[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 131 (Thursday, August 4, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4039-S4044]
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-175. A resolution from the House of Representatives of
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico expressing its firm support
to congressional bill H.R. 7409, known as the ``Territorial
Relief Under Sustainable Transitions for Puerto Rico Act of
2022'' (Trust for Puerto Rico Act of 2022), introduced by
Congressman Ritchie Torres, that would amend the Puerto Rico
Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA)
in order to facilitate the termination of the Financial
Oversight Board after certification of a balanced budget for
two consecutive fiscal years; to the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources.
House Resolution No. 764
Ove the past decades, Puerto Rico's economic growth has
experienced a deceleration that has resulted in the loss of
competition in the private sector and a severe financial
crisis in the governmental sector.
The Island's economic recession began in 2006. However, it
should be noted that the financial crisis precedes it,
because previous government administrations issued debt
amounting to billions of dollars to finance budget deficits,
thus presenting to the Island the illusion of a balanced
budget, as provided by our Constitution. It is worth noting
that a $45 billion debt was issued between 2000 and 2012.
Approximately half of the money was used to finance budget
deficits and to defray the government's payroll expense and
spending.
We must remember that the financial crisis broke that
started during the first decade of the 21st century led to
the subsequent enactment of the Puerto Rico Oversight,
Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) and the
creation of the Financial Oversight Board, hereinafter the
``Board,'' for the purpose of managing Puerto Rico's
finances.
Ever since PROMESA and the Board became effective in 2016,
the government of Puerto Rico has maneuvered to meet the
financial requirements imposed within this new reality. Under
PROMESA, the territorial government must approve a balanced
budget for four (4) consecutive fiscal years in order to
require the termination of the Board. Given this scenario, it
must be noted that, since the Board began operations, the
first balanced budget was approved by the current Legislative
Assembly for fiscal year 2021-2022.
In view of this context, and given the imposition of an
antidemocratic body such as the Financial Oversight Board,
Congressman Ritchie Torres started this initiative to amend
PROMESA in order to reduce the required number of balanced
budgets from four (4) to just two (2). Furthermore, this
measure establishes that the Board shall be terminated 90
days after the certification of the second balanced budget.
Thus, any ambiguity within the statute in effect regarding
the Board's termination is eliminated.
This House of Representatives believes that the bill
introduced by Congressman Ritchie Torres (H.R. 7409, better
known as ``Trust for Puerto Rico Act of 2022'') provides a
mechanism to restore power to the people of Puerto Rico, and
consequently, to its democratically elected officials.
Liberty and democracy are two pillars of our government and
our goal must be to strengthen them; therefore, we are duty-
bound to promote and support policies aimed at its
attainment. It is time to raise our voices and join in any
effort that seeks to restore the people of Puerto Rico's
control and power over its finances as soon as possible.
For all of the foregoing, this House of Representatives
expresses its firm support to congressional bill H.R. 7409,
known as the ``Territorial Relief Under Sustainable
Transitions for Puerto Rico Act of 2022'' (Trust for Puerto
Rico Act of 2022), introduced by Congressman Ritchie Torres.
This bill would amend the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management,
and Economic Stability Act
[[Page S4040]]
(PROMESA) in order to facilitate the termination of the
Financial Oversight Board after the certification of a
balanced budget for two consecutive fiscal years.
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of Puerto
Rico:
Section 1.--The House of Representatives of the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico hereby expresses its firm support
to congressional bill H.R. 7409, known as the ``Territorial
Relief Under Sustainable Transitions for Puerto Rico Act of
2022'' (Trust for Puerto Rico Act of 2022), introduced by
Congressman Ritchie Torres, that would amend the Puerto Rico
Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA)
in order to facilitate the termination of the Financial
Oversight Board after the certification of a balanced budget
for two consecutive fiscal years.
Section 2.--A copy of this Resolution shall be translated
into the English language and delivered to the President of
the United States of America, Joseph R. Biden and the
leadership of the United States Congress.
Section 3.--This Resolution shall take effect upon its
approval.
