Wednesday, December 18, 2013

January TDL #4 Congress Topics @ Princess Anne High School

Domestic

  • Electoral College
  • Mental Health

International

  • US-Russia Relations
  • Aid to the Philippines

Virginia

  • Death Penalty
  • Nuclear Power

Economic

  • Income Inequalities
  • Federal Reserve



32 comments:

Connor Reid said...

A Bill to Institute the Progressive Income Tax
ARTICLE I: Institute the progressive income tax on a federal level to alleviate the deficit at hand and level out income inequality in the United States.
ARTICLE II:
i. Progressive Income Tax- an income tax wherein the rate increases as the amount subject to taxation increase
ii. Income Inequality- The unequal distribution of household or individual income across the various participants in an economy
ARTICLE III: The Internal Revenue Service will implement this legislation.
ARTICLE IV: This bill will take effect within 6 months of passing
ARTICLE V: All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void.
Respectfully submitted,
Connor Reid
First Colonial High School

Sean Lewis First Colonial High School said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Sean Lewis-First Colonial said...

A BILL TO PROTECT THE FUTURE GENERATIONS OF AMERICA
ARTICLE I: This bill shall increase categorical grants-in-aid to states and localities for mental health institutions
ARTICLE II: Mental health is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.”
ARTICLE III: The shall be overseen by the U.S. Department of Health in congruence with the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations
ARTICLE IV: This law shall go into effect July 1, 2014
ARTICLE V: All articles in conflict with this bill are hereby declared null and void.

Respectfully submitted,
Sean M. Lewis, II
First Colonial High School



Jordan Young - First Colonial High School said...

A BILL TO ALLEVIATE INCOME INEQUALITY IN THE UNITED STATES
ARTICLE 1: This bill will prevent employers in the United States of America from paying any employee either more or less than another employee of the same rank and/or job description based on gender or ethnicity.
ARTICLE 2: A tax will be imposed upon any business that is found to not pay people of the same rank or job of different ethnicities or genders an equal salary or wage.
i. Income Inequality is defined as the unequal distribution of individual income across the various participants in the economy.
ii. Employee is defined as one who works for a business or another person for wages or a salary.
ARTICLE 3: This bill will be carried out by the Better Business Bureau and the International Revenue Service.
ARTICLE 4: This bill shall be enacted within six months of passage.
ARTICLE 5: All laws in conflict with this bill are hereby declared null and void.

Respectably submitted,
Jordan Young
First Colonial High School





Lucas Anderton - First Colonial High School said...

A BILL TO BAN THE CONSTRUCTION AND USE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY PLANTS IN VIRGINIA
BE IT ENACTED BY THE CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED THAT

Article I: The Virginia State Government will ban the construction and use of nuclear energy power plants.

Article II: Nuclear Energy is defined as electricity generated by power plants that derive their heat from fission in a nuclear reactor.

Article III: This legislation will be overseen by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy.

Article IV: This legislation will go into effect no later than July 1, 2014.

Article V: All articles in conflict with this bill are hereby declared null and void.

Respectfully Submitted,

Lucas Anderton
First Colonial High School

Brianne Habit-First Colonial High School said...

A Bill to Abolish the Death Penalty in Virginia

BE IT ENACTED BY THE CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED THAT:

SECTION 1. The Virginia death penalty shall be abolished

SECTION 2. Death Penalty is defined as “the punishment of execution, administered to someone legally convicted of a capital crime.”

SECTION 3. This shall be oversee by the Virginia Department of Corrections

SECTION 4. This shall go into effect immediately

SECTION 5. All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void.

Respectfully Submitted,
Brianne Habit
First Colonial High School

Carlito Ricafort - Hickory High School said...

A bill to strengthen relations with Russia
Whereas, the United States’ support of Ukraine has been frowned upon by Russia.
Whereas, relations with Russia have faltered since Putin’s inauguration.
Whereas, Russia may be susceptible to support from other countries after the bombings in the city of Volgograd.
Therefore, be it resolved by this student congress hereby assembled, that the United States work to improve its relationship with Russia.

Mark Bengson-Hickory High School said...

A Resolution to prohibit the establishment of a Nuclear Power Plant in the State of Virginia.


• Whereas, the establishment of a nuclear power plant wouldn’t benefit the State of Virginia.
• Whereas, taxes in Virginia would be needed to increase to meet the capital demands needed to finance the construction of the nuclear power plant.
• Whereas, the wildlife of Virginia and their habitats would be harmed.
• Whereas, other sources of renewable resources are much more beneficial and cleaner for Virginia.
• Therefore, be it resolved by this student congress here assembled, that all legislation regarding the establishment of a nuclear power plant be prohibited in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Respectfully Submitted,
Mark Bengson
Hickory High School

Michael Peck First Colonial High School said...

