PRINTER'S NO.  3023

  

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

  

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

No.

553

Session of

2012

  

  

INTRODUCED BY W. KELLER, TAYLOR, McGEEHAN, BROWNLEE, CARROLL, P. COSTA, DONATUCCI, JOSEPHS, M. O'BRIEN, ROEBUCK, SABATINA, K. SMITH AND YOUNGBLOOD, JANUARY 31, 2012

  

  

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, JANUARY 31, 2012  

  

  

  

A RESOLUTION

  

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Supporting continued Federal funding for the Delaware River Main

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Channel Deepening Project.

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WHEREAS, The House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of

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Pennsylvania expresses its strong support for the Delaware River

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Main Channel Deepening Project, which seeks to enhance the

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navigation channel leading to the City of Philadelphia's harbor

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in order to accommodate larger ships that will soon be able to

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move through the Panama Canal; and

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WHEREAS, The Panama Canal expansion project, which is

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anticipated to be completed in 2014, will provide passage for

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larger shipping vessels and cargoes from the Pacific to the

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eastern United States; and

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WHEREAS, The deepening of the Delaware River navigation

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channel by an additional five feet, from 40 feet to 45 feet, is

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essential if the Port of Philadelphia and surrounding region is

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to remain competitive and take advantage of increased importing

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and exporting opportunities; and

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WHEREAS, The project will support Federal and State efforts

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to spur job creation and economic growth, importantly protecting

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and preserving good-paying jobs at a time when unemployment

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remains high in Philadelphia and within the maritime industry;

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and

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WHEREAS, Additional jobs and business opportunities that

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result from the eventual increase in shipping will create a

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ripple effect of secondary jobs to the region and surrounding

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areas; and

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WHEREAS, In 1992, the Congress of the United States

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authorized the project for construction by the United States

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Army Corps of Engineers; and

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WHEREAS, The United States Army Corps of Engineers estimates

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that the expansion of the channel will cost $266 million, and in

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order to be completed, it must receive a Federal funding

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allocation; and

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WHEREAS, Pennsylvania United States Senators Pat Toomey and

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Robert P. Casey, Jr., and Congressman Robert Brady are working

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to secure the necessary funding for the deepening project and

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are pursuing funds already appropriated to the United States

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Army Corps of Engineers for navigation work; and

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WHEREAS, As other states are also vying for Federal funding

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for dredging of ports, strong support by the Commonwealth of

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Pennsylvania for the project is essential for funding efforts to

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be successful; therefore be it

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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the

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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania express its full support and

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backing for the Delaware River Main Channel Deepening Project

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and for the inclusion of funding for the project in the FY 2013

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Federal budget; and be it further

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RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to

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the President of the United States, to each member of Congress

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from Pennsylvania and to the director of the United States

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Office of Management and Budget.

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