____
POM-176. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the State of
Michigan urging the adoption of policies that will help lead
to energy independence and lower energy costs in the United
States, including ending the state's efforts to shut down
Line 5; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Senate Resolution No. 114
Whereas, Plentiful affordable energy is essential for the
well-being of the American people. The lack of an adequate
energy supply leads to higher prices, fewer jobs, and threats
to public health and safety. It should be the policy of the
government at every level to ensure that energy is available,
accessible, reliable and as affordable as possible; and
Whereas, For decades, the United States has too greatly
relied on sources of energy produced on the other side of the
world. While the United States has enjoyed a higher degree of
energy independence in the last decade due to an increase in
domestic oil production, we still import tens of millions of
barrels of foreign crude oil from overseas each month; and
Whereas, As a direct result of both federal and state
policies and foreseeable world events, gas prices in the
United States are rising at the fastest pace recorded since
2000. Not only are rising gas prices eating away at recent
wage growth and increasing the risk of a recession, they also
could have sweeping impacts for U.S. consumers as higher
diesel prices raise the cost of shipping goods through
already stressed supply chains, disproportionately affecting
low-income families and citizens; and
Whereas, Enacting policies that will lead to energy
independence is necessary for the safety and prosperity of
the American people. Reliance on overseas oil has the
potential to maximize the leverage of foreign producers.
While the Biden Administration's efforts to isolate and
weaken Vladimir Putin have been welcome and necessary, our
reliance on sources of energy originating on other continents
creates a potential risk that those sources could be
jeopardized by United States' actions abroad, which limit our
ability to preserve and protect American values. Ensuring
that the United States' economy can support itself without
relying on supply chains that span the globe and without risk
of foreign political disruptions is critical to job growth
and competition in the United States; and
Whereas, President Biden, United States Secretary of Energy
Jennifer Granholm, Governor Whitmer, Michigan Attorney
General Nessel, and other elected officials have pursued
policies that have harmed our ability to achieve energy
independence, including the President's decision to halt the
Keystone XL pipeline and the Governor's and Michigan Attorney
General's attempts to shut down the Line 5 pipeline, a
crucial source of energy for millions of Michiganders; and
Whereas, Protecting our environment is better accomplished
with domestically produced fossil fuels, which are believed
to be significantly cleaner than those found in other parts
of the world; and
Whereas, The United States must focus on policies that
increase the production of energy here at home, such as
ensuring the continued safe operation of the Line 5 pipeline
in Michigan, increasing domestic oil and gas drilling,
increasing investments in renewable energy, and abandoning
policies that limit domestic energy production and raise the
capital costs associated with fossil fuel development; now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That we urge the adoption of
policies that will help lead to energy independence and lower
energy costs in the United States; and be it further
Resolved, That we urge Governor Whitmer and Michigan
Attorney General Nessel to immediately cease their efforts to
shut down the Line 5 pipeline and instead work proactively to
lower energy costs for the residents of this state; and be it
further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
the Governor, the Michigan Attorney General, the
commissioners of the Michigan Public Service Commission, the
commissioners of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
the Secretary of the United States Department of Energy, the
Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior,
the President of the United States, the President of the
United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House
of Representatives, and the entire Michigan congressional
delegation.
____
POM-177. A resolution adopted by the House of
Representatives of the State of Michigan urging the adoption
of policies that will help lead to energy independence and
lower energy costs in the United States, including ending the
state's efforts to shut down Line 5; to the Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources.
House Resolution No. 250
Whereas, Plentiful affordable energy is essential for the
well-being of the American people. The lack of an adequate
energy supply leads to higher prices, fewer jobs, and threats
to public health and safety. It should be the policy of the
government at every level to ensure that energy is available,
accessible, reliable and as affordable as possible; and
Whereas, For decades, the United States has too greatly
relied on sources of energy produced on the other side of the
world. While the United States has enjoyed a higher degree of
energy independence in the last decade due to an increase in
domestic oil production, we still import tens of millions of
barrels of foreign crude oil from overseas each month; and
Whereas, As a direct result of both federal and state
policies and foreseeable world events, gas prices in the
United States are rising at the fastest pace recorded since
2000. Not only are rising gas prices eating away at recent
wage growth and increasing the risk of a recession, they also
could have sweeping impacts for U.S. consumers as higher
diesel prices raise the cost of shipping goods through
already stressed supply chains, disproportionately affecting
low-income families and citizens; and
Whereas, Enacting policies that will lead to energy
independence is necessary for the safety and prosperity of
the American people. Reliance on overseas oil has the
potential to maximize the leverage of foreign producers.
