Volume 160, No. 2 covering the 2nd Session of the 113th Congress (2013 - 2014) was published by the Congressional Record.
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS” mentioning the Environmental Protection Agency was published in the Senate section on pages S21-S27 on Jan. 6, 2014.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
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-166. A joint resolution adopted by the Senate of the State of California relative to the Los Angeles Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Act of 2013; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Senate Joint Resolution No. 7
Whereas, Residents across the County of Los Angeles suffer intrusive and disruptive low-flying helicopter traffic above their neighborhoods; and
Whereas, The County of Los Angeles is home to a unique and very large concentration of scenic, historic, entertainment, and transportation venues, including movie studios, movie stars' homes, outdoor entertainment facilities, the coastline, Griffith Park, the Hollywood sign, and many others, that generate extensive helicopter tours engaged in sightseeing activity; and
Whereas, The County of Los Angeles has a high concentration of media helicopters engaged in monitoring traffic conditions. following car chases, and filming celebrity events, which often involve hovering for extended periods of time; and
Whereas, The County of Los Angeles is home to the world's leading civil helicopter manufacturer, which conducts extensive helicopter flight testing in the region; and
Whereas, The unique terrain of canyons and valleys in the County of Los Angeles often amplifies noise from helicopters in otherwise quiet residential areas; and
Whereas, Helicopter noise in the County of Los Angeles interrupts daily life for many residents by interfering with the ability to hear conversations, the television, the radio, or the telephone, and disrupting sleep cycles; and
Whereas, Despite multiple efforts from several community and homeowner organizations in the County of Los Angeles to address these disturbances, helicopter traffic in the County of Los Angeles is not currently regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or any other agency; and
Whereas, The FAA requires a specific minimum flying altitude for fixed-wing aircraft, but it does not require a specific minimum flying altitude for helicopters; and
Whereas, The lack of effective regulations for commercial helicopter operations in the County of Los Angeles negatively impacts the safety and quality of life of the county's residents; and
Whereas, The State of California is preempted by federal law from adopting altitude, flight path, and other necessary regulations to mitigate the impacts of commercial helicopters; and
Whereas, There is a lack of clarity as to the rulemaking authority of the FAA; and
Whereas, Two companion measures in Congress, Senate Bill No. 208 and House Bill No. 456, known as the Los Angeles Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Act of 2013, would require the Administrator of the FAA to prescribe regulations for helicopter operations in the County of Los Angeles that are needed to address residents' concerns over safety, noise, and other associated impacts; and
Whereas, The following local government entities in the County of Los Angeles have recently voted to support the proposed federal legislation or its predecessor, the Los Angeles Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Act of 2011: the County of Los Angeles, the City of Los Angeles, the City of Hermosa Beach, the City of Lomita, the City of Palos Verdes Estates, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, the City of Redondo Beach, the City of Rolling. Hills Estates, and the City of West Hollywood: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and the Assembly of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature supports the Los Angeles Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Act of 2013 (S. 208 and H.R. 456) and respectfully memorializes the Congress of the United States to promptly pass and President Barack Obama to sign that legislation; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Majority Leader of the Senate, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States.
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POM-167. A resolution adopted by the House of Representatives of the State of Michigan urging the Congress of the United States to adopt House Concurrent Resolution 50, regarding the National Railroad Monument in Durand, Michigan; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
House Resolution No. 227
Whereas, Railroads are an integral part of our nation's past, present, and future. The railroad industry played a vital role in building and developing the United States. This role should not be forgotten; and
Whereas, Durand, Michigan, is at the historic crossroads of three major railroads and is home to one of the largest surviving train stations in the United States. The existing statuary, structures, and historic railroad equipment at Diamond District Park in Durand make it an ideal location for a National Railroad Memorial; and
Whereas, Congressional House Concurrent Resolution 50 would designate a National Railroad Monument located in Diamond District Park in historic downtown Durand, Michigan, as the
``National Railroad Memorial''. This recognition would help draw visitors from around the world to the educational programming and exhibits in Durand, Michigan. It would help ensure that current and future generations do not forget the historical importance of the railroad industry to our nation: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the Congress of the United States to adopt House Concurrent Resolution 50, regarding the National Railroad Monument in Durand; 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.
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POM-168. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of the State of California relative to forest protection and restoration; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Assembly Joint Resolution No. 24
Whereas, One of the greatest ongoing challenges for California is to ensure an adequate supply of water for myriad human uses and other environmental needs while also addressing the increasing and negative impacts of climate change on our watersheds; and
Whereas, The large majority of the water used by California originates in the 10 million-acre forested area of northern California feeding the Sacramento River, with the Sacramento River providing 60 percent of the water for the Central Valley and state water projects, drinking water for 25 million Californians, and over 80 percent of the freshwater to San Francisco Bay; and
Whereas, California's forests represent our largest, safest, and most expandable opportunity to actively, remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere; and
Whereas, The forests and watersheds of California face multiple challenges and pressures, including the loss and degradation of forests by the subdivision, fragmentation, and development of lands, the planting of unnaturally dense forests as a result of fire suppression, and stresses from a changing climate; and
Whereas, California's forests provide an essential natural infrastructure that collects, stores, filters, and transports water in a materially more cost-effective manner than any built infrastructure; and
Whereas, Managing these forested watersheds to restore and enhance their sustained water provision services will also create rural jobs and enhance the state's ability to address climate change, including by reducing firefighting costs; and
Whereas, In addition to supplying the majority of the state's water and sequestering vast amounts of carbon, forests clean our air and provide habitat for wildlife, all while supporting rural economies through outdoor recreation such as hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping, as well as through the forest products industry; and
Whereas, Preventing further loss of California's forests, restoring degraded forest areas, and improving management are critical parts of ensuring that our watersheds continue to store carbon and produce high-quality clean water in the future: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature of California recognizes the value of forests in providing critical ecosystem services, including water supply and climate stabilization services; and be it further
Resolved, That the state and federal governmental agencies with jurisdiction over forest resource management are encouraged to collaborate across jurisdictions with regard to landscape-scald efforts to maintain and restore California's forests to protect the state's natural resources and water supply for future generations; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the Senate, to the Minority Leader of the Senate, and to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States.
