA 8/LA 28 corridor, having completed LA 28 between 
     Alexandria and Fort Polk, and having included the relocation 
     of LA 28 south of Alexandria in Priority A of the Statewide 
     Transportation Plan and the section from Archie to Vidalia in 
     Priority B of the Statewide Transportation Plan; and
       Whereas, the Legislature of the State of Louisiana 
     recognizes that the designation of the LA 8/LA 28 corridor in 
     Louisiana as Future I-14 is vital as a national strategic 
     link to numerous major military bases and major Gulf Coast 
     and Atlantic ports used for overseas deployments in six 
     states from Texas to South Carolina: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Legislature of Louisiana memorializes 
     the Congress of the United States to designate the Louisiana 
     Highway 8/Louisiana Highway 28 corridor in Louisiana as 
     Future Interstate 14; 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-178. A concurrent memorial adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Arizona urging the United States Congress to 
     enact the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act; to the 
     Committee on Environment and Public Works.

                    Senate Concurrent Memorial 1008

       Whereas, on April 13, 2015, Representative Bill Shuster 
     introduced H.R. 1732, the Regulatory Integrity Protection 
     Act; and
       Whereas, the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act protects 
     landowners from intrusive government regulation and ensures 
     the protection of personal property; and
       Whereas, the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act came in 
     response to efforts by the Obama Administration, the United 
     States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United 
     States Army Corps of Engineers to implement the Clean Water 
     Rule, which vastly expands the federal government's ability 
     to regulate waterways; and
       Whereas, the final rule became effective on August 28, 
     2015; and
       Whereas, the final rule is far too broad, allowing the 
     federal government to regulate everything from puddles of 
     rainwater to agricultural irrigation systems; and
       Whereas, the final rule allows waters that have 
     traditionally been off limits to federal regulation to be 
     subject to the rulemaking process of the EPA and the Clean 
     Water Act; and
       Whereas, the customs, cultures and economic well-being of 
     our local communities, as well as important historic and 
     cultural aspects of our local heritage, are being ignored, 
     which adversely affects the lives and jobs of the people of 
     the United States and devastates local and state economies; 
     and
       Whereas, the State of Arizona is one of 27 states that have 
     brought legal challenges against the Clean Water Rule and 
     successfully obtained a nationwide stay barring the rule's 
     enforcement; and
       Whereas, if passed by Congress, the Regulatory Integrity 
     Protection Act would require the EPA and the United States 
     Army

[[Page 8666]]

     Corps of Engineers to develop a new rule that takes into 
     consideration all public comments received on the matter as 
     well as input received from state and local governments.
       Wherefore your memorialist, the Senate of the State of 
     Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring, prays:
       1. That the Congress of the United States enact the 
     Regulatory Integrity Protection Act.
       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.
                                  ____

       POM-179. A concurrent memorial adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Arizona urging the United States 
     Environmental Protection Agency to reinstate the previous 
     ozone concentration standard of 75 parts per billion; to the 
     Committee on Environment and Public Works.

