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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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WHEREAS:
WHEREAS:
WHEREAS:
WHEREAS:
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 1:
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 2:
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:
WHEREAS:
WHEREAS:
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:
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.