While the Biden Administration's efforts to isolate and
weaken Vladimir Putin have been welcome and necessary, our
reliance on sources of energy originating on other continents
creates a potential risk that those sources could be
jeopardized by United States' actions abroad, which limit our
ability to preserve and protect American values. Ensuring
that the United States' economy can support itself without
relying on supply chains that span the globe and without risk
of foreign political disruptions is critical to job growth
and competition in the United States; and
Whereas. President Biden, United States Secretary of Energy
Jennifer Granholm, Governor Whitmer, Michigan Attorney
General Nessel, and other elected officials have pursued
policies that have harmed our ability to achieve energy
independence, including the President's decision to halt the
Keystone XL pipeline and the Governor's and Michigan Attorney
General's attempts to shut down the Line 5 pipeline, a
crucial source of energy for millions of Michiganders; and
Whereas, Protecting our environment is better accomplished
with domestically produced fossil fuels, which are believed
to be significantly cleaner than those found in other parts
of the world; and
Whereas, The United States must focus on policies that
increase the production of energy here at home, such as
ensuring the continued safe operation of the Line 5 pipeline
in Michigan, increasing domestic oil and gas drilling,
increasing investments in renewable energy, and abandoning
policies that limit domestic energy production and raise the
capital costs associated with fossil fuel development; now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the
adoption of policies that will help lead to energy
independence and lower energy costs in the United States; and
be it further
Resolved, That we urge Governor Whitmer and Michigan
Attorney General Nessel to immediately cease their efforts to
shut down the Line 5 pipeline and instead work proactively to
lower energy costs for the residents of this state; and be it
further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
the Governor, the Michigan Attorney General, the
commissioners of the Michigan Public Service Commission, the
commissioners of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
the Secretary of the United States Department of Energy, the
Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior,
the President of the United States, the President of the
United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House
of Representatives, and the entire Michigan congressional
delegation.
____
POM-178. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature
of the State of Arizona urging the United States Congress to
pass the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock
Mines Act to allow Good Samaritan groups to clean up
abandoned mines in this country; to the Committee on
Environment and Public Works.
House Concurrent Resolution No. 2008
Whereas, the United States has more than 140,000 abandoned
hardrock mines, and more than 22,000 of these pose
environmental hazards that threaten our land, water, fish and
wildlife and the communities that depend on them; and
Whereas, the mining industry and the conservation community
are highly motivated
[[Page S4041]]
to remedy the environmental challenges created by abandoned
mines but are hindered by burdensome red tape and potential
and significant liability risks; and
Whereas, numerous organizations have expressed a
willingness to remediate the damage caused by these long-
abandoned mines, but doing so would expose a ``Good
Samaritan'' volunteer to legal liability for all the
preexisting pollution from a mine despite having no previous
involvement with it; and
Whereas, the bipartisan ``Good Samaritan Remediation of
Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act'' has been introduced in
Congress that would allow state agencies, local governments,
nonprofit groups and corporations to clean up these abandoned
mines, thereby helping to reduce pollution and improve water
quality in and around the mining areas; and
Whereas, this important legislation creates a path forward
for Good Samaritans to work unimpeded and increase the pace
and scale of reclamation and, in so doing, create jobs and
enhance our nation's environment. Therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
Arizona, the Senate concurring:
1. That the Members of the Legislature express their
support for the United States Congress to pass the Good
Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act to
allow Good Samaritan groups to clean up abandoned mines in
this country.
2. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona
transmit copies of this Resolution to the President of the
United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House
of Representatives and each Member of Congress from the State
of Arizona.
____
POM-179. A resolution adopted by the House of
Representatives of the State of Michigan urging the United
States Congress to expand the federal Family First Prevention
Services Act by allowing flexibility in the use of Title IV-E
funds to help children remain safely in their homes; to the
Committee on Finance.
House Resolution No. 262
Whereas, In the United States, nearly half a million
children are in foster care. Michigan ranks 18th in the
country for the number of children, per capita, placed in
out-of-home care, with approximately 13,000 children in
foster care or a residential placement on any given day; and
Whereas, Research shows that children in the foster system
have the best outcomes when they are placed in a safe and
stable environment that supports their long-term well-being.
Instead of subjecting children to the trauma of being
separated from their family and placed out of their home,
more efforts are being made to provide struggling and
overburdened families with the resources they need to create
a stable and loving environment; and
Whereas, The Family First Prevention Services Act. signed
into law in 2018, was enacted to help increase the number of
children who can remain safely at home with their families.
The law allows states to use federal funding available under
Title IV-E of the Social Security Act to address some of the
issues that contribute to family separation. Currently, the
Family First Prevention Services Act allows funding for a
narrow range of services, including substance use prevention
and treatment, in-home parenting skills classes, and kinship
navigator services. While these services are essential, there
are many other areas in which families require assistance;
and
Whereas, Poverty and homelessness, for example, have been
shown to be associated with the separation of families, and
many studies have documented that children in families who
experience homelessness frequently become separated from
their parents. Poverty leads to housing instability and
parents often struggle to provide for their children's basic
needs. Helping parents out of poverty and providing stable
environments for children would allow more families to stay
together, which would reduce the number of children that have
to endure the foster care system; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the
United States Congress to expand the federal Family First
Prevention Services Act by allowing flexibility in the use of
Title IV-E funds to help children remain safely in their
homes; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives,
the President of the United States Senate, and the members of
the Michigan congressional delegation.
