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| State
Session 2004 - Resolutions & Results |
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the complete set of 2004 Resolutions in .pdf format HERE. |
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1. |
Re:
MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE PLATES |
Adopted:
Rejected: X |
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WHEREAS
the theft of license plates from motor vehicles
is a growing concern, and
WHEREAS vandals and thieves have easy access to most parked motor
vehicles, and
WHEREAS the present position of license plates on motor vehicles
is such that the plates can be easily removed.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange urge the
adoption of reflective type stickers to be affixed to the inside
of the windshield and rear windows as a means of identification in
addition to the present license plates, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be forwarded
to the next session of the National Grange together with a recommendation
that the National Grange urge all states to adopt reflective stickers
as a means of motor vehicle identification. |
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SOURCE:
Enfield Grange No. 151 |
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2. |
Re:
SELLING NAME AND ADDRESS LISTS TO MASS-MAIL MARKETERS
(JUNK MAIL) |
Adopted:
X
Rejected: |
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WHEREAS
mass-mail marketing companies (producers of “Junk
Mail”) purchase name and address lists from
various sources to expand their marketing bases,
and
WHEREAS organizations which sell their name and address lists (e.g.
membership lists) are paid a fee for the information contained in
these lists, and
WHEREAS the Connecticut State Grange is an organization that maintains
a membership list that contains personal information (such as a member’s
name and postal address) of its Subordinate and Pomona Grange members,
and
WHEREAS unsolicited mass-mail (i.e. “Junk Mail”) is undesired
by many individual postal patrons, and
WHEREAS most “Junk Mail” is not retained and is quickly
discarded by the individual postal patron.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange not sell
its list of members’ names and postal addresses to any mass-mail
marketer, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange require
of all contractors and sub-contractors, who provide a service or
tangible product to the members of the Connecticut State Grange,
neither to disclose nor to sell lists of members’ names and/or
postal addresses. |
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SOURCE:
Cannon Grange No. 152 |
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3. |
Re:
THE LABELING OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS |
Adopted:
Rejected: X |
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WHEREAS
many older people take multiple drugs on a maintenance
basis, and
WHEREAS to reduce costs these drugs are frequently ordered from mail
order pharmacies, and
WHEREAS many residents of rural areas order their prescription medications
through mail order pharmacies because of the distance from their
homes to the nearest pharmacy, and
WHEREAS the National Grange Blueprint for Rural America states that
the Grange will “Support measures that assure access to modern
pharmaceutical technologies for rural families,” and
WHEREAS in some cases the name of the drug and the dosage is difficult
to read on prescriptions obtained from mail order pharmacies, and
WHEREAS many older people have poor vision, thereby adding to their
problem of reading the names and dosages of their medications, and
WHEREAS taking the wrong medication or the wrong dosage can easily
lead to life-threatening complications.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange urge our
United States Senators and Representatives in Congress to introduce
and support legislation creating minimum
standards for labeling prescription drugs that will enable people
to easily read the name and dosage of their medications, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be forwarded
to the next session of the National Grange together with a recommendation
for favorable action thereon. |
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SOURCE:
Vernon Grange No. 52, North Central Pomona No. 13 |
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4. |
Re:
MORE WAGES FOR THE FARMER |
Adopted:
Rejected: X |
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WHEREAS
farmers get about the same price for milk as they
did 40 years ago, and
WHEREAS everything has gone up, including the price of milk, and
WHEREAS none of the cost increase of the milk has trickled down to
the farmer.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we urge the Connecticut State Legislature
to enact a surcharge on all milk sold at the retail level, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this money be distributed to the milk
producers of this state, and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that this surcharge be large enough to assure
the milk producers a livable income. |
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SOURCE:
Coventry Grange No. 75, East Central Pomona No. 3 |
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5. |
Re:
THE NATIONAL FORESTS |
Adopted:
X
Rejected: |
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WHEREAS
the United States national forests, encompassing
nearly 200 million acres of land in 43 states should
provide habitat for wildlife, opportunities for
recreation, protection for watershed and an available
supply of timber, and
WHEREAS the United States Forest Service has made short-term logging
its top management priority, and
WHEREAS this action has decimated wildlife habitat, filled streams
with silt and increased threat of wildfires.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange urge changes
that are needed in the management of our national forests to control
the loss of wildlife habitat, preserve opportunities for recreation
and protect watersheds while at the same time managing the forests
to provide a continuing supply of available quality timber, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this be submitted to the 2004 Session
of the National Grange together with a recommendation for favorable
action thereon. |
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SOURCE:
Connecticut State Grange Legislative Committee |
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6. |
Re:
INFORMATION FOR SMALL FARMERS |
Adopted:
X
Rejected: |
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WHEREAS
since its founding in 1867 the Grange has been an
advocate for agriculture for Grange families, and
WHEREAS many current Grange members and their families are part-time
small vegetable, fruit, animal and other types of farmers.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange urge the
National Grange to establish a program to keep the Agriculture Director
of each State Grange informed monthly with material to help the small
Grange family farmers, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange submit a
resolution to the 2004 Session of the National Grange to accomplish
the purposes of this resolution.
