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Student Congress Pilot 2013-2014

Invitational Legislation

* Schools are not required to use the following legislation for Invitational Meets and may use legislation from other sources. Contact your invitational host to find out what legislation will be used.

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Table of Contents A Resolution on Texas Oil…………………………………………………page 3 A Resolution to End the Insanity Plea …………………………………....page 4 A Resolution to Eliminate Income Taxes for Minors…………………..page 5 A Resolution to Cease Fluoridation………………………………………page 6 A Bill to Raise Taxes on Cigarettes………………………………………page 7 A Resolution to Support Healthy Vending Machines in Schools………page 8 A Resolution Concerning Media Coverage………………………………page 9 A Bill Concerning Reformation of the Draft…………………………….page 10 A Bill to Ban Smoking on College and University Campuses………….page 11 A Bill to Establish Educational Accountability…………………………page 12 A Resolution to Expand the United States……………………………....page 13 A Resolution to Encourage Businesses to Become “Greener”…………page 14 A Resolution Regarding Presidential Candidates………………………page 15 A Bill to Establish Regulations for Parents……………………………..page 16 A Bill Regarding the Speed Limit………………………………………...page 17 A Resolution to Eliminate Gentrification……………………………….page 18 A Resolution to Protect the 9th and 10th Amendments…………………page 19 A Resolution to Regulate Caffeine……………………………………….page 20 A Resolution to Limit the Time Spent Playing Video Games…………page 21 A Resolution to End School Yard Violence……………………………..page 22

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A RESOLUTION ON TEXAS OIL

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WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

BE IT THEREFORE

Over half of the oil we, as the United States, use is imported (57%), and our

dependence will increase; and

The United States and other petroleum importing countries can expect further

tensions and perhaps conflicts related to the vast quantities of oil that underlie

the Middle East; and

Non-OPEC oil production peaks and starts declining, control over global oil

supply, including both availability and price, will inevitably shift to the OPEC

producers; and

Oil price shocks and price manipulation by OPEC have cost our economy

dearly, about $1.9 trillion from 2004-2008, and each major shock was

followed by a recession; and

Texas produces about 400 million barrels of crude oil annually and numbers

can highly exceed this point, now

RESOLVED BY THIS UIL CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED that:

Texas increases its annual oil output by 60%, allowing any and all drilling to

occur within the state.

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A RESOLUTION TO END THE INSANITY PLEA

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WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

BE IT THEREFORE

“Ignorance of the law is no excuse,” and;

The ability to tell right from wrong is also no excuse for breaking the law, and;

Society must see that crimes are punished, and;

A criminal with no moral sense is a great threat to society, and;

The plea of insanity has become a cop-out for the most heinous crimes, and;

Juries should not be responsible for ruling on mental capacity, inasmuch as

they lack the psychiatric expertise, and;

Mental treatment is not incompatible with incarceration.

RESOLVED BY THIS UIL CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED that the

plea of “not guilty by reason of insanity or temporary insanity” should be

abolished in the State of Texas and evidence as to the mental state or capacity

of the accused shall be inadmissible in a court of law.

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A RESOLUTION TO ELIMINATE INCOME TAXES FOR MINORS

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WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

BE IT THEREFORE

Persons in the United States under the age of 18 have many restrictions placed

on them toward obtaining well paying jobs, and;

An ever-increasing percentage of persons under the age of 18 are compelled to

work in order to support themselves and their families, and;

Some minors are paid, "under the table", or, “off the book", and are not taxed,

making it unfair for those still carrying the taxation burden, and;

Persons under the age of 18 are required to pay income and payroll taxes

without the right to vote on such taxes or for those individuals who impose

such taxes upon them, and;

One of the founding principles leading to the American Colonists throwing off

the mantle of British oppression was, "No taxation without representation."

RESOLVED BY THIS UIL CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED that no

worker in the United States should be required to pay federal, state, or local

income or payroll taxes on income earned before reaching 18 years of age.

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A RESOLUTION TO CEASE FLUORIDATION TO US WATER SUPPLIES

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WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

BE IT THEREFORE

BE IT FURTHER

Fluoride is being added to drinking water across the United States; and

Fluoride is a known carcinogen and poison that has been linked to bone

degradation, Fluorosis, Arthritis, Alzheimer’s, and female infertility problems;

and

As of 2008, 72.4% of US citizens receive fluoridated water and

Low income and minority citizens suffer more from Fluorosis; now,

RESOLVED BY THIS UIL CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED that

Fluoridation be banned in the United States; and

RESOLVED that current fluoridated water supplies shall be diluted.

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A BILL TO RAISE TAXES ON CIGARETTES

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SECTION 1:

SECTION 2:

SECTION 3:

SECTION 4:

SECTION 5: SECTION 6:

BE IT ENACTED BY THIS UIL CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED THAT: An additional $2 tax will be added to the price of each cigarette pack sold

separately, and $5.00 will be added to each carton.

Monies obtained by the state from these additional taxes will be used specifically

for medical purposes deemed appropriate by the State of Texas.

Medical facilities may apply to the state for money from the taxes.

Failure to comply, collect, remit or obstruct this legislation will result in a $10,000

fine for each offense.

