[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 59 (Friday, May 10, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4195-S4199]
From the Congressional Record Online through the 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-232. An engrossed resolution adopted by the Assembly of
the State of Wisconsin relative to the Upper Mississippi and
Illinois Rivers' Inland Waterways Transportation System; to
the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
2001 Assembly Resolution 56
Whereas, the state of Wisconsin borders or contains over
360 miles of the upper Mississippi River and 11 navigation
locks and dams along those borders; and
Whereas, many of Wisconsin's locks and dams are more than
60 years old and only 600 feet long, making them unable to
accommodate modern barge tows of 1,200 feet long, nearly
tripling locking times and causing lengthy delays and
ultimately increasing shipping costs; and
[[Page S4196]]
Whereas, the use of 1,200-foot locks has been proven
nationwide as the best method of improving efficiency,
reducing congestion, and modernizing the inland waterways;
and
Whereas, the construction of the lock and dam system has
spurred economic growth and a higher standard of living in
the Mississippi and Illinois river basin, and today supplies
more than 300,000,000 tons of the nation's cargo, supporting
more than 400,000 jobs, including 90,000 in manufacturing;
and
Whereas, more than 60% of American agricultural exports,
including corn, wheat, and soybeans, are shipped down the
Mississippi and Illinois rivers on the way to foreign
markets; and
Whereas, Wisconsin farmers, producers, and consumers rely
on efficient transportation to remain competitive in a global
economy, and efficiencies in river transport offset higher
production costs compared to those incurred by foreign
competitors; and
Whereas, the upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers lock and
dam system saves our nation more than $1.5 billion in higher
transportation costs each year, and failing to construct
1,200-foot locks will cause farmers to use more expensive
alternative modes of transportation, including trucks and
trains; and
Whereas, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
congestion along the upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers is
costing Wisconsin and other producers and consumers in the
basin $98,000,000 per year in higher transportation costs;
and
Whereas, river transportation is the most environmentally
friendly form of transporting goods and commodities, creating
almost no noise pollution and emitting 35% to 60% fewer
pollutants than either trucks or trains, according to the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and
Whereas, moving away from river transport would add
millions of trucks and railcars to our nation's
infrastructure, adding air pollution, traffic congestion, and
greater wear and tear on highways; and
Whereas, backwater lakes created by the lock and dam system
provide breeding grounds for migratory waterfowl and fish;
and
Whereas, the lakes and 500 miles of wildlife refuge also
support a one-billion-dollar per year recreational industry,
including hunting, fishing, and tourism jobs; and
Whereas, upgrading the system of locks and dams on the
upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers will provide 3,000
construction and related jobs over a 15-year to 20-year
period; and
Whereas, in 1999 the state of Wisconsin shipped 1,100,000
tons of commodities, including grain, coal, chemicals,
aggregates, and other products; and
Whereas, 3,900,000 tons of commodities, including grain,
coal, chemicals, aggregates, and other products, were shipped
to, from, and within Wisconsin by barge, representing
$313,000,000 in value; and
Whereas, shippers moving by barge in Wisconsin realized a
savings of approximately $40,000,000 compared to other
transportation modes; and
Whereas, Wisconsin docks shipped products by barge to 6
states and received products from 11 states; and
Whereas, there are approximately 20 manufacturing
facilities, terminals, and docks on the waterways of
Wisconsin, representing thousands of jobs in the state; and
Whereas, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is conducting a
collaborative navigation study of the economic and
environmental factors to be considered when examining capital
improvements to the upper Mississippi River system; and
Whereas, the navigation study will release initial results
in a summer 2002 report; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly, That the Wisconsin assembly
formally recognizes the upper Mississippi River as a river of
statewide significance for natural, navigational, and
recreational benefits; and, be it further
Resolved, That the Wisconsin assembly recognizes the
importance of timely modernization of the inland waterway
transportation infrastructure to Wisconsin agriculture and
industry in this state, the region, and the nation and,
pending results of the navigation study, urges Congress to
authorize funding to construct 1,200-foot locks on the upper
Mississippi and Illinois river system; and, be it further
Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall transmit
copies of this resolution to the president and secretary of
the U.S. senate, the speaker and clerk of the U.S. house of
representatives, the chair of the senate committee on
commerce, science, and transportation, the chair of the house
committee on transportation and infrastructure, and the
members of the congressional delegation from this state.
