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A RESOLUTION urging the New Hampshire congressional delegation to take action to keep the international border crossing between the United States and Canada, in the town of Pittsburg, New Hampshire, open 24 hours a day.

SPONSORS: Rep. Merrill, Coos 1; Rep. P. Davis, Coos 1; Rep. Chandler, Carr 1; Rep. McGuirk, Ches 1; Rep. Landers, Coos 2; Sen. F. King, Dist 1; Sen. Gordon, Dist 2; Sen. Below, Dist 5; Sen. Cohen, Dist 24; Sen. Johnson, Dist 3

COMMITTEE: State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

This house concurrent resolution urges the New Hampshire congressional delegation to take whatever action is necessary to keep the international border crossing between the United States and Canada, in the town of Pittsburg, New Hampshire, open 24 hours a day.

Whereas, travel between Canada and New Hampshire is and will continue to be a vital part of our economy; and

Whereas, the only port of entry between Canada and New Hampshire is located in the town of Pittsburg, New Hampshire; and

Whereas, if this border crossing is closed during a part of each day, the only other means for entering New Hampshire from Canada would be to drive an additional 40 miles to a border crossing in the state of Vermont; and

Whereas, such a partial closure may jeopardize the health and welfare of individuals who may be ill-prepared to make the additional long trip to the Vermont border crossing; and

Whereas, if this border crossing is closed for a part of each day, many people living in northern New Hampshire with relatives who live a short distance across the border in Canada would be forced to have their visits cut short and would be required to return home on or around 4:00 p.m. in order to cross the border before closing; and

Whereas, many people who cross the border from New Hampshire into Canada are on snowmobiles or other recreational vehicles; and

Whereas, the good faith and mutual cooperation over the years between New Hampshire and Canada in the areas of commercial enterprise, trade, and cultural exchange is evidence of a continuing willingness to grow and develop their cross-border relationship; now, therefore, be it

That the New Hampshire general court hereby urges the members of the New Hampshire congressional delegation to take whatever action is necessary to ensure that the border crossing between Canada and New Hampshire located in the town of Pittsburg, New Hampshire remains open 24 hours a day, and to emphasize to both the United States Customs Service and the Immigration and Naturalization Service that maintaining this service is an important economic issue and is vital to the health and safety of all persons seeking to cross the border; and

That copies of this resolution, signed by the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate, be forwarded by the house clerk to each member of the New Hampshire congressional delegation.