PRINTER'S NO. 364

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

No.

70

Session of

2019

INTRODUCED BY GROVE, RYAN, KEEFER, DUSH, JAMES, ROTHMAN,

READSHAW, BERNSTINE, LEWIS, MILLARD, STAATS, SAYLOR, TOOHIL,

KAUFFMAN AND MACKENZIE, FEBRUARY 6, 2019

in 1999; and

WHEREAS, Upon his election, Mr. Chávez worked to implement

21st century socialism within Venezuela; and

WHEREAS, To implement his socialist visions, Mr. Chávez

seized private companies without providing compensation; and

WHEREAS, The Government of Venezuela, in line with prior

socialist policies for central economic planning, placed

restrictions on the exchange of currency; and

WHEREAS, The Government of Venezuela imposed other socialist

policies such as a mandated minimum wage and price controls; and

WHEREAS, The economy of Venezuela now has a negative gross

domestic product and is struggling under hyperinflation; and

WHEREAS, Between 2017 and 2018, prices of goods in Venezuela

increased by more than 4,000%; and

WHEREAS, Since the adoption of the socialist policies of the

Bolivarian Revolution, which was the political process in

Venezuela led by Mr. Chávez, the Venezuelan people have faced a

rise in extreme poverty; and

WHEREAS, It is believed that 87% of Venezuelans live in

extreme poverty, even though Venezuela had been one of the most

starvation, the New York Times reported that at least 400

children had died of starvation in 5 months in 21 public

hospitals; and

WHEREAS, The continued decline of Venezuela caused by its

socialist government has created a humanitarian crisis, with

researchers predicting that 8 million refugees will flee

Venezuela in the next several years; and

WHEREAS, In comparison to the socialist outcomes of

Venezuela, the global advance of capitalism reduced extreme

poverty around the world from more than 53% in 1981 to 17% in

intelligence apparatus supplied to the Maduro regime by the

Communist Government of Cuba; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Maduro has worked to rig elections and subvert

the once-democratic institutions and laws of Venezuela; and

WHEREAS, The Constitution of Venezuela states that in the

absence of a president, the head of the National Assembly shall

become interim president; and

WHEREAS, The most recent election in Venezuela has been

recognized by the community of nations as being both rigged and

illegitimate and has left the nation of Venezuela without a

presidential election, organizations such as the Democratic

Socialists of America have come out against the policies of the

Trump Administration on Venezuela; and

WHEREAS, The Democratic Socialists of America condemned the

Obama Administration for sanctions against the Maduro regime;

therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania recognize Juan Guaidó as the lawful

president and head of the Government of Venezuela and condemn

the socialist government of the dictator Nicolás Maduro; and be

as the Interim President of Venezuela; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania urge all nations to recognize Juan

Guaidó as the rightful and lawful head of the Government of

Venezuela; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania condemn the socialist regime of

Nicolás Maduro for its violent attacks on protestors which have

left more than 20 individuals dead; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the

officials of the United States to support the United States

policies regarding the Government of Venezuela; and be it

further

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania condemn the Democratic Socialists

of America for the continued support of the tyrannical Maduro

regime, which has left thousands dead and millions starving; and

be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to

the President of the United States, to the presiding officers of