Read first time 02/18/09.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     TO THE HONORABLE BARACK OBAMA, 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 ADMINISTRATOR OF THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION:
     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 trucking industry provides the backbone of our nation's retail economy; and
     WHEREAS, The trucking industry is suffering the effects of record fuel costs in 2008; and
     WHEREAS, Approximately three thousand transportation-related businesses filed for bankruptcy last year, taking nearly five percent of the nation's trucking capacity off the road; and
     WHEREAS, Some truckers are forced to choose between paying for safety repairs and filling the gas tank, and others are being forced out of business; and
     WHEREAS, House Resolution 6922 would help stabilize the trucking industry and the sectors of the economy that rely on the trucking industry; and
     WHEREAS, The United States small business administration would be authorized to make emergency loans to assist eligible small businesses; and
     WHEREAS, Emergency loans of up to $250,000 would be available for small trucking businesses that have suffered or are likely to suffer substantial economic injury as the result of increases in fuel prices; and
     WHEREAS, Emergency loans could be used by small trucking businesses for working capital, upgrades necessary to meet environmental standards, maintenance and repair to ensure safe operations, and enhanced training;
     NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the United States Congress enact House Resolution 6922 of 2008 or substantially similar legislation that amends the small business act, provides low-interest loans to small businesses providing transportation services, and assists these small businesses in dealing with high motor fuel prices.
     BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable Barack Obama, President of the United States, the Administrator of the United States Small Business Administration, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.