                    Senate Concurrent Memorial 1007

       Whereas, on October 1, 2015, the United States 
     Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reduced the national 
     ambient air quality standards for ground-level ozone from 75 
     parts per billion (ppb) to 70 ppb; and
       Whereas, the State of Arizona will have great difficulty in 
     implementing this new ozone concentration standard due to 
     factors that are outside of this state's control, including 
     its proximity to California, extreme heat and intense summer 
     sunshine; and
       Whereas, before the implementation of the new ozone 
     concentration standard, the EPA reported that 358 counties in 
     the nation would violate a standard of 70 ppb based on 
     monitoring data from 2011 through 2013; and
       Whereas, nonattainment area designations will limit 
     economic and job growth by restricting new and expanded 
     industrial and manufacturing facilities, imposing emission 
     ``offset'' requirements on new and modified major sources of 
     nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds emissions, 
     constraining oil and gas extraction and raising electricity 
     prices for industries and consumers; and
       Whereas, low-income and fixed-income citizens will bear the 
     brunt of higher energy costs and utility bills; and
       Whereas, air quality continues to improve, and nitrogen 
     oxide emissions are already down to 60% nationwide since 
     1980, which, after adjusting for economic growth, implies a 
     90% reduction in emission rates from the relatively 
     uncontrolled 1990 rates for nitrogen oxide-emitting sources; 
     and
       Whereas, average ozone concentrations have decreased 
     significantly in both urban and rural areas over the past two 
     decades in response to state and federal emission control 
     programs; and
       Whereas, instead of giving states enough time to meet the 
     previous ozone concentration standard of 75 ppb through 
     ongoing emission reduction programs, the EPA moved the 
     goalpost by imposing a lower standard; and
       Whereas, reinstating the previous ozone concentration 
     standard of 75 ppb would provide for continued air quality 
     improvement throughout the nation as emission reduction 
     programs under EPA regulations are implemented.
       Wherefore your memorialist, the Senate of the State of 
     Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring, prays:
       1. That the United States Environmental Protection Agency 
     reinstate the previous ozone concentration standard of 75 
     ppb.
       2. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona 
     transmit copies of this Memorial to the Administrator of the 
     United States Environmental Protection Agency, the President 
     of the United States, 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-180. A concurrent memorial adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Arizona urging the United States Congress to 
     oppose the implementation of certain rules for existing 
     electric utility generating units; to the Committee on 
     Environment and Public Works.

                    Senate Concurrent Memorial 1016

       Whereas, the Clean Air Act (CAA) is a federal law designed 
     to protect air quality nationwide; and
       Whereas, jurisdiction to implement the CAA lies primarily 
     with the states; and
       Whereas, in 1970, Congress enacted the CAA, mandating 
     comprehensive state and-federal regulations for both 
     stationary and nonstationary sources of pollution; and
       Whereas, while Americans support efforts to improve air 
     quality, such efforts should be carefully balanced to ensure 
     that the cost of new regulations on the economy do not exceed 
     potential benefits; and
       Whereas, on October 23, 2015, the United States 
     Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published final rules 
     in the Federal Register regulating greenhouse gas emissions 
     from existing electric utility generating units, also known 
     as the Clean Power Plan; and
       Whereas, the EPA has issued a proposed federal plan that 
     will be imposed on existing electric utility generating units 
     in the State of Arizona if the State of Arizona does not 
     adopt its own plan implementing the Clean Power Plan 
     regulating greenhouse gas emissions; and
       Whereas, the EPA's Clean Power Plan exceeds the agency's 
     legal authority to require reductions in carbon dioxide 
     emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired electric generating 
     units under Section 111(d) of the CAA and interferes with the 
     electric system of Arizona; and
       Whereas, addressing greenhouse gas emissions under Section 
     111(d) is a discretionary duty of the EPA as outlined in the 
     CAA; and
       Whereas, devoting resources to discretionary duties like 
     regulating greenhouse gas emissions takes resources away from 
     nondiscretionary duties that are better suited to protect the 
     public health and safety in the near term; and
       Whereas, it is important to Arizona's economy to have a 
     diverse energy portfolio that provides reliable and 
     affordable electric service to Arizona residents and 
     businesses while also protecting the public health and 
     safety; and
       Whereas, fossil fuels, including coal and natural gas, 
     provide an abundant and affordable domestic energy source 
     that is important to Arizona's economy and enhance the 
     availability and reliability of electric service; and
       Whereas, the EPA's final Clean Power Plan impedes the 
     ability of this state to oversee its own electricity supply 
     and transmission system; and
       Whereas, the EPA's Clean Power Plan will have adverse 
     impacts on the customs, culture, history, heritage and 
     economies of this state and local communities.
       Wherefore your memorialist, the Senate of the State of 
     Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring, prays:
       1. That the United States Congress oppose the 
     implementation of rules for existing electric utility 
     generating units that exceed the EPA's legal authority under 
     Section 111(d) of the CAA and interfere with the prerogative 
     of'Arizona to regulate electricity and ensure an affordable 
     and reliable supply of electricity for its citizens.
       2. That the United States Congress oppose the 
     implementation of rules for existing electric utility 
     generating units that do not recognize the primary role of 
     states in establishing and implementing plans to achieve 
     emissions reductions for existing units under Section 111(d) 
     of the CAA.
       3. That the United States Congress exercise oversight over 
     the EPA to ensure that the primary role of states in 
     establishing and implementing plans to achieve emissions 
     reductions from existing electric utility generating units 
     under Section 111(d) of the CAA is respected.
       4. That the Governor and the Attorney General of the State 
     of Arizona take appropriate actions to uphold this state's 
     responsibilities with respect to the CAA and defend this 
     state against overreaching regulations.
       5. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona 
     transmit a copy of this Memorial to the President of the 
     United States, 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, the 
     Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection 
     Agency, the Governor of the State of Arizona and the Attorney 
     General of the State of Arizona.
                                  ____

