2010_Congress_Packet

toc **Fall 2010 Congress Packet** Download in Word Format:

Bill/Resolution #1
A Resolution to Increase the Use of Nuclear Power WHERAS: The United States is far too dependent on foreign energy sources; and, WHEREAS: The amount of extractable oil within the United States’s borders is quickly dwindling; and, WHEREAS: If alternative energy sources do not become viable before global petroleum reserves are depleted the global economy will suffer; therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the United States federal government incentivize major energy companies to construct and operate nuclear energy plants.

Respectfully Submitted, Center City Academy

Bill/Resolution #2
A Resolution to Reduce United States Global Military Presence Whereas: The United States currently has over 190,000 troops deployed abroad in areas where there is no active conflict; Whereas: The United States has been increasingly viewed as a global military hegemony that is intent on “policing the world” with self-serving interests at heart; Whereas: As a result of its foreign policies and actions, the United States’ global image has suffered greatly; Whereas: The United States does not require 27,000 troops in South Korea, 30,000 troops in Japan, or 50,000 troops in Germany; Whereas: The United States must move away from the use of hard power and concentrate more on soft power if it is to be successful in the competitive global environment of the 21st century. Therefore be it resolved that: This Congress urge the President to withdraw 50% of all troops stationed abroad who are not involved in active conflict or peacekeeping duties whose presence is not deemed necessary by the host government; Be it further resolved that: These troops may be redeployed either to the United States or to Afghanistan.

Respectfully Submitted, Center City Academy

Bill/Resolution #3
A Resolution to Create a National Free Market Healthcare System Whereas: Millions of Americans cannot afford the cost of the current national healthcare system or cope with its excessive restrictions on patient care. Whereas: Most of the nation’s health insurance companies compete solely in one state or national region, thus forming a monopoly over cost and type of coverage for Americans living in those states. Whereas: The creation of a national free market healthcare system would be easily implemented at little to no cost. Whereas: The creation of a national free market healthcare system would force health insurance companies to compete with each other for patients. Whereas: This competition would lead to lower costs for patients and better quality of patient care without the need to simultaneously create a socialistic government-run healthcare plan. Therefore, be it resolved by the Student Congress here assembled, that the United States enact legislation mandating all health insurance companies compete on a national level and eliminate all current national healthcare plans contradicting this resolution.

Respectfully submitted, Michael Manto Conwell-Egan Catholic High School

Bill/Resolution #4
A Resolution to Mandate a Deficit-Neutral Federal Budget Whereas: The federal budget of the United States has remained in a state of overwhelming deficit since 2001. Whereas: This federal deficit has accumulated over the years to accrue a massive federal debt of over $12 trillion. Whereas: Continued federal deficit and debt leads to wasteful government practices and further irresponsible spending within the United States government. Whereas: Continued federal deficit and debt also leads to low consumer confidence within the national economy and runaway economic failure and private debt. Whereas: The elimination of a federal deficit would in turn reduce the national federal debt. Therefore, be it resolved by the Student Congress here assembled, that legislation be enacted mandating that the United States not be permitted to have a federal deficit by striking wasteful spending items including financial bailouts, government-run healthcare plans, excessive welfare plans, and excessive international relief aid.

Respectfully submitted, Michael Manto Conwell-Egan Catholic High School

Bill/Resolution #5
A Resolution Trying to Create Peace between China and Taiwan WHEREAS, China and Taiwan are both crucial allies to the United States; and, WHEREAS, the United States has been unsuccessful in brokering peace through our current strategies between these two governments; and, WHEREAS, the United States is diplomatically caught in the middle between two superpowers in Southeast Asia; and, WHEREAS, the relations between these two governments have improved enough so that they can both talk on even grounds; therefore, BE IT RESOLVED by the Student Congress here assembled that the United States (US) broker a summit between both China and Taiwan in which we encourage a separate democratic Taiwanese state; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we usher in an impartial tone by ending our exclusive military arms trade with the Taiwanese state.

