The Connecticut State Grange

Download the complete set of 2005 Resolutions in .pdf format HERE.
Download last minute 2005 Resolution Additions in .pdf format HERE.

1.	Re: ELIMINATING THE USE OF MERCURY FILLINGS	Adopted: Rejected: X
	WHEREAS mercury has been proven a health hazard, and WHEREAS some dentists still use it in silver fillings. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Grange urge our legislators to enact a law banning the use of mercury in tooth fillings.
	SOURCE: West Suffield Grange No. 199

2.	Re: IRAQ	Adopted: Rejected: X
	WHEREAS the war to control the Iraq oil fields has cost us over 1,500 young lives and over 300 billion tax dollars, and WHEREAS the September 11 terrorists were from Saudi Arabia and Egypt, and WHEREAS no weapons of mass destruction have been found. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Grange urge our legislators to stop the loss of lives and money by exiting Iraq immediately.
	SOURCE: West Suffield Grange No. 199

3.	Re: USE OF THE TERMS “GUILTY” AND “INNOCENT” IN COURT	Adopted: Rejected: X
	WHEREAS some defendants are mistakenly found innocent at their trial and later found to be guilty, and WHEREAS the innocent verdict implies freedom from all guilt and invokes the double jeopardy rule. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Grange urge our legislators to enact a law requiring the use of the terms guilty or not proven guilty, instead of guilty or innocent.
	SOURCE: West Suffield Grange No. 199

4.	Re: HALF DOLLAR COIN	Adopted: Rejected: X
	WHEREAS the consumer still has a need for a half dollar coin, and WHEREAS the Susan B. Anthony and Sacagawea coins failed to be accepted because of their quarter dollar coin size similarity. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Grange urge our legislators to order the Department of the Treasury to issue a half dollar coin equal in size to the coin used prior to these two coins.
	SOURCE: West Suffield Grange No. 199

Re: CAMP BERGER

Adopted:
Rejected: X

WHEREAS the number of campers attending Camp Berger has declined in recent years, and

WHEREAS the financial needs of Camp Berger increase every year, and

WHEREAS these financial needs cannot be sustained by the diminishing number of full time campers, and

WHEREAS many parents prefer to have their children attend day camp rather than overnight camps, and

WHEREAS day camps now attract more children than overnight camps, and

WHEREAS the Grange, a forward moving organization, has always looked for ways in which it can keep pace with progress and changes in society;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Trustees of Camp Berger institute on a two year trial basis a summer day camp program in addition to the existing full time camp activities.

SOURCE: North Central Pomona Grange No. 13

6.	Re: PUBLIC GARDENS	Adopted: Rejected: X
	WHEREAS farmland is being developed for housing and business, and WHEREAS the population is increasing, putting more and more land at risk for development, and WHEREAS our dependence on long-distance hauling to deliver our foods to market could be severely compromised in the event of a national disaster. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Grange support the establishment of a state mandate to require each town to set aside a portion of land to be available for public or town gardens, this land never to be developed for any other use.
	SOURCE: Higganum Grange No. 124

7.	Re: TV SPONSORS	Adopted: Rejected: X
	WHEREAS television programs are sponsored by various products, and WHEREAS numerous ads (sponsors) are for feminine and male products that are on the market, and WHEREAS these feminine or male products are advertised throughout the day, and include family programs such as Jeopardy, and WHEREAS such personal ads should not be aired since the products should, or would be prescribed by a physician, if needed. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange and the National Grange recommend that such products be eliminated as program sponsors.
	SOURCE: Coventry Grange No. 75

