Rep. Meadows offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 101.   

            A resolution to memorialize the President and the Congress of the United States to allow access to frozen Libyan assets to address the situation facing Libyan students studying at American universities and participating in academic programs.

            Whereas, The ongoing turmoil in Libya is having ramifications far beyond the immediate areas of conflict. One group facing a host of very serious difficulties is the population of Libyans studying in the United States; and

            Whereas, According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, approximately 2,000 students from Libya are studying at American universities, either pursuing degrees or participating in special academic programs. Today, these students face a host of serious and immediate challenges, even as they are living with fears for their families back home and concerns for the future of their homeland; and

            Whereas, The Libyan National Economic Development Board stopped funding for Libyan students at the end of March. As a result, most Libyan students, unable to hold jobs under the terms of their student visas, have no money available to them for food, housing, or health care. Many universities, including Michigan State University, are providing emergency assistance in order to help students acquire these necessary resources; and

            Whereas, Given the tense situation in Libya, which currently is engulfed in armed conflict, it is important to understand that these visiting students and scholars also face conflicts among themselves. The body of our visiting Libyan students includes both those who oppose and those who are in favor of the actions taken by the Libyan government. This tension endangers the safety of the students as well; and

            Whereas, Compounding the challenges facing Libyan students is the fact that visas for many of them, including the students in Michigan State University's Visiting International Professional Program, are expiring. Currently, students are filling out asylum forms, but without legal advice the process is very strenuous. The students cannot afford a lawyer to help them, and the university cannot provide any legal services; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the President and the Congress of the United States to make every effort to open up assets for Libyan graduate students and students that are in other academic programs; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.