Resolutions

Maine on Thursday became the first state to officially decline to comply with the Real ID Act of 2005, the federal law that critics say lays the foundation for creation of a national identity card. Both houses of the state Legislature -- voting unanimously in the Senate and 137 to 4 in the House -- approved a resolution rejecting compliance with the act, which requires states to replace their driver's licenses by May 2008 with forgery-proof scannable cards embedded with private information.

The General Assembly on Friday adopted a resolution introduced by the United States that condemns any denial of the Holocaust. The resolution did not single out any country, but Israel and the United States both suggested that Iran should take note, especially after it provoked widespread anger last month by holding a conference aimed at casting doubt on the Nazi genocide of Jews during World War II. Iran was the only nation to reject the measure, calling it an attempt by the U.S.

Senate opponents of President Bush's decision to deploy additional troops in Iraq were unifying Wednesday night behind a single resolution criticizing the plan, increasing the chances that Congress will vote to formally rebuke the White House. Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va.

The shape of the Senate debate over President Bush's plan to increase the number of troops in Iraq came into clearer focus Thursday as Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz) and two other senators introduced a resolution to support the buildup. After weeks of back-and-forth negotiations over resolutions, it appears likely the Senate debate over the 4-year-old war will pit McCain's resolution of "full support" against one introduced by Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va.

The House of Delegates unanimously approved a resolution Friday expressing "profound regret" for Virginia's role in the slave trade, a significant act of contrition by a body that used to start its day with a salute to the state's Confederate heritage.

Not a single American soldier will do anything differently this week if the Senate approves a resolution criticizing President Bush's plans to increase troop levels in Iraq. The nonbinding resolution would have no more force of law than the one approved Thursday commending the Miss America Organization for its commitment to "the character of women in the United States."

Re "Return of the G-word," editorial, Feb. 4 In 1975 and 1984, when the House of Representatives adopted similar resolutions on the Armenian genocide, and when President Reagan issued a proclamation in 1981 referring to "the genocide of the Armenians," in all three instances, Turkey wisely chose not to carry out any of its anti-American threats. Turkey quickly realized that it needs the U.S. much more than the U.S. needs Turkey. If the Turkish leaders did not keep on denying the Armenian genocide, there would not be a need to pass such resolutions year after year.

The most serious congressional challenge to President Bush's Iraq war strategy stalled Monday when Senate Republicans blocked consideration of a resolution criticizing his plan to boost troop levels. Leaders from both parties continued to work on a compromise that would allow Senate Democrats to bring the resolution up again. But the GOP gambit dealt a setback to the nascent campaign to take on the Bush administration's management of the war.

Re "GOP thwarts debate on war in the Senate," Feb. 6 You have to be kidding. The Republicans are so frightened of public opinion that they won't even allow debate on the resolutions opposing President Bush's "surge" (despite the fact that the resolutions are nonbinding and that Bush has indicated that he thinks he's above the law anyway)? Incredible. The American people might not have been paying attention four years ago when Bush manipulated Congress into approving his war, but they're watching now. And if you think there was a Democratic rout in 2006, just wait until 2008.

A resolution urging the U.S. Postal Service to honor former Mayor Tom Bradley with a commemorative stamp was passed unanimously by the City Council on Tuesday. A Postal Service official told the council that the agency receives about 1,000 proposals for commemorative stamps each year and the service typically takes about three years to decide. The resolution was written by Councilman Bernard C. Parks.