FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House Concurrent Resolution No. 26

95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1851L.01I

            Whereas, the Council of State Governments is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization which forecasts policy trends for the community of states, commonwealths, and territories on a national and regional basis; and

            Whereas, the Council of State Governments serves executive, judicial, and legislative branches of state government through leadership education, research, and information services; and

            Whereas, the Council of State Governments currently comprises four regions, including the Eastern Region, Midwestern Region, Southern Region, and Western Region; and

            Whereas, the state of Missouri is currently a member of the Southern Region of the Council of State Governments; and

            Whereas, the council's unique structure focuses on the needs and special concerns of the four regions of the United States; and

            Whereas, as a member of the Southern Region of the Council of State Governments, the state of Missouri has been honored to work with the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia; and

            Whereas, since the state of Missouri is physically located in the center of the United States in the region commonly known as the "Midwest", it would be more appropriate for the state to be a member of the Midwestern Region of the Council of State Governments:

            Now, therefore, be it resolved that the members of the Missouri House of Representatives, Ninety-fifth General Assembly, First Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby petition the Council of State Governments to remove the State of Missouri's membership from the Southern Region of the Council and place this state's membership into the Midwestern Council of State Governments; and

            Be it further resolved that the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives be instructed to prepare a properly inscribed copy of this resolution for Governor Joe Manchin III of West Virginia, President of the Council of State Governments; Senator Bart Davis of Idaho, Chair of the Council of State Governments; Colleen Cousineau, Executive Director of the Southern Legislative Conference of the Council of State Governments; and Michael H. McCabe, Director of the Midwestern Region of the Council of State Governments.

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