NOTE: This resolution was originally prepared by the Rhode Island
State Grange Agriculture Committee. They are requesting that it be
approved substantially in the form above by each of the six New England
State Granges. |
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SOURCE:
Connecticut State Grange Legislative Committee |
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7. |
Re:
THE PROTECTION OF WETLANDS AND STREAMS |
Adopted:
X
Rejected: |
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WHEREAS
each year ecologically valuable wetlands and streams
are damaged or destroyed by activities such as development,
mining, oil and oil spills, and
WHEREAS industry groups are trying to weaken national protection
for these fragile places.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange oppose
actions of groups that are attempting
to weaken national protections of wetlands and streams, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be submitted to the 2004
Session of the National Grange together with a recommendation for
favorable action thereon. |
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SOURCE:
Connecticut State Grange Legislative Committee |
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8. |
Re:
TRANS-BORDER POLLUTION |
Adopted:
X
Rejected: |
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WHEREAS
two United States corporations are using trade protection
to build electric power- generation plants approximately
three miles south of the United States/Mexico border
to supply electric power to the United States, and
WHEREAS because these plants are situated in Mexico, the corporations
building these plants do not have to comply with United States governmental
regulations; and
WHEREAS these power plants will contribute to air and water pollution
in the United States.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange urge that
these environmental impacts be taken into account before permitting
the transfer of power across the border into the United States, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be submitted to the 2004
Session of the National Grange together with a recommendation for
favorable action thereon. |
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SOURCE:
Connecticut State Grange Legislative Committee |
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9. |
Re:
ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS |
Adopted:
Rejected: X |
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WHEREAS
the roll call of officers at the State Grange Session
on Thursday morning consists of the sixteen elected
officers, all committees, deputies, and Granges,
in order to satisfy the Credentials Committee that
a quorum is present and business may be conducted,
and
WHEREAS the roll call on Friday and Saturday includes the sixteen
elected officers, all committees and deputies with no report of the
Credentials Committee, and
WHEREAS the roll call takes considerable time.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the roll call of officers on Friday
and Saturday be the sixteen elected officers and the pianist. |
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SOURCE:
Manchester Grange No. 31 |
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10. |
Re:
SUPPORT FOR FARM AID |
Adopted:
Rejected: X |
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WHEREAS
the Grange is a family, community service, fraternal,
non-profit organization with a special interest
in agriculture, and
WHEREAS the mission of Farm Aid (of Champaign, IL) is to keep family
farmers on their land and in their homes with a goal of bringing
together family farmers and citizens to restore family-centered agriculture,
and
WHEREAS family farmers are our only guarantee of fresh, local food-
they produce safe, healthful food, protect natural resources, and
strengthen local economies, and
WHEREAS Grange members of Connecticut can show their support through
their creative fund-raising efforts - - shall it be said: FARM AID
AND CONNECTICUT GRANGERS SAVED A FAMILY FARM?