       POM-181. A concurrent memorial adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Arizona urging the United States Congress to 
     enact the Stopping EPA Overreach Act; to the Committee on 
     Environment and Public Works.

                    Senate Concurrent Memorial 1015

       Whereas, the Stopping EPA Overreach Act seeks to prevent 
     the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from 
     exceeding its statutory authority in ways that were not 
     contemplated by the United States Congress; and
       Whereas, in the Stopping EPA Overreach Act, the State of 
     Arizona urges Congress to find that:
       (1) The EPA has exceeded its statutory authority by 
     promulgating regulations that were not contemplated by 
     Congress in the authorizing language of the statutes enacted 
     by Congress;
       (2) The EPA was correct not to classify greenhouse gases as 
     pollutants prior to 2009;
       (3) No federal agency has the authority to regulate 
     greenhouse gases under current law; and
       (4) No attempt to regulate greenhouse gases should be 
     undertaken without further congressional action; and
       Whereas, the Stopping EPA Overreach Act should clarify that 
     federal agencies do not have the authority to regulate 
     climate change or global warming, thereby voiding certain EPA 
     rules, and requires the Administrator of the EPA to provide 
     an analysis of any regulation, rule or policy that describes 
     its impacts on employment and jobs in the United States 
     before proposing or finalizing that regulation, rule or 
     policy; and
       Whereas, any federal agency seeking to promulgate a 
     regulation, rule or policy should be required to provide the 
     cost-benefit analysis and peer-reviewed science that were 
     used in proposing the regulation, rule or policy; and

[[Page 8667]]

       Whereas, penalties should be imposed for knowingly 
     providing false information as support for a proposed 
     regulation, rule or policy; and
       Whereas, the people of Arizona fully support the Stopping 
     EPA Overreach Act.
       Wherefore your memorialist, the Senate of the State of 
     Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring, prays:
       1. That the United States Congress enact the Stopping EPA 
     Overreach Act.
       2. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona 
     transmit copies of this Memorial to the President of the 
     United States, the Speaker of the United States House of 
     Representatives, the President of the United States Senate 
     and each Member of Congress from the State of Arizona.
                                  ____

       POM-182. A concurrent memorial adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Arizona urging the President of the United 
     States, United States Congress, and the United States 
     Secretary of State to secure the safe release of Robert 
     Levinson from Iran; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