____
POM-180. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the State of
Michigan urging the United States Congress to enact
legislation to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor,
and Pensions.
Senate Resolution No. 129
Whereas, Children with disabilities deserve quality
education to develop skills so they can fully participate in
social, economic, and political life. Many of these children
face significant barriers to education and are more likely to
be out of school. Ensuring access to education is the best
way to help children with disabilities realize their full
potential; and
Whereas, Congress has established that equal access to
education for students with disabilities is an essential
element of our national policy by passing the Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). In the Act, Congress
states that disability is a natural part of the human
experience, and the IDEA is meant to ensure equality of
opportunity and economic self-sufficiency for all individuals
with disabilities; and
Whereas, While the IDEA has resulted in increased access to
education for millions of students, the Act remains
dangerously underfunded. In the original 1975 legislation,
Congress promised to cover 40 percent of the extra cost of
special education services required by the Act. However, as
of 2020, the federal government was covering only 14.6
percent of the cost, despite a 25 percent increase in the
number of students served; and
Whereas, The IDEA Full Funding Act (S. 866) was introduced
in 2019 to require that Congress fund the IDEA at the 40
percent level that was originally promised. Similar
legislation needs to be introduced this session in order to
ensure that the federal government is paying its fair share
of the cost of special education services and to alleviate
the financial burden on individual school districts; and
Whereas, Students and teachers suffer when Congress fails
to live up to its funding commitment. School districts are
forced to cover the costs with a scarcity of resources and
must sometimes divert funds away from other programs that
serve all students. In addition, schools have less funding
for teacher salaries and classroom resources, making it more
difficult to recruit and retain high-quality teachers; now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That we memorialize the Congress of
the United States to enact legislation to fully fund the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act so children with
disabilities have equal access to educational opportunity;
and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the
United States House of Representatives, and the members of
the Michigan congressional delegation.
____
POM-181. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature
of the State of Missouri urging the President of the United
States to designate a state funeral for the last surviving
Medal of Honor recipient form World War II; to the Committee
on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 28
Whereas, World War II, the most widespread war in history,
lasted from 1939 until 1945; and
Whereas, the United States entered the war in 1941,
following an attack on Pearl Harbor by Japanese fighter
planes; and
Whereas, over sixteen million Americans served their
country and the Allied powers over the course of the war; and
Whereas, the generation of men and women who served our
country in World War II has been called the ``greatest
generation'' for their selfless sacrifice; and
Whereas, the Medal of Honor is the highest military
decoration that is awarded by the United States government;
and
Whereas, the Medal of Honor is presented by the President
of the United States, in the name of Congress; and
Whereas, the Medal of Honor is only conferred upon members
of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves
through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of
life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in
action against an enemy of the United States, while engaged
in military operations involving conflict with an opposing
foreign force, or while serving with friendly forces engaged
in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which
the United States is not a belligerent party; and
Whereas, more than 3,400 Medals of Honor have been awarded
to our nation's bravest soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines,
and coast guardsmen since the creation of the award in 1861;
and
Whereas, the Medal of Honor was awarded to 353 Americans
during World War II; and
Whereas, only one of those 353 Americans is alive today;
and
Whereas, Hershel Woodrow Williams of West Virginia served
his country with conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the
risk of life and therefore deserves the gratitude of the
American people; and
Whereas, the President of the United States has the sole
authority to designate a state funeral; and
Whereas, historically, the President of the United States
has designated state funerals for former presidents,
generals, and other extraordinary Americans; and
Whereas, our nation is currently divided and yearns for a
unifying national event; and
Whereas, designating a state funeral when the last
surviving World War II Medal of Honor recipient dies would be
a wonderful way for the American people to unite and honor
all sixteen million soldiers, sailors, and airmen who served
in our Armed Forces from 1941 to 1945: Now therefore be it
Resolved, The members of the Missouri Senate, One Hundred
First General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the House of
Representatives concurring therein, hereby urge the President
of the United States to designate a state funeral for the
last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II;
and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate be instructed to
prepare a properly inscribed copy of this resolution for the
President of the United States, the Vice President of the
[[Page S4042]]
United States, the Speaker of the United States House of
Representatives, the President Pro Tempore of the United
States Senate, and all members of the Missouri congressional
delegation.
____
POM-182. A concurrent memorial adopted by the Legislature
of the State of Arizona urging the United States Congress to
implement steps to forward fund the Higher Education Grant
Program of the Bureau of Indian Education; to the Committee
on Indian Affairs.
