S-5279.1  _______________________________________________

                    SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 8031

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      54th Legislature     1996 Regular Session

By Senators Cantu, Snyder and Spanel

Read first time 02/19/96.  Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce & Trade.

Encouraging the federal government to reject proposals establishing fees at United States border crossings.

    TO THE HONORABLE WILLIAM J. CLINTON, 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:

    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 Pacific Northwest Region comprising of Washington, Alaska, British Columbia, Alberta, Montana, Idaho, and Oregon contains numerous border crossings between the United States and Canada; and

    WHEREAS, Cultural, social, and economic exchanges between the citizens, organizations, and businesses of the region have historically been and continue to be an integral part of the regions economic and cultural development; and

    WHEREAS, The historically close and constant ties between the two  countries of Canada and the United States have been forged and maintained by continuous cultural exchanges ranging from fraternities, social, sports, and business clubs to name but a few; and

    WHEREAS, The rapid changes in global affairs require countries to renew and enhance their ties with neighboring states and countries; and

    WHEREAS, Millions of individuals cross the borders of the Pacific Northwest per annum including numerous tourists expending billions of dollars in the United States and Canada; and

    WHEREAS, A border crossing fee as proposed by current federal legislation would adversely impact both the economy, culture, and quality of life for many of the regions' citizens;

    NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully request that the United States Congress reject any proposal that would levy a fee on any individuals crossing the borders of the United States.

    BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable William J. Clinton, President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, each member of Congress from the State of Washington, Oregon, Montana, and Idaho, and the Secretary of the United States Customs and Immigration Department.

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