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| Annual Session - Resolutions and Results |
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Resolutions are available for download in PDF form on the downloads page. |
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| 1. |
RE: CT’S STATE CAKE
WHEREAS before our country gained its independence, colonial housewives were making special cakes to celebrate the democratic ideals of their new homeland, and
WHEREAS Connecticut is the birthplace of the Election Cake, a.k.a. Hartford Election Cake, and can be traced back to the gubernatorial elections held in Hartford, CT as early as 1660, and
WHEREAS Election Day (held in May) was considered an important holiday in early New England ranking second only to Thanksgiving. Election cake was indeed a major part of the holiday, and
WHEREAS Election Day was also known as Training Day when the colonial American farmers were called to military practice for days of training and they would partake of this same cake calling it “Muster Cake,” and
WHEREAS this is such a unique part of Connecticut’s history and should be recognized.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Election Cake, this piece of Americana, be placed on the list of Connecticut’s symbols, and that the Connecticut State Grange Legislative Committee submit this resolution to the State Legislature for their consideration, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Grangers in Connecticut be urged to get behind this effort following the guidance of the State Legislative Committee.
Lyme Grange #147 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 2. |
RE: TOLL FREE NUMBER FOR CT STATE GRANGE
WHEREAS presently a telephone call to the State Grange office or to the Worthy State Master is a toll call from most areas in our state, and
WHEREAS a toll free number would prove very convenient to many people who have reason to call our State Master and State Secretary, and
WHEREAS one toll free number can serve several extensions from the main number, including voice mail, and can be expanded as needed to other extensions.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange activate an 800 toll free number with extensions as soon as possible.
Stonington Grange #168 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 3. |
RE: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE FUNDING
WHEREAS more Americans than ever are taking advantage of the National Park System as an affordable form of recreation in tough economic times, and
WHEREAS the National Mall attracts more visitors than Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon and Yosemite National Parks combined, and
WHEREAS nearly $400 million is needed to repair and maintain the buildings and grounds that encompass this national park, and
WHEREAS deferred maintenance has resulted in fetid pools that kill ducks and ducklings with avian botulism, sea walls around the Jefferson Memorial sinking into the mud, soil up and down the Mall trampled into virtual concrete where grass will not grow, among many other examples, and
WHEREAS support in Congress is limited due to the District’s lack of a vote and the ability of legislators to send earmarks home to curry favor with constituents, and
WHEREAS many legislators believe funding a park in Washington would be perceived by voters as Congress spending the money frivolously all the while employing 1,900 workers to maintain the buildings and 450 acre grounds of the Capitol complex while the National Park Service has approximately 200 workers for the 650 acre Mall and its memorials, and
WHEREAS a Federal Stimulus appropriation of $50 million for 2009 will largely go towards repairing the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials, the reflecting pool and the District of Columbia War Memorial, and
WHEREAS the National Grange Birthplace Marker is in disrepair and likely will remain in this condition as long as the National Park Service’s funding for the National Mall remains at current levels.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the National Grange encourage Congress to appropriate the necessary funds or to establish a funding plan or program to meet the estimated $400 million necessary to repair and properly maintain the National Mall.
Winchester Grange No. 74; Eureka Grange No. 62 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 4. |
RE: HIGHWAY ON/OFF RAMP SAFETY
WHEREAS there has been an increased number of accidents throughout the state and region in recent years involving wrong-way drivers, and
WHEREAS many of these accidents have involved alcohol or substance abuse and impairment due to age, medical condition and/or lack of sleep, and
WHEREAS many of the highways ramps throughout the state are poorly marked, especially where on and off ramps run side by side with “DO NOT ENTER” signs posted between both ramps which can cause even the most alert and cautious driver to second guess themselves momentarily.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut Department of Transportation review signage and the overall design of highway ramps throughout the state to make them safer and to more clearly differentiate between on and off ramps, especially when such ramps run side by side.
Winchester Grange No. 74; Mountain County Pomona No. 4 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 5. |
RE: CONNECTICUT LINE OF SUCCESSION
WHEREAS the unwritten custom of the Connecticut State Grange has been to choose its State Masters by electing a Gatekeeper who will spend the next sixteen years serving as Gatekeeper, Asst. Steward, Steward and Overseer before finally being elected Master of the Connecticut State Grange, and
WHEREAS this custom has discouraged many members from seeking any office in the line, including Master, because of the minimum 20 year commitment involved in this process, and
WHEREAS most states outside of the Northeast Region have abandoned this process in favor of electing qualified members to office without regard to a line of succession, therefore encouraging more members to take an active role in the State Grange and to allow members who do not necessarily desire to be State Master to serve in offices now considered to be part of the “line” of succession.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange officially endorse the practice of electing any qualified member to any office without regard to a line of succession.