Senate Concurrent Memorial No. 1002
Whereas, the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) operates the
Higher Education Grant Program (``Grant'') as authorized by
the Snyder Act (25 United States Code part 13); and
Whereas, numerous Indian tribal governments provide college
financial assistance and scholarships from the Grant directly
to Indian college students through Public Law 93-638 self-
determination contracts (Indian Self Determination Act and
Education Assistance Act) or through Public Law 103-413 self-
governance compacts (Tribal Self Governance Act of 1994); and
Whereas, the federal government routinely operates under
continuing resolutions and, as such, Grant funding is
delayed. Consequently, college scholarship and financial
assistance payments and institutional disbursements are
delayed, which is problematic for many Indian college
students who depend on these monies to pay for tuition, books
and room and board: and
Whereas, there is precedent for forward funding federal
Indian education programs, as BIE-funded schools, including
Public Law 93-638 and Public Law 100-297 schools (25 United
States Code section 2010) and tribally controlled colleges
and universities (25 United States Code section 1810), are
forward funded; and
Whereas, forward funding the BIE would make Grant monies
available for obligation on July 1 of the fiscal year and
would provide that Grant monies remain available until
September 30 of the succeeding fiscal year. Wherefore your
memorialist, the Senate of the State of Arizona, the House of
Representatives concurring, prays:
1. That the Members of the United States Congress take
affirmative steps to forward fund the Higher Education Grant
Program of the Bureau of Indian Education.
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-183. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico expressing the support of the
Senate of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to S. 405, better
known as the ``Vieques Recovery and Redevelopment Act,''
introduced by the 117th Congress; to the Committee on the
Judiciary.
Senate Resolution No. 591
Vieques is an island muniicipality Puerto Rico, measuring
approximately twenty-one (21) miles long by four ( 4) miles
wide, and located approximately eight (8) miles east of the
main island of Puerto Rico
When discussing the history of Vieques and its
difficulties, it is important to remember that the United
States Navy maintained a constant presence in the eastern and
western portions of Vieques for close to sixty (60) years.
The United States Navy used large parts of the island and its
beaches as a training range and for military exercises. Many
of these exercises were carried out using live ammunition. It
is estimated that over eighty (80) million tons of ordnance
and other weaponry available to the United States Armed
Forces since World War II were dropped during that sixty
(60)-year period.
The unintended, unknown, and unavoidable consequence of
decades of military exercises was that generations of
Vieques' residents, who are U.S. citizens, were exposed to
the residue left and the waste produced by such weaponry and
munitions, which includes heavy metals and other chemicals
now known to harm human health and life.
As a result of the aforementioned and according to
Government and independent documentation, the lands and
waters of the island of Vieques contain high levels of heavy
metals and have been exposed to chemical weapons and other
toxic chemicals. Ever since the military exercises began in
Vieques sixty-two (62) years ago, the island residents have
suffered the effects of the long-term exposure to the
contamination created by such exercises. In comparison to
other Puerto Ricans, the residents of Vieques have
experienced higher rates of certain diseases including
cancer, cirrhosis, hypertension, diabetes, heavy metal
diseases, as well as many unnamed and uncategorized
illnesses. The continuous exposure to these toxic residues
has resulted in the development of these particular illnesses
in the U.S. citizens who reside in Vieques.
Prior to the passage of hurricane Maria in 2017, the Susana
Centeno Family Health Center managed the health emergencies
of the residents of Vieques. However, those residing or
visiting Vieques would have to travel outside of the Island
Municipality for most cases that required urgent medical
care. This is due to the fact that the facility in Vieques
lacked, among others, X-ray, CT scan, EKG, ultrasound, and PT
scan equipment.
Maritime transport has been and remains the predominant
means of transporting passengers between Vieques and the
island of Puerto Rico. However, this service has been plagued
by problems and interruptions which makes it unreliable for
visitors and residents, and, for example, those who are
cancer patients that require continuous treatment outside of
Vieques, also known as the Isla Nena. It is worth noting that
cancer patients who travel from Vieques to the Municipality
of Ceiba have to pay between one hundred twenty dollars
($120.00) and two hundred dollars ($200.00) per trip.
Vieques, like all of Puerto Rico, suffered the onslaught of
hurricane Maria in 2017. This was a particularly destructive
hurricane that devastated Puerto Rico and Vieques and
intensified the humanitarian crisis by destroying many of the
existing medical-hospital facilities. In the case of Vieques,
the previous medical system was already unable to properly
handle the crisis that existed due to the toxic residue left
on the island's soil and waters as a result of the military's
activities. The Susana Centeno Family Health Center was
closed after the passage of hurricane Maria due to the damage
it suffered and was thus unable to render the few services it
previously provided.
Consistent with the foregoing, it is worth stressing
Vieques' need to have a medical facility with the capability
of providing the critical and urgent care to its residents.