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange include
in its annual giving a donation to Farm Aid with local Community
Granges being part of this effort, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Agriculture Committee of the State
Grange be asked to promote these efforts as well as educate Grange
members concerning the work of Farm Aid, now approaching their 20th
anniversary. |
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SOURCE:
Norwich Grange No. 172 |
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11. |
Re:
DRIVER’S LICENSES |
Adopted:
X
Rejected: |
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WHEREAS
individuals must take instruction from qualified
persons, in order to obtain a license to drive,
and
WHEREAS these individuals are instructed in the rules of the road
and signs on the highways, and
WHEREAS a driver’s license is a privilege that may be taken
away, and
WHEREAS there are numerous persons obtaining licenses that do not
speak English or read English.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange urge our
Legislators to enforce stricter rules requiring applicants to read
and speak English before a driver’s license is granted. |
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SOURCE:
East Central Pomona No. 3 |
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12. |
Re:
INCREASE THE MINIMUM SPEED LIMIT ON CONNECTICUT
HIGHWAYS |
Adopted:
Rejected: X |
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WHEREAS
in recent years, the significant increase in volume
for passenger and vehicle traffic has led to problematic
congestion on the Connecticut State Highways I-95,
91, 84 and the Merritt Parkway, and
WHEREAS Connecticut highways are heavily traveled for intrastate
and interstate transportation, and
WHEREAS increased volume of both residential and business population
has led to increased volume of traffic, and
WHEREAS the State of Connecticut needs creative and cost effective
solutions to the serious traffic congestion which offers potential
for increased incidence of motor vehicle accidents, and
WHEREAS slow moving traffic amidst high volume and high speed highways
is hazardous to the drivers of both the slow moving vehicles and
those who are trying to safely pass them, and
WHEREAS there are many drivers who utilize highways for local traffic
(one or two exits) and need to be encouraged to accelerate up to
the speed of others in order to prevent bottlenecks in main exit
areas in cities, and
WHEREAS many state roads (non-highway) contain stop signs and stop
lights, hills and curves and have a posted speed limit of 40 m.p.h.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange recommend
that the minimum speed limit be increased from 40 m.p.h. to 50 m.p.h.
within a six month period, where the maximum speed limit is at least
65 m.p.h. (such as I-95, I-84, etc.). |
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SOURCE:
Cannon Grange No. 152 |
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13. |
Re:
OPEN CONTAINERS OF ALCOHOL IN AUTOMOBILES |
Adopted:
Rejected: X |
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WHEREAS
alcohol related accidents and deaths are completely
preventable, and
WHEREAS drivers are responsible for using common sense and following
the “rules of the road.”
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut Legislature place a
ban on drivers from carrying open containers of alcohol in their
vehicles, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange Legislative
Committee prepare a common sense bill for presentation to the Connecticut
State Legislature that would accomplish this. |
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SOURCE:
Norwich Grange No. 172 |
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14. |
Re:
DEPARTMENT NAME - COMMITTEE FOR WOMEN’S
ACTIVITIES |
Adopted:
Rejected: X |
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WHEREAS
the department name, Committee on Women’s
Activities (CWA) often gives the impression that
the activities of the department are designed primarily
for women, and
WHEREAS all CWA contests listed in the 2004 Connecticut State Grange
Program (i.e. The Blue Book) indicate that contests are open to participants
of both genders who are either adult Grange members, children and
grandchildren of Grange members, or from the public, and
WHEREAS persons of both genders participate in CWA contests and committee
work, and
WHEREAS the Grange is a family organization where a family unit may
be described as a single person, a single parent with children, 2
parents with children, or “empty-nesters” (i.e. a couple
with no children living with them), and
WHEREAS the Connecticut State Grange administers its own CWA Department
and program independent of the National Grange.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange revise
the department name from “Committee for Women’s Activities” to “Committee
for Family Activities” to reflect the family-orientation of
the Grange, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange urge the
National Grange to adopt the revised department name “Committee
for Family Activities.” |
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SOURCE:
Cannon Grange No. 152, Fairfield County Pomona No. 9 |
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15. |
Re:
RIGHT TO FARM |
Adopted:
X
Rejected: |
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WHEREAS
Connecticut already has a “Right to Farm Law” 19a-341