Introduced by, Benjamin Rogers Holy Ghost Preparatory School

Bill/Resolution #6
A Resolution to Reduce International Military Funding WHEREAS, the United States grossly overspends on military expenditures WHEREAS, such investment has not had the intended effect WHEREAS, the United States is currently mired in a recession and has a vastly underfunded budget BE IT RESOLVED by the Student Congress here assembled that the United States (US) will create a joint congressional subcommittee to explore means to reduce international military spending by ten percent by the year 2015

Introduced by, Brian Shiue Holy Ghost Preparatory School

Bill/Resolution #7
A Bill to Levy a Luxury Tax on Unregulated Chocolate Products Article I: A tax shall be placed on the importation and sale of all chocolate products not certified as fair-trade products. Upon the passing of this bill it shall henceforth be illegal for retailers to sell free trade chocolate products at a price any less than 20 cents higher than the highest comparable fair trade product. All companies selling or manufacturing chocolate products in the United States and its territories shall hereby be subject to mandatory inspections by the Department of Agriculture as to their free or fair trade status. Any company that refuses, delays, or in any way inhibits these inspections shall be barred from operating or vending in the United States and its territories. Furthermore, all importation of cacao and cacao related products from the nation of the Ivory Coast or Cote D’Ivoire. Article II: Chocolate products being defined as any product that uses or in any way is tied to the production and harvesting of the Cacao bean and plant. Article III: The implementation and enforcement of this bill shall be overseen by the Department of Agriculture and shall be the responsibility of a newly appointed Chocolate Czar. The amount of tax shall be determined by a department within the state departments of agriculture to correspond with local prices. Article IV: This bill shall be fully implemented upon the beginning of the next fiscal year after said bill is passed. Article V: All other laws that are in conflict with this new policy shall hereby be declared null and void.

Respectfully Submitted, La Salle College High School

Bill/Resolution #8
A Resolution to Designate a Drug-Interception Taskforce In the Coast-Guard Whereas: The vast majority of confiscated drugs are confiscated by the Coast Guard, and; Whereas: The Coast Guard has issued a statement that they would be able to intercept an exponentially greater amount of drugs if they had a full-time drug patrol, and; Whereas: The facilities, manpower, and experience already exist in the Coast Guard top perform such an action, therefore be it; Resolved: That roughly 20% of the Gulf Coast Guard be designated solely to the interception of drug traffic to be specified in a bill drafted upon passage.

Respectfully Submitted Joseph Vasoli La Salle College Preparatory High school

Bill/Resolution #9
A Bill to Establish a Mandatory Public Service Corps for the Unemployed Be it enacted by this Student Congress that: Section 1: The Federal Government establish a mandatory Public Service Corps for all citizens unemployed who wish to receive unemployment benefits and are medically certified unfit for work. Section 2: Said Corps shall be administered by the Department of Health and Human Services. Section 3: Workers shall be assigned and coordinated with regards to education, talents, and location. Section 4: Childcare will be provided using the services of suitably capable members of the Corps. Section 5: Funding be equivalent to unemployment benefits and savings garnered be returned to this fund. Section 6: The bill will be effective upon passage and all bills to the contrary thereafter null and void.

Respectfully Submitted, Nazareth Academy High School

Bill/Resolution #10
A Bill to Require Retail Stores to Use Biodegradable Plastic Bags BE IT ENACTED BY THIS STUDENT CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED THAT: SECTION 1. American retail stores using plastic bags will be required to use biodegradable plastic bags to bag their merchandise. SECTION 2. Stores now using generic plastic bags will need to convert to using and ordering biodegradable plastic bags. SECTION 3. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will oversee the enforcement of said law. SECTION 4. This bill will go into effect upon passing. SECTION 5. All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void.

Introduced by Nazareth Academy High School

Bill/Resolution #11
A Resolution to Decrease Aid to Egypt Whereas: Egypt plays a pivotal role within Middle Eastern politics; and Whereas: Egypt has numerous documented human rights issues; and Whereas: The United States currently supplies Egypt in upwards of 1.3 billion dollars annually in various types of aid; and Whereas: Egypt has used US funding to avoid reforms within the country; and Whereas: A stable and democratic Egypt is beneficial to Middle Eastern politics as well as US foreign policy goals within the region, Therefore be it resolved that: The US Federal Government should reduce foreign aid to Egypt gradually until the aforementioned issues are fixed. Be it further resolved that: After the issues have been resolved, funding shall continue at the same level as before the passing of this legislation.