It is a matter of quality of life and basic human rights. Due
to legal restrictions, the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) is unable to provide a hospital where its
capabilities exceed those of the previous facility, to wit,
the facility that existed prior to the passage of hurricane
Maria. Therefore, Vieques needs additional assistance and
support to properly address and manage the vast health needs
of its residents.
In 2012, the residents of Vieques were denied the ability
to address their needs before the United States Courts due to
the sovereign immunity of the Government of the United
States. Sanchez v. United States, No. 3:09-cv-01260-DRD
(D.P.R.). However, the United States Court of Appeals for the
First Circuit referred the issue to the United States
Congress and urged it to address this humanitarian crisis.
U.S. senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Roger Wicker (R-
Mississippi) have introduced S.405, popularly known as the
``Vieques Recovery and Redevelopment Act.'' This Bill creates
a compensation fund for the residents of Vieques or their
heirs to claim compensation for the damages caused or
resulting from the use of the island of Vieques for military
training or exercises and for other related purposes. The
compensation for individuals or their heirs shall fluctuate
between fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) and one hundred ten
thousand dollars ($110,000) with the possibility for
additional awards for special circumstances. The awards shall
be determined by a Special Master to be appointed by the
United States Attorney General pursuant to the qualifications
and requirements established in the Act. Likewise, the
Vieques Recovery and Redevelopment Act would authorize the
municipal government of Vieques to file certain claims with
the Special Master for the establishment or improvement of
the health infrastructure or facilities on the island.
The Senate of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico hereby
requests to the Senate and the House Representatives of the
United States the prompt approval of S.B. 405, the Vieques
Recovery and Redevelopment Act. We appeal to the sense of
responsibility of the Congresspersons and members of the
United States Senate in order to do justice to the residents
of Vieques and their heirs by providing a mechanism to help
relieve a burden on their lives and compensate them for the
damages caused by six (6) decades of military exercises in
Vieques. Likewise, this legislation shall help future
generations of Vieques' residents by streamlining the process
so that the municipal government can procure enough resources
for appropriate medical facilities and infrastructure.
The Senate of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, on behalf of
the residents of Vieques and the People of Puerto Rico
appeals to the leadership of the United States Senate and the
United States House Representatives and both parties to work
together to ensure the approval of the Vieques Recovery and
Redevelopment Act before the end of the 117th Congress.
Be it resolved by the Senate of Puerto Rico:
Section 1.--We hereby express the support of the Senate of
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to S.B. 405, better known as
the ``Vieques Recovery and Redevelopment Act,'' introduced by
the 117th Congress, to the Senate and the House
Representatives of the United States.
Section 2.--We hereby urge the Senate and the House
Representatives of the United States to promptly approve S.B.
405, better known as the ``Vieques Recovery and Redevelopment
Act,'' introduced by the 117th Congress.
Section 3.--A certified copy of this Resolution, translated
into the English language, shall be delivered by the
Secretary of the Senate of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to
the President of the United States of America, to all members
of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United
States, to the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico in
Washington, as well as to communications media for its
effective dissemination.
Section 4.--This Resolution shall take effect upon its
approval
[[Page S4043]]
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POM-184. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature
of the State of West Virginia applying to the United States
Congress, under the provisions of Article V of the
Constitution of the United States, for the calling of a
convention of the states limited to proposing amendments to
the Constitution of the United States that impose fiscal
restraints on the federal government, limit the power and
jurisdiction of the federal government, and limit the terms
of office for its officials and for members of Congress; to
the Committee on the Judiciary.
House Concurrent Resolution No. 31
Whereas, Executive orders by the President of the United
States have become a vehicle through which the President may
overstep the limits of his or her constitutional authority;
and
Whereas, The concentration of power at the federal level
has had the effect of making federal officials less
responsive to the will of the people and more readily
influenced by lobbyists, wealthy corporations and special
interests in Washington, D.C.; and
Whereas, Much of federal law is now enacted by federal
bureaucrats who were never chosen by the people and have no
accountability to the people whatsoever; and
Whereas, Policy decisions made at the state level tend to
be more responsive to the needs and desires of the people;
and
Whereas, The federal government has created a crushing
national debt through improper and imprudent spending; and
Whereas, The federal government has invaded the legitimate
roles of the states through the manipulative process of
federal mandates, many of which are unfunded to a great
extent; and
Whereas, The states have the ability to restore the
responsiveness of government to the people and to restrain
abuses of federal power by proposing amendments to the
Constitution of the United States through a limited
convention of the states under Article V; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia, That the
Legislature hereby applies to Congress, under the provisions
of Article V of the Constitution of the United States, for
the calling of a convention of the states limited to
proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States
that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government,
limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government,
and limit the terms of office for its officials and for
members of Congress; and, be it further
Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward
a copy of this resolution, legislative call and application
to the President and Secretary of the United States Senate
and to the Speaker and Clerk of the United States House of
Representatives, and copies to the members of the said Senate
and House of Delegates from this state; also to transmit
copies hereof to the presiding officers of each of the
legislative houses in the several states, requesting their
cooperation; and, be it further
Resolved, That this application constitutes a continuing
application in accordance with Article V of the Constitution
of the United States until the legislature, of at least two
thirds of the several states have made applications on the
same subject; and, be it further
Resolved, The West Virginia Legislature adopts this
application expressly subject to the following reservations,
understandings, and declarations:
(1) An application to the Congress of the United States to
call an amendment convention of the states pursuant to
Article V of the United States Constitution confers no power
to Congress other than the power to call such a convention.
