We need to reevaluate the people we send to DC 25 of the Most Ridiculous Bills to Go Through Congress This one is ironic: #1 – House Resolution 31 (2009) – Expressing support for designation of January 28, 2009, as “National Data Privacy Day”. Recognizing a trip to India: #2 – House Resolution 134 (2009) – Recognizing the 50th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s visit to India, and the positive influence that the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi had on Dr. King’s work during the Civil Rights Movement. Seriously? #3 – Senate Bill 273 (2009) – A bill to require the designation of the federally occupied building located at McKinley Avenue and Third Street, S.W., Canton, Ohio, as the “Ralph Regula Federal Office Building and Courthouse”. Congress really likes sports: #4 – Senate Resolution 41 (2005) – A resolution congratulating the New England Patriots on their victory in Super Bowl XXXIX. #5 – House Bill 1243 (2009) – To provide for the award of a gold medal on behalf of Congress to Arnold Palmer in recognition of his service to the Nation in promoting excellence and good sportsmanship in golf. #6 – House Resolution 60 (2009) – Recognizing and commending University of Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford for winning the 2008 Heisman Trophy and for his academic and athletic accomplishments. #7 – House Resolution 114 (2009) – Supporting the goals and ideals of “National Girls and Women in Sports Day”. And Catholics: #8 – Senate Resolution 94 (2005) – A resolution honoring Pope John Paul II. #9 – Senate Resolution 22 (2013) – A resolution recognizing the goals of Catholic Schools Week and honoring the valuable contributions of Catholic schools in the United States. And dead people: #10 – House Resolution 139 (2009) – Commemorating the life and legacy of President Abraham Lincoln on the bicentennial of his birth. #11 – House Resolution 600 (2009) – Honoring an American legend and musical icon (Michael Jackson). When did Congress become a PR firm? #12 – House Resolution 298 (2009) – Congratulating the on-premise sign industry for its contributions to the success of small businesses. I guess that it’s so rare for a government program to have a “positive impact” that Congress has to call it out when it happens: #13 – Senate Resolution 67 (2009) – A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that providing breakfast in schools through the national school breakfast program has a positive impact on the lives and classroom performance of low-income children. #14 – House Resolution 210 (2009) – Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that providing breakfast in schools through the National School Breakfast Program has a positive impact on classroom performance. Apologizing with words, not actions: #15 – Senate Resolution 39 (2005) – A resolution apologizing to the victims of lynching and the descendants of those victims for the failure of the Senate to enact anti-lynching legislation. Here are some more bills honoring dead guys. Maybe they should create a single resolution that covers EVERYONE who has passed on. Sure would save a lot of time. #16 – Senate Concurrent Resolution 8 (2009) – A concurrent resolution expressing support for Children’s Dental Health Month and honoring the memory of Deamonte Driver. #17 – House Resolution 18 (2009) – Honoring the life, achievements, and contributions of Paul Newman. Again, not actually accomplishing anything: #18 – House Resolution 129 (2009) – Recognizing the historical significance of the Merced Assembly Center to the Nation and the importance of establishing an appropriate memorial at that site to serve as a place for remembering the hardships endured by Japanese Americans, so that the United States remains vigilant in protecting our Nation’s core values of equality, due process of law, justice, and fundamental fairness. I bet he campaigned for this one: #19 – House Resolution 154 (2009) – Honoring John D. Dingell for holding the record as the longest serving member of the House of Representatives. Does every college and university get a “Happy Birthday” resolution these days? #20 – Senate Resolution 35 (2009) – A resolution honoring Miami University for its 200 years of commitment to public higher education. #21 – Senate Resolution 33 (2013) – A resolution commemorating the 150th anniversary of Emporia State University. #22 – House Resolution 70 (2013) – Recognizing the 150th anniversary of Kansas State University. Apparently, Ms. Frank’s relatives were not enthused by this resolution, which passed, by the way: #23 – House Resolution 37 (2007) – Conferring honorary citizenship of the United States on Anne Frank. We should probably fix our education system first: #24 – House Resolution 294 (2011) – A bill that would create a commission to build a “Museum of Ideas.” And this is just plain dumb: #25 – House Resolution 15 (2013) – Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to repeal the twenty-second article of amendment, thereby removing the limitation on the number of terms an individual may serve as President. As if adding pork to otherwise good legislation wasn’t enough, we now get entire bills that are such. Bills and resolutions like these are nothing more than symbolic “atta-boys” and a complete waste of time. Recognizing local successes or honoring specific groups is wonderful, but it is simply not appropriate for a legislative session. Congress is supposed to be composed of lawmakers, not public relations specialists. COME ON.
Posted on: Sat, 14 Sep 2013 14:21:52 +0000
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