Any money from penalties will also be used for medical purposes in the state.

This law will go into effect on the first day on January 2015

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A RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT HEALTHY VENDING MACHINES IN SCHOOLS

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WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

BE IT THEREFORE

Growing children and adolescents are often hungry during the school day, and;

Students perform better academically if they are not distracted by hunger, and;

Students frequently utilize existing vending machines in schools, and;

A majority of vending machines in many public schools primarily offer snack

foods with high calories and carbohydrates, and;

The foods currently available by vending do not supply healthy snacks, thus,

creating and reinforcing unhealthy eating habits.

RESOLVED BY THIS UIL CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED that all

public schools be required to devote at least 90% of the vending space

available on their campuses to healthy snacks only, including fruits, cereal bars

and other snacks with nutritional value.

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A RESOLUTION CONCERNING MEDIA COVER OF HIGH PROFILE CASES

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WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

BE IT THEREFORE

Court cases like that of Casey Anthony and George Zimmerman have resulted

in harassment, death threats, and actual attacks toward those on trial from the

public aware of the trial, and

When the media provides extra coverage or national coverage, it creates a

wider public range of animosity and no chance of those declared innocent to

move on after the trial into a normal life, and

Newscasters who provide their own opinion towards guilty only fuels the

public’s view more and promotes an escalation of public rage, and

Such media coverage has a greater effect not just on the individual on trial, but

also on “look-alikes” who also get attacked by the public, and

If the media’s coverage were limited in high profile cases, those who are

declared innocent would have a better opportunity of moving on from the trial,

as is their right, and

The defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty, and therefore still

has the right to privacy.

RESOLVED BY THIS UIL CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED that media

coverage of a trial should be limited in high profile cases to the facts of the

trial taking place, but the actual trial shall not be aired until after the guilty

verdict, and newscasters should refrain from personal speculation on the trial

until after a guilty/not guilty verdict is read.

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A BILL CONCERNING THE REFORMATION OF THE DRAFT

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WHEREAS:

WHEREAS: WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

WHEREAS: BE IT THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER

BE IT ENACTED BY THIS UIL CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED THAT: Women have all rights and privileges of men.

Women should have the same obligation as men to join the draft board.

Obligation is defined as a right and duty to something or someone. Draft Board is

defined as a board-giving civilians charged with registering, classifying, and

selecting persons for United States military service.

The government agency responsible for the enforcement of this bill is the Selective

Service. Enforcement of this bill will remain the same for women as it is for men.

This agency charged with maintaining registrations will remain the same, therefore,

no additional funding will be required.

RESOLVED BY THIS UIL CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED that effective

July 1, 2014, all females must register for the selective services by their 18th birthday

and maintain registration until their 30th birthday. In the event of a draft, females

would be eligible to be included in the lottery with males.

RESOLVED that all laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null

and void.

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A BILL TO BAN SMOKING ON COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES

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SECTION 1: SECTION 2:

SECTION 3:

SECTION 4: SECTION 5:

BE IT ENACTED BY THIS UIL CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED THAT: Smoking on college and university campuses is banned.

Colleges and universities failing to enforce this ban shall lose their ability to

receive federal student loan money.

This Bill shall be enforced by the Department of Education.

This law will take effect on August 1, 2014.

All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void.

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A BILL TO ESTABLISH EDUCATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY

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SECTION 1:

SECTION 2:

SECTION 3:

SECTION 4:

SECTION 5:

BE IT ENACTED BY THIS UIL CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED THAT: All high school students in the public school system must maintain a minimum

GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Students with Individual Education Plans will be exempt from the requirements

and enforcement of this bill.

Accountability will not be placed on the public school system; it will be a parental

requirement. Parents whose children do not meet the minimum standard set in

place by this bill will be ineligible for the Child Education Tax Credit.

This bill will be enforced by the joint cooperation of the U.S. Department of

Education and the IRS.

This bill will take effect beginning with the 2014-2015 school year.

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A RESOLUTION TO EXPAND THE UNITED STATES

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WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

BE IT THEREFORE

The United States domestic and foreign policies have been one of

expansionism, and;

The United States will obtain a greater level of unity by annexing its

territories, and;

Taxes received by the United States of American from new states will benefit

our country.

RESOLVED BY THIS UIL CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED that the

United States annexes Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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A RESOLUTION TO ENCOURAGE BUSINESSES TO BECOME “GREENER”

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BE IT THEREFORE

The current increase in green technology is becoming more readily available

but businesses are not taking advantage of cutting edge technology that could

save the plant; and

The current increase in global temperatures is largely a result harmful

admissions released by current fuel sources; and

With economic incentive, businesses will be more likely to do the right thing

for the planet; and

The citizens and consumers are likely to follow the example set by local

entrepreneurs;

RESOLVED BY THIS UIL CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED that the

United States encourage businesses to become more environmentally friendly.