                     House Concurrent Memorial 2010

       Whereas, it is a time-honored tradition that the United 
     States of America strives to ensure that all United States 
     citizens held captive overseas are returned safely to their 
     families and loved ones; and
       Whereas, Robert Levinson honorably served the United States 
     as a law enforcement officer in both the United States Drug 
     Enforcement Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation; 
     and
       Whereas, Robert Levinson was taken captive on the Kish 
     Island in Iran on March 9, 2007; and
       Whereas, several Americans who have been held captive in 
     Iran were recently released, but Robert Levinson was not 
     among them; and
       Whereas, it is a duty and obligation of the United States 
     to Robert Levinson and his family to ascertain his 
     whereabouts and secure his safe release.
       Wherefore your memorialist, the House of Representatives of 
     the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring, prays:
       1. That the President of the United States the United 
     States Congress, the United States Secretary of State and all 
     public officials under their charge follow the policy of the 
     United States as stated in United States Senate Concurrent 
     Resolution 16:
       It is the policy of the United States that--
       (1) [T]he Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran should 
     immediately . . . cooperate with the United States Government 
     to locate and return Robert Levinson; and
       (2) [T]he United States Government should undertake every 
     effort using every diplomatic tool at its disposal to secure 
     [his] immediate release.
       2. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona 
     transmit copies of this Memorial to the President of the 
     United States, the Secretary of State of the United States, 
     the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, 
     the President of the United States Senate and each Member of 
     Congress from the State of Arizona.
                                  ____

       POM-183. A memorial adopted by the Senate of the State of 
     Arizona urging that each member of Congress from the State of 
     Arizona cosponsor legislation similar to House Concurrent 
     Resolution 75, support other congressional efforts to aid 
     victims of the persecution of Christians and other religious 
     minorities in the Middle East and encourage the United States 
     government to take greater concrete action to end the 
     genocide; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

                          Senate Memorial 1001

       Whereas, Christians, Yazidis and other religious minorities 
     in the Middle East are being subjected to systematic and 
     violent persecution at the hands of the Islamic State of Iraq 
     and Syria (ISIS) and other terrorist groups; and
       Whereas, these people are being murdered, kidnapped, 
     sexually abused, tortured and victimized in other ways that 
     violate the laws of their own nations, the international 
     community and the United Nations Convention on the Prevention 
     and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Convention); and
       Whereas, the victims of this brutal persecution are being 
     specifically targeted based on their religious or ethnic 
     affiliation with the intent to facilitate the annihilation or 
     forced migration of communities with long-standing ties to 
     their region; and
       Whereas, the Convention defines ``genocide'' as killing 
     members of a national, ethnic, racial or religious group, 
     causing them serious bodily or mental harm, intentionally 
     enforcing living conditions designed to cause the partial or 
     total physical destruction of the group, preventing births 
     within the group or transferring the children of the group to 
     another group with the intent to destroy the group in total 
     or in part; and
       Whereas, the Convention holds that genocide is a crime that 
     governments are obligated to prevent and for which 
     perpetrators are to be held responsible; and
       Whereas, the United States Commission on Religious Freedom, 
     the Hudson Institute for Religious Freedom, the International 
     Association of Genocide Scholars, Pope Francis, Hillary 
     Clinton and many other organizations and religious and 
     political leaders have called on the United States to 
     recognize the persecution of Christians and other religious 
     minorities in the Middle East as genocide; and
       Whereas, the United States Congress has introduced House 
     Concurrent Resolution 75, Senate Resolution 340 and at least 
     five other bills designed to recognize the genocide and 
     facilitate expedited support and aid for Christians and other 
     religious minorities in the Middle East; and
       Whereas, the designation of the persecution of Christians 
     and other religious minorities in the Middle East as genocide 
     has real, practical policy implications and can help expedite 
     various solutions to the crisis; and
       Whereas, the Members of the Senate of the State of Arizona 
     officially recognize the persecution of Christians and other 
     religious minorities in the Middle East as genocide.
       Wherefore your memorialist, the Senate of the State of 
     Arizona, prays:
       1. That each Member of Congress from the State of Arizona 
     cosponsor legislation similar to House Concurrent Resolution 
     75, support other congressional efforts to aid victims of the 
     persecution of Christians and other religious minorities in 
     the Middle East and encourage the United States government to 
     take greater concrete action to end the genocide.
       2. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona 
     transmit copies of this Memorial to the President of the 
     United States, the Speaker of the United States House of 
     Representatives, the Majority Leader of the United States 
     Senate and each Member of Congress from the State of Arizona.
                                  ____

       POM-184. A concurrent memorial adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Arizona urging that the United States 
     Congress continue to take action to prevent the United States 
     from entering into the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty or 
     other similar treaties that would interfere with the Second 
     Amendment rights of United States citizens; to the Committee 
     on Foreign Relations.

