AJR20: Joint Resolution Text

LRB-0406/1

PJD:kmg:jlb

1995 - 1996 LEGISLATURE

1995 Assembly JOINT RESOLUTION 20

February 6, 1995 - Introduced by Representatives Ladwig, Zukowski, Grothman, Hahn, Dobyns, Nass, Goetsch and Silbaugh, cosponsored by Senators A. Lasee and Schultz. Referred to Subcommittee on Special Committee on State-Federal Relations.

AJR20,1,3 Relating to: memorializing Congress in opposition to any attempt at granting statehood to the District of Columbia by a bill enacted into law, rather than by a constitutional amendment.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This joint resolution asks Congress to oppose any attempt at granting statehood to the District of Columbia by a bill enacted into law and without an amendment to the U.S. constitution ratified by the states.

AJR20,1,6 Whereas, on May 5, 1993, Senators Kennedy, Feingold and others offered bill S898, 103d Congr., First Sess., "to provide for the admission of the State of New Columbia into the Union"; and

AJR20,1,11 Whereas, as recently as 1985, a majority of the states refused to approve a proposed amendment to the U.S. constitution treating the District of Columbia, for the purpose of representation in Congress, "as though it were a state", notwithstanding the ratification of such proposed amendment by Wisconsin, Maryland and 14 other states; and

AJR20,2,2 Whereas, the existing District of Columbia consists exclusively of territory ceded by the State of Maryland, under clause 17 of section 8 of article I of the U.S. constitution, for the limited purpose of becoming "the seat of government of the United States"; and

AJR20,2,6 Whereas, the State of Maryland, by its 1980 ratification of the constitutional amendment then proposed, did not grant the express consent of its legislature, as required by section 3 of article IV of the U.S. constitution, to form a State of New Columbia within the original boundaries of Maryland; now, therefore, be it

AJR20,2,11 Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature urge the President of the United States and the U.S. Congress to oppose any and all attempts at granting statehood to the District of Columbia by a bill enacted into law and without a proper amendment to the U.S. constitution ratified by the states; and, be it further

AJR20,2,14 Resolved, That the chief clerk of the assembly shall transmit copies of this joint resolution to the President of the United States and to each member of the U.S. congressional delegation from this state.

AJR20,2,15 (End)