2018-19 VHSL STUDENT CONGRESS LEGISLATION REGION SOUTH
Table of Contents Docket A: Economic Resolution 7786... 3 Docket A: Virginia Resolution 6591... 4 Docket A: International Resolution 3230... 5 Docket A: Domestic Resolution 6119... 6 Docket A: Economic Bill 4373... 7 Docket A: International Resolution 5266... 8 Docket A: International Resolution 3011... 9 Docket A: International Resolution 3012... 10 Docket A: Virginia Resolution 3013... 11 Docket A: Economic Resolution 3014... 12 Docket A: Domestic Bill 3015... 13 Docket A: Economic Resolution 3014... 14 Docket A: Virginia Bill 4316... 15 Super Session: International Resolution 3016... 16 VHSL Student Congress Legislation 2018-19 Page 2 of 16
Docket A: Economic Resolution 7786 A Resolution to End Farm Subsidies Line 01: WHEREAS, taxpayers are paying almost $20 billion for farmers to Line 02: specifically not farm their land, and, Line 03: WHEREAS, supply of certain crops with minimal demand has Line 04: skyrocketed, and, Line 05: WHEREAS, environmental damage is being caused as a result of Line 06: subsidized crops, and, Line 07: WHEREAS, subsidies have gone to urban areas where there are Line 08: no farms and no farmers, and, Line 09: WHEREAS, loopholes can occur around subsidy reformation. Line 10: THEREFORE, be it resolved by this student congress here Line 11: assembled that all subsidy payments by the United States Line 12: Department of Agriculture to farmers and agri-businesses Line 13: be terminated. Representative Breanna Verschaeve Prince Edward County High School on 2/7/2019 1:21:34 PM VHSL Student Congress Legislation 2018-19 Page 3 of 16
Docket A: Virginia Resolution 6591 A Resolution to Increase Funding for Extra-Curricular Activities in the Commonwealth of Virginia Line 01: WHEREAS, extra-curricular activities improve academic performance, Line 02: and, Line 03: WHEREAS, colleges are more likely to accept students who have Line 04: good extra-curricular resumes, and, Line 05: WHEREAS, extra-curricular activities increase self-esteem and Line 06: self-confidence, and, Line 07: WHEREAS, students who participate in extra-curricular activities Line 08: increase their SAT scores by an average of roughly 183 points. Line 10: THEREFORE, be it resolved by this student congress here Line 11: assembled that the Commonwealth of Virginia will substantially Line 12: increase funding for extra-curricular activities for all public school Line 13: divisions in the Commonwealth. Representative Mattison Kinne Prince Edward County High School on 2/7/2019 2:21:47 PM VHSL Student Congress Legislation 2018-19 Page 4 of 16
Docket A: International Resolution 3230 Resolution for the U.S. to Cut Ties with Greece Unless they Pay their Debt by 2035 Line 01: WHEREAS Greece is 323 billion dollars in debt, more than 175% Line 02: of their nominal GDP. Line 03: Line 04: WHEREAS Greece has the 2nd highest Debt to GDP ratio which Line 05: means that it will be harder for Greece to pay their debt off. Line 06: Line 07: WHEREAS the European Union and the United States of America Line 08: make up around 75% of the foreign Greek debt consisting of Line 09: around 246 Billion dollars. Line 10: Line 11: WHEREAS in 2017 politicians were stating that Greece would Line 12: run out of money in the next 2 weeks. Line 13: Line 14: THEREFORE be it RESOLVED, That the Student Congress Line 15: here assembled agree that the United States should cut their ties Line 16: with Greece unless they pay their debt by 2035. Representative Ian Keen Brookville High School on 2/7/2019 3:03:09 PM VHSL Student Congress Legislation 2018-19 Page 5 of 16
Docket A: Domestic Resolution 6119 A Resolution for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to Update the Discrimination Category of "Sex" to Include LGBT Line 01: WHEREAS, everyone who applies for housing has the right to be treated Line 02: the same, and, Line 03: WHEREAS, the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination because of Line 04: race, color, national origin, sex, religion, familial status, or disability Line 05: (including HIV/AIDS), and, Line 06: WHEREAS, discrimination against LGBT families in any federally- Line 07: funded housing or federally-issued mortgage lending is illegal, yet Line 08: in private rental and home sales outside of these programs, some Line 09: cases of discrimination based solely on sexual orientation or Line 10: marital status may not fall within the protections of current Line 11: federal law, and, Line 12: WHEREAS, refusing to provide housing consistent with a Line 13: person's gender identity because they are LGBT constitutes Line 14: discrimination based on sex and/or gender identity. Line 15: THEREFORE, be it resolved by this student congress here Line 16: assembled that the United States Department of Housing and Line 17: Urban Development will upgrade the Fair Housing Act Line 18: category of "Sex" to specify male/female, Line 19: along with LGBT in order to include everyone under the protection Line 20: of said act. Representative Nadia Lee Prince Edward County High School on 2/7/2019 3:31:32 PM VHSL Student Congress Legislation 2018-19 Page 6 of 16