                    Senate Concurrent Memorial 1013

       Whereas, United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 
     2117, which was adopted on September 26, 2013, ``[c]alls for 
     Member States to support weapons collection, disarmament, 
     demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants, as well as 
     physical security and stockpile management programmes by 
     United Nations peacekeeping operations where so mandated''; 
     and
       Whereas, the UN Arms Trade Treaty strives to place a global 
     ban on the import and export of small firearms, affecting all 
     private gun owners in the United States, and to implement an 
     international gun registry on all private guns and 
     ammunition; and
       Whereas, Senator James Inhofe introduced an amendment to 
     the budget in 2013 that would prevent the United States from 
     entering into the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty ``[t]o 
     uphold Second Amendment rights and prevent the United States 
     from entering into the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty,'' 
     which passed on a 53-46 vote.
       Wherefore your memorialist, the Senate of the State of 
     Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring, prays:
       1. That the United States Congress continue to take action 
     to prevent the United States from entering into the UN Arms 
     Trade Treaty or other similar treaties that would interfere 
     with the Second Amendment rights of United States citizens.
       2. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona 
     transmit copies of this Memorial to the President of the 
     United States, the Speaker of the United States House of 
     Representatives, the President of the United States Senate 
     and each Member of Congress from the State of Arizona.
                                  ____

       POM-185. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Louisiana recognizing May 2016 as 
     ``Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month'' and 
     memorializing the United States Congress to enact legislation 
     to provide additional funding for research for the treatment 
     and cure of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; to the Committee 
     on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

                  Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 119

       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 the 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

[[Page 8668]]

       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
       Whereras, 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 the circumstances of living with 
     ALS and acknowledges the terrible impact this disease has, 
     not only on the patient receiving such a diagnosis, but also 
     on his family and community; 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 2016 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 for 
     the treatment and cure of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; and 
     be it further
       Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to 
     the secretary of the United States Senate, the clerk of the 
     United States House of Representatives, and to each member of 
     the Louisiana delegation to the United States Congress.
                                  ____

       POM-186. A concurrent memorial adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Arizona urging the United States Congress to 
     protest the proposed closing of the Tucson Postal Processing 
     and Distribution Center and take any action necessary to 
     fully restore operations of this vital postal facility; to 
     the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