Respectfully Submitted, Tom Kappil Pennsbury High School

Bill/Resolution #12
A Resolution to Repeal Subsidies on Corn-Based Ethanol and Lower Tariffs on Sugarcane-Based Ethanol Whereas: The current use of corn-based ethanol is inefficient and has more negative than positive effects on the world, and; Whereas: Corn-based ethanol is 25% less efficient than gasoline, at an increase of approximately 70 cents per gallon (for E85), taking into account the decreased efficiency, and: Whereas: Ethanol is worse for the environment than standard oil, nearly doubling greenhouse gases emitted, and; Whereas: Increased ethanol production increases world hunger, and; Whereas: Cellulosic and sugarcane-based ethanol are both more efficient and have less of an environmental impact than corn-based ethanol and therefore are more economically and environmentally viable, and; Whereas: Sugar-based ethanol is more environmentally safe and efficient than corn-based ethanol, and; Whereas: The current United States ethanol policy is counterproductive for lower prices at the pump and for a cleaner world. Therefore, be it resolved that: All subsidies on corn-based ethanol produced in the United States be ended. Be it further resolved that: All tariffs on foreign sugarcane-based ethanol products be removed.

Respectfully Submitted,

Pennsbury High School

Bill/Resolution #13
Resolution to End the Cuban Trade Embargo Whereas: The Cold War is over and we have bilateral relations with Russia, however we have embargos on Cuban trade. Whereas: By having the embargo on Cuba because they are a Communist country and at the same time vigorously trading with China who is not only a Communist country but an international superpower, we are displaying our double standards to the international community. Whereas: Our ending the embargo will not only help to improve our politics, it could also help improve our economy. Therefore Be It Resolved: That this Congress here assembled urges the Executive branch to lift the Cuban Embargo, the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 and any other Acts that place sanction on the trades of the Cuban government and countries that provide Cuba with assistance.

Respectfully Submitted, Archbishop Ryan High School

Bill/Resolution #14
A Bill to Increase Funding for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Whereas: the United States of America has the most advanced space program in the world, and Whereas: the United States is the only country to land a man on the moon and to send any manmade objects to any other planet, and Whereas: NASA is the most successful space program in the history of the world, yet it has had to endure funding cuts by approximately 38% since 1993, and Whereas: continued research, development and exploration by our space program is essential to help maintain our economic and military technology advantages, Therefore, be it resolved that this Student Congress here assembled shall increase funding for NASA by 25% or $4.63 billion in the FY 2011 federal budget to continue our advances in outer space.

Respectfully submitted, Brandan McCammitt Archbishop Ryan High School

Bill/Resolution #15
A resolution for the limit of the weight of a child’s backpack Whereas The latest study by the American Chiropractic Association (2001) says that heavy backpacks cause over 7,000 emergency room visits each year, as well as numerous complaints of neck and back pain Whereas A child’s bone are continually growing throughout their high school years and serious long-term damage could become irreversible Whereas Internet resources (such as online textbooks) allow for teachers to continue to distribute homework effectively Be it resolved by this Student Congress that the weight of a child’s backpack be no more than 8% of the child’s body weight (as suggested by the ACA)

Respectfully submitted, Bishop Shanahan High School

Bill/Resolution #16
A RESOLUTION FOR AID TO PAKISTAN WHEREAS suffering by the flood in Pakistan has led to many people suffering. WHEREAS the people of Pakistan need assistance in rebuilding their infrastructure. WHEREAS, as a superpower the United States has a global responsibility to assist in the worldwide effort to relieve human suffering. BE IT RESOLVED BY THIS STUDENT CONGRESS we should relegate the funds and assistance efforts through military and private organizations, CERF funds, as well as private donations.