A BILL TO ABANDON THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE FOR DIRECT VOTING

Be it enacted by this student congress here assembled that,
1.
The UNited States shall cease the use of the electoral college for all future presidential elections.

2.
Upon passage of this bill the UNited States shall abandon the use of the electoral college completely. This will be in effect for all presidential elections occurring in the United States after March 1, 2014. The United States will then elect all future presidents by using the direct voting method during presidential elections.

3.
The UNited States Office of the Federal Register shall oversee this operation and allocate appropriate funding as needed.

4.
This bill will go into effect by March, 1, 2014.

5.
All articles in conflict with this bill are hereby declared null and void.



Respectfully Submitted,

Michael Peck
First Colonial High School

Sabrina McAllister-Smithfield High School said...

A Bill to Decrease Income Inequality

Article I: The United States Federal Government will increase its progressive tax rates in order to lower income inequality in America.

Article II: This new tax bracket will include a 42% tax rate for Americans earning over $432,201 annually; a 39% tax rate for those earning between $405,101 and $432,200 annually; and a 35% tax rate for those earning between $206,601 and $405,100 annually.

Article III: This Bill will be overseen by the United States Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service.



Article IV: This Bill will be enacted on April 1, 2014.



Article V: All laws in conflict with this bill are hereby declared null and void.



Respectfully submitted,

Sabrina McAllister
Smithfield High School

James Wilson-Smithfield High School said...

A Bill to Abolish the Electoral College

Article I: The United States Federal Government will discontinue its use of the Electoral College for Presidential elections.

Article II: Presidential Elections will now be held in a popular vote format in which the candidate receiving a higher number of overall votes casted will be named the winner.

Article III: This bill will be overseen by election officials in each state as well as the District of Columbia.

Article IV: This Bill will take effect on the 1st of January, 2016.

Article V: All laws in conflict with this bill are hereby declared null and void.

Respectfully submitted,

James Willson
Smithfield High School

Duane Dzubilo-Smithfield High School said...

A Bill to Increase Foreign Aid to the Philippines

Article I: The United States Federal Government will increase its military, economic and medical aid to the Philippines by 60% over the next 12 months.

Article II: The U.S. military advisors will cooperate with the Filipino military in coordinating action against Muslim insurgent groups.

Article III: This bill will be overseen by the United States Department of Defense and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Article IV: The operation will be implemented on February 1, 2014.

Article V: All laws in conflict with this bill are hereby declared null and void.

Respectfully submitted,

Duane Dzubilo
Smithfield High School

Ashley Deese-Smithfield High School said...

A Bill to Increase Funding for Nuclear Power Facilities in Virginia

Article I: The state of Virginia will increase its funding for nuclear power plants throughout the Commonwealth.

Article II: Nuclear power is the use of exothermic nuclear processes to generate useful heat and electricity. This includes nuclear fission, nuclear decay and nuclear fusion.

Article III: The United States Department of Energy will oversee this bill.

Article IV: The operation will be enacted on March 1, 2014.

Article V: All laws conflicting with this bill are hereby declared null and void.

Respectfully submitted,

Ashley Deese
Smithfield High School

Saveon Artis-Smithfield High School said...

A Bill to Expand the Use of the Death Penalty in Virginia

Article I: The state of Virginia will expand the use of the death penalty to individuals involved in a homicide who are not convicted as the “triggerman”.

Article II: The “triggerman” is defined as the one individual or individuals who directly put an end to the life of the victim.

Article III: This bill will be overseen by the Virginia Department of Justice.

Article IV: The bill will be enacted on September 1, 2014.

Article V: All laws conflicting with this bill are hereby declared null and void.

Respectfully submitted,

Saveon Artis
Smithfield High School

Brittany Russell- First Colonial High School said...

A RESOLUTION TO IMPROVE UNITED STATES & RUSSIA RELATIONS

WHEREAS Relations between the United States and Russia have grown strained &WHEREAS United States foreign policy regarding Russia is failing on many accounts &

WHEREAS Russia and the United States are global superpowers and should strive to set an example of peaceful cooperation for the rest of the world thusBE IT

RESOLVED BY THE CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED that the United States should increase efforts to improve relations with Russia through establishing biannual unilateral meeting

BE IT FUTHER RESOLVED: That unilateral meetings shall be attended by leading diplomats from each nation and will take place at a neutral location.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
Brittany M. Russell
First Colonial High School

Kelsey Terry - First Colonial High School said...

A RESOLUTION TO ABOLISH THE DEATH PENALTY IN VIRGINIA

WHEREAS: Life imprisonment is more cost effective than the death penalty and

WHEREAS: The death penalty is not an effective crime deterrent and

WHEREAS: the death penalty is a threat to justice,

BE IT RESOLVED by this Congress here assembled that the State of Virginia shall no longer sentence any criminal to death.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that any offender that has been sentenced to death be given life in prison with no chance of parole in place of the death penalty.

