H-1824              _______________________________________________

 

                                            HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL NO. 20

                        _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1985 Regular Session

 

By Representative J. King

 

 

Read first time 2/8/85 and referred to Committee on Trade & Economic Development.

 

         


TO THE HONORABLE RONALD REAGAN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED, AND TO THE UNITED STATES CUSTOM SERVICE:

          We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:

          WHEREAS, The promotion of international trade with Pacific Rim countries is essential to the economic prosperity of the United States; and

          WHEREAS, The uniform regulation of all West Coast ports by the United States Customs Service provides continuity and is essential to the continued growth of international trade in the Pacific Basin; and

          WHEREAS, The efficient operation of the West Coast ports is of paramount importance to the effort to bring about a reduction in the balance of trade deficit this country is currently experiencing; and

          WHEREAS, Discussions are being held at the federal level to separate Alaska, Washington, and Oregon into the jurisdiction of a customs office headquarters in Chicago, while leaving California under the jurisdiction of a customs office headquartered in California; and

          WHEREAS, This proposed separation would necessarily result in a lack of uniformity in the operations of customs to the inevitable detriment of international trade activities;

          NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the United States Customs Service continue to maintain its current uniform jurisdiction over all West Coast ports, and to increase the number of Customs inspectors to ensure the expeditious movement of trade through West Coast ports.

          BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable Ronald Reagan, President of the United States, the United States Customs Service, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.