The
Twenty-Eighth Annual
Villiger Tournament
November 17 & 18
Saint Joseph's University
Philadelphia, 2007
Student Congress Legislation
Preliminary Rounds
Table of Contents
1. A Resolution to Cut Military Aid to Israel 2. Resolution to Help Innovate Our Middle And High Schools 3. A Resolution to Create a Cabinet Agency to Ensure Import Safety 4. A Resolution to Support Needle-Exchange Programs 5. A Resolution to Boycott the 2008 Beijing Olympics 6. A Bill to Divest From Iran 7. A Resolution Calling for an End to the Veto Power in the UN Security Council 8. A Resolution Granting Iraqi Citizens Asylum 9. A Bill Concerning Press Freedom 10. An Amendment Regarding War Powers 11. A Resolution Regarding U.S. and Islamic Relations 12. A Resolution to Create a National Holiday on September 11th 13. A Bill to Prohibit Smoking in Enclosed Workplaces 14. A Resolution to Request Sanctions on Syria 15. A Resolution to Apply FF88 to All Current Construction 16. The Free Spirits Aid Package 17. A Bill for a Universal Rule for Capital Punishment in the United 18. A Resolution to support Universal Health Care 19. A Bill to Create an “Opt-Out” System in Regards to Organ Donations in the United States
20. A Resolution to Create Stable Ties with Venezuela 21. A Resolution to Improve Highway Safety 22. A Resolution Regarding Universal Health Care 23. A Resolution Urging the Boycott of the 2008 Beijing Olympics 24. A Bill to Stop Being the World Police 25. A Resolution to Support E.U. Membership for Turkey 26. A Constitutional Amendment to Remove the Electoral College
27. US Constitutional Amendment XXVIII
A Resolution to Cut Military Aid to Israel
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12. / Whereas: Israel’s policies have threatened another democracy within the Middle East,
Whereas: The United States’ foreign policy is to protect and promote democracy around the world,
Whereas: It is hypocritical for the United States to help a country hurting it’s global mission,
Whereas: The United States could use this money for other important purposes
Therefore be it resolved: That the United States cut military aid and redirect this to the fund that this congress decides upon at a later date.
Respectfully Submitted,
Saint Joseph’s Prep
Resolution To Help Innovate Our Middle And High Schools
1. Whereas: The No Child Left Behind Act has done little for Our
2. schools in the United States
3. Whereas: The number of students who do not graduate is far too high,
4. do earn their degree still lack the knowledge to succeed in college
5. and the workforce.
6. accepted
7. Whereas: our schools are in crisis - high dropout rates,
8. high rates of illiteracy, and serious challenges in preparing
9. graduates for success after high school.
10. Therefore, be it resolved that: We must enact the “We Care Act of 2007”
11. Which would
a. Authorize $500 million in competitive grants each year for six years
b. in grants to partnerships between The Association for supervision and currculum development, states and school districts and institutes of higher education, community-based organizations, non-profits and businesses to create innovative models of reform in schools
c. Create evidence-based, systemic and replicable models of reform in schools that improve student achievement and prepare students to succeed in post-secondary education and the 21st Century workforce
d. Support strategies for innovation in schools such as multiple pathways, smaller learning communities and personalization, early college and dual enrollment, career academies, improved transitions and alignment, expanded learning time, post-secondary and work-based learning opportunities, increased autonomy and flexibility at the school level, improved learning opportunities in rural schools and increasing rigor at all levels of education
e. Provide for research, evaluation and accountability to ensure that federal funding would only sustain programs with proven improvement in student achievement.
12. This bill should take affect no later than December 1st, 2007
Respectfully Submitted
Myles Miller
Bronx Preparatory Charter School
A Resolution to Create a Cabinet Agency to
Ensure Import Safety
WHEREAS,billions of dollars worth of goods are imported into the United States every year, much of which goes unchecked; and
WHEREAS,as a result of this lack of security, the lives and wellbeing of the American people have been put at risk; and
WHEREAS,current systems of monitoring are woefully inadequate due to a lack of cooperation and adequate funding; and
WHEREAS,this government has both the obligation and imperative to protect its citizens; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED,by this Student Congress here assembled that a cabinet-level agency dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of all imports to the United States be created.
