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 U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Senate section on pages S308 on Jan. 12, 2009.
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-1. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the State of New Jersey memorializing Congress to protect the automobile industry and expand national infrastructure projects and related industries; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
Senate Resolution No. 37
Whereas, a number of specialists have warned that the collapse of the national economy could occur if certain stop-gap and long-term actions are not implemented to overcome the problems facing the automotive and machine tool sectors of our economy; and
Whereas, the loss of the physical capabilities of the automotive industry, especially its tool sector, could mean the end of America's status as a leading world economic power; and
Whereas, while it is in the best interests of our national security to have a strong, vibrant manufacturing and industrial sector, capable of producing the necessary machinery and technology to defend the citizens of the United States and protect our interests abroad, our manufacturing and industrial sector has experienced a dramatic reduction in capacity and production over the last several decades; and
Whereas, government has an obligation to promote economic activity through the creation of new capital investment, which will result in the expansion of employment opportunities and help jump-start long-term capital investment by private investors; and
Whereas, as government leaders, we must ensure the continued viability of our automotive and machine tool industries, which is a vital element of the State and federal economy; and
Whereas, diversification of the productive potential of the automotive and machine tool industries into a broader sector of production, coupled with a shift into the domain of essential capital goods and economic infrastructure, such as the repair, expansion, and improvement of our national railway systems, and the development of other urgently needed infrastructure projects, will save existing manufacturing jobs and create large new areas of employment in infrastructure and manufacturing for our citizenry in a manner comparable to the best of the New Deal programs that rescued the nation and the world from the ravages of the Great Depression; and
Whereas, the impact of this intervention will be to provide thousands of productive jobs in the state of New Jersey, repair our infrastructure, and create at least ten million jobs nationally, thus restoring our tax base and increasing the standard of living: Now, therefore; be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
l. The Senate of the State of New Jersey respectfully memorializes the Congress of the United States to intervene on behalf of national economic interests to ensure that the productive potential of the automobile industry, with its featured technology and machine tool capability, be protected.
2. The Senate of the State of New Jersey respectfully memorializes the Congress of the United States to intervene to vastly expand the construction and maintenance of infrastructure projects and related industries.
3. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and attested by the Secretary thereof, shall be transmitted to each member of New Jersey's congressional delegation and to the Speaker and Clerk of the United States House of Representatives, Washington, D.C., and the President and Secretary of the United States Senate, Washington, D.C.
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POM-2. A resolution adopted by the Commission of Wayne County of the State of Michigan relative to supporting the United States Congress rescue plan to offer low-interest loans to Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp., and Chrysler LLC to insure the viability of the U.S. auto industry; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
POM-3. A report from a sportsmen club of Washington State relative to a Department of Agriculture, Forest Service report; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
POM-4. A report from the Florida Department of State, Commission of Office, relative to the Minority Appointment Reporting Form for 2007; to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
POM-5. A report from the Florida Department of State, Commission of Office, relative to the Minority Appointment Reporting Form for 2007; to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
POM-6. A report from a textile corporation relative to Senate material; to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
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