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POM-169. A resolution adopted by the Municipal Legislature of Moca, Puerto Rico relative to urging the President and the Congress of the United States of America to initiate the process of admission of Puerto Rico as the 51st state of the United States of America; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Resolution No. 27
Whereas, Since the discovery of Puerto Rico in 1493 to the year 1898, the Island was a colony of Spain and from 1898 to the present, it has been a colony of the United States, making Puerto Rico the oldest colony of the Western Hemisphere.
Whereas, According to the Unites States Census Bureau, Puerto Ricans who reside in the Island are approximately 3.7 million inhabitants, whereas 4.3 million Puerto Ricans reside in the fifty (50) states of the Union. Although those that live in Puerto Rico and in the U.S. mainland are American citizens by birth, those that reside in Puerto Rico do not have all the privileges, rights and obligations of U.S. citizenship.
Whereas, The American citizens who reside in the fifty states of the Union enjoy all the economic, social and political benefits, since they reside in one of the states of the Nation.
Whereas, Many of the 4.3 million American citizens of Puerto Rican origin who reside in the states, are professionals in the fields of health, the sciences, security, education and politic that have moved from the Island looking for better quality of life and the totality of the rights and privileges that being a citizen of the great American Nation offers. In addition, they are part of the Hispanic labor force that moves the economy of the Federation of the States.
Whereas, The question that we should ask ourselves is: how can the 3.7 million American citizens who live in Puerto Rico reach the fullness of our U.S. citizenship, that is, to be American citizens one hundred percent (100%) with all the rights, privileges and obligations.
Whereas, This can be obtained by two forms. First, by means of moving or relocating to any of the fifty (50) states of the great American Nation; or second, by granting the Territory of Puerto Rico the opportunity to become the 51st State of the Union. In this way, we will be able to reach the full rights held by American citizens who reside in the fifty
(50) states.
Whereas, Puerto Ricans through the vote in the plebiscite of November 6, 2012, rejected by an ample majority the current territorial status known as Commonwealth and favored statehood by an overwhelming majority of the voters among the status options presented in the ballot: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Municipal Legislature of Moca, Puerto Rico, the following:
Section 1: Request President Barack Obama and the Congress of the United States, initiate the process of admission of Puerto Rico as the 51st State of the United States of America.
Section 2: This Resolution will be approved in both official languages of Puerto Rico, Spanish and English.
Section 3: This Resolution will take effect immediately upon passage by the Municipal Legislature and signed by the Mayor.
Section 4: Copies of this Resolution shall be sent to the President of the United States, the Vice-President of the United States, the Secretary of State of the United States, and to all the Members of the United States Congress.
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POM-170. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of the State of California relative to the federal Renewable Fuel Standard program; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Assembly Joint Resolution No. 21
Whereas, The Renewable Fuel Standard program was created under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and established the first renewable fuel volume mandate in the United States; and
Whereas, The Energy Policy Act of 2005 required 7.5 billion gallons of renewable fuel to be blended into gasoline by 2012 and, under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, the Renewable Fuel Standard program was expanded to include diesel, in addition to gasoline; and
Whereas, The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 increased the volume of renewable fuel required to be blended into transportation fuel from 9 billion gallons in 2008 to 36 billion gallons by 2022; and
Whereas, The 2013 requirement of cornstarch-derived ethanol of 13.8 billion gallons represents approximately 84 percent of the total renewable fuel mandated in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007; and
Whereas, At the time that the Renewable Fuel Standard program became law, the daily price of a metric ton of corn used in biofuel ethanol production was $99, and at the time the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 became law, the daily price of a metric ton of corn used in biofuel ethanol production had risen to nearly $180, with the latest price of a metric ton of corn currently reported by the United States Department of Agriculture as approximately
$310, representing an increase of over 300 percent since the inception of the Renewable Fuel Standard program; and
Whereas, The Environmental Protection Agency has determined that as a result of the Renewable Fuel Standard program, the increase in overall commodity prices expected as a result of the demand for agricultural products used in biofuel production will result in an annual increase of food costs to consumers of over $3 billion by 2022; and
Whereas, Agriculture is a vital component of California's economic livelihood with livestock, poultry and related products, accounting for approximately 26 percent, or $12.4 billion of California's gross agricultural cash income in 2011; and
Whereas, California leads the nation in milk production with over 1.75 million dairy cows that primarily depend on feed corn; and
Whereas, The loss of alternative feedstock acreage to biofuel crop production combined with the unprecedented rise in corn prices due to the requirements of the Renewable Fuel Standard program have significantly contributed to the loss of dairy production capacity in California, as represented by the 387 California dairies that have gone out of business since 2007, with over 100 dairy farms lost in 2012 alone: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature recognize and support the benefits from a robust and thriving agricultural sector, and join a diverse group of businesses, industry representatives, and beef, dairy, and poultry producers across California in urging Congress to reform the Renewable Fuel Standard program, or the United States Environmental Protection Agency to use all available authority, to expeditiously transition away from biofuel sources that compete with food production, as well as implement aggressive mechanisms to promote the development of advanced, sustainable noncrop-based fuels, including, but not limited to, cellulosic ethanol; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the Senate, to the Minority Leader of the Senate, and to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States.