____
POM-233. An engrossed resolution adopted by the Senate of
the Legislature of the State of Wisconsin relative to autism
spectrum disorder; to the Committee on Health, Education,
Labor, and Pensions.
2001 Senate Resolution 16
Whereas, autism spectrum disorder has been labeled the
silent epidemic of our time, silent because this
developmental disorder has robbed at least 400,000 children
of their ability to communicate and interact with their
families and loved ones, and silent because there are
currently no established autism registries in the nation to
tell us how many people are actually afflicted with this
disorder; and
Whereas, current statistics tell us that autism affects at
least one in every 500 children in America, and recent
anecdotal evidence suggests that autism rates are increasing
to possible one in every 250 children; and
Whereas, the U.S. house of representatives has passed a
resolution, H. CON. RES. 91, recognizing the importance of
increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorder, and
supporting programs for greater research and improved
treatment of autism and improved training and support for
individuals with autism and those who care for them; now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That: the members of the Wisconsin
Senate urge the U.S. Senate to concur in H. CON. RES. 91;
and, be it further
Resolved, That the Senate chief clerk shall provide a copy
of this resolution to each member of the Wisconsin
congressional delegation, to the members of the U.S. Senate
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, to the
President and Vice President of the United States, to the
secretary of the U.S. Senate, and to the clerk of the U.S.
House of Representatives.
____
POM-234. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of
the State of Maine relative to memorializing congress to
adopt Patriots' Day as a holiday throughout the United States
of America; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Joint Resolution
Whereas, Patriots' Day commemorates the American Revolution
and the legendary battles at Lexington and Concord in 1775;
and
Whereas, these historic events led to the colonies'
independence from Great Britain and subsequently to the
formation of the United States of America; and
Whereas, great patriotism was demonstrated by the Americans
after the terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington,
D.C. and Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001; and
Whereas, Patriots' Day, a holiday in reverence of our unity
as a nation, is celebrated only in Maine and Massachusetts;
now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That We, your Memorialists, urge the Congress of
the United States to encourage all of the United States of
America to observe Patriots' Day on April 15, 2002 in
remembrance of the founding of this nation and the patriotism
shown by Americans after September 11, 2001; and be it
further
Resolved, That suitable copies of this resolution, duly
authenticated by the Secretary of State, be transmitted to
the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United States,
and to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker
of the House of Representatives of the United States and each
Member of the Maine Congressional Delegation.
____
POM-235. A Senate concurrent resolution adopted by the
General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania relative
to honoring Commodore John Barry as the first flag officer of
the United States Navy; to the Committee on Armed Services.
Senate Resolution
Whereas, Commodore John Barry, an American merchant marine
captain and native of County Wexford, Ireland, volunteered
his services to the Continental Navy during the Revolutionary
War; and
Whereas, Throughout his career, Commodore Barry not only
provided the first and last victories at sea for the American
revolutionaries but also was responsible for the organization
of the historic crossing of the Delaware River by General
George Washington; and
Whereas, Under President Washington, Commodore Barry built
and first commanded the United States Navy and the squadron
that included his flagship, the USS United States, and the
USS Constitution, ``Old Ironsides''; and
Whereas, Commodore Barry served as head of the United
States Navy under Presidents Washington, Adams and Jefferson;
therefore be it
Resolved (the House of Representatives concurring), That
the General Assembly memorialize the Congress of the United
States to honor Commodore John Barry as the first flag
officer of the United States Navy; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be sent to the
presiding officers of each house of Congress and to all
members of Congress from Pennsylvania.
____
POM-236. A resolution adopted by the House of the
Legislature of the State of Vermont relative to the National
Guard; to the Committee on Armed Services.
