S*1215 Concurrent Resolution, By Reese, Alexander, Anderson, Bryant, Campsen, 
Cleary, Courson, Cromer, Drummond, Elliott, Fair, Ford, Gregory, Grooms, 
Hawkins, Hayes, Hutto, Jackson, Knotts, Land, Leatherman, Leventis, Lourie, 
Malloy, Martin, Matthews, McConnell, McGill, Mescher, Moore, O'Dell, Patterson, 
Peeler, Pinckney, Rankin, Richardson, Ritchie, Ryberg, Scott, Setzler, Sheheen, 
Short, J.V. Smith, Thomas, Verdin and Williams
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO URGE GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
 STATES, AND THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO TAKE SWIFT AND APPROPRIATE
 ACTION TO PROTECT AND SECURE THE SEAPORTS OF THE UNITED STATES AND TO PREVENT
 THE TRANSFER OF THE SECURITY AND OPERATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF SEAPORTS TO
 ANY KNOWN FOREIGN STATE THAT PROVIDED LOGISTICAL AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND
 SUPPORT TO TERRORISTS THAT ATTACKED THE UNITED STATES ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001.

   03/02/06  Senate Introduced, adopted, sent to House SJ-8
   03/07/06  House  Introduced HJ-14
   03/07/06  House  Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial
                     Resolutions HJ-15
   03/08/06  House  Committee report: Favorable Invitations and
                     Memorial Resolutions HJ-39
   03/09/06  House  Adopted, returned to Senate with concurrence HJ-21

COMMITTEE REPORT

March 8, 2006

S. 1215

Introduced by Senators Reese, Alexander, Anderson, Bryant, Campsen, Cleary, Courson, Cromer, Drummond, Elliott, Fair, Ford, Gregory, Grooms, Hawkins, Hayes, Hutto, Jackson, Knotts, Land, Leatherman, Leventis, Lourie, Malloy, Martin, Matthews, McConnell, McGill, Mescher, Moore, O'Dell, Patterson, Peeler, Pinckney, Rankin, Richardson, Ritchie, Ryberg, Scott, Setzler, Sheheen, Short, J. Verne Smith, Thomas, Verdin and Williams

S. Printed 3/8/06--H.

Read the first time March 7, 2006.

To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (S. 1215) to urge George W. Bush, President of the United States, and the Congress of the United States to take swift and appropriate action to protect and secure the seaports, etc., respectfully

That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:

ROBERT W. LEACH, SR. for Committee.

TO URGE GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO TAKE SWIFT AND APPROPRIATE ACTION TO PROTECT AND SECURE THE SEAPORTS OF THE UNITED STATES AND TO PREVENT THE TRANSFER OF THE SECURITY AND OPERATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF SEAPORTS TO ANY KNOWN FOREIGN STATE THAT PROVIDED LOGISTICAL AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND SUPPORT TO TERRORISTS THAT ATTACKED THE UNITED STATES ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001.

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina implore President George W. Bush and the Congress of the United States to take quick and immediate action to make changes to all trade agreements and policies that currently allow the operational and security functions of seaports to be transferred to companies owned and operated by foreign states; and

Whereas, the President and the Congress are asked to take all necessary steps to secure seaports for the citizens of our country and for South Carolina in particular; and

Whereas, the United States' seaports are a valuable and nationally crucial outlet for foreign trade and are a significant target for terrorists; and

Whereas, in South Carolina, seaports represent a valuable and necessary outlet for goods produced within our State and a gateway for goods produced by markets abroad; and

Whereas, the Port of Charleston receives and processes nearly forty billion dollars in goods, amounting to 727,000 tons, consistently among the top states in the country; and

Whereas, international trade through the Port of Charleston and other South Carolina seaport facilities provides 281,660 jobs, paying $9.4 billion in wages to South Carolinians and producing $23 billion into the state economy, and generates $2.5 billion in state and local taxes; and

Whereas, South Carolina businesses and industries rely on seaports to import and export valuable products and resources to markets, foreign and domestic; and

Whereas, South Carolina has a rich and diverse manufacturing economy producing high-tech electronics, software, plastics, cars, boats, and textiles. Machinery, vehicles, electronic machinery, plastics, and rubber rank among our largest exports; and

Whereas, in November, 2005, the state's unemployment rate was 7.1 percent, and the latest figures show South Carolina's unemployment rate is the second worst in the nation at 7 percent; and

Whereas, the South Carolina jobless rate has persisted higher than the United States rate since the recession ended three years ago. The current national rate is 4.7 percent; and

Whereas, the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina respectfully requests that President George W. Bush and the Congress of the United States take note of the concerns of South Carolina's leaders and citizens and act to block the transfer of the operation and security of our nation's seaports to a foreign nation with known ties to the terrorists who attacked our great nation on September 11, 2001. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, urge George W. Bush, President of the United States, and the Congress of the United States to take swift and appropriate action on vital trade matters that influence the ability of the nation and the State of South Carolina to operate safe, secure seaports and to compete and grow economically.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to President George W. Bush and to the Congress of the United States.