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POM-171. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of the State of California relative to Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness Month; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Assembly Joint Resolution No. 28
Whereas, Sickle cell anemia and sickle cell disease, used interchangeably, refer to a group of inherited disorders that affect the red blood cells; and
Whereas, Sickle cell anemia is a disease in which a person's body produces abnormally shaped red blood cells that resemble a crescent or sickle, and which do not last as long as normal round red blood cells, which leads to anemia. The sickle cells also get stuck in blood vessels and block blood flow, which can cause pain and organ damage; and
Whereas, Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disorder where individuals with the disease are born with two sickle cell genes, each inherited from one parent. An individual with only one sickle cell gene has a ``sickle cell trait,'' which occurs in one out of every 12 African Americans and in one out of every 100 Latinos in the United States; and
Whereas, Unlike most people with sickle cell anemia, most people who have a sickle cell trait never know they have it and can live their entire lives without any complications from it; and
Whereas, Serious problems associated with a sickle cell trait are rare. However, exercise-related sudden death in individuals who have a sickle cell trait most commonly occurs in those undergoing intense physical exertion, such as military recruits in basic training and athletes during conditioning workouts; and
Whereas, Individuals with a sickle cell trait should not be excluded from physical activity, including sports, unless recommended to by medical personnel. Instead, people should be educated about precautions that should be taken, including drinking adequate amounts of fluids, pacing training with longer periods of rest and recovery, avoiding participation in performance tests such as sprints and mile runs, and, most importantly, being familiar with the symptoms of overexertion; and
Whereas, It is estimated that more than 90,000 Americans have sickle cell anemia. Sickle cell anemia occurs in one out of every 500 African American births and in one out of every 36,000 Latino births; and
Whereas, Sickle cell anemia can be a life-threatening condition, and access to comprehensive care can be limited by social, economic, cultural, and geographic barriers; and
Whereas, The average cost of hospitalization for sickle cell anemia in 2004 was $6,223, for more than 84,000 hospital admissions that year. Total hospitalization costs for individuals with sickle cell anemia equaled $488,000,000, of which 65 percent were covered by Medicaid funds; and
Whereas, Individuals living with sickle cell anemia encounter barriers to obtaining quality care and improving their quality of life. These barriers include limitations in geographic access to comprehensive care, the varied use of effective treatments, the high reliance on emergency departments and on public health programs, and the limited number of health care providers with knowledge and experience to manage and treat sickle cell anemia; and
Whereas, The Sickle Cell Anemia Control Act was signed into law in 1972 by President Richard Nixon after pledging that his administration would ``reverse the record of neglect on the dreaded disease'' by increasing funding for and expanding sickle cell anemia-related programs, including the development of comprehensive sickle cell anemia centers; and
Whereas, In 1975, the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc. and its member organizations began conducting monthlong events in September to call attention to sickle cell anemia and the need to address the problem at national and local levels, and chose September as National Sickle Cell Awareness Month in order for the public to reflect on the children and adults whose lives, education, and careers have been affected by this disease; and
Whereas, In 2003, the Sickle Cell Treatment Act was signed into law; and
Whereas, The effort to officially recognize Sickle Cell AnemiaAwareness Month succeeded at the federal level in 1983 when the United States House of Representatives unanimously passed, and President Ronald Reagan signed, the first resolution introduced by the Congressional Black Caucus that recognized September as National Sickle Cell AnemiaAwareness Month: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of California, jointly,That the Legislature recognizes September 2013, and each September thereafter, as Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness Month; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature urges the Congress of the United States to support the President's continuation of funding for the Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Demonstration Program, the Registry and Surveillance System for Hemoglobinopathy Program Initiative, and the Public Health ApproachDisorders program, and to make sickle cell anemia and other genetic hemoglobin disorders a public health priority; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the President pro Tempore of the United States Senate, each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States, and to the author for appropriate distribution.
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POM-172. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of the State of California relative to the dischargeability of private student loan debt; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Assembly Joint Resolution No. 11
Whereas, This resolution shall be known as the Financial Fresh Start Resolution of 2013; and
Whereas, Existing federal law exempts from discharge in a bankruptcy case filed under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code specified educational loans made; or secured, by a lender other than the federal government, also known as private student loans, unless the debtor convinces a bankruptcy court that repayment would be an undue hardship on the debtor and the debtor's dependents, a sometimes difficult and expensive process not required to discharge other unsecured nonpriority debt; and
Whereas, Californians should have the same ability to discharge their private student loan debt as they do to discharge their unsecured nonpriority debt; and
Whereas, Californians who are not given relief from their burden of private student loan debt, even after a successful completion of a bankruptcy case, are seriously hindered from establishing personal economic stability and contributing to the economic growth of the state; and,
Whereas, United States Senator Dick Durbin and Representative Steve Cohen have recently introduced the following legislation in their respective congressional houses that would permit private student loan debt to be discharged in bankruptcy and are substantially similar to legislation they each introduced in 2010 and 2011:
(a) The Fairness for Struggling Students Act of 2013.
(b) The Private Student Loan Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2013; and
Whereas, The inability of Californians to more easily discharge private student loan debt prevents them from gaining the ``fresh start'' that a successful bankruptcy case is intended to provide: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of California, jointly That the Legislature urges the President and the Congress of the United States to support and pass legislation that would allow private student loan debt to be dischargeable in a bankruptcy case filed under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code similar to the dischargeability of unsecured nonpriority debt; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, the Minority Leader of the United States Senate, and to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States.