Respectfully Submitted, Bishop Shanahan High School

Bill/Resolution #17
A Resolution Ending the Extraction, Processing, and Production of Oil Shale Whereas, Oil shale is not a significant energy source in the United States; and Whereas, Oil shale must be extracted, processed, and produced to get to a useful form; and Whereas, The process of extracting oil shale has detrimental effects on the environment; and Whereas, Oil shale must be shipped to a processing facility from its location of extraction; and Whereas, The processing of oil shale is more expensive than other ways of obtaining oil; now therefore be it Resolved, by the Student Congress here assembled, that the United States terminates the extraction, processing, and production of oil shale domestically; and be it Further Resolved, that the Department of Energy investigates the best means to provide incentives for companies in the oil shale industry to develop better alternatives.

Respectfully Submitted,

Saint Josephs Preparatory School

Bill/Resolution #18
A Resolution to Combat Somali Piracy WHEREAS, Over the past five years, the number of Somali Pirates has increased significantly; and WHEREAS, This threatens the commerce of the entire region and the economic interests of the United States; and WHEREAS, There is a risk of Somalia becoming a terrorist safe haven; and WHEREAS, It is the duty of the United States, along with the rest of the international community, to protect our economic interests and trade in the region; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that this Congress urge the President of the United States to take the necessary actions, military and diplomatic, in an effort to eliminate piracy and terrorism in the region, and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Congress formally petition both the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to join in these efforts.

Respectfully submitted, Saint Joseph’s Preparatory School

Bill/Resolution #19
A Resolution to End Illegal Immigration into the United States

WHEREAS, illegal immigration has become a significant problem in the United States; and, WHEREAS, the influx of illegal immigrants has hurt the American economy; and WHEREAS, many illegal immigrants commit other crimes that are violent and harmful to American citizens; and WHEREAS, security of the borders has been neglected for far too long; and WHEREAS, the American immigration system has become a vulnerability rather than representation of national strength; and WHEREAS, states have resorted to implementing their own policies; THEREFORE, be it resolved by the congress here assembled that: stronger enforcement of immigration policy be employed throughout the country in a budget-neutral fashion that closes borders to those who are unwilling to follow the laws appropriate for becoming an American citizen.

Respectfully Submitted by: Perkiomen Valley High School

Bill/Resolution #20
A Resolution to Curb False Advertising Whereas: In the pursuit of increasing profits, companies are under more pressure to convince citizens of the value of their products Whereas: In their attempts to convince citizens, companies engage in a number of advertising techniques, not all of which conform to standards of good business practice Whereas: Companies have been known to embellish claims about the products they sell to consumers Whereas: These embellished claims deceive citizens, leading to frustration, as well as incurring the obvious financial losses to the individual Whereas: Repeated deception from false advertising can lead to citizens losing faith in business, further impacting the economy. Therefore be it resolved by this student congress here assembled that: The FCC engages in a more rigorous process to scrutinize claims of false advertising by consumers. Be it further resolved that: the FCC be charged with determining a way to force companies to stop “fine-print deals”. Be it further resolved that: the FCC be encouraged to double all current fines levied to companies found guilty of committing false advertising.

Respectfully Submitted, Truman High School

Bill/Resolution #21
A Bill to Promote Kyrgyzstani Security 1 Article I: A. The United States federal government hereby establishes a 2 American-Kyrgyzstani Security Commission, in order to foster a 3 secure and stable economic environment in the Kyrgyz Republic. 4 B. The United States will also provide Kyrgyzstan with multifarious 5 aid programs, the cost of which is not to exceed $75 million. 6 Article II: “Multifarious aid programs” are hereby defined as: subsidies for 7 American direct investment in Kyrgyzstan, a cooperative security force 8 training program, and infrastructural development and repairs. 9 Article III: This legislation will be implemented immediately upon passage. 10 Article IV: The Department of State will oversee the implementation of Article I, 11 Section A of the legislation, and the Departments of Homeland Security 12 and Commerce will implement Article I, Section B. 13 Article V: All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and 14 void.

Respectfully Submitted, Unionville High School