Docket A: Economic Bill 4373 A Bill to Increase Farm Subsidies of Small Agricultural Producers Be it enacted, Line01: Article I: The United States Federal Government will increase Line02: the amount of subsidies given by 25%. The funds that the Line03: subsidies contain will be increased by 10%. Line04: Line05: Article II: Farm subsidies are defined as government actions Line06: that lower the cost agricultural product production or reduces Line07: the prices of the consumers. Agriculture products are defined as Line08: agricultural, horticultural, viticultural, and dairy products, Line09: livestock and the products thereof, the products of poultry and Line10: be raising, the edible products of forestry, and any and all Line11: products raised or produced on farms and processed or Line12: manufactured products thereof, transported or intended to be Line13: transported in interstate and/or foreign commerce. Line14: Line15: Article III: The United States Department of Agriculture will Line16: be assigned to oversee the administration of this bill through the Line17: appropriations process of creating the federal budget. Line18: Line19: Article IV: This bill shall be implemented on October 1, 2020. Line20: Line21: Article V: All laws and policies in conflict with this bill are Line22: hereby declared null and void. Representative Matthew Glass Brookville High School on 2/7/2019 4:14:13 PM VHSL Student Congress Legislation 2018-19 Page 7 of 16
Docket A: International Resolution 5266 A Resolution for the United States to Cease Meddling in Nicaragua's Political Affairs Line 01: WHEREAS, In the Spring of 2018, the Ortega administration announced Line 02: social security reforms that would raise both income and payroll taxes Line 03: while reducing pension benefits by 5%, and, Line 04: WHEREAS, student protests, quietly assisted by the United States, Line 05: broke out, ultimately killing around 300 and wounding Line 06: more than 2,000, and, Line 07: WHEREAS, for the past decade, the U.S. has been quietly Line 08: assisting opposition groups in Nicaragua, helping them organize Line 09: resistance to President Daniel Ortega, and, Line 10: WHEREAS, the U.S. meddled in the Nicaraguan election of 2006, Line 11: yet, Ortega still won, and, Line 12: WHEREAS, Ortega has created a number of social welfare programs Line 13: which have raised incomes and significantly reduced poverty. Line 14: THEREFORE, be it resolved by this student congress here assembled Line 15: that the United States of America cease all meddling in the affairs Line 16: of the sovereign nation of Nicaragua. Representative Johnny Holman, Jr. Prince Edward County High School on 2/7/2019 4:41:59 PM VHSL Student Congress Legislation 2018-19 Page 8 of 16
Docket A: International Resolution 3011 A RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT PROTESTORS IN NICARAGUA Line 01: WHEREAS, There are multitudes of protests occurring Line 02: in the Latin American nation of Nicaragua; and Line 02: WHEREAS, These protests are actively opposing authoritarian Line 04: regimes in Latin America Venezuela and Nicaragua; and Line 05: WHEREAS, Daniel Ortega, the current Nicaraguan president, Line 06: supports the oppressive regime of Venezuela; and Line 07: WHEREAS, The United States should support the Nicaraguan Line 08: protests in order to depose these oppressive regimes; Line 09: now, therefore, be it Line 10: RESOLVED, That the Student Congress here assembled call for Line 11: support for the protestors in Nicaragua by any means deemed Line 12: fit for the situation. Representative Ash Lussier Tabb High School on 2/8/2019 7:54:48 PM VHSL Student Congress Legislation 2018-19 Page 9 of 16
Docket A: International Resolution 3012 A RESOLUTION TO HELP GREECE WITH ITS FAILING ECONOMY Line 01: WHEREAS, Greece s currency (the euro) is used by the Line 02: EU as a whole; and Line 03: WHEREAS, Greece s failing economy devalues that currency; and Line 04: WHEREAS, Greece s debt can negatively affect other Line 05: European countries; and Line 06: WHEREAS, Economic crises in Europe can disrupt trade with Line 07: the United States; and Line 08: WHEREAS, It is our job to help countries in need whether Line 09: for their benefit or ours; now, therefore, be it Line 10: RESOLVED, That the Student Congress here assembled call Line 11: for an immediate action in support for the country of Greece Line 12: with its economy. Representative Carlos Vazquez Tabb High School on 2/8/2019 7:58:53 PM VHSL Student Congress Legislation 2018-19 Page 10 of 16
Docket A: Virginia Resolution 3013 A RESOLUTION TO LEGALIZE URANIUM MINING Line 01: WHEREAS, In the Commonwealth of Virginia solar and wind Line 02: are not the most effective options for producing energy; and Line 03: WHEREAS, Virginia is in need of reliable, clean, and Line 04: powerful energy production; and Line 05: WHEREAS, Uranium mining is a powerful, clean, and safe Line 06: method of providing energy; now, therefore, be it Line 07: RESOLVED, That the Student Congress here assembled call for Line 08: the legalization of uranium mining in the Commonwealth of Line 09: Virginia. Representative Conner Payne Tabb High School on 2/8/2019 8:01:50 PM VHSL Student Congress Legislation 2018-19 Page 11 of 16