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POM-173. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of the State of California relative to student loan interest rates; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Assembly Joint Resolution No. 20
Whereas, Just last year, Congress passed, and President Obama signed, an extension to maintain the interest rate for Federal Direct Stafford Loans at 3.4 percent through June 30, 2013; and
Whereas, On July 1, 2013, unless actions are taken, the interest rate for Federal Direct Stafford Loans will double from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent; and
Whereas, This higher interest rate level is the same level that graduate students and unsubsidized loan borrowers pay, which could limit access to California's public postsecondary educational institutions by dissuading students from using loans to help pay for their postsecondary education; and
Whereas, The average student loan borrower graduates with a debt of $27,000, and the scheduled interest rate increase for Federal Direct Stafford Loans would cost almost 10 million borrowers approximately $1,000 more per year of education over the life of a loan; and
Whereas, Raising the interest rate for Federal Direct Stafford Loans will make it even harder for college graduates facing an already difficult postgraduation job market to repay their loans; and
Whereas, Student loan debt affects Americans of all ages, as 45 percent of all American families hold outstanding student loan debt, including 36 percent of families in households headed by a person 45 to 54 years of age, inclusive, 29 percent of families in households headed by a person 55 to 64 years of age, inclusive, and 13.3 percent of families in households headed by a person 65 to 73 years of age, inclusive; and
Whereas, Student loan debt has a ripple effect on the economy, as two million more adults 18 to 34 years of age, inclusive, live in a household headed by their parents; and
Whereas, Each new household leads to an estimated $145,000 of economic growth, suggesting that a delay in household formation could be slowing broader economic growth; and
Whereas, The Bipartisan Policy Center estimates that Echo Boomers--those born between 1981 and 1995--will account for 75 percent to 80 percent of owner-occupied home acquisitions by 2020, yet the current homeownership rate for young people is among the lowest in decades while mortgage interest rates are at historically low levels; and
Whereas, Student loan debt also has a significant impact on retirement, as 62 percent of workers 30 to 39 years of age, inclusive, 20 percent of whom hold more than $50,000 in student loan debt, are projected to have insufficient resources for retirement; and
Whereas, According to the Congressional Budget Office, the federal government makes 36 cents in profit for every dollar it lends to all student borrowers, and student loans are estimated to bring in $34 billion next year alone; and
Whereas, Higher education loans should be used to subsidize the cost of higher education, not to be used as a source of profit for the federal government; and
Whereas, Federal Direct Stafford Loans have been a critical component, in addition to other forms of financial aid, for low- and middle-income students working towards a postsecondary degree, and over two-thirds of student loan borrowers are from families with annual incomes under
$50,000: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature respectfully requests that the Congress and the President of the United States enact legislation that prevents the doubling of interest rates for Federal Direct Stafford Loans and creates a long-term legislative solution to maintain affordable and reliable federal student loan rates while preserving funding for other federal educational programs and benefits; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, and to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States.
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POM-174. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of the State of California relative to preschool for all in California; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Assembly Joint Resolution No. 16
Whereas, To be competitive in the 21st century global economy; California must have a dynamic and educated workforce; and
Whereas, To strengthen and grow the middle class, California must broaden investments proven to prepare students for college and careers, and proven to create economic opportunity; and
Whereas, Research by a Nobel Laureate economist shows that every dollar invested in high-quality early education can save more than $7 later on, by boosting grade level proficiency and graduation rates, increasing earned income and job stability, reducing teen pregnancy, and reducing violent crime; and
Whereas, Study after study, over 100 in the United States alone, shows that preschool significantly benefits children's school success; and
Whereas, Research has shown that the early years in a child's life, when the human brain is forming, represent a critically important window of opportunity to develop a child's full potential and shape key academic, social, and cognitive skills that determine a child's success in school and in life; and,
Whereas, During the preschool years, children not only develop core academic knowledge in preliteracy and early math, but they develop critically important learning skills, such as paying attention, managing emotions, and completing tasks; and
Whereas, Research has shown that California's academic achievement gap exists before children start school; and
Whereas, Research shows that students who start out behind too often also stay behind, and those who are not reading proficiently in third grade are four times more likely to not graduate from high school; and
Whereas, In 2012, 52 percent of California third graders tested below proficient in English-Language Arts and more than 30 percent are not proficient in Mathematics; and
Whereas, Since 2008, over 110,000 children have lost access to preschool and child care programs due to $1 billion in state budget cuts; and
Whereas, Over 220,000 low-income three- and four-year-old children who are eligible for the California State Preschool Program or the federal Head Start program do not receive services; and
Whereas, President Barack Obama in his 2013 State of the Union speech called on states to partner with the federal government to make sure every child, regardless of their parents ability to pay, has access to high quality preschool: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature respectfully urges the Congress to enact President Barack Obama's budget proposal to increase funding for preschool and early learning; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature respectfully urges the Superintendent of Public Instruction to prepare a plan for making California competitive for future increases in federal funding to preschool and early learning programs; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the Senate, and to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States.
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POM-175. A memorial adopted by the Legislature of the State of New Mexico requesting the New Mexico Congressional Delegation in Washington, D.C. to vote to support legislation that would remove the deadline for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
A Memorial
Whereas, equal rights for women are not specifically included in the United States constitution; and
Whereas, the rights of women in the United States to receive equal pay for equal work, be protected against domestic violence and have fair work-leave policies and access to the reproductive health care services of their choice, among others, are daily being questioned and restricted; and
Whereas, protection of women's rights at present is through a patchwork of existing laws, executive actions and judicial decisions that address individual cases of discrimination one by one as they arise; and
Whereas, each or all of these individual existing laws, executive actions and judicial decisions may be ignored, eroded or overturned; and
Whereas, an amendment that would guarantee rights for women that are equal to those of men would provide a fundamental legal remedy against all cases of discrimination based on gender; and
Whereas, resolutions to pass an amendment to the United States constitution that would guarantee equal rights for women and men have been introduced into congress each year since 1923; and
Whereas, thirty-five of the thirty-eight states required for the amendment to become part of the constitution ratified the equal rights amendment by the deadline of 1982; and
Whereas, the deadline for ratification is not in the binding text of the document itself and, in fact, was later extended by another congress for an additional three years, thus establishing the precedent that congress has the power to do so; and
Whereas, in the one hundred twelfth congress, Senate Joint Resolution 39, introduced by Senator Ben Cardin, and House Joint Resolution 47, introduced by Representative Tammy Baldwin, would remove the deadline for ratification of the amendment so that an additional three states may ratify it; and
Whereas, New Mexicans feel justly proud that New Mexico was one of the first states in the union to ratify the equal rights amendment in 1973, and it passed its own equal rights amendment to the constitution of New Mexico in 1972: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of New Mexico, That it call upon the New Mexico congressional delegation in Washington, D.C., to vote in favor of legislation that would remove the deadline for ratification of the equal rights amendment so that efforts can proceed to get ratification by the necessary additional three states so that, finally, the guarantee of equal rights for women and men in the United States will become the law of the land; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this memorial be transmitted to each member of the New Mexico congressional delegation and to the chief clerks of the house of representatives and the senate of the United States congress.