Winchester Grange No. 74; Eureka Grange No. 62; Mountain County Pomona No. 4; Quinebaug Pomona No. 2 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 6. |
RE: MEMBERSHIP/LEADERSHIP TRAINING FUND
WHEREAS the National Grange has made great efforts to train all members to revitalize and organize Granges throughout the country through the Grange Growth Summit, Team Speak programs, workshops with the National Membership/Leadership Director Rusty Hunt, and through the development of PowerPoint programs and materials to advance this program, and
WHEREAS members of the Connecticut State Grange have attended the Grange Growth Summit and have begun the process of revitalizing Granges in Connecticut, and
WHEREAS many more trained members are needed in addition to the six member Revitalization Team appointed by the State Master earlier this year, and
WHEREAS Membership/Leadership development and training should be made available to all Grange members throughout the state.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange create a new line item in the budget for Membership/Leadership Training and allocate $10,000 to fund these critically important programs.
Winchester Grange No. 74; Eureka Grange No. 62; Mountain County Pomona No. 4; Quinebaug Pomona No. 2 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 7. |
RE: NEW GRANGE INCENTIVE PROGRAM
WHEREAS the National Master has challenged each state to organize/reorganize and revitalize Granges, and
WHEREAS the Connecticut State Grange has a commitment to organize/reorganize at least one Grange and to revitalize at least one Grange, and
WHEREAS the National Grange has established an incentive program that encourages new or reorganized Granges to meet specific goals early on to receive the following monetary awards:
New Granges
•$100 - Charter Application filed, obligated and officers installed.
•$100 - First report to State Grange filed on time.
•$100 - Conferral of all Four Degrees
• $100 - Net gain in membership after 4 quarters.
Reorganized Granges
•$50 - Charter Application filed, obligated and officers installed.
•$50 - First Quarterly Report filed.
•$50 - Four Degrees conferred
•$50 - 4th Quarterly Report with net gain.
WHEREAS these incentives provide much needed money for new Granges and, more importantly, forces these Granges to build momentum and to work together early on to meet these goals, thereby promoting the long-term success of the Grange.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange match each of the incentives as outlined above to provide a maximum of $400 for new Granges and $200 for reorganized Granges in addition to the money provided by the National Grange.
Winchester Grange No. 74; Eureka Grange No. 62; Mountain County Pomona No. 4; Quinebaug Pomona No. 2 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 8. |
RE: GRANGE REVITALIZATION KIT
WHEREAS the National Grange has developed materials through the Membership/Leadership Department that can be valuable tools in revitalizing Connecticut’s Granges, and
WHEREAS simply telling members where to find them on the National Grange website may not be the best way to encourage their use, and
WHEREAS it is the belief of the members of the western (CT) Revitalization Team that these materials need to be placed in the hands of the leaders of each of the Granges in this state.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange establish a Grange Revitalization Kit to include (but not be limited to) the following items:
• Applications for membership that are specific to Connecticut, not the generic applications provided by the National Grange.
• Meeting/Notice Postcards which are included in the National Grange Builder Kits.
• Declaration of Purposes (the new full color, magazine format from National Grange) and get these kits into each of the Granges in the state as part of the ongoing Revitalization program.
Winchester Grange No. 74; Eureka Grange No. 62; Mountain County Pomona No. 4; Quinebaug Pomona No. 2 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 9. |
“DO NOT MAIL” LIST FOR ELDERLY
WHEREAS many elderly parents demand their independence to live in their own homes, and
WHEREAS these elderly are constantly receiving unwanted mailings from companies and organizations seeking donations or purchases. Many elderly are targeted for buying or donating to these mailings by well-phrased ads which address many elderly concerns, Social Security, Medicare, Investments, Medications, etc., and
WHEREAS many of these elderly mailing addresses are given or sold by organizations they belong to without their permission.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange work with our legislators to make a “DO NOT MAIL LIST”, similar to a do not call list that allow elderly to have their names removed from these unwanted mailings nationwide and allow our elderly to live independently without unnecessary junk mail, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution go on to the National Grange for their support on a national “Do Not Mail List.”