Docket A: Economic Resolution 3014 A RESOLUTION TO REFORM THE SYSTEM FOR AGRICULTURAL SUBSIDIES Line 01: WHEREAS, A disproportionate amount of agricultural Line 02: subsidies go to the subsidizing of crops used for sweeteners Line 03: and additives commonly used in junk and fast foods or feed Line 04: for livestock; and Line 05: WHEREAS, The current system of subsidies has resulted in Line 06: farmers choosing to produce staple crops rather than Line 07: healthier specialty crops that include fruits and Line 08: vegetables; and Line 09: WHEREAS, The obesity rate in America has climbed more Line 10: than 39.8% according to the CDC; now, therefore, be it Line 11: RESOLVED, That the Student Congress here assembled demand Line 12: the United States reform its current system of agricultural Line 13: subsidies to promote the increased production of specialty Line 14: crops. Representative Nicholas Gu Tabb High School on 2/8/2019 8:06:26 PM VHSL Student Congress Legislation 2018-19 Page 12 of 16
Docket A: Domestic Bill 3015 A BILL TO REFORM THE PROCESS OF GRANTING SECURITY CLEARANCES Be it enacted, Line 01: SECTION 1. The National Backgrounds Investigations Bureau Line 01: will merge into the Pentagon. Line 01: SECTION 2. The current procedure for granting security Line 01: clearances is too slow and too costly to be left as is. Line 01: SECTION 3. The Department of Defense shall be responsible Line 01: for enforcing the provisions of this bill. Line 01: SECTION 4. The provisions of this bill shall take effect Line 01: immediately upon passage. Line 01: SECTION 5. All laws in conflict with this legislation Line 01: are hereby declared null and void. Representative William Rose Tabb High School on 2/8/2019 8:09:59 PM VHSL Student Congress Legislation 2018-19 Page 13 of 16
Docket A: Economic Resolution 3014 A RESOLUTION TO REFORM THE SYSTEM FOR AGRICULTURAL SUBSIDIES Line 01: WHEREAS, A disproportionate amount of agricultural Line 02: subsidies go to the subsidizing of crops used for sweeteners Line 03: and additives commonly used in junk and fast foods or feed Line 04: for livestock; and Line 05: WHEREAS, The current system of subsidies has resulted in Line 06: farmers choosing to produce staple crops rather than Line 07: healthier specialty crops that include fruits and Line 08: vegetables; and Line 09: WHEREAS, The obesity rate in America has climbed more Line 10: than 39.8% according to the CDC; now, therefore, be it Line 11: RESOLVED, That the Student Congress here assembled demand Line 12: the United States reform its current system of agricultural Line 13: subsidies to promote the increased production of specialty Line 14: crops. Representative Nicholas Gu Tabb High School on 2/8/2019 8:11:31 PM VHSL Student Congress Legislation 2018-19 Page 14 of 16
Docket A: Virginia Bill 4316 Support for Extracurricular Activities Be it enacted, A BILL TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS STATE 01 Section 1. The state of Virginia will increase funding for extracurricular 02.activities in public schools 03. 04 Section 2. All schools will provide the opportunity for students to participate 05. in extracurricular activities 06. 07. Section 3. Extracurricular activities may include but are not limited to 08. Sports, clubs, and academic competitions 09. 10. Section 4. Funding for extracurricular activities will be based on the 11. number of students and the number of free and reduced lunch students 12. 13. Funding for this bill would be paid for by an increase in an increase in the 14. State sales tax of $0.005 11 12. This will carry the power of law and will supercede any legislation that precedes it Senator Nika Ackenbom Fluvanna County High School on 2/8/2019 11:47:44 PM VHSL Student Congress Legislation 2018-19 Page 15 of 16
Super Session: International Resolution 3016 A RESOLUTION TO CONTINUE SELLING ARMS TO SAUDI ARABIA Line 01: WHEREAS, The United States has had a formal relationship Line 02: with Saudi Arabia since 1945; and Line 03: WHEREAS, This relationship has allowed for many beneficial Line 04: military and financial policies to occur in the Middle East; and Line 05: WHEREAS, Arms the United States has sold to Saudi Arabia Line 06: have allowed for the defeat of terrorist organizations; and Line 07: WHEREAS, These arms financially benefit the United States Line 08: and Saudi Arabia; and Line 09: WHEREAS, It is necessary for the United States to continue Line 10: selling arms to Saudi Arabia for the benefit of political Line 11: stability in the Middle East; now, therefore, be it Line 12: RESOLVED, That the Student Congress here assembled call for Line 13: a continuation of arms sales to Saudi Arabia Representative Tabb High School Tabb High School on 2/8/2019 8:15:30 PM VHSL Student Congress Legislation 2018-19 Page 16 of 16