![](media/image1.jpeg){width="6.489583333333333in"
height="1.15625in"}**Legislative
Bulletin................................................March 5, 2008**

> **Contents:**
>
> **H.R. 1084---**Reconstruction and Stabilization Civilian Management
> Act of 2007\
> **H.Con.Res. 278---**Supporting Taiwan's fourth direct and democratic
> presidential elections in March 2008
>
> **H.Res. 951**---Condemning the ongoing Palestinian rocket attacks on
> Israeli civilians by Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist
> organizations
>
> **H.Con.Res. 292---**Honoring Margaret Truman Daniel and her lifetime
> of accomplishments
>
> **H.R. 4774---**To designate the facility of the United States Postal
> Service located at 10250 John Saunders Road in San Antonio, Texas, as
> the "Cyndi Taylor Krier Post Office Building"
>
> **H.Con.Res. 286---**Expressing the sense of Congress that Earl Lloyd
> should be recognized and honored for breaking the color barrier and
> becoming the first African American to play in the National Basketball
> Association League 58 years ago
>
> **H.R. 5220---**To designate the facility of the United States Postal
> Service located at 3800 SW. 185th Avenue in Beaverton, Oregon, as the
> "Major Arthur Chin Post Office Building
>
> **H.R. 5400---**To designate the facility of the United States Postal
> Service located at 160 East Washington Street in Chagrin Falls, Ohio,
> as the "Sgt. Michael M. Kashkoush Post Office Building"
>
> **S.J.Res. 25**---A joint resolution providing for the appointment of
> John W. McCarter as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the
> Smithsonian Institution
>
> **H.R. 5159**---Capitol Visitor Center Act of 2008\
> **H.Con.Res. 307**---Expressing the sense of Congress that Members'
> Congressional papers should be properly maintained and encouraging
> Members to take all necessary measures to manage and preserve these
> papers
>
> **H.Res. 1007**---Expressing the condolences of the House to those
> affected by the devastating shooting incident of February 14, 2008, at
> Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois
>
> **H.Res. 1013**---Expressing the sense of Congress that providing
> breakfast in schools through the National School Breakfast Program has
> a positive impact on classroom performance

**H.R. 1084---Reconstruction and Stabilization Civilian Management Act
of 2007