8.	Re: EMINENT DOMAIN	Adopted: X Rejected:
	WHEREAS the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees that “the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated,” and WHEREAS the Fifth Amendment guarantees that private property shall not be taken “for public use, without just compensation,” and WHEREAS Justice John Paul Stevens, when delivering the opinion of the United States Supreme Court in the case of SUSETTE KELO, et al., PETITIONERS v. CITY OF NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT, et al., emphasized “that nothing in our opinion precludes any State from placing further restrictions on its exercise of the takings power.” THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange urge the General Assembly to amend Subsection (a) of Section 8-193 of the Connecticut General Statutes to provide that “real property shall not be acquired by eminent domain for use in a development project that will be privately owned or controlled.” BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the amendment be retroactive to include the principals in the aforementioned case of SUSETTE KELO, et al., PETITIONERS v. CITY OF NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT, et al.
	SOURCE: North Stonington Community Grange No. 138

9.	Re: HIGHER EDUCATION FOR FREEDOM ACT	Adopted: X Rejected:
	WHEREAS given the increased threat to American ideals in the trying times in which we live, it is important to preserve and defend our common heritage of freedom and civilization and to ensure that future generations of Americans understand the importance of traditional American history and the principles of free government on which this Nation was founded, and WHEREAS without a common civic memory and common understanding of the remarkable individuals, events, and ideals that have shaped our Nation and its free institutions, the people in the United States risk losing much of what it means to be an American, as well as the ability to fulfill the fundamental responsibilities of citizens in a democracy, and WHEREAS the Higher Education For Freedom Act proposes awarding grants to institutions for history teacher preparation initiatives that stress content mastery in traditional American history and the principles on which the American political system is based. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange support the passage of the Higher Education for Freedom Act (S 1209) (HR 2858), and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all Subordinate, Community, and Pomona Granges in Connecticut are urged to support the passage of HR 2858 and S1209, and BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that this resolution be forwarded to the next session of the National Grange together with a recommendation for favorable action thereon.
	SOURCE: New London County Pomona No. 6

10.	Re: NATIONAL MUSEUM OF FOOD AND FARM	Adopted: Rejected: X
	WHEREAS the United States is one of the only developed nations that has not honored its food and farm heritage with an up-to-date public-friendly facility. Canada, Britain, France, and Poland among others have national or major museums of agriculture and food, and WHEREAS the Department of Agriculture is one of the only departments of the Federal Government without a museum, and WHEREAS currently the Smithsonian devotes one outdated gallery and one web page to the subject of agriculture in the National Museum of American History, and WHEREAS the three-year plan for renovation of the Smithsonian museum does not include the Hall of Agriculture or any mention of food history, and WHEREAS the USDA building seems out of place located on Washington’s National Mall being nearly surrounded by museums (10), and WHEREAS this mall-sited USDA building would seem a perfect location to install a museum dedicated to the nation’s food and farm heritage. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that a new branch of the Smithsonian on Washington’s National Mall be established, and named the National Museum of Food and Farm. This could occupy part of the USDA building, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a resolution be submitted to the 2005 session of the National Grange for their action, and direction to accomplish this - perhaps partnering with the Food Museum of Albuquerque, NM, and BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that all individual Patrons be urged to contact their Representatives and Senators to seek their support.
	SOURCE: Norwich Grange No. 172

11.	Re: SUPPORT FOR THE KELLEY FARM	Adopted: X Rejected:
	WHEREAS in July of 2003 an organization known as the Friends of the Kelley Farm was established as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and WHEREAS the purpose of this organization is to preserve and support the operation of the Minnesota Historical Society’s O.H. Kelley Farm, and WHEREAS this organization has done a commendable job to keep this farm open for public education and enjoyment and continues to do so with much determination and enthusiasm, and WHEREAS support is needed and would be appreciated- and they have established their own website (www.friendsofthekelleyfarm.org) and now offer annual memberships ($24.00). THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange urge each Grange as well as individuals to lend their support of this worthwhile organization with a membership each January in commemoration of Oliver H. Kelley’s birthday - January 7, 1826, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange office obtain and provide information as well as use the Granger as a means of informing Grange members of membership opportunities as well as news of the farm.
	SOURCE: Norwich Grange No. 172

