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79S31648 CCK-D

By:  Menendez                                                   H.C.R. No. 36 



CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, Figures for May 2006 from the American Automobile 
Association (AAA) show retail gasoline prices for regular unleaded 
in the United States to have risen from $2.22 to $2.92 per gallon in 
only one year's time, with much of that increase occurring in the 
month of April alone; and
	WHEREAS, While Hurricane Katrina can be blamed for the 
gasoline price spike that occurred last September, the current 
climb back toward that spike level appears to be driven largely by 
the oil industry's appetite for profits without regard to the U.S. 
consumer; and
	WHEREAS, Increasing gasoline prices, and increasing utility 
bills for electricity and home heating, demonstrate a long-term 
imperative for this nation to diversify its energy base, explore 
alternative sources, and conserve as much as possible, while 
addressing in the short-term some of the immediate harmful effects 
on the pocketbooks of American families; and
	WHEREAS, United States Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey 
has proposed a 60-day suspension of the 18.4 cents per gallon 
federal gasoline tax to be funded by repealing three unnecessary 
tax breaks currently enjoyed by oil and gas companies and by 
eliminating royalty relief and other production incentives enacted 
as part of the 2005 federal energy bill; and
	WHEREAS, Texas legislators support both the short-term 
remedy and long-term measures, which can unite Americans in the 
confidence that we are taking charge to address energy matters 
comprehensively; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the 79th Legislature of the State of Texas, 
3rd Called Session, hereby respectfully urge the Congress of the 
United States to work with oil companies to lower prices paid  at 
the gasoline pump and to support as part of that effort the proposal 
by Senator Robert Menendez for a temporary suspension of the 
federal gasoline tax; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That the legislature urge the congress to fund 
energy efficiency initiatives, research in renewable energy, 
federal fleet purchases of alternative-fuel vehicles, and 
similarly worthy programs and to provide Americans with incentives 
toward better energy efficiency, greater energy conservation, and 
other measures to reduce national energy consumption; and, be it 
further
	RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official 
copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to 
the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the 
senate of the United States Congress, and to all the members of the 
Texas delegation to the congress with the request that this 
resolution be officially entered in the Congressional Record as a 
memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.