I blame....Jonathan!

While I don't totally agree on his interpretation of the House Resolution, Jonathan at Crush Liberalism (as linked above) inspired me to write about what is a pet peeve of mine. House and Senate Resolutions....

This is not to say that some of these resolutions don't have merit. However, recently we discussed a House Resolution on the "protection of Christmas Symbols", so while I of course don't want to join in the Elf tossing....I thought it would be interesting to point out some of the "hard" work our Congress has been up to recently in the resolution department. To spare you the details I have provided you with my own interpretation of each Resolution....

The Senate is by nature less Resolution "happy", 28 Joint Resolutions, 339 Resolutions, and 73 Concurrent resolutions this year. Some of which:

S.CON.RES.71
Title: A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress that States should require candidates for driver's licenses to demonstrate an ability to exercise greatly increased caution when driving in the proximity of a potentially visually impaired individual. Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 12/15/2005)

(Lisa intepretation - watch out when driving for people that have trouble seeing)

S.CON.RES.69
Title: A concurrent resolution supporting the goals and ideals of a Day of Hearts, Congenital Heart Defect Day in order to increase awareness about congenital heart defects, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Sen Isakson, Johnny [GA] (introduced 12/14/2005)

(Lisa interpretation - remember to donate/support birth defect research)

S.RES.310
Title: A resolution honoring the life, legacy, and example of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin on the tenth anniversary of his death. Sponsor: Sen Lautenberg, Frank R. [NJ] (introduced 11/10/2005)

(Lisa interpretation - Rabin died ten years ago, let's remember him)

S.RES.326
Title: A resolution designating November 27, 2005, as "Drive Safer Sunday." Sponsor: Sen Chambliss, Saxby [GA] (introduced 11/18/2005)

(Lisa interpretation - Drive safe all the time but especially on November 27, 2005)

S.RES.329
Title: A resolution congratulating Coach Bill Snyder for his achievements during 17 years as the head football coach of the Kansas State University Wildcats. Sponsor: Sen Roberts, Pat [KS] (introduced 11/18/2005)

(Lisa interpretation - Go Bill Snyder!)

The House is a bit more "Resolutiony", yet mathematically we could probably say given the fact that the House has more Representatives than the Senate that could be debated. The House chimed in this year with 75 Joint Resolutions, 634 Resolutions and 324 Concurrent Resolutions, some recent selections:

H.CON.RES.305
Title: Recognizing the vital importance of hunting as a legitimate tool of wildlife resource management. Sponsor: Rep Green, Mark [WI-8] (introduced 11/17/2005)

(Lisa interpretation - sometimes it's okay to kill Bambi's mother)

H.CON.RES.314
Title: Recognizing the artistic excellence and community value of a national service organization for the performing arts and how this community improves diplomacy through global cultural exchange by the celebration of humanity's transcendent power to imagine and create across geographic, political and cultural borders. Sponsor: Rep Shays, Christopher [CT-4] (introduced 12/8/2005)

(Lisa interpretation - Art is good)

H.CON.RES.325
Title: Congratulating Oprah Winfrey for her 20 years of exemplary work and service to the people of the United States and the world. Sponsor: Rep Davis, Danny K. [IL-7] (introduced 12/17/2005)

(Lisa interpretation - Some people think Oprah is good)

H.RES.605
Title: Recognizing the life of Preston Robert Tisch and his outstanding contributions to New York City, the New York Giants Football Club, the National Football League, and the United States. Sponsor: Rep Fossella, Vito [NY-13] (introduced 12/14/2005)

(Lisa interpretation - Preston Tisch did alot for the NFL and the NY Giants)

H.RES.615
Title: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the symbols and traditions of Hanukkah, Ramadan, and Kwanzaa should be protected. Sponsor: Rep Israel, Steve [NY-2] (introduced 12/15/2005)

(Lisa interpretation - HEY if Christmas symbols can have a resolution? We can too! Pagans you best get on this, they forgot you again, you FSM believers? You too!)

H.RES.617
Title: Supporting the goals and ideals of National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week. Sponsor: Rep Millender-McDonald, Juanita [CA-37] (introduced 12/15/2005)

(Lisa interpretation - if your date is violent? Break up with him)

H.RES.638
Title: Congratulating Bill Gates, Melinda Gates and Bono for being named Time Magazine's 2005 Person of the Year. Sponsor: Rep Waters, Maxine [CA-35] (introduced 12/18/2005)

(Lisa interpretation - You have got to be kidding me....)

Ironically very few of these "Resolutions" even end up being "resolved", most get shuffled to a committee where they appear to languish.....

UPDATE: I have broken out the calculator....440 Senate Resolutions by 50 Senators... 8.8 per Senator.....1033 House Resolutions by 435....2.37 per House Member...I stand corrected, the Senate is more Resolutionary by average....(baring any math errors)