House Resolution 37
Whereas, within days of the September 11, 2001, terrorist
attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., the nation's
governors activated National Guard soldiers and airmen to
augment security at 422 of the nation's international
airports, and
Whereas, in true state-federal partnership, National Guard
forces are providing aerial port security under the command
and control of the sovereign states, territories, and the
District of Columbia, and the federal government is funding
such duties ``in the service of the United States'' under 32
U.S.C. Sec. 502(f) hereinafter referred to as ``Title 32
duty'', and
Whereas, Title 32 duty has been used, inter alia, for more
than 20 years for National Guard full-time staffing, for
National Guard support for local, state, and federal law
enforcement agencies under Governors'
[[Page S4197]]
Counter-Drug Plans for more than 12 years, for National Guard
Civil Support Team technical assistance for local first
responders for more than two years, and for aerial port
security following the attacks of September 11. Of particular
note, the National Guard Counter-Drug Program has long
included Title 32 support for United States Customs, Border
Patrol, and Immigration and Naturalization Service activities
at United States Ports of Entry, and
Whereas, in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks,
increased security and inadequate federal staffing have
limited the flow of persons, goods, and services across our
nation's borders. These factors have contributed to a
weakening of the American and Canadian economies, and
Whereas, the governors of northern tier border states wrote
President Bush in November 2001, offering to provide Title 32
National Guard augmentation for United States Customs, Border
Patrol, and Immigration and Naturalization Service operations
at United States Ports of Entry. Such relief could have been,
and still can be, effected within days of acceptance by the
federal government, and
Whereas, there is still no relief at our borders due to
inaction on the governors' offer of Title 32 National Guard
assistance and conflicting Department of Defense proposals to
federalize the National Guard or otherwise enhance border
security with active duty military personnel instead of Title
32 National Guard members, and
Whereas, federalizing the National Guard under U.S.C. Title
10 would degrade the combat readiness of units from which
Guardsmen would be mobilized, interfere with effective state
force management, and prevent personal accommodations for
soldiers and their civilian employers, and
Whereas, stationing federal military forces at the United
States-Canada border would be an unprecedented unilateral
action by the United States, and
Whereas, the nation's border states need prompt relief
which can best be provided by Title 32 National Guard forces
being deployed to assist lead federal agencies at the borders
``in the service of the United States'', but under continued
state command and control, and
Whereas, the Vermont State Legislature opposes
federalization of the National Guard or assignment of federal
military forces for United States border security, now
therefore be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That this
legislative body urges the President and U.S. Congress to
assure prompt augmentation of lead federal agencies at the
borders by accepting the governors' offer of National Guard
forces under state command and control pursuant to 32 U.S.C.
Sec. 502(f), and be it further
Resolved, That the Clerk of the House be directed to send
copies of this resolution to President George W. Bush, the
President of the U.S. Senate, the Speaker of the U.S. Houses
of Representatives, and to the members of the Vermont
Congressional Delegation.
____
POM-237. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of
the State of Maine relative to the intent to fund 40% of the
costs of special education or amend the individuals with
disabilities education act to allow the states more
flexibility in implementing its mandates; to the Committee on
Appropriations.
Joint Resolution
Where as, the Congress of the United States has found that
all children deserve a quality education, including children
with disabilities; and
Where as, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act,
20 United States Code, Section 1400, et seq., provides that
the Federal Government and the State and local governments
are to share in the expense of education for children with
disabilities and commits the Federal Government to provide
funds to assist with the excess of expenses of education for
children with disabilities; and
Where as, the Congress of the United States has committed
to contribute up to 40% of the average per pupil expenditure
of educating children with disabilities and the Federal
Government has failed to meet this commitment to assist the
states; and
Where as, the Federal Government has never contributed more
than 12.6% of the national average per pupil expenditure to
assist with the excess expenses of educating children with
disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act; and
Where as, this failure of the Federal Government to meet
its commitment to assist with the excess expenses of
educating a child with a disability contradicts the goal of
ensuring that children with disabilities receive a quality
education; and
Where as, the federal grant funds in the State for children
zero to 2 years of age represent only 30% of the cost of
serving eligible infants and toddlers in the State, and if
the federal grants were at the 40% level, the award to the
State this year would have increased by $582,000; and
Where as, the federal grant funds in the state for children
3 to 5 years of age represent only 8% of the cost of serving
children 3 to 5 years of age in the State, and if the federal
grants were at the 40% level, the award to the State this
year would have increased by $10,086,000; and
Where as, the federal grant funds in the State for children
5 to 20 years of age represent only 9.75% of the State's
total special education expenditures of $225,130,000, and if
the federal grants were at the 40% level, the award to the
State this year would have increased by more than
$68,000,000; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That we, your Memorialists, respectfully urge and
request that the President of the United States and the
Congress of the United States either provide 40% of the
national average per pupil expenditure to assist states and
local education agencies with the excess costs of educating
children with disabilities or amend the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act to allow the states more
flexibility in implementing its mandates; and be it further
Resolved, That suitable copies of this resolution, duly
authenticated by the Secretary of state, be transmitted to
the President of the United States, to the President of the
Senate of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of
Representatives of the United States and to each Member of
the Maine Congressional Delegation.