Respectfully submitted,
Kelsey Terry
First Colonial High School

Lexi Acklinbarbour - Warwick High School said...

A Resolution about Stricter Regulations on the Safety Net

01 WHEREAS income inequality in Virginia has greatly increased; and
02
03 Whereas the gap between rich and poor Virginia residents is
04 appalling and needs to be mitigated; and
05
06 Whereas the causes of the increase in income inequality also need
07 to be addressed; and
08
09 THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Virginia must pass clearly defined
10 regulations about the safety net that fully consider and weigh all
11 consequences of expanding it.

Respectfully submitted,
Lexi Acklinbarbour
Warwick High School

Garrett Cinnamon - Warwick High School said...

A Resolution in Support of Aid to the Philippines

01 WHEREAS the Philippines are in need of aid; and
02
03 Whereas the United States is now giving meager assistance; and
04
05 Whereas people will die of starvation and lack of needs; and
06
07 Whereas the Philippines will eventually weaken;
08
09 THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED THAT
10 the United States should help the Philippines.

Respectfully submitted,
Garrett Cinnamon
Warwick High School

Christian Murphy - Warwick High School said...

A Bill to Mandate the Death Penalty

01 Article I: All criminals convicted of first-degree murder should be
02 put to death.
03
04 Article II: These executions shall be carried out by lethal injection.
05
06 Article III: This bill will be enforced by the Virginia Department
07 of Corrections.
08
09 This bill goes into effect immediately.
10
11 All laws in conflict with this bill are hereby declared null and void.

Respectfully submitted,
Christian Murphy
Warwick High School

Erod Baybay-Landstown High School said...

Federal Reserve Representation Reform
BE IT ENACTED BY THE CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED THAT:
SECTION 1. The number of chairs in the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System will be expanded to thirteen, and that voting privileges will be extended to all twelve Reserve Bank Presidents in the Federal Open Market Committee.
SECTION 2. The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve will include thirteen members rather than the original seven all of which are appointed by the President and approved by Senate, in so serving the original term length of fourteen years. All twelve Reserve Bank Presidents representing their original Reserve Bank Regions will be extended the privilege of voting on acts proposed in Federal Open Market Committee Meetings, resulting in twenty-five voting members present at such meeting.
SECTION 3. A. Congress and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve will be responsible for the enforcement of this bill.
B. The Board of Governors is responsible for supplying annual reports to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, in addition, Congress will be responsible for monitoring the proper conduct of this Board of Governors.
SECTION 4. This law will take effect within one year of passage.
SECTION 5. All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void.

Respectfully Submitted,
Erod Baybay
Landstown Highschool

Jeremiah Amos Grassfield said...

A Resolution to
WHEREAS, The America is currently in debt; and
WHEREAS, American manufactures are incapable of competing with Chinese manufacturers; and
WHEREAS, loss of U.S manufactures leads to loss of jobs; and
WHEREAS, the only way to compete with China is to lower the value of the dollar; and
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, By the Congress here assembled that. The United States of America lower the value of the American dollar by way of the Federal Reserve
Introduced by Representative Jeremiah Amos
Grassfield Highschool

Carolyn Rock- Western Branch High School said...

A Resolution to Allow Medical Facilities and Other Places for Support of Mental Health to Hold Patients of Mental Illness Against Their will While They are Unstable as it is in Everyone’s Best Interest to Hold Them Until They are Stable.


WHEREAS, People who suffer from a mental illness should be held against their will if they attempt to leave a designated safe areas; and
WHEREAS, it is everyone’s best interest for these patients to be detained because they can be dangerous to themselves and others; and
WHEREAS, people that have mental illnesses may not be able to function well in society, so it would be ideal to support them until they can function on their own to improve the society and economy; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Student Congress here assembled make the following recommendation that mental health patients be detained even against their will until they are stable.

Respectfully Submitted
Carolyn Rock
Western Branch High School

Alex Kozoyed - Great Bridge High School said...

A resolution to give an incentive in order to increase the amount of nuclear power in Virginia.

Whereas, a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) is a nuclear power source that is safer in comparison to large-scale nuclear power plants; and
Whereas, a SMR is more cost-effective in comparison to other power sources; and,
Whereas, the investments could provide Virginia with a much needed renewable power source, and
Whereas, a majority of the population is in favor of nuclear energy; therefore,

Be it resolved by the Student Congress here assembled that Virginia will increase its amount of Nuclear Energy facilities by offering a tax break for energy companies investing in Small Modular Reactors:

Zach McRae - Great Bridge High School said...

A resolution to keep the death penalty as punishment for certain predetermined crimes

Whereas, death is the ultimate deterrent of crime; and

Whereas, methods of execution have become more civilized over time;

Therefore be it resolved by Student Congress here assembled that the death penalty be kept as punishment for specific crimes.