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POM-176. A resolution adopted by the House of Representatives of the State of Michigan urging Congress to raise permanently the cap on new H1-B temporary work visas available to immigrant professionals and to eliminate the cap for those holding a U.S. master's degree or higher; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
House Resolution No. 108
Whereas, The United States has risen to preeminence in the world by cultivating the talents of its own residents while, at the same time, welcoming the most talented people from around the world. Many of our nation's leading companies, such as Dow Chemical and Masco, were founded by immigrants. In Michigan, one-third of high-tech businesses over the last decade were started by immigrants; and
Whereas, Our nation remains a leader in developing foreign talent. U.S. universities and colleges educate hundreds of thousands of international students each year. In Michigan, more than 25,000 international students attend Michigan's higher education institutions, ninth most in the nation. Over 37 percent of individuals receiving doctorate degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics nationwide are international students; and
Whereas, We are failing as a nation to retain foreigners educated in the United States and to welcome talented professionals from other nations. Under the H-1B temporary work visa program, highly educated scientists, engineers, computer programmers, and other technical experts may immigrate to the United States for employment. However, the federal government severely limits the number of visas available. Only 65,000 new H-1B visas are available each year to individuals with a bachelor's degree or higher, with an additional 20,000 visas available to individuals with a U.S. master's degree or higher; and
Whereas, The federal cap on H-1B visas is not meeting the demand of U.S. businesses. The 2013 caps were reached in just over two months. These arbitrary caps are holding back economic growth in Michigan and the rest of the United States. These caps should be based on a data-driven approach that, along with the availability of qualified American workers, factors in the positive impact of immigrant professionals to jobs and entrepreneurialism in our economy. In a highly competitive global environment, the United States cannot afford to turn back the brightest and most talented people. Our nation's loss will inevitably be another nation's gain: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge Congress to raise permanently the cap on new H-1B temporary work visas available to immigrant professionals and to eliminate the cap for those holding a master's degree or higher from U.S. universities; 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.
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POM-177. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of the State of California relative to the federal Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Assembly Joint Resolution No. 22
Whereas, Thousands of Californians served in uniform in the war in Afghanistan; and
Whereas, Countless local Afghan nationals provided trusted and life-saving support to Americans and their allies in Afghanistan as interpreters, advisers, liaisons, and other functionaries; and
Whereas, More than 8,000 Afghani interpreters worked for the United States during the conflict, risking the lives of their families and themselves to assist American troops and the United States government; and
Whereas, It was recently pointed out in the New York Times that with United States Armed Forces currently withdrawing from Afghanistan, many of the local nationals who provided support to American forces are now the target of Taliban and other insurgent attacks. In February 2013, two interpreters were gunned down in Logar Province, south of Kabul, Afghanistan. In December 2012, an interpreter working in Jalalabad was singled out while heading home on leave, and Taliban assailants killed his two brothers in the attack; and
Whereas, The United Nations has reported that casualties resulting from targeted killings of civilians by antigovernment elements increased by 53 percent in the first six months of 2012, in comparison to the corresponding period in 2011; and
Whereas, The federal Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009 authorizes the issuance of up to 1,500 special immigrant visas (SIVs) annually through the 2013 fiscal year to Afghan nationals who have worked for or on behalf of the United States Government in Afghanistan and who find their lives in danger as a consequence of their employment; and
Whereas, Although 7,500 SIVs were intended to be issued by the federal Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009, only about 1,000 have been issued to date, and as of last fall, there was a backlog of more than 5,000 applicants waiting to begin the process. This delay further risks the lives of important, dedicated allies who have already risked their lives in the call of duty to our soldiers and our country; and
Whereas, There are significant differences between the visa programs created for Iraq and Afghanistan. While the Iraq program allowed for up to 25,000 visas, the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009 only makes 7,500 visas available. Additionally, the Afghan visa program limits family members to only a spouse and dependent children under 21 years of age, while the Iraq program allowed for parents, siblings, and all children; and
Whereas, The Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009 presents the opportunity to save the lives of Afghans who saved the lives of Americans and to maintain our commitment to these important allies who are in harm's way: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature calls upon the United States Congress and the President's administration to expedite actions at the United States Department of State to process the visa applications of our Afghan allies who have been identified and vetted by the United States military or other agencies as having risked their lives by supporting and working for United States troops overseas, and to expand the number of visas offered to our Afghan allies; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Leader of the United States House of Representatives, the Majority Leader of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the Senate, and each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States.