____
POM-238. A resolution adopted by the House of the
Legislature of the State of Florida relative to supporting
the commitment of funding necessary for the continued
development, permanent establishment and future operation of
the Center for Coastal and Maritime security by the Coastal
Systems Station of the United States Navy; to the Committee
on Appropriations.
House Resolution No. 9003C
Whereas, on September 11, 2001, the United States of
America was the victim of a cowardly attack conducted by
terrorists supported by foreign nations, and
Whereas, these attacks have placed our nation's military on
high alert in order to protect our citizens and visitors to
the United States from future aggression, and
Whereas, our nation has over 12,000 miles of coastline,
over 2,000 miles of which are found in the State of Florida,
and
Whereas, 14 active seaports, thousands of miles of rivers
and inland waterways, countless marinas, and the center of
the world's marine cruise industry are located in Florida,
and
Whereas, the vastness of our nation's coastline increases
the probability that future attackers could enter the country
at our seaports, maritime commerce centers, energy
facilities, and marine recreational centers, and
Whereas, for more than 50 years, the United States Navy's
Coastal Systems Station in Panama City, Florida, has provided
unequaled training, mission planning, and equipment
development in the area of coastal operations and systems to
all branches of the United States military, and
Whereas, the Coastal Systems Station is a field activity of
the Naval Sea Systems Command and is one of the major
research, development, test, and evaluation laboratories of
the United States Navy, with a wide base of expertise in
engineering and scientific disciplines, and
Whereas, the Coastal Systems Station is the Navy's premier
organization for the comprehensive support of mission areas
within coastal environments, which include mine warfare,
amphibious warfare, special warfare, diving and life support,
and coastal operations, and
Whereas, the United States Navy's Coastal Systems Station
is currently in the process of developing, and seeks to
permanently establish, the Center for Coastal and Maritime
Security, the purpose of which is to provide specialized
training and technology for civilian and military personnel
to defend our nation against maritime terrorist threats, and
Whereas, given the events of September 11, 2001, it is now
a matter of the highest importance that the numerous means of
ingress to this country provided through the nation's vast
coastal area as be secured and made invulnerable to any form
of malicious breach, and
Whereas, to that end, it is essential that the Center for
Coastal and Maritime Security be fully developed, permanently
established, and operated by the United States Navy Coastal
Systems Station, Now, Therefore,
Be it Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State
of Florida, That the President of the United States and the
United States Congress are urged to support and commit
necessary funding for the continued development, permanent
establishment, and future operation of the Center for Coastal
and Maritime Security. Be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be sent to the
President of the United States, the President of the United
States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of
Representatives, and to each member of the Florida Delegation
to the United States Congress.
____
POM-239. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the
Legislature of the State of Kansas relative to the Medicare
program to pay for all oral cancer drugs; to the Committee on
Finance.