Respectfully submitted,
Nate Blevins
Gilmour Academy
A RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT NEEDLE-EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
WHEREAS,AIDS and Hepatitis C rates remain high among drug users; and
WHEREAS,Needle-exchange programs in other countries have successfully combated these infections by providing sterile needles to drug addicts; and
WHEREAS, Needle-exchange programs can serve as a point of contact with counseling services;
RESOLVED,That the Student Congress here assembled supports needle-exchange services, both financially and legally.
Respectfully submitted,
Stuyvesant High School
A RESOLUTION TO BOYCOTT THE 2008 BEIJING OLYMPICS
WHEREAS,China is a major producer of greenhouse gases, compounding the fight against global warming; and
WHEREAS,China openly supports multiple tyrannical regimes;
RESOLVED,That the Student Congress here assembled encourage the United Nations to boycott the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the United States boycotts the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Respectfully submitted,
Stuyvesant High School
A Bill to Divest From Iran
1SECTION 1.All federal pension funds shall hereby be divested from companies
2that have business operation with Iran.
3A.This includes companies that have business operations in Iran.
4B.This includes companies invested in or engaged in business.
5operations with entities involved in the defense or nuclear sectors of
6Iran.
7C.This also includes business operations with entities involved in the
8development of petroleum or natural gas resources of Iran.
9SECTION 2.All other laws that are in conflict with this legislation shall hereby be
10declared null and void.
Respectfully Submitted by
Stefan Leon
Nova High School
A Resolution Calling for an End to the Veto Power in the UN Security Council
1. Whereas, national interest rather than global stability is being represented in the
2. United Nations security council, and
3. Whereas, China has been blocking efforts to intervene in the countries of
4. Myanmar and Sudan, and
5. Whereas, Russia and China have been blocking mulitlateral sanctions on Iran, a
6. rogue nation attempting to develop nuclear weapons, due to their own
7. arms and petroleum interests, respectively, and
8. Whereas, the inability of the security council to act has led and will continue to
9. failed unilateral policies by the United States, and
10. Whereas, multilateralism is the only solution to global problems, therefore,
11. Be it resolved by this Student Congress here assembled that: The United
12. Nations should remove the veto power of the 5 permanent members of the
13. Security Council.
Respectfully Submitted,
Eli Polsky
Nova High School
A Resolution Granting Iraqi Citizens Asylum
1. Whereas: The United States has failed to assist those Iraqi citizens who helped the
2. American army and;
3. Whereas: Those Iraqi citizens who assisted the United States cause are now
4. political refugees without a home and;
5. Whereas: Assisting those Iraqi citizens who helped the United States would
6. improve American relations in the international community and;
7. Whereas: Offering asylum to these Iraqi citizens would provide compensation for
8. the risks that these people assumed on our behalf;
9. Therefore: Be it Resolved by this Student Congress here assembled that: The
10. United States will grant refugee status to those Iraqi citizens who assisted the
11. United States army in any way and;
12. Be it Further Resolved That: The United States government assist those migrating
13. into the United States from Iraq with relocation needs such as housing and job
14. opportunities.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jacob Gilson
Nova High School
A Bill Concerning Press Freedom
Whereas: An independent press is essential to the working of the American republic,
Whereas: Part of journalism involves the cultivation of accurate, confidential sources
Whereas: Reporters can, under federal law, be pressured with jail time into revealing their sources
And Whereas: This restricts reporters ability to carry out their duties.
Therefore let it be resolved: That no journalist be compelled to reveal confidential sources that do not pose an immediate threat to themselves or others.
Regis High School
An Amendment Regarding War Powers
BE IT ENACTED BY THE STUDENT CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED THAT The 28th amendment to the Constitution Be Added As Follows:
Section 1.The stipulations and provisions of the War Powers Act of 1973 are hereby added to the Constitution.
Section 2Congress shall have the authority to issue, by a 2/3 vote in both the House and Senate, a declaration ordering the President to withdraw American troops from a particular conflict(s) or region(s). Following this, the President shall have 180 days to initiate and oversee the cessation of American military presence; however, Congress may augment this time period at the request of the Executive. In addition, Congress may cancel the invocation of this power if it becomes apparent that further involvement is necessary.