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POM-178. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of the State of California relative to immigration; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Assembly Joint Resolution No. 3
Whereas, The United States of America is a nation of values, founded on the principles that all men and women are created equal, and the promise of freedom for all; and
Whereas, We are a nation of immigrants, who believe in the promise of freedom and opportunity; and
Whereas. The current immigration system is broken, antiquated, and not meeting the challenges of the 21st century. It separates families, including same-sex couple families, creates long backlogs for families seeking reunification, and neglects the hard work and financial contributions immigrants make to our country; and
Whereas, Since 2008, more than 1.6 million immigrants have been deported, and one in every 10 American children faces the threat of the deportation of a parent; and
Whereas, It is estimated that about 11 million undocumented immigrants are in the United States, and California has the largest population of immigrants, both legal and undocumented; and
Whereas, Immigrants and their children constitute nearly one-half of California's population and live and work in all 58 counties, most notably in the San Diego, Central Valley, Los Angeles, Ventura, and greater San Francisco areas; and
Whereas, Approximately 77 percent of undocumented immigrants who reside in California live with family members who are legal United States residents and citizens; and
Whereas, One in 10 workers in California is an undocumented immigrant, and immigrants are vibrant, productive, and vital part of the state's growing economy; and
Whereas, Immigrants are essential in keeping the American economy strong; from technology programmers in the Silicon Valley to restaurant owners and workers, immigrants are filling an intrinsic need in the labor force; and
Whereas, Agricultural workers have been performing very important and difficult work to maintain America's food supply, and have a role of ensuring that Americans have safe and secure agricultural products to sell and consume; and
Whereas, Students should not be punished for their immigration status. Instead, they should be given recognition for their sacrifice, hard work, and determination; and
Whereas, The United States can do a better job of attracting and keeping the world's best and brightest. A comprehensive immigration reform should also grant immigrants who have received a Ph.D. or master's degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics from an American university the opportunity to invest in and contribute to this great nation. For the future of our economy, it makes no sense to educate the world's future innovators and entrepreneurs only to ultimately force them to leave our country at the moment they are most able to contribute to our economy; and
Whereas, Modernizing our antiquated and dysfunctional immigration system will uphold our nation's basic values of fairness and equality, as well as access to health care; and
Whereas, A comprehensive, as well as compassionate, approach to solve our broken immigration system should be one that works for all communities and families in America; and
Whereas, A just immigration reform must ensure that it reflects one of our basic values--that we all are created equal--thus immigration reform must recognize each immigrant's full humanity; and
Whereas; A proposal must be comprised of tenets that achieve all of the following: (1) establish an earned citizenship process that requires immigrants to pay back taxes and learn English; (2) enhance security in our ports of entry to secure our nation; (3) reform immigration enforcement programs that separate families to ensure that family unification systems are strengthened; (4) upgrade the current visa programs, including the creation of a guest worker program for agricultural workers, in order to have a legal workforce and a system that better enforces labor protections; and (5) uphold due process as well as the inherent rights of all immigrants: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature urges the President and the Congress of the United States to take a humane and just approach to solving our nation's broken immigration system; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the President and the Vice President of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the Senate, and to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States, to the Governor of California, and to the author of this resolution.
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POM-179. A joint resolution adopted by the Senate of the State of California relative to the Startup Act 3.0; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Senate Joint Resolution No. 9
Whereas, The United States is a nation of immigrants, with a long history of welcoming indigents from other nations and giving them a chance at achieving the American Dream; and
Whereas, immigrants have formed the backbone of the nation's economy; and
Whereas, Open economies grow faster than closed ones, and as a beacon of hope, America has historically had an unbeatable advantage over societies that shut immigrants out, or stifled their creative and innovative spirit; and
Whereas, The United States economy has been enriched by the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of immigrants from around the world; and
Whereas, According to the Kauffman Foundation on Entrepreneurship, of the current Fortune 500 companies, including Apple, Google, and eBay, more than 40 percent were founded by first- or second-generation Americans, and these companies employ more than 10 million people; and
Whereas, Foreign nationals residing in the United States were named as inventors or coinventors in one-quarter of all patent applications filed in 2006; and
Whereas, Fifty-two percent of Silicon Valley startups between 1995 and 2005 were founded or cofounded by immigrants, generating $52 billion in revenues and employing 450,000 workers; and
Whereas, In the past seven years, the national rate of startups by immigrants has dropped to 42 percent according to scholars at Harvard and Duke Universities; and
Whereas, The number of foreign nationals with advanced degrees awaiting permanent-resident status in the United States has grown to over one million in the past several years; and
Whereas, Under current law, only around 120,000 visas are available annually for skilled workers hi key employment categories and only 7 percent of these visas can be allocated to immigrants from any one country. So immigrants from countries with large populations, like India and China, which are the source of the vast majority of startups in the United States, have access to only 8,400 visas per year; and
Whereas, The result of this policy is that many of these highly skilled immigrants must wait more than a decade for visas; and
Whereas, Many of these highly skilled innovators are deciding instead to return home, or immigrate to other countries that welcome them with open arms, such as Singapore, Canada, Dubai, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Chile. As a result, these innovators are founding companies in these other countries and competing with American companies for market share; and
Whereas, The issue of illegal immigration has taken on national prominence in recent years and the resolution of the broader issue should be the result of bipartisan efforts; and
Whereas, United States Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Mark Warner (D-Virginia), Chris Coons (D-Delaware), and Roy Blunt (R-Missouri) have introduced S. 310, and United States House Representatives Michael Grimm (R-New York), Loretta Sanchez (D-California), and others have introduced H.R. 714 in the 113th Congress of the United States, and this legislation is known as the Startup Act 3.0; and
Whereas, Entrepreneurs and highly skilled workers can contribute to the continued success of the nation and further the development of an innovation-based economy that will help future generations compete in the global marketplace; and
Whereas, There has been bipartisan support in Congress for proposed changes to immigration law seeking to create new jobs and drive economic growth; such as:
(1) Creation of an Entrepreneur's Visa for up to 75,000 legal immigrants who start up new businesses to create jobs in the United States with a path to permanent residency if their businesses continue to hire more workers.
(2) Authorization to adjust the status of not more than 50,000 aliens who have earned a master's degree or a doctorate degree at an American institution of higher education in a STEM field (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) to that of aliens conditionally admitted for permanent residence to remain in this country.