                    Senate Concurrent Memorial 1009

       Whereas, the Tucson Postal Processing and Distribution 
     Center (Cherrybell) serves the entire southern portion of 
     Arizona covering the counties of Pima, Santa Cruz and 
     Cochise. Currently, Southern Arizona is facing a potential 
     economic downfall due to the initial decision made by the 
     United States Postal Service (USPS) Board of Governors to 
     close Cherrybell; and
       Whereas, more than 1.8 million people and 23,197 businesses 
     use the Cherrybell postal services. According to USPS 
     officials, over 3 million pieces of mail go through 
     Cherrybell each day as it is the 15th largest facility 
     serving the 33rd largest population area in our nation. The 
     processing and sorting operations at Cherrybell that are 
     proposed to be moved to Phoenix affect approximately 280 jobs 
     in Southern Arizona; and
       Whereas, Southern Arizona, which includes both the Tohono 
     O'odham nation and Pasqua Yaqui tribal lands, encompasses the 
     California and Arizona border at Yuma south to Nogales, 
     across to Douglas and Bisbee in Cochise County and the 
     military installations located at Fort Huachuca and Davis 
     Monthan, depends on the Cherrybell Post office; and
       Whereas, Southern Arizona is home to many military veterans 
     who depend on the USPS both for timely delivery of medical 
     prescriptions and for employment, as the USPS employs more 
     veterans than any entity other than the United States 
     Department of Defense; and
       Whereas, in an extensive community survey conducted in 
     2015, 84% of individuals and 86% of businesses reported a 
     noticeable delay in mail delivery due to the partial closure 
     of Cherrybell; and
       Whereas, Tucson City Council Member Richard Fimbres went on 
     record opposing the closure of Cherrybell and requested that 
     the Council work directly with Tucson's congressional 
     delegation and community members to frame a campaign to 
     protect the vital jobs at Cherrybell; and
       Whereas, Pima County Recorder F. Ann Rodriguez objects to 
     the closure of Cherrybell and firmly believes that, due to 
     the higher number of voters each year on the permanent early 
     voting list, this change will clearly impact the activities 
     of the state and county elections officials in Arizona and 
     will cause a detrimental impact to voters. The information 
     provided to the public by the USPS is based entirely on 
     economic considerations with no apparent regard for the 
     impact of the change on the fundamental right of all citizens 
     to vote and, in particular, the significant additional 
     detrimental impact to Native American voters in the region; 
     and
       Whereas, the people of Arizona applaud the efforts of 
     United States Representative Martha McSally and the other 
     members of the Arizona Congressional Delegation, including 
     Representatives Trent Franks, Ann Kirkpatrick, Matt Salmon, 
     Paul Gosar, Ruben Gallego, Kyrsten Sinema and Raul Grijalva, 
     who have asked for more detailed and complete information 
     regarding the proposal Cherrybell closure; and
       Whereas, thousands of people have written letters and 
     signed online petitions urging the USPS Board of Governors 
     not to close Cherrybell.
       Wherefore your memorialist, the Senate of the State of 
     Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring, prays:
       1. That the Congress of the United States protest the 
     proposed closing of the Tucson Postal Processing and 
     Distribution Center and take any action necessary to fully 
     restore operations of this vital postal facility.
       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.
                                  ____

       POM-187. A concurrent memorial adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Arizona urging the United States Congress to 
     act to increase the number of United States Customs and 
     Border Protection personnel at the ports of entry in Arizona; 
     to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
     Affairs.

                    Senate Concurrent Memorial 1006

       Whereas, the United States Customs and Border Protection 
     (CBP) is one of the world's largest law enforcement 
     organizations and is charged with keeping terrorists and 
     their weapons out of the United States while facilitating 
     lawful international travel and trade; and
       Whereas, as the world's first full-service border entity, 
     CBP takes a comprehensive approach to border management and 
     control, combining customs, immigration, border security and 
     agricultural protection into one coordinated and supportive 
     activity; and
       Whereas, the need to increase the number of CBP personnel 
     in the Tucson sector along the border between the United 
     States and Mexico is critical to increasing border safety and 
     security as well as to ensuring economic stability in our 
     border communities; and
       Whereas, increasing the number of CBP personnel who work at 
     the ports of entry in Arizona will enhance 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 CBP personnel at the 
     ports of entry in 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 workload capacity 
     at each port of entry is increased, which would result in 
     less congestion and delay; and
       Whereas, increasing the number of CBP personnel at the 
     ports of entry in Arizona should be part of the 
     infrastructure improvements that are occurring at the ports 
     of entry; and
       Whereas, the establishment of a safe and secure border is a 
     crucial component of national security.
       Wherefore your memorialist, the Senate of the State of 
     Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring, prays:
       1. That, in order to secure the border between the United 
     States and Mexico, to enhance the safety and 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 United States Congress act 
     to increase the number of CBP personnel at the ports of entry 
     in Arizona.
       2. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona 
     transmit a copy 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.
                                  ____

       POM-188. A concurrent memorial adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Arizona urging the United States Congress to 
     enact the Dine College Act of 2015; to the Committee on 
     Indian Affairs.