Respectfully submitted,
Zach McRae

DoñaMaría Reed - Landstown High School said...

A RESOLUTION TO URGE KEEPING THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE INTACT

WHEREAS, The electoral college was established in 1787 as a compromise between a popular vote and a congressional vote; and,
WHEREAS, Having the electoral college helps to ensure the greatest representation of the American public during elections; and,
WHEREAS, Its absence could promote a type of mobocracy as opposed to a democracy; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, By this congress that the electoral college not be abolished nor that it be restricted in its current voting capabilities.

Respectfully submitted,
DoñaMaría Reed
Landstown High School

Devon Corley - Grassfield High School said...

A Resolution to Ensure the Welfare of Students with Mental Illnesses


• Whereas, mentally ill students in the United States are often ostracized by teachers and peers.
• Whereas, many mental illnesses such as ADHD or anxiety negatively affect school performance.
• Whereas, students with mental illness are not able to achieve their full academic potential due to non-inclusive teaching methods.
• Whereas, school policies isolate those students with mental illness, rather than support those students.
• Therefore, be it resolved by this student congress here assembled, that the American Public Education System instill more varied teaching methods, more assistance, and more measures to prevent ostracism to its mentally ill students.

Respectfully Submitted,
Devon Corley
Grassfield High School

Leaha Pohlman said...

A Resolution to cease the Use of the Death Penalty

WHEREAS, Virginia has had a long dark history with the Death Penalty; and is second in the US for most executions.
WHEREAS, the Death Penalty is cruel and inhumane ; and it goes against the Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution.
WHEREAS, Virginia has the shortest time between Conviction to Execution people that had a chance of being innocent might have never been able to be proven as such.
WHEREAS, Virginia has some of the harshest methods of dealing the death penalty and should offer more availability to life without parole; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, By the Congress here assembled that Virginia cease the use of the Death Penalty and give more availability to the life without parole.
Introduced by Senator Leaha Pohlman Grassfield High School

Cameron Wooddell said...

Resolution to improve American mental health care system

Whereas: Inadequate funding of psychiatric treatment facilities has led to inadequate care for patients

Whereas: American societal trends have revealed a rise in mental health disorders and patients

Whereas: Collapses in mental health care can pose a danger for both the patient and those surrounding him/her

Whereas: Improving the mental health care system improves the mental healthcare system as a whole

Therefore, be it resolved by this student congress hereby assembled, that the United States work to improve its mental health care system.

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Cameron Wooddell
Grassfield High School

Chelsea Adams -- Great Bridge High School said...

A Resolution Regarding Russo-American Relations
Whereas, Russo-American relations are deteriorating; and
Whereas, the United States has created legislation in opposition of Russian human rights policies; and
Whereas, Russia has implemented retaliatory legislation impairing Russo-American interpersonal relations; and
Whereas, the only topic currently agreed upon by these two countries is environmental issues;
Therefore, be it resolved by this student congress that the United Nations will sanction talks encouraging a joint environmental effort headed by the United States and Russian governments.

Respectfully submitted,
Chelsea Adams
Great Bridge High School

Divya Karuturi Grassfield High School said...

A Resolution to Reduce Tax Cuts For Rich
WHEREAS, America currently has the highest income disparity since the nineteen twenties; and
WHEREAS, The top one percent of Americans hold forty percent of America’s wealth; and
WHEREAS, Tax cuts for this group are unnecessary and do not help the economy; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, By the Congress here assembled that tax cuts for the rich be reduced.
Respectfully Submitted,
Divya Karuturi
Grassfield High School

Summer Stuart Great Bridge High School said...

Summer Stuart-Great Bridge High School said...
A RESOLTUTION AGAINIST THE DEATH PENATLY
1 Whereas, Capital punishment is a mark of a primitive nation in an undeveloped
2 society
3Whereas, wrongful conviction on the death row
4 Whereas, most heinous crimes are not deterred by laws
5 BE IT RESOLVED BY STUDENT CONGRESS ASSEMBLED THAT there are other alternatives for the death penalty
Respectfully submitted,
Summer Stuart
Great Bridge High School

Dale Rise Great Bridge High School said...

Dale Rise - Great Bridge Middle School said...
A RESOLUTION TO PROLIFERATE THE USE OF NUCLEAR POWER IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA
Whereas, nuclear energy is an efficient form of power generation, making it a better alternative to fossil fuels, and
Whereas, nuclear power is both controlled and safe, and
Whereas, nuclear energy is well developed and commonly used around the world
BE IT RESOLVED BY STUDENT CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED THAT nuclear energy be encouraged in the Commonwealth.
Respectfully submitted,
Dale Rise
Great Bridge High School