Senate Resolution No. 1826
Whereas, Cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and
mortality in the State of Kansas and throughout the nation;
and
Whereas, Cancer is disproportionately a disease of the
elderly, with more than half of all cancer diagnoses
occurring in persons age 65 or older, many of whom are
dependent on the federal Medicare program for provision of
cancer care; and
[[Page S4198]]
Whereas, Since treatment with drugs is the cornerstone of
modern cancer care, elderly cancer patients must have access
to potentially life-extending drug therapy, but the Medicare
program's coverage of drugs is limited to injectable drugs or
oral drugs that have an injectable version; and
Whereas, The nation's investment in biomedical research has
begun to bear fruit with a compelling array of new oral
cancer drugs that are less toxic, more effective and more
cost-effective than existing therapies, but because such
drugs do not have an injectable equivalent, they are not
covered by Medicare; and
Whereas, Noncoverage of these important new products leaves
many Medicare beneficiaries confronting the choice of either
substantial out-of-pocket personal costs or selection of more
toxic, less effective treatments that are covered by the
program; and
Whereas, Medicare's failure to cover oral cancer drugs
leaves at risk many beneficiaries suffering from blood-
related cancers like leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, as well
as cancers of the breast, lung and prostate; and
Whereas, Certain members of the United States Congress have
recognized the necessity of Medicare coverage for all oral
cancer drugs and introduced legislation in the 107th Congress
to achieve that result (H.R. 1624; S. 913); Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Kansas, That
the Senate respectfully urges the Congress of the United
States to adopt legislation requiring the Medicare program to
cover all oral cancer drugs; and
Be it further resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate
transmit enrolled copies of this resolution to the President
of the United States, the President of the United States
Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of
Representatives, the Secretary of Health and Human Services
and each member of the Kansas congressional delegation.
____
POM-240. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Senate of
the Legislature of the State of Louisiana relative to the Act
to Leave No Child Behind; to the Committee on Finance.
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 20
Whereas, approximately 11.6 million children across the
United States live in poverty and nearly 9.2 million children
in America do not have health insurance; and
Whereas, only three out of five eligible preschool children
are able to participate in Head Start programs; and
Whereas, only 12 percent of eligible children receive child
care assistance through the Child Care and Development Block
Grant; and
Whereas, approximately one-third of parents who stop
receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) find
little or no work and out of the two-thirds who stop
receiving TANF and do find jobs, only 40 percent are stable,
year-round jobs; and
Whereas, many families are not receiving the food stamps,
Medicaid, child care, or other supports for which they are
eligible; and
Whereas, three million children in the United States are
suffering ``worst case'' housing needs such that their
families are paying over half of their income for rent or are
living in overcrowded or substandard housing; and
Whereas, nine youths are killed in the United States by
firearms everyday; and
Whereas, nearly 8,000 children a day are reported to public
welfare agencies as abused and/or neglected and over 2.5
million children live with grandparents or in foster family
homes, group homes, or child care institutions; and
Whereas, seven million children in the United States are
regularly left at home alone after school each week; and
Whereas, federal legislation, the Act to Leave No Child
Behind (S.940/H.R. 1990), will help address these and many
other needs of children in Louisiana and across America; and
Whereas, Louisiana is committed to improving the lives of
children and ensuring that all of our children are afforded
the opportunity to grow up healthy, safe, educated, and free
from poverty. Therefore be it
Resolved, That the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
memorialize the Louisiana congressional delegation and the
United States Congress to support the Act to Leave No Child
Behind. Be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
endorse the Act to Leave No Child Behind and the efforts
being made to make certain that no child is left behind. Be
it further
Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
each member of the Louisiana congressional delegation and to
the presiding officers of the United States House of
Representatives and the United States Senate.
____
POM-241. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the
Legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts relative to
welfare reform; to the Committee on Finance.