                    Senate Concurrent Memorial 1017

       Whereas, this state and the Navajo Nation maintain a 
     government-to-government relationship, and the Navajo people 
     residing in this state are citizens of both Arizona and the 
     Navajo Nation; and
       Whereas, in 1968, the Navajo Nation established Navajo 
     Community College, which later became Dine College, to 
     provide access to higher education to the Navajo people; and
       Whereas, Dine College's flagship campus is located in 
     Tsaile, Arizona, and there are community campuses in Tuba 
     City, Chinle and Window Rock; and
       Whereas, Dine College has dual credit agreements with 
     school districts and schools throughout Arizona, including 
     Red Mesa Unified School District #27, Chinle Unified School 
     District #24, Ganado Unified School

[[Page 8669]]

     District, St. Michaels High School, Window Rock Unified 
     School District #8, Many Farms High School, Kayenta Unified 
     School District, Pinon Unified School District #4, Greyhills 
     Academy High School, Tuba City High School, Leupp Schools, 
     Inc. and Phoenix Union High School District; and
       Whereas, this state provides support to Dine College 
     through its Navajo Nation, Dine College-State of Arizona 
     funding compact, the tribal college dual credit funding 
     program and Proposition 301 monies; and
       Whereas, the United States Congress passed the Navajo 
     Community College Act, the Navajo Community College 
     Assistance Act of 1978 and the Navajo Nation Higher Education 
     Act of 2008, which collectively provide for maintenance, 
     operation and construction funding for Dine College; and
       Whereas, Representative Ann Kirkpatrick introduced the Dine 
     College Act of 2015 ``to fulfill the United States 
     Government's trust responsibility to serve the higher 
     education needs of the Navajo people and to clarify, unify, 
     and modernize prior Dine College legislation,'' and Dine 
     College has requested that Senator Jeff Flake introduce a 
     United States Senate companion bill; and
       Whereas, this state stands in support of the passage of the 
     Dine College Act of 2015.
       Wherefore your memorialist, the Senate of the State of 
     Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring, prays:
       1. That the Congress of the United States enact the Dine 
     College Act of 2015.
       2. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona 
     transmit copies of this Memorial to the Governor of the State 
     of Arizona, 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-189. A concurrent memorial adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Arizona urging the United States Congress to 
     direct the appropriate federal agencies to secure the borders 
     of the United States; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

                    Senate Concurrent Memorial 1012

       Whereas, the United States is in the midst of a border 
     crisis; and
       Whereas, the sheriffs serving along the borders of the 
     United States are in the epicenter of this crisis; and
       Whereas, the porous borders of the United States have 
     resulted in the smuggling of contraband and illegal drugs, 
     the exploitation of human beings and the infiltration of 
     subversives bent on doing harm to this country; and
       Whereas, federal law mandates border security; and
       Whereas, the quality of life normally enjoyed by the 
     citizens of the United States is being jeopardized by an 
     unsecure border, which enables transnational criminals and 
     their accomplices to prey on the citizens of the United 
     States: and
       Whereas, border security must be a stand-alone priority for 
     the federal government; and
       Whereas, violence against public officials, law enforcement 
     and rival drug and human trafficking groups in Mexico 
     continues to escalate and cross international boundaries; and
       Whereas, the reduction of the federal government's 
     prosecution of the criminal element places the citizens of 
     the United States in harm's way, leaving the burden on local 
     governments to bear the costs associated with the 
     apprehension, prosecution and incarceration of this criminal 
     element; and
       Whereas, elected sheriffs have a statutory duty to protect 
     and secure the freedoms and liberties of United States 
     citizens and must do so with or without the help of their 
     federal law enforcement partners and policymakers; and
       Whereas, working with limited budgets and staffing, 
     sheriffs along the southwestern border of the United States 
     and sheriffs across the nation struggle to find ways to 
     enhance the quality of life and safety of those they serve 
     and to deter those who cross our borders to promote their 
     criminal activities; and
       Whereas, local governments are cognizant of the need to 
     bring relief to United States citizens who are impacted by 
     the lack of border security; and
       Whereas, without aggressive prosecution of all of those who 
     breach the border and commit criminal acts, the border will 
     continue to serve as an open opportunity for the criminal 
     element to exploit by entering the United States to prey on 
     this country and its citizens.
       Wherefore, your memorialist, the Senate of the State of 
     Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring, prays:
       1. That the United States Congress direct the appropriate 
     federal agencies to do the following:
       (a) Fully secure all of the borders of the United States.
       (b) Fully reimburse sheriffs for the costs associated with 
     the housing of illegal aliens who are being charged with 
     state crimes.
       (c) Return to the original guidelines as set forth in 
     Operation Streamline for the prosecution of persons crossing 
     the United States border illegally.
       2. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona 
     transmit copies of this Memorial to the President of the 
     United States, the Speaker of the United States House of 
     Representatives, the President of the United States Senate 
     and each Member of Congress from the State of Arizona.
                                  ____

