February 12, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 29 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session
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PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS; Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 29
(Senate - February 12, 2020)
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[Pages S1040-S1041] 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-180. A resolution adopted by the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania urging the United States Congress and the President of the United States to enact S. 1575 or similar legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the United States Army Rangers Veterans of World War II in recognition of their extraordinary service; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. House Resolution No. 627 Whereas, Of the more than 15 million soldiers who served in the armed forces in World War II, only 3,000 were Rangers; and Whereas, The 1st Ranger Battalion was formed at the onset of the United States' involvement in the conflict as an elite unit modeled after the British Commandos; and [[Page S1041]] Whereas, The Rangers were highly and rigorously trained to attack in the dead of night from the least likely route and climb cliffs and speed march, enabling them to infiltrate deep behind enemy lines on foot; and Whereas, There were six Ranger Battalions deployed during World War II, all of which were strictly volunteer; and Whereas, Each battalion was comprised of approximately 500 men; and Whereas, At least 48 World War II Rangers came from this Commonwealth, 33 of which remained overseas in American battlefield cemeteries; and Whereas, Three World War II Rangers in D Company, 2nd Ranger Battalion were from Altoona; and Whereas, Two of the three climbed the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc and one destroyed five of six long-range artillery pieces at Pointe du Hoc; and Whereas, There are only 41 known World War II Rangers alive nationwide; and Whereas, It is imperative that these heroes are given the honor they deserve; therefore be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives urge the President and the Congress of the United States to enact S. 1757 or similar legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the United States Army Rangers Veterans of World War II in recognition of their extraordinary service; and be it further Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, to the presiding officers of each house of Congress and to each member of Congress from Pennsylvania. ____ POM-181. A resolution adopted by the House of Representatives of the State of Michigan urging the United States Congress and the President of the United States to increase funding for the Great Lakes restoration initiative to $475 million per year; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. House Resolution No. 157 Whereas, The Great Lakes are a critical resource for our nation and central to the economy, heritage, and quality of life of Michigan and the other seven states within the Great Lakes region. The Great Lakes hold over 84 percent of the United States' surface freshwater and drive a thriving regional economy, directly supporting 1.5 million U.S. jobs and generating $62 billion in wages. More than 30 million U.S. residents depend on the Great Lakes for drinking water: and Whereas, The Great Likes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) has provided crucial funding to support long overdue work to protect and restore the Great Lakes. In partnership with the states, local governments, and other organizations, the federal government has invested more than $3 billion and supported over 4,700 projects over the last decade, including around $600 million for more than 1,100 projects in Michigan: and Whereas, The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative represents a sound investment in both the environment and the economies of the Great Lakes region. A 2018 study calculated that for every federal dollar invested in Great Lakes restoration there is $3.35 in additional economic activity, with older industrial cities like Detroit seeing an even higher return on investment; and Whereas, Real progress has been made in cleaning up and restoring the Great Lakes thanks to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. One-third of the region's toxic hot spots have been cleaned up, sparking redevelopment and business opportunities on waterfronts. Area farms and conservation organizations have increased conservation practices, which have reduced harmful nutrient runoff, and habitat and wildlife connectivity continue to improve, with nearly 5,000 miles of rivers cleared of dams and other barriers: and Whereas, Far more work needs to be done to ensure every person has a clean community in which to live, safe beaches to enjoy, and healthy fish to eat. Substantial limitations and threats to the use of the Great Lakes remain whether toxic algal blooms shutting down Toledo's drinking water supply, invasive carp threatening billion-dollar fisheries, or contaminated sediments restricting recreational opportunities: and Whereas, The time to act is now. The ecological, economic, and health risks are too high. The problems will only get worse and the solutions more expensive and challenging in the future; Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the President and Congress of the United States to increase funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to $475 million per year to boost the region's work of cleaning up toxic contamination, reducing runoff pollution, stopping invasive species, and protecting and restoring wetlands and other habitats; and be it further Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, 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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