H 4867 Concurrent Resolution, By Davenport
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE COMMITTEE TO EXPLORE NEW ECONOMIC
 COOPERATION ARRANGEMENTS AMONG THE SOUTHERN AND BORDER STATES, TO PROVIDE FOR
 THE MEMBERSHIP, POWERS, AND DUTIES OF THE COMMITTEE, AND TO REQUIRE IT TO MAKE
 A REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BEFORE MAY FIRST, 2005,
 AFTER WHICH THE COMMITTEE TERMINATES.

   03/02/04  House  Introduced HJ-31
   03/02/04  House  Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and
                     Industry HJ-31

ESTABLISHING THE COMMITTEE TO EXPLORE NEW ECONOMIC COOPERATION ARRANGEMENTS AMONG THE SOUTHERN AND BORDER STATES, TO PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP, POWERS, AND DUTIES OF THE COMMITTEE, AND TO REQUIRE IT TO MAKE A REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BEFORE MAY FIRST, 2005, AFTER WHICH THE COMMITTEE TERMINATES.

Whereas, mindful that the "Grand Convention" convened in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787 was preceded by the Annapolis Convention held in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1786, called by Virginia for the purpose of discussing a uniform regulation of commerce among the states; and

Whereas, the five states attending the Annapolis convention concluded that economic reform under the Articles of Confederation was a futile hope and called for a convention of the states to develop a new constitutional order, a call adopted by the Congress with the rest, as the old saying goes, being history; and

Whereas, once again economic conditions under the existing federal constitutional order have caused dislocation and hardship particularly in this State and our sister southern and border states as we and they reel under the assault of trade agreements negotiated by a series of Presidents and agreed to by successive Congresses, with the best of intentions and the highest expectations, but which experience has now proven to have benefited parts of the nation and a segment of the nation's economy, but which have seen our long established industries and our agriculture hammered by unfair foreign competition; and

Whereas, it is appropriate for this State to take the lead as Virginia did in 1786, to begin the process of finding new ways to organize our economic life so that industry and agriculture may grow and thrive in our region. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That there is established the South Carolina Committee to Explore New Economic Cooperation Arrangements Among the Southern and Border States and that this committee shall consist of eight members, three House members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, three members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and two members from the State at large appointed by the Governor; with the expenses of the committee to be shared equally from approved accounts of both House and Senate.

Be it further resolved that the committee shall meet, organize, and enter into negotiations with our sister southern and border states to develop proposals for new economic arrangements under our existing constitutional order or some successor order that would best provide the basis for the success of our regional industry and agriculture.

Be it further resolved that the committee shall report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly before May 1, 2005, with the committee's existence ending on the earlier of its reporting date or May 1, 2005.