of the State Statutes adopted in 1981; and
WHEREAS there is a further encroachment of farm land by residential
homes, and
WHEREAS the farm operation was present prior to the major residential
development.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange reaffirm
our support of the “Right to Farm Law”, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State Grange Legislative Committee
be authorized to work against any attempts to weaken this act and
take away the rights of farmers to conduct their operations. |
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SOURCE:
Riverton Grange No. 169, Mt. County Pomona No. 4 |
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16. |
Re:
COST OF COURT ORDERED PLACEMENT OF STUDENTS |
Adopted:
Rejected: X |
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WHEREAS
the cost to local boards of education of court ordered
out-of-district placement of students is swamping
local schools’ budgets, and
WHEREAS boards of education have no control over these expenses and
towns can’t properly budget for this year’s expenses,
and
WHEREAS to cover the cost of out-of-district placement boards of
education are considering mid-year cuts of programs, teachers, support
staff, and sports.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the cost of court-ordered out-of-district
placement be a court expense, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be sent to the Connecticut
State Grange for support. |
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SOURCE:
Highland Grange No. 113 |
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17. |
Re:
DORMANT GRANGE FUNDS |
Adopted:
Rejected: X |
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WHEREAS
more and more Subordinate Granges are giving up
their charters, and
WHEREAS each member has a financial interest in their Subordinate,
and
WHEREAS some Subordinate memberships are unaware of or are not told
of their treasuries balances, and
WHEREAS these balances may give incentive to revitalize their Subordinates.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange acknowledge
receipt of and specifically detail all cash receipts to the Master,
Secretary, Treasurer, and Executive members at the time of the pull,
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that these balances be made readily available
by state, to the balance of the membership, at the time of the pull
or at any future date. |
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SOURCE:
Windsor Grange No. 2 |
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18. |
Re:
WORKING LANDS ALLIANCE AND THE CONNECTICUT FARMLAND
TRUST |
Adopted:
X
Rejected: |
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WHEREAS
the Connecticut State Grange and several Granges
within Connecticut have annual supported the Working
Lands Alliance and the Connecticut Farmland Trust,
and
WHEREAS the Working Lands Alliance is a multi-interest coalition
with the sole purpose of preserving Connecticut’s most precious
natural resource- its farmland by educating the public and our state
lawmakers about the loss of farmland and what we can do to protect
it for future generations, and
WHEREAS the Connecticut Farmland Trust is a 501(c)(3) organization
that accepts donations or makes purchases of farmland and agricultural
easements to preserve it, and
WHEREAS both organizations have annual operating budgets and are
reliant on donations and limited fundraising.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that all the Granges in Connecticut be encouraged
by the Connecticut State Grange to support both organizations annually. |
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SOURCE:
Tunxis Grange No. 13 |
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19. |
Re:
SIGNS, BILLBOARDS, ETC. |
Adopted:
Rejected: X |
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WHEREAS
signs, billboards, balloons and other items that
are put up along the road to advertise coming events,
and
WHEREAS these are seldom removed after the event is over.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that legislation be enacted to make it mandatory
that those responsible remove these signs upon completion of the
event by means of a fine. |
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SOURCE:
Lyme Grange No. 147 |
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20. |
Re:
DESIGNATION OF CONNECTICUT’S COLONIAL STATESMAN |
Adopted:
X
Rejected: |
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WHEREAS
Connecticut has a State Hero (Nathan Hale) and
a State Heroine (Prudence Crandall), and
WHEREAS with our rich colonial heritage we have not designated
a Colonial Statesman, and
WHEREAS this is a distinction that belongs to Samuel Huntington,
and
WHEREAS the list of his positions include:
Executive
Counselor, 1763,
Member of Colonial Assembly, 1764,
Appointed Crown Attorney, 1765,
Judge of Superior Court, 1774-1784,
Chief Justice, 1784,
Member of Continental Congress, 1776, 1778-1781, 1783
(Served as President 1779-1781),
Lieutenant Governor and Governor, 1785-1796, and
WHEREAS
he was a signer of the Declaration of Independence
in 1776 and pushed for the ratification of the
U.S. Constitution in 1787 and 1788.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Samuel Huntington be designated as
Connecticut’s Colonial Statesman, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Director of the Connectic | | | | |