(3) Elimination of per-country caps for employment-based immigrant visas: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and the Assembly of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature urge the United States Congress and the President to establish new entrepreneur and STEM-related visa categories for legal immigrants as part of comprehensive federal immigration reform; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the Senate, and to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States.
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POM-180. A joint resolution adopted by the Senate of the State of California relative to firearms; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Senate Joint Resolution No. 1
Whereas, The Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, which resulted in the death of 20 children and 6 adults, demonstrated the need for stronger laws to prevent gun violence; and
Whereas, Numerous factors contribute to the occurrence of mass shootings, including unregulated access to assault weapons and assault magazines, insufficient background checks, and needed improvements to our mental health system, among others; and
Whereas, Semiautomatic assault weapons designed with military features allow for the rapid fire of potentially large numbers of bullets, and are distinguishable from standard sporting firearms by features such as the ability to accept a detachable magazine, pistol grips, and folding or telescoping stocks; and
Whereas, Semiautomatic assault weapons are frequently used in mass shootings, including the 1993 101 California Street shooting in San Francisco that involved two TEC-9 semiautomatic handguns, and the recent Aurora, Colorado, shooting that involved an AR-15 style semiautomatic assault rifle with a 100-round ammunition drum; and
Whereas, The United States Supreme Court has affirmed once and for all that Americans have a right to keep and bear arms. However, as conservative justice Antonin Scalia outlined, the District of Columbia v. Heller decision does not prohibit laws forbidding firearms in places such as schools or regulation of unusually dangerous weapons, nor does it restrict laws prohibiting felons and the mentally ill from carrying guns; and
Whereas, The National Firearms Act of 1934 regulates the possession and transfer of fully automatic machine guns through background checks, registration, and excise taxes, but individual states are able to enact their own stronger gun legislation and regulations which may or may not be similar to other states; and
Whereas, Seven states, including California, have enacted laws strictly regulating the possession, manufacture, and transfer of assault weapons; and
Whereas, Because our borders are porous and only a small number of states regulate assault weapons and high-capacity assault magazines, states, like California, that take steps to protect their communities from these weapons are vulnerable to criminals who use those weapons without a comprehensive federal approach to curb gun violence; and
Whereas, It is estimated that 40 percent of firearm transfers are completed without a federal background check, including the transfer of semiautomatic firearms from a private collection; and
Whereas, California requires background checks for all firearms sales and transfers through various means; and
Whereas, Nine categories of individuals are prohibited from purchasing and possessing firearms, including the dangerously mentally ill; and
Whereas, Mental health records are reported by the state and imported into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, but currently many state and federal agencies are not fully participating in this system: now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and the Assembly of the State of California, jointly, That a comprehensive federal approach to reducing and preventing gun violence is needed to protect the Second Amendment rights of law abiding citizens while ensuring that our communities are safe from future mass shootings; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature urges the President and the Congress of the United States to promptly place under the scope of the National Firearms Act generically defined assault weapons, as now is the case with California, and high-capacity assault magazines; and be it further
Resolved, That a universal background check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System should be required for the transfer of all firearms; and be it further
Resolved, That the President of the United States should take steps to ensure all states and applicable federal agencies are reporting all necessary records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the Senate to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States, and to the author for appropriate distribution.
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POM-181. A joint resolution adopted by the Senate of the State of California relative to immigration; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Senate Joint Resolution No. 8
Whereas, This country was built by immigrants seeking a better life; and
Whereas, Estimates suggest there are 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the shadows in the United States, including millions of children brought to this country undocumented who have grown up here and call the United States home, suffering from the dysfunctional immigration policy; and
Whereas, A logical and streamlined path to citizenship for individuals after they gain legal status would stimulate the economy by allowing them to get college degrees and driver's licenses, buy homes, start new companies, and create legal, tax-paying jobs, affording them a chance at the American Dream; and
Whereas, The United States Congress last enacted major immigration legislation more than 25 years ago; and
Whereas, Since that time, fragmented attempts at immigration reform have failed to create rational and effective systems needed to maintain international competitiveness. Whether in an industry like agriculture, which requires large numbers of workers able to perform physically demanding tasks, or in technology or health care, where the demand for employees with advanced degrees is projected to exceed supply within the next five years, immigration policy must be designed to `respond to emerging labor needs. in all sectors of the United States economy; and
Whereas, Our national interests and security are not served by our outdated, inefficient, and slow-moving immigration system. Patchwork attempts to mend its deficiencies undermine our potential for prosperity and leave us vulnerable and unable to meet the needs of the modern world; and
Whereas, To help our country recover from the financial crisis, labor mobility is crucial to our economic prosperity. Yet our rigid, outdated immigration policies are making it difficult for our companies and our nation to compete. Information released in a study by the University of California, Los Angeles, stated that legalizing the status of undocumented immigrants working and living in the United States would create around $1.5 trillion in additional gross domestic product growth over the next 10 years and increase wages for all workers. A study done by the University of California, Davis, indicates that the last large wave of immigrants, from 1990 to 2007, raised the income of the native-born American worker by an average of $5,000; and
Whereas, California has the largest share of immigrants in the country. They are a vital and productive part of our state's economy and are active in a variety of industries, including technology, biotech, hospitality, agriculture, construction, services, transportation, and textiles. They also represent a large share of our new small business owners and create economic prosperity and needed jobs for everyone; and
Whereas, Keeping these families, business owners, and hard workers in the shadows of society serves no one; and
Whereas, Our state, for economic, social, health, security, and prosperity reasons, must support policies that allow individuals to become legal and enfranchised participants in our society and economy; and
Whereas, Comprehensive immigration reform should include a reasonable and timely path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants living and working in the United States already. It should include comprehensive background checks, and require demonstrated proficiency in English and payment of all current and back taxes, and should have the flexibility to respond to emerging business trends; and
Whereas, The Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan research group in Washington, D.C., estimated that in 2012 the federal government spent $18 billion on immigration enforcement and that the number of United States Border Patrol agents has doubled since 2004; and
Whereas, Increased enforcement has given the federal government the ability to prioritize the deportation of lawbreakers and dangerous individuals and to ensure our border's security. Nevertheless, this enforcement should not be done in an inhumane way; and
Whereas, Immigration enforcement should continue to focus on criminals, not on hardworking immigrant families, and not at the expense of efficient trade with two of our top three economic partners; and
Whereas, The United States loses large numbers of necessary, highly skilled workers due to the lengthy and complicated processes currently in place to get or keep a legal residency option; and
Whereas, Reform should also include an expedited process for those residing abroad and applying for legal visas. Additionally, reform should offer permanent residency opportunities to international students in American universities who are highly trained and in high demand, and in so doing avoid an intellectual vacuum after their graduation; and
Whereas, This reform should recognize the societal and cultural benefits of keeping the family unit intact. The system should take into account special circumstances surrounding candidates for probationary legal status, such as those of minors brought to the country as children or workers whose labor is essential to maintain our country's competitiveness: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and the Assembly of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature urges the President and the Congress of the United States to take a comprehensive and workable approach to solving our nation's historically broken immigration system, using the principles described in this resolution; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the President and the Vice President of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the Senate, and to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States.