       POM-190. A concurrent memorial adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Arizona urging the United States Congress to 
     direct the American Legion to expand its membership 
     eligibility to include all honorably discharged military 
     veterans; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

                     House Concurrent Memorial 2009

       Whereas, according to the American Legion, the organization 
     was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a 
     patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual 
     helpfulness. As the nation's largest wartime veterans service 
     organization, the American Legion is committed to mentoring 
     youth and sponsoring wholesome programs in our communities, 
     advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national 
     security and providing support to fellow servicemembers and 
     veterans; and
       Whereas, the American Legion limits membership eligibility 
     to those who have served federal active duty in the United 
     States Armed Forces during the World War I era, World War II 
     era, Korean War era, Vietnam War era, Lebanon/Grenada era, 
     Panama era or Persian Gulf War era and who have been 
     honorably discharged or are still serving; and
       Whereas, all honorably discharged military veterans deserve 
     the opportunity to participate in the American Legion.
       Wherefore your memorialist, the House of Representatives of 
     the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring, prays:
       1. That the United States Congress direct the American 
     Legion to expand its membership eligibility to include all 
     honorably discharged military veterans.
       2. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona 
     transmit copies of this Memorial to the President of the 
     United States, the Speaker of the United States House of 
     Representatives, the President of the United States Senate 
     and each Member of Congress from the State of Arizona.
                                  ____

       POM-191. A concurrent memorial adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Arizona urging the United States Congress to 
     adopt legislation similar to the Toxic Exposure Research Act 
     of 2015; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

                     House Concurrent Memorial 2006

       To the Congress of the United States of America:
       Your memorialist respectfully represents:
       Whereas, thousands of veterans have been exposed to Agent 
     Orange and other chemical agents during the course of their 
     service to the United States; and
       Whereas, today, many of the children and grandchildren of 
     veterans are suffering serious health issues that are related 
     to the veterans' exposure to chemical agents; and
       Whereas, the people of the United States owe it to their 
     veterans to better understand the impacts of these exposures 
     in order to guarantee that the children and grandchildren of 
     veterans receive appropriate treatment; and
       Whereas, the full effects of exposure to dangerous 
     chemicals such as Agent Orange is still unknown, and a 
     national research center is needed to further study the 
     impact these exposures have on veterans, their children and 
     their grandchildren; and
       Whereas, the Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015 is a 
     critical step in protecting the veterans of the United 
     States.
       Wherefore your memorialist, the House of Representatives of 
     the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring, prays:
       1. That the United States Congress adopt legislation 
     similar to H.R. 1769 and S. 901, the Toxic Exposure Research 
     Act of 2015, that would establish in the United States 
     Department of Veterans Affairs a national center for research 
     on the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions of the 
     descendants of veterans exposed to toxic substances during 
     service in the armed forces of the United States that are 
     related to that exposure.
       2. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona 
     transmit a copy 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.
                                  ____

       POM-192. A petition from a citizen of the State of Texas 
     relative to an amendment to the United States Constitution; 
     to the Committee on the Judiciary.

                          ____________________