H-3554.1  _______________________________________________

                     HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 4022

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      57th Legislature     2002 Regular Session

By Representatives Linville, Morris, Barlean, Schual‑Berke, Kessler, Conway, Lysen, O'Brien, Benson, Schmidt, Ballasiotes, Kenney and Ericksen

Read first time 01/23/2002.  Referred to Committee on Trade & Economic Development.

Urging Canadian and United States authorities to address border issues.

    TO THE HONORABLE GEORGE W. BUSH, 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 MICHAEL KERGIN, CANADA'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES:

    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, A significant portion of Washington State's economy is dependent upon international trade, and one of our largest trading partners is Canada; and

    WHEREAS, The bulk of Washington's trade with Canada passes through the land borders between Washington State and British Columbia; and

    WHEREAS, Washington State is a full member of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER), established in 1991 by the Washington State Legislature; and

    WHEREAS, PNWER includes our neighboring provinces to the north, including British Columbia, Alberta, and the Yukon; and

    WHEREAS, PNWER has established a Perimeter Security and Commerce Task Force involving stakeholders, border users, and the expertise of Washington State's software and electronics industry leaders to develop and implement pilot programs to enhance security and efficiency at our borders with Canada; and

    WHEREAS, Both Canada and the United States are committed to ensuring the safety of their citizens while facilitating the smooth flow of legitimate trade and travel across their shared border; and

    WHEREAS, The Perimeter Security and Commerce Task Force is tasked with working closely with federal agencies to address critical issues to mitigate security concerns at our borders while increasing the free flow of legitimate travel and goods across our border with Canada; and

    WHEREAS, The thirty point agreement signed by Governor Ridge, Director of Homeland Security, and Deputy Prime Minister John Manley of Canada on December 12, 2001, specifically encourages regional and binational approaches to address these border issues;

    NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the federal governments of both Canada and the United States take urgent practical measures to develop a border that will ensure both security and prosperity for citizens of both countries, including:

    (1) Exploring North American perimeter clearance mechanisms that increase security, reduce risk, and save money;

    (2) Working closely with local jurisdictions to develop solutions and increase cooperation in border management, including sharing of vital law enforcement information;

    (3) Implementing secure, jointly administered preclearance systems and advanced technologies, such as NEXUS and Advanced Traveler Information Systems, on a priority basis, to assist legitimate trade and travel;

    (4) Improving levels of staffing at border crossings where either significant delays are being experienced or improved security is required, or both; and

    (5) Eliminating duplication and actively sharing information wherever possible.

    BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United States, Michael Kergin, Canada's Ambassador to the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.

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