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POM-182. A resolution adopted by the Municipal Legislature of Aguada, Puerto Rico relative to urging the President of the United States of America to immediately and unconditionally release a political prisoner; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Resolution No. 19
Whereas, Section 5005 of Act No. 81 of August 30, 1991, as amended, known as ``Autonomous Municipalities Act of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico'', provides that the Municipal Legislature may approve those ordinances, resolutions and regulations on issues and matters of competition or municipal jurisdiction, pursuant to this Act or any other law, must be submitted for consideration or approval.
Whereas, Oscar Lopez Rivera has been jailed for more than 32 years in the United States, serving a sentence for reasons related to the struggle for the independence of Puerto Rico. Other political prisoners serving sentences equally disproportionate have since been released, first under President Jimmy Carter and then, in 1999, being president, William J. Clinton, Oscar is the political prisoner serving the longest prison sentence, surpassing the Nobel Peace Prize and former South African President Nelson Mandela.
Whereas, A cause for the release of Oscar Lopez has joined Puerto Ricans of all faiths. Political, religious and civic organizations have called for Oscar back home. His prolonged confinement, far from serving any purpose, it has become a sign of inhumanity and injustice. The consensus forged in Puerto Rico for the freedom of Oscar, also have joined international entities.
Whereas, The Municipal Legislature joins Aguada, in turn, in a gesture of solidarity, to request the President of the United States, Barack Hussein Obama, making use of its prerogatives, available for immediate and unconditional release of Oscar Lopez Rivera: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Municipal Legislature of Aguada, Puerto Rico, the following:
Section 1st: Aguada Municipal Legislature requests the President of the United States of America, Barack Hussein Obama, who in the exercise of its powers granted immediate and unconditional freedom of Oscar Lopez Rivera.
Section 2nd: Copies of this Resolution, translated into English, will be sent to the President and the Presidents of both legislative bodies of the Congress of the United States.
Section 3rd: This Resolution shall take effect immediately after its approval.
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POM-183. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of the State of California relative to veterans; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Assembly Joint Resolution No. 19
Whereas, In 1993, congress adopted a policy known as Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT), prohibiting service personnel from inquiring, or volunteering information, about their sexual orientation. Prior to 1993, federal law and military regulations prohibited homosexuality in the Armed Forces of the United States; and
Whereas, From 1980 until the repeal of DADT in 2011, over 32,000 service personnel were separated from the Armed Forces of the United States under DADT and its predecessor policies; and
Whereas, More than 13,000 service personnel were separated from the Armed Forces of the United States after the adoption of DADT. Approximately one-quarter of these discharges occurred during the service member's first four months of service; and
Whereas, California law prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, ethnic group identification, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, color, genetic information, or disability; and
Whereas, Generally, veterans separated from the military with a discharge that is characterized as ``dishonorable'' or
``other than honorable'' are ineligible to receive federal or state veterans' benefits, including applicable spousal benefits; and
Whereas, Section 711.1 of the Military and Veterans Code assists veterans by requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide Internet resources, Internet links, and printed materials regarding, or created by, veterans' legal services organizations that specialize in military discharge upgrades, or links to Internet resources that provide information and printed resources provided by veterans' legal services organizations. It also provides that if the federal government acts to provide benefits to discharged veterans who were denied those benefits solely on the basis of sexual orientation pursuant to any federal policy prohibiting homosexual personnel from serving in the Armed Forces of the United States, the state shall provide to those veterans any state-offered benefits; and
Whereas, We must work to ensure that California veterans who were discriminated against solely on the basis of their sexual orientation can access benefits regardless of the classification of their discharge: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature urges Congress and the President to provide benefits, including applicable spousal benefits, to those veterans discriminated against solely on the basis of their sexual orientation; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the Senate, and to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States.
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POM-184. A resolution from town of Richmond, Wisconsin relative to amending campaign contribution rules; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
POM-185. A resolution adopted by the Legislature of Rockland County, New York, supporting United States Senate Bill S. 744--The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013, and urging the United States House of Representatives to pass similar legislation; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
POM-186. A resolution adopted by the Board of Selectmen, Town of Seymour, Connecticut, urging the Congress of the United States to restore the presumption of a service connection for Agent Orange exposure to United States Veterans who served on the inland waterways, in the territorial waters, and in the airspace over the combat zone; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
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