12.	Re: CANCELATION OF SUBORDINATE GRANGE MEETINGS IN INCLEMENT WEATHER	Adopted: Rejected: X
	WHEREAS inclement weather persists all month in many parts of the United States, and WHEREAS many members do not want to venture out of their homes during inclement winter weather due to unsafe travel conditions and exposure to extreme cold, and WHEREAS the safety and health of our members should be an important concern of our Granges, and WHEREAS this results in situations where it is difficult for Granges to hold meetings due to lack of attendance, and WHEREAS much of the business of the Grange can be conducted outside the meeting with the approval of the Executive Committee. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange submit a resolution to the next session of the National Grange to repeal section 6.12.1 of the Digest and substitute the following in lieu thereof: 6.12.1 A Subordinate Grange must meet regularly once a month, except as hereinafter provided, and may provide for additional meetings in its By-Laws. If the Executive Committee determines that weather conditions are too inclement for the members of their Grange to attend a meeting, the Executive Committee and the Master may cancel all meetings of of the Subordinate Grange in not more than three months in any calendar year. Note: Proposed new wording is underlined. No existing wording has been deleted.
	SOURCE: Vernon Grange No. 52; North Central Pomona Grange No. 13

13.	Re: MINIMUM AUTOMOBILE LIABILITY LIMITS IN CONNECTICUT	Adopted: Rejected: X
	WHEREAS the current minimum limits of automobile liability in the State of Connecticut are $20,000 if one person is injured or killed and $40,000 if two or more are injured and killed. The minimum limit for automobile property damage is $10,000, and WHEREAS surprisingly, Connecticut has one of the higher minimum liability limits as compared to other states, and WHEREAS Connecticut’s minimum liability limits cannot adequately respond to the economic needs of an accident victim in light of today’s rising costs of medical treatment not to mention loss of wages and the cost of automotive repair. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange urge our legislative representatives to consider raising our current limits to at least $50,000 for one person and $100,000 for two or more and a property damage limit of $50,000.
	SOURCE: New Haven County Pomona Grange No. 5

14.	Re: A DIRECT ARTERIAL HIGHWAY FROM NORTHWESTERN CONNECTICUT TO THE CAPITAL REGION	Adopted: X Rejected:
	WHEREAS Route US 44 is the main commuter and commercial artery between northwestern Connecticut and the capital area, and WHEREAS much of Route US 44 is two lanes wide and passes through many towns, and WHEREAS several large shopping centers have recently been built along the Route US 44 corridor, and WHEREAS a recent serious accident on Route US 44 in Avon resulted in several deaths and substantial property damage, and WHEREAS said Route US 44 has become slow, unsafe and inadequate to accommodate the current traffic load. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange urge the General Assembly to direct the Department of Transportation to study the problem of transportation in northwestern Connecticut between the New York State line and the capital area; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange urge the General Assembly and the Department of Transportation to complete said study by March 1, 2008 with a goal of recommending measures to alleviate the problem by January 1, 2009.
	SOURCE: Connecticut State Grange Legislative Committee

15.	Re: REIMBURSEMENT FOR POULTRY TESTING	Adopted: X Rejected:
	WHEREAS the State of Connecticut now requires that all chickens and turkeys be tested for pullorum before they can be shown at fairs and exhibitions in Connecticut, and WHEREAS the University of Connecticut charges the registered owner of the chickens and turkeys $1.00 for analyzing each blood sample for pullorum, and WHEREAS the testing fee of $1.00 per sample, small as it may seem to the average person, is a deterrent to many young people with backyard flocks of 40 to 100 birds, and WHEREAS the Connecticut State Grange wishes to encourage the exhibition of poultry at fairs and exhibitions. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange urge the General Assembly to pass legislation enabling and funding a subsidy program whereby the Connecticut Department of Agriculture may subsidize individuals, families and farms 75% of the testing and laboratory fees to test poultry for pullorum in accordance with the current regulations up to a maximum subsidy of $200 per individual family or farm.
	SOURCE: Connecticut State Grange Legislative Committee

