75th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2009 Regular Session
 
NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
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 LC 2444
 
                     House Joint Memorial 7
 
Sponsored by Representative BAILEY (at the request of Oregon
  PeaceWorks, Chris Extine)
 
 
                             SUMMARY
 
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.
 
  Urges Congress to shift funds from federal defense budget to
states.
 
                         JOINT MEMORIAL
To the President of the United States and the Senate and the
  House of Representatives of the United States of America, in
  Congress assembled:
     We, your memorialists, the Seventy-fifth Legislative
  Assembly of the State of Oregon, in legislative session
  assembled, respectfully represent as follows:
  Whereas the Seventy-fifth Legislative Assembly of Oregon
believes that the security of this country is not exclusively
dependent upon military might but is also dependent upon the
well-being and vitality of its citizens; and
  Whereas programs that sustain and improve the health and
education of our citizens, that provide affordable housing and
that protect the environment are being shifted from the federal
government to state governments; and
  Whereas funds provided by the federal government to the states
are insufficient to fulfill responsibilities for the programs;
and
  Whereas the four countries identified as state sponsors of
terrorism by the United States have a combined defense budget far
less than the approximately $730 billion defense budget of the
United States; and
  Whereas the United States' military expenditures are almost
half of the combined military expenditures of all the world's
nations; and
  Whereas Pentagon spending has been repeatedly shown to generate
less economic benefit, in terms of jobs and multiplier effects,
than any other form of economic activity; and
  Whereas shifting federal funds from military spending to the
states would dramatically improve the security of our citizens
and strengthen our ability to compete successfully in the global
marketplace; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of
  Oregon:
  (1) The Seventy-fifth Legislative Assembly respectfully urges
the Congress of the United States to enact legislation that
shifts funds from the defense budget to the several states to
assist the several states in meeting increased costs of
responsibility for federal programs shifted to the several
states.
  (2) A copy of this memorial shall be sent to the President of
the United States, to the Senate Majority Leader, to the Speaker
of the House of Representatives and to each member of the Oregon
Congressional Delegation.
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