06 LC 18
5386ER
House
Resolution 1610
By:
Representatives Franklin of the
43rd,
Chambers of the
81st,
Neal of the
1st,
Crawford of the
127th,
Cox of the
102nd,
and others
A
RESOLUTION
Relative
to the safeguarding of the integrity and security of the ports of Georgia; and
for other purposes.
Whereas,
there is a pending sale of a company involved in the management of port
operations in six major American cities; and
Whereas,
this transaction creates a potential for serious detrimental impact to the
continuity of operations of critical infrastructure in the United States of
America; and
Whereas,
the current proposal would affect facilities located in Baltimore, New Orleans,
Miami, Philadelphia, New Jersey, and New York, establishing an ominous precedent
that could affect the integrity of Eastern seaport operations in the United
States; and
Whereas,
the public policy hazards of this proposal mandate serious consideration of the
long-term impact upon the affected seaports; and by extension the integrity of
public safety and commerce nationwide; and
Whereas,
the balance of political and safety issues with a foreign entity will be altered
immediately if its home country should become hostile to the United States;
and
Whereas,
such contractual obligations could empower the foreign entity to inhibit
shipments perceived as undesirable to the military or economy of their country
of origin, or that of their allies; and
Whereas,
this sale is inconsistent with policies promulgated to protect the safety of the
United States after the massive terrorist attack against America on September
11, 2001; and
Whereas,
many warnings are being fielded concerning this transaction and the associated
security breaches, including court action to block the sale;
and
Whereas, a foreign entity is already handling operations at a Georgia port facility; and
Whereas, a foreign entity is already handling operations at a Georgia port facility; and
Whereas,
it is desirable to keep such contracts with domestic entities to prevent
entanglements of international political actions from affecting the vital role
of the ports of Georgia.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the General Assembly that the Georgia Ports
Authority shall safeguard the integrity and security of the ports of Georgia by
involving only domestic corporations in all future major contractual agreements.
The Georgia Ports Authority is further directed to review its current and
pending relationships for potential liabilities, including: conflict of
interest, operation of facilities, or commerce, in a jurisdiction hostile to the
United States, corporate affiliations, security practices and policies, foreign
ownership or control; and due to the urgency of the matter, report its findings
pursuant to this resolution no later than 90 days after its adoption, providing
copies to the Speaker of the House, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and
to any citizen upon request to the Clerk of the House or the Secretary of the
Senate.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House is authorized and directed to
transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the members of the Georgia
Ports Authority, and to the members of the Georgia Congressional Delegation.