Section 3Congress may not invoke Section 2 until at least one year of American military involvement in a region(s) or conflict(s) has elapsed.
Respectfully submitted by
Monsignor Farrell High School
A Resolution Regarding U.S. and Islamic Relations
Whereas, due to the global War on Terror, diplomatic relations between the United States and the Islamic world is at a critical point, and
Whereas, it would be highly beneficial to foster an Islamic philosophy that is conducive to American military and policy goals in the Middle East, and
Whereas, the Gülen Movement in Turkey advocates interfaith dialogue, tolerance, and positive relations between the Muslim and Western world, and
Whereas, other democratic nations such as the United Kingdom have been investigating the potential diplomatic benefits of the Gülen Movement, and
Whereas, the Gülen Movement has a strong following in several nations throughout Europe, Africa, Asia and North America, including the United States, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED by the Student Congress here assembled that:
Congress shall investigate the potential benefits of the Gülen Movement to Middle East foreign policy objectives and consider financial support if deemed appropriate.
Respectfully submitted by
Monsignor Farrell High School
A Resolution to Create a National Holiday on September 11th
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10 / Whereas:The events of September 11, 2001 fundamentally altered our perceptions – not only about terrorism in the world, but also the value of our daily lives
Whereas:By setting aside a day of rest as one nation, we would honor the memory of those who died, take stock of the work they did, and appreciate the things they created.
Whereas:September 11 was different than any other day in American history, and the way we observe it should be as well.
Therefore be it resolved:That September 11 be declared as a “Day of Remembrance”, and given the status of a federal holiday.
Respectfully Submitted,
Truman High School
A Bill to Prohibit Smoking in Enclosed Workplaces
1. Be it enacted by this Student Congress here assembled that:
2. Section 1:The United States shall enact a ban on smoking in all enclosed workplaces,
3. effective one year after the date of passage.
3. Section 2:Enclosed workplaces shall be defined as all public buildings, places of
4. employment and public transportation, including company vehicles.
5. Section 3:Any persons found in violation shall be fined a minimum of $150.
6. Section 4:Any company found to have violated the workplace clause shall be fined
7. a minimum of $1,000.All subsequent fines shall be no less than a minimum
8. of 100% greater than the previous fine..
9. Section 5: Any legislation in conflict shall be considered null and void.
Respectfully Submitted,
Pennsbury High School
A Resolution to Request Sanctions on Syria
1. Whereas: Syria’s government has recently sponsored terrorism and instability in the
2. south of Lebanon and in Iraq, and
3. Whereas: Syria is one of the only allies of Iran, a nation that is currently being
4. condemned for expanding its nuclear arms program, and
5. Whereas: There is the possibility that Syria is developing a dangerous weapons
6. program or intends to develop one, as supported by evidence of tests as recently as
7. September 19, 2007 to weaponize a Scud C missile with mustard gas, which is banned 8. under international law, and
9. Whereas: Syria is eying a weak Lebanon with possible intent to control.
10. Therefore be it resolved by this student Congress: that a request be made for the
11. United Nations to investigate Syria’s activities and to place sanctions, if necessary.
Respectfully Submitted,
Convent of the Sacred Heart, Connecticut
A Resolution to Apply FF88 to All Current Construction
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17 / Whereas:During the 2007 year more than 69,771 hazardous fires have occurred
throughout the country with more than 4,000 dying from these fires and,
Whereas: though fire systems such as fire extinguishers and sprinkler systems have been fire retardants, they have not thoroughly worked. A new prevention
FF88 can prevent fires rapidly spreading over 2000F through 2 hrs,
Whereas: FF88 is a unique fire resistant coating proven to withstand extreme temperatures that is applied as a first intumescent coating to provide fire retardance and fire resistance to a wide variety of materials, and
Whereas: this intumescent coating can be applied to all construction currently underway to avoid fire damages and deaths and aid fire fighters to control great catastrophes
Therefore: Be it resolved that all current construction companies require the usage of this non-toxic chemical, FF88, to use during construction of any building applying materials including “sheetrock, wood, lath and plaster, concrete, sheet metal, tin, foam, foam composite panels, fiberglass and carbon fiber” as a method of resistance and prevention to rapid-spreading fires.
Respectfully Submitted,