16.	Re: BILLING BY PARAMEDIC SERVICES	Adopted: X Rejected:
	WHEREAS most people are aware that Meidcare does not cover all medical bills for its recipients, and WHEREAS many people assume that Medicare will cover ambulance and paramedic services when medically necessary, and WHEREAS in many areas in Connecticut volunteer ambulance corps provide transportation by ambulance but do not provide the services of a paramedic, and WHEREAS in such instances, the services of a licensed paramedic are provided by an emergency response company, which is separate and distinct from the volunteer ambulance corp; and WHEREAS Connecticut is one of several states which allow volunteer ambulance corps to bill Medicare for their services, and WHEREAS the State of Connecticut prohibits emergency response companies which provide the services of a licensed paramedic from billing medicare. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange urge the General Assembly to allow emergency response companies to enter into Medicare billing agreements and to receive payment for services rendered to senior citizens from Medicare.
	SOURCE: Connecticut State Grange Legislative Committee

17.	Re: FARMLAND PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION EASEMENTS	Adopted: X Rejected:
	WHEREAS the United States Supreme Court has recently ruled that the taking of private property by eminent domain for transfer to other private parties for development which will enhance the municipality’s tax revenues is a public purpose, and WHEREAS the United States Supreme Court has also ruled that the states have the power to limit the purposes for which municipalities may take private property by eminent domain, and WHEREAS many easements designed and intended to preserve farmland, open space, forests, wildlife habitat and similar purposes are held by land trusts that are corporations and not government entities, and WHEREAS under existing law as interpreted by the United States Supreme Court, the municipality where such easements are located could take the easements by eminent domain and transfer them to the owner of the underlying property, thereby allowing the property owner to develop the property to enhance the municipality’s tax revenue, and WHEREAS this situaiton puts all farmland preservation, conservation and similar easements in jeopardy, and WHEREAS the Connecticut General Assembly, acting through its Planning and Development Committee, intends to consider legislation in its 2006 session to prohibit the taking of private homes for economic development. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange urge the General Assembly to pass legislation prohibiting municipalities from taking easements designed and intended to preserve farmland, open space, forests, wildlife habitat and similar purposes by eminent domain for economic development.
	SOURCE: Connecticut State Grange Legislative Committee

18.	Re: AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONS	Adopted: X Rejected:
	WHEREAS towns have many commissions such as Inland Wetlands, Conservation, Planning and Zoning and others, and WHEREAS these commissions many times take action affecting Agriculture and Farm Lands without having expertise in these areas. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Grange support legislation giving towns the authority to establish Agriculture Commissions, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that these commissions be empowered to author advice and opinions to other local Boards and Commissions on agricultural issues.
	SOURCE: Riverton Grange No. 169; Mountain County Pomona No. 4

19.	Re: FARM SUBSIDY PROGRAMS	Adopted: Rejected: X
	WHEREAS the Federal Department of Agriculture is currently accepting input and is looking into the 2007 Farm Bill, and WHEREAS there are currently new World Trade negotiations going on called the Doha Round where emerging countries are demanding that agricultural subsidies be eliminated, and WHEREAS farmers in this country depend on these payments. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Grange support changes to the Farm Bill that support conservation payment plans and block grants to replace the current farm subsidy payments in the 2007 Farm Bill, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we as an organization propose such changes to the Department of Agriculture for the 2007 Farm Bill.
	SOURCE: Riverton Grange No. 169; Mountain County Pomona No. 4

22.	Re: CALLING 9-1-1	Adopted: X Rejected:
	WHEREAS many departments in the state government and large corporations have security departments, and WHEREAS these places of business have telephone systems that require “outside calls” to use “9” before a dial tone is reached, and WHEREAS emergencies at these buildings are directed to the Security Department, and WHEREAS time is of the essence in most emergencies and calls to the Security Department can be delayed by busy signals and/or being relayed to 9-1-1.