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A RESOLUTION REGARDING PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

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WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

BE IT THEREFORE

The quality of candidates suited for the Office of the President of the United

States has proven inadequate for a twenty-first century America; and

The lack of executive training of the candidates places the United States in

grave domestic danger; now

RESOLVED BY THIS UIL CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED that the

Constitution of the United States be amended to include the following

provisions:

1. That candidates seeking the nomination of their political party to the

Office of the President of the United States must have been for four

years or longer a) the mayor of a metropolitan area with a population

greater than one million, b) a county executive with a population

greater than one million, c) a general or admiral in the armed forces of

the United States, or d) a governor of a state.

2. The Vice-President, Speaker of the House, and the Majority and

Minority leaders of the Senate and House shall be an exception, if they

have held those positions for four or more years.

3. No nominee may either run or assume the Office of the President of the

United States unless and until he/she has met the qualifications state

above.

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A BILL TO ESTABLISH STRICT REGULATIONS FOR PARENTS

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SECTION 2:

SECTION 3:

SECTION 4: SECTION 5:

Parents who have been convicted of abusing or neglecting their children will

submit to monthly drug testing in order to maintain custody rights.

Child Protective Services and local law enforcements agencies will charge abusive

parents who are found to be using illegal substances appropriately under the law,

and the state will take custody of the children in question.

Funding for this bill will come from re-appropriations of existing child protective

money and from an increased tax. Public relations campaigns will be run by the

National Ad Council to inform citizens who are impacted by the legislation.

This legislation will go into effect by December 26, 2014.

All laws in conflict with this bill will be declared null and void.

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A BILL 55 MPH SPEED LIMIT

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SECTION 3:

SECTION 4:

BE IT ENACTED BY THIS UIL CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED THAT: The posted speed limit within ten miles of a Standard Metropolitan Statistical

Area city shall be no greater than fifty-five miles an hour, buy may be lower as

designated by the legal authority in that area.

Cities, counties and states failing to comply with this law shall forfeiture the

entities’ share of public highway funds.

The Department of Commerce shall enforce this legislation.

This legislation shall be in full force and effect as of August 1, 2014.

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A RESOLUTION TO ELIMINATE GENTRIFICATION

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WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

BE IT THEREFORE

BE IT FURTHER

Poor families are forced out of their original neighborhoods by new building

projects created by high-income families; and

Property taxes increase for the neighborhoods; and

The original low-income families can no longer afford living in their homes,

requiring them to leave and find a new home; and

Diversity in neighborhoods is eliminated; and

Gentrification also serves to increase the appeal and allure of neighborhoods

and cities; now,

RESOLVED BY THIS UIL CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED that

gentrification should be eliminated in neighborhoods; and

RESOLVED that this shall be enacted through a system of tax breaks that

would allow lower class families to pay higher rent.

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A RESOLUTION TO PROTECT THE 9TH AND 10TH AMENDMENTS

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WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

BE IT THEREFORE

The 10th Amendment of the Constitution states: “The powers not delegated to

the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are

reserved to the state respectively, or to the people,” and;

The 9th Amendment of the Constitution states: “The enumeration in the

Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage

others retained by the people,” and;

The Federal Government has violated States rights, and;

The Federal Government is violating the Constitution, thereby weakening the

venerable document.

RESOLVED BY THIS UIL CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED that the

United States Government shall stop the unconstitutional influence on affairs

that are expressly given to the people and the states by the 9th and 10th

Amendments.

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A RESOLUTION TO REGULATE CAFFEINE

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WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

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BE IT THEREFORE

BE IT FURTHER

The Food and Drug Administration has not yet claimed caffeine as a drug,

and;

Caffeine is very addictive, and;

Caffeine contains dopamine and adenosine, and;

Caffeine has extreme side-effects, and;

RESOLVED BY THIS UIL CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED that

caffeine be declared both a medical and non-medical drug.

RESOLVED that:

A. Only 500 mg of caffeine is legal to consume in one day.

B. There should be at least one test for caffeine in worker’s urine every six

months.

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A RESOLUTION TO LIMIT THE TIME SPENT PLAYING VIDEO GAMES

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WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

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BE IT THEREFORE

Many people have died or been injured by playing video games, and;

There have been thirteen deaths by starvation and dehydration that were linked

to playing World of Warcraft and over ten deaths by playing Final Fantasy XI,

and;

If this continues, more people will die or be injured from excessive playing,

and;

Unless stopped by an outside party, many people will not stop playing video

games and starve themselves or injure themselves.

RESOLVED BY THIS UIL CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED that video

game manufacturers put a timer on their video games that turns off the game

after it has been played for an extended period of time and that prevents the

player from restarting until a set time has elapsed.

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A RESOLUTION TO END SCHOOL YARD VIOLENCE

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WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

WHEREAS:

BE IT THEREFORE

BE IT FURTHER

In 2005 1.5 million students, aged 12-18, reported being victims of non-fatal

crimes, and these continue to grow annually, and;

Eight percent of middle-school teachers reported being threatened with

physical injury, and;

The current penalties in schools have proven unable to deter crimes such as

assault and theft, and;

Students and teachers have a right to expect schools to be safe and crime-free.

RESOLVED BY THIS UIL CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED that the

state work with schools to find a penalty that more effectively deters crime in

schools;

RESOLVED that law enforcement take a more active role in crime prevention

at schools.