The power of Congress to exercise this ministerial duty
consists solely of the authority to name a reasonable time
and place for the initial meeting of a convention;
(2) Congress shall perform its ministerial duty of calling
an amendment convention of the states only upon the receipt
of applications for an amendment convention for the
substantially same purpose as this application from two
thirds of the legislatures of the several states;
(3) Congress does not have the power or authority to
determine any rules for the governing of an amendment
convention of the states called pursuant to Article V of the
United States Constitution. Congress does not have the power
to set the number of delegates to be sent by any state to
such a convention, nor does it have the power to name
delegates to such a convention. The power to name delegates
remains exclusively within the authority of the legislatures
of the several states;
(4) By definition, an amendment convention of the states
means that states shall vote on the basis of one state, one
vote;
(5) A convention of the states convened pursuant to this
application shall in limited to consideration of the topics
specified herein and no other. This application is made with
the express understanding that an amendment that in any way
seeks to amend modify, or repeal any provision of the Bill of
Rights shall not be authorized for consideration at any
stage. This application shall be void ab initio if ever used
at any stage to consider any change to any provision of the
Bill of Rights;
(6) Pursuant to Article V of the United States
Constitution, Congress may determine whether proposed
amendments shall be ratified by the legislatures of the
several states or by special state ratification conventions.
The West Virginia Legislature recommends that Congress select
ratification by the legislatures of the several states; and
(7) The West Virginia Legislature may provide further
instructions to its delegates and may recall its delegates at
any time for a breach of a duty or a violation of the
instructions provided; and, be it further
Resolved, That the Clerk of the House forward a copy of
this resolution to the representatives and senators elected
by the citizens of West Virginia serving the citizens of West
Virginia in the Congress of the United States in Washington
D.C.
____
POM-185. A concurrent resolution adopted by the Legislature
of the State of Missouri applying to the United States
Congress, as provided by Article V of the Constitution of the
United States of America, to call a convention limited to
proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United
States of America to set a limit on the number of terms that
a person may be elected as a member of the United States
House of Representatives and to set a limit on the number of
terms that a person may be elected as a member of the United
States Senate; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 25
Whereas, Article V of the Constitution of the United States
requires a convention to be called by the Congress of the
United States for the purpose of proposing an amendment to
the Constitution upon application of two-thirds of the
Legislatures of the several states; and
Whereas, the Legislature of the State of Missouri favors a
proposal and ratification of an amendment to the U.S.
Constitution, which shall set a limit on the number of terms
that a person may be elected as a member of the United States
House of Representatives and as a member of the United States
Senate; and
Whereas, the Ninety-ninth General Assembly of Missouri,
Second Regular Session, adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution
40, which contained an application for an Article V
Convention to propose an amendment identical to that proposed
in this resolution, but provided that the application would
expire five years after the passage of Senate Concurrent
Resolution 40: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, by the members of the Missouri Senate, One
Hundred First General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the
House of Representatives concurring therein, hereby make an
application to Congress, as provided by Article V of the
Constitution of the United States of America, to call a
convention limited to proposing an amendment to the
Constitution of the United States of America to set a limit
on the number of terms that a person may be elected as a
member of the United States House of Representatives and to
set a limit on the number of terms that a person may be
elected as a member of the United States Senate; and be it
further
Resolved, That this application shall be considered as
covering the same subject matter as the applications from
other states to Congress to call a convention to set a limit
on the number of terms that a person may be elected to the
House of Representatives of the Congress of the United States
and the Senate of the United States; and this application
shall be aggregated with same for the purpose of attaining
the two-thirds of states necessary to require Congress to
call a limited convention on this subject, but shall not be
aggregated with any other applications on any other subject;
and be it further
Resolved, That this application hereby repeals, rescinds,
cancels, renders null and void, and supercedes the
application to the Congress of the United States for a
convention under Article V of the Constitution of the United
States by this state in Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 40
as adopted by the Ninety-ninth General Assembly, Second
Regular Session; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate be instructed to
prepare a properly inscribed copy of this resolution for the
President and Secretary of the Senate of the United States
and to the Speaker, Clerk, and Judiciary Committee Chairman
of the House of Representatives of the Congress of the United
States, and copies to each member of the Missouri
Congressional delegation, and the presiding officers of each
of the legislative houses in the several states, requesting
their cooperation.