Resolution
Whereas, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts adopted its own
version of ``welfare reform'' in 1995, taking into account
the nature of labor market in Massachusetts, the financial
resources of the Commonwealth and the particular needs of
low-income families with children; and
Whereas, The Federal Government in 1995 granted
Massachusetts a waiver from the then-existing Federal
requirements enabling Massachusetts to implement its version
of welfare reform; and
Whereas, The Federal Government in 1996 adopted its version
of welfare reform, TANF, and, in recognition of their leading
roles, allowed Massachusetts and other states with pre-
existing waivers to continue to operate their programs under
such waivers; and
Whereas, one purpose of TANF was to allow states greater
flexibility to operate their cash assistance programs for
needy families; and
Whereas, since 1995, the number of Massachusetts families
receiving cash assistance from the Commonwealth has declined
by more than 50 percent; and
Whereas, almost half of the Massachusetts families
continuing to receive cash assistance are families including
a family member with a disability or with very young
children; and
Whereas, under the Massachusetts program operated under the
Federal waiver, such families are exempt from the time limits
and work requirements; and
Whereas, because of adverse economic conditions in the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts and around the country, the
number of low-income families needing cash assistance has
started to rise; and
Whereas, because the original TANF law barred states from
using Federal TANF funds to provide assistance to certain
legal immigrant families, Massachusetts, since 1997, has
expended state funds to provide needed services to immigrant
families; and
Whereas, the 1996 Federal Welfare Reform Law expires on
September 30, 2002 and must be reauthorized by the United
States Congress and the President on or before that date; and
Whereas, the Massachusetts waiver will expire in 2005
unless the state is allowed to renew it; and
Whereas, without the waiver, Massachusetts may suffer
Federal financial penalties for continuing to operate its own
program and incur substantial additional costs related to
child care, transportation, and other supportive services;
and
Whereas, the Federal TANF block grant received annually by
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has declined in real value
by 13 percent since 1996 and, if continued at current levels,
will decline further in real value over the next several
years; and
Whereas, without additional Federal TANF funding,
Massachusetts may be forced to cut back on existing services
for needy families; and
Whereas, the National Governors' Association has called on
Congress to allow states with waivers to continue operating
under them, to increase TANF funding and to allow states with
greater flexibility in operating their TANF programs; now
therefore be it
Resolved, that any reauthorized TANF law should include:
A. Authority for Massachusetts and other states with pre-
existing waivers to continue and renew them at state option;
B. Increased TANF block grant funding for Massachusetts;
C. Increased flexibility for states to determine what
activities and what level of participation should satisfy
Federal work requirements, in part to enable states
appropriately to meet the needs of low-income families with
disabilities;
D. Increased flexibility for states to grant hardship
exemptions from the Federal 5-year time limit on receipt of
TANF assistance, in part to enable states appropriately to
meet the needs of low-income families with disabilities;
E. Removal of restrictions on states using TANF funds to
provide benefits to legal immigrants; and be it further
Resolved, that the members of the Massachusetts delegation
to the Congress of the United States should actively seek to
ensure that the provisions listed above are included in any
reauthorized TANF law; and be it further
Resolved, that a copy of these resolutions be transmitted
forthwith by the Clerk of the Senate to the President of the
United States, to the Presiding Officer of each branch of
Congress and to the members thereof from this Commonwealth.
____
POM-242. A joint resolution adopted by the House of the
Legislature of the State of Maine relative to correcting
inequities for retirees drawing social security benefits; to
the Committee on Finance.
Joint Resolution
Whereas, retirees covered by federal, state or local
government retirement programs are facing hardship in
retirement; and
Whereas, the retirement benefits of these retirees are low
and the cost of health insurance is high and climbing every
year; and
Whereas, added to this bleak economic picture, even though
many of these retirees may qualify for Social Security
through their own or their spouses' work, Congress will not
let them benefit as other citizens do; and
Whereas, the first roadblock, the windfall elimination
provision of the federal Social Security Act, requires 30
years of ``substantial earnings,'' as rated on a scale,
before a retiree is eligible for the full Social Security
benefit. If a retiree does not have 30 years, or some years
fall below the standard, the Social Security benefit may be
reduced or eliminated; therefore, retirees who earned a
pension from working for a government agency and also worked
part-time under Social Security may see their Social Security
benefits reduced or eliminated; and
[[Page S4199]]
Whereas, the 2nd roadblock the government pension offset of
the federal Social Security Act, reduces the survivor benefit
under Social Security by 2/3 of an individual's retirement
benefit. This means the death of a spouse of a retiree is a
double tragedy because the offset will reduce the family
income by 1/3 or more and then freeze it at that level. Any
future increase in the retiree's retirement will result in
the loss of Social Security benefits; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That We, your Memorialists, support the repeal of
the government pension offset and the windfall elimination
provision from the federal Social Security Act; and be it
further
Resolved, That suitable copies of this resolution, duly
authenticated by the Secretary of State, be transmitted to
the President of the United States Senate, to the Speaker of
the United States House of Representatives and to each member
of the Maine Congressional Delegation.
____________________