MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2003 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Chaney, Johnson (19th), Gollott, Michel, Moffatt, King, Dickerson, Nunnelee, White, Ross, Kirby, Minor, Harvey, Cuevas, Stogner, Browning, Carmichael, Mettetal, Walls, Scoper, Carlton, Lee, Hewes, Burton, Little, Walden, Chamberlin, Furniss, Canon, Farris, Gordon

Senate Resolution 55

A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE MISSISSIPPI CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION WORK TO DEPLOY A NATIONAL MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM.

     WHEREAS, the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty was signed with a nation that no longer exists; and

     WHEREAS, an increasing number of nations, including North Korea, either currently possess the capability to launch missile attacks against the United States or are working to obtain that capability; and

     WHEREAS, due in part to advances in technology, the possibility that a missile bearing a weapon of mass destruction will be used against United States' forces or interests is higher today than it was during most of the Cold War; and

     WHEREAS, terrorist groups, not just states, may have the means to buy intercontinental ballistic missiles; and

     WHEREAS, the nation still has no defense against missile attacks; and

     WHEREAS, the Cold War policy of "mutual assured destruction" assumed in arms control treaties is not sufficient to deter terrorist missile attacks; and

     WHEREAS, defending against a missile attack is the government's moral obligation:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we hereby request our elected Representatives and Senators in the United States Congress to support and vote for all efforts to build and deploy a national missile defense system as rapidly as possible.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be furnished to the members of the Mississippi congressional delegation.