Coventry Grange No. 75 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 10. |
RE: INCREASING LENGTH OF TERM FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVES
WHEREAS the length of term of office for the House of Representatives is two years, and the length of term of office for the Senate is six years, and
WHEREAS the term of office for the House of Representatives is only two years, incumbents initiate re-election fundraising efforts early in their term and such efforts encompass the majority of their terms, thus allowing less time and energy being devoted to the task of the office, and
WHEREAS campaign costs are great and ever-increasing, and as a result of the disparity of length of terms between both aforementioned offices, requiring three fundraising campaigns for a Representative to be equal to one term of a Senator.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Grange initiate and support a change in the length of term of office for the House of Representatives.
Stonington Grange No. 168 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 11. |
RE: A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ENDING GUBERNATORIAL APPOINTMENTS TO FILL SENATE VACANCIES
WHEREAS controversies have surrounded some of the recent gubernatorial appointments to vacant United States Senate seats, and
WHEREAS in 1913 the seventeenth amendment to the Constitution gave citizens the right to elect senators, and
WHEREAS citizens should have the same right in the case of an unexpired mid-term vacancies, and
WHEREAS the United State Senate should be as responsive as possible to the will of the American people, and
WHEREAS the Constitution already requires any vacancies in the House of Representatives be filled by a special election.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange support passage of an amendment to the United States Constitution ending gubernatorial appointments to fill unexpected mid-term vacancies in the United States Senate, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the amendment require states to hold a special election to fill the vacancies, 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.
East Central Pomona No. 3 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 12. |
RE: CREATING COINS CHEAPER
WHEREAS it costs the U.S. Mint 1.5 cents to create a penny -- and nearly 9 cents for a nickel, and
WHEREAS with each new penny and nickel we issue, we increase the national debt by almost as much as the coin is worth, and
WHEREAS substituting a cheaper metal, perhaps steel, could save up to $100 million annually, and
WHEREAS only Congress has the power to regulate currency which means legislative efforts are necessary for a change, and
WHEREAS common sense dictates that a change be made promptly regarding using a cheaper metal.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange Legislative Committee initiate the necessary legislative process.
Lyme Grange No. 147 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 13. |
RE: REAR VIEW MIRRORS
WHEREAS there are more bicyclists on the roads, and
WHEREAS bicyclists ride with the traffic on the roads and not always on the side of the road, and
WHEREAS many bicyclists wear earphones, and
WHEREAS a rear view mirror on the bike or helmet would allow the bicyclist to see the traffic coming up behind, and
WHEREAS the bicyclist should move to the side of the road allowing traffic to pass.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange Legislative Committee urge the State of Connecticut to take the necessary process for the use of rear view mirrors by bicyclists.
Lyme Grange No. 147 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 14. |
RE: DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME
WHEREAS daylight saving time has been around since 1929, and
WHEREAS the National Grange opposed the continuation of daylight saving time in 1929, and
WHEREAS prior to 2008, daylight saving time commenced in April and went to October, and
WHEREAS in 2008 it was extended to March through November in an attempt to conserve energy, which did not happen, and
WHEREAS daylight saving should be returned to the April to October months, or abolished entirely.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this resolution be forwarded to the National Grange to urge our legislators to return to the April - October months or abolish daylight saving entirely.
Source Not Available |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 15. |
RE: IDENTITY THEFT
WHEREAS Identity Theft continues to be a serious problem, and
WHEREAS the advance of technology makes protection of individual privacy more of a challenge, and
WHEREAS the responsibility of maintaining privacy of personal information belongs to the individual, and private and public entities, and
WHEREAS more awareness if identity theft needs to be recognized by all concerned, and
WHEREAS responsibility and accountability to prevent Identity Theft needs to be addressed more strongly, and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED New London County Pomona No. 6 request the Connecticut State Grange to adopt a resolution on this matter at their 2009 Annual Session, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED we recognize this matter is a national and even an international one, and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that all solutions be considered in addressing this problem including appropriate individual, and private and governmental action and standards.
New London County Pomona No. 6 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 16. |
RE: CT INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SIGNS
WHEREAS there are many interstate highway signs that are faded and cannot be read, and
WHEREAS traffic traveling on Connecticut interstates have trouble finding exits, and
WHEREAS Connecticut wants to promote tourism and business traffic.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange Legislative Committee urge the DOT to replace the faded signs on the interstate highways.
