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1996 SESSION

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963135483
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 177 Offered January 22, 1996 Memorializing the Congress of the United States to propose an amendment to the United States Constitution to limit terms of service in the United States Congress. ----------
Patrons-- Wardrup, Albo, Drake, Dudley, Landes, McClure and Way; Senators: Quayle and Stolle
---------- Referred to Committee on Rules ----------

WHEREAS, the United Supreme Court ruled on May 22, 1995, in U. S. Term Limits v. Thornton, that it is unconstitutional for a state to limit service in the United States Congress; and

WHEREAS, the Court ruled further that imposition of term limits on the Congress requires an amendment to the United States Constitution passed under the procedures set forth in Article V of that Constitution; and

WHEREAS, the reasons that persuaded numerous states to impose term limits on service in state legislatures or Congress, or both, remain cogent and persuasive today; and

WHEREAS, those reasons include the need to encourage public service and broader participation in the political process, to discourage career politicians who rely on the advantages of incumbency, and to limit the influence on public policy of long-developed legislator/lobbyist/special interest relationships; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, a majority of the members elected to each house agreeing, That the General Assembly of Virginia request the Congress of the United States to propose an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit length of service in the Congress; and be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the General Assembly request the legislatures of the several states to apply to Congress for the proposal of this amendment to the Constitution of the United States; and, be it

RESOLVED FINALLY, That copies of this resolution be sent forthwith by the Clerk of the House of Delegates to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and to the President of the Senate of the United States, to each of the senators and representatives representing Virginia, and to the legislatures of the several states, attesting to the adoption of this resolution.