____
POM-186. A resolution adopted by the General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey urging the United States Congress to
reconcile the United States Innovation and Competition Act
and the American COMPETES Act to expedite funding for
semiconductor production and innovation; to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Assembly Resolution No. 141
Whereas, A semiconductor is a material that conducts
electricity in variable ways, is used in computer chips, and
is vital to the operation of thousands of electrical
products, such as automobiles, computers, smartphones, gaming
systems, and medical equipment; and
Whereas, The Semiconductor Industry Association asserts
that the share of modern semiconductor manufacturing capacity
located in the United States has decreased from 37 percent in
1990 to 12 percent today and that this decline is largely due
to substantial manufacturing incentives offered by
[[Page S4044]]
foreign governments, which places the United States at a
competitive disadvantage in attracting new construction of
semiconductor manufacturing facilities; and
Whereas, In recent years, global semiconductor supply chain
vulnerabilities have emerged, leading to market shortages of
automobiles and other electronic devices; and
Whereas, These supply chain vulnerabilities have revealed
our reliance on foreign manufacturing of essential technology
and should be eliminated through government investment in
semiconductor production and innovation, which would
strengthen our market security; and
Whereas, On January 1, 2021, the federal Creating Helpful
Incentives to Produce Semiconductors for America Act (CHIPS
Act) was enacted as part of the FY 2021 National Defense
Authorization Act; and
Whereas, The CHIPS Act creates federal incentives for
investment in facilities and equipment used for semiconductor
fabrication, assembly, testing, advanced packaging, and
research and development for the purpose of protecting supply
chains, ensuring long-term national security, and bolstering
international economic competitiveness; and
Whereas, The effectiveness of the CHIPS Act relies on
Congress fully funding the provisions of the law, including
enacting an investment tax credit, to support semiconductor
production and innovation in this country; and
Whereas, On July 8, 2021, the United States Senate passed
the United States Innovation and Competition Act of 2021
(USICA), which included $52 billion in federal investments
for the CHIPS Act; and
Whereas, On February 4, 2022, the United States House of
Representatives passed the America COMPETES Act of 2022
(COMPETES Act), which, like USICA, included $52 billion in
federal investments for the CHIPS Act; and
Whereas, The Senate, upon receiving the COMPETES Act from
the House, substituted the bill with the USICA, and passed it
on March 28, 2022; and
Whereas, Although the USICA substitute was sent back to the
House of Representatives for a final vote, Congress intends
to convene a conference committee to reconcile the
differences between the COMPETES Act and the USICA in order
to finalize the version of the bill that will be sent to the
President for enactment; and
Whereas, Governor Murphy has voiced his support of the
USICA and has encouraged Congress to expedite the
reconciliation of the bill; and
Whereas, United States Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo
specifically mentioned that the New Jersey Innovation and
Technology Hub in New Brunswick, which will provide 550,000
square feet of space for medical learning, research, and
innovation, would be a suitable potential site for
semiconductor manufacturing; and
Whereas, New Jersey's Congressional delegation, who are
integral in directing federal funds to this State, has also
voiced support of the intent behind the COMPETES Act and the
USICA; and
Whereas, New Jersey's economy would greatly benefit from
federal investments in semiconductor manufacturing in this
State and would strengthen the State's historical reputation
as a leader in science and innovation; now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New
Jersey:
1. This House respectfully urges Congress to expedite the
reconciliation of the COMPETES Act and the USICA to secure
the country's supply chain, increase the country's global
competitiveness, and establish this State as a leader in
semiconductor production and innovation through the resulting
federal investments.
2. Copies of the resolution, as filed with the Secretary of
State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General
Assembly to the President and Vice-President of the United
States, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United
States Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United
States House of Representatives, and every member of the
Congressional delegation from the State of New Jersey.
____
POM-187. A resolution adopted by the Mayor and City
Commission of North Miami Beach, Florida calling on the
Federal Government to reverse the decision to deport Haitian
asylum seekers under Title 42 and immediately halt the
deportation of Haitian immigrants, thereby allowing them to
seek due process through our legal system to make claims for
legal status; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
____________________