Lyme Grange No. 147 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 17. |
RE: WEIGH STATIONS
WHEREAS big trucks, semi’s, are used to bring products into the state, and
WHEREAS many of these trucks are overweight and have not had repairs done in order to safely operate on the highways, and
WHEREAS many of these trucks have caused damage to our highways and by-ways, and cause accidents, and
WHEREAS the few weigh stations in Connecticut are seldom open five days a week for inspections.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange urge our legislators to open the weigh stations more frequently, and impose fines for violations of weight and safety regulations, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the fines be used to make repairs to our highways.
East Central Pomona No. 3 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 18. |
RE: REGALIA/SASH FOR SPOUSE OF STATE MASTER
WHEREAS the spouse of the Connecticut State Grange (hereafter CSG) Master wears no regalia to mark this individual as such, but is in a visually prominent position at various functions, and
WHEREAS there is no specific prohibition against issuing a sash to the spouse of the CSG Master in the Digest of Laws of the National Grange, or the Constitution and By-Laws of the CSG.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the CSG mark our First Spouse with a pink sash worthy of this dignified position.
Source Not Available |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 19. |
RE: FARM SIGNS
WHEREAS traffic on Connecticut’s rural roads is always increasing, and
WHEREAS seasonal agricultural equipment driven or towed uses these same roads.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that in the interest of safety, the Connecticut State Grange support legislation encouraging the towns in our state to post the familiar yellow and black agricultural equipment area caution signs where applicable.
Stonington Grange No. 168 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 20. |
RE: LOW COST INTEREST LOANS FOR FARMERS
WHEREAS farmers are having difficulty running their farms in hard economic times, and
WHEREAS farms are being lost because of financial problems, and
WHEREAS Connecticut must not stand by and watch as farms are going out of business, and
WHEREAS the government should set up a low interest loan system to assist the farmers, and
WHEREAS farmers may borrow money at low interest to keep their farms solvent.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Connecticut State Grange Legislative and Agricultural Committees submit this resolution to the State Legislature for their consideration.
Lyme Grange No. 147 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 21. |
RE: ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
WHEREAS the United States opens its doors to those wanting to come to this country, and allows persons to do so by applying through proper channels, and
WHEREAS most countries have similar laws regarding immigration, and
WHEREAS there are many who have come into the country illegally and have put a financial burden on municipalities and their hospitals, housing and services, and
WHEREAS many of our citizens are looking for housing and good health care as well as employment, and
WHEREAS the Federal Government wants to grant amnesty to illegal immigrants.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the State Grange urge our Representatives to enforce stricter compliance to the immigration laws, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be forwarded to the National Grange for further implementation.
Manchester Grange No. 31; E. Central Pomona No. 3 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 22. |
RE: HOLDING PASSENGERS ON AIRCRAFT
WHEREAS some aircraft with passengers onboard have sat at the gate or out on the tarmac from one to eleven hours, and
WHEREAS conditions on the planes become unsanitary and physically stressing, and
WHEREAS passengers are unable to seek other airline flights to get to their destinations.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Grange urge our legislators to enact laws limiting the time that a plane can hold passengers before allowing them to deplane.
West Suffield Grange No. 199 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 23. |
RE: FIRE DEPT. AUXILIARY STATE POLICE COVERAGE
WHEREAS fire engines often encounter other vehicles that do not give the right of way to them, and
WHEREAS other vehicles dangerously hamper the fire engine en route, and
WHEREAS some Connecticut towns have given fire fighters auxiliary State Police powers.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Grange urge our legislators to enact laws requiring all fire departments to maintain auxiliary State Police coverage within their departments.
West Suffield Grange No. 199 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 24. |
RE: TEXTING WHILE DRIVING
WHEREAS texting while driving may result in accidents, injuries or even death, and
WHEREAS penalties for texting for driving are minor or nonexistent.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Grange urge our legislators to enact stricter laws regarding the penalties for texting while driving.
West Suffield Grange No. 199 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 25. |
RE: GASOLINE TAX
WHEREAS gasoline prices hurt everyone that drives, and
WHEREAS the Connecticut state tax is a percentage of the gasoline price.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Grange urge our legislators to enact a law setting an exact amount per gallon of gas, instead of an increasing percentage.
West Suffield Grange No. 199 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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| 26. |
RE: MEDICARE COVERAGE
WHEREAS Medicare charges about 100 dollars a month to cover 80 percent of a subscriber's medical bills, and
WHEREAS external coverage for the remaining 20 percent costs about 200 dollars a month.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Grange urge our legislators to investigate for price gouging by these external companies, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that our legislators be urged to promote Medicare coverage for this 20 percent of uncovered bills, at any cost.
West Suffield Grange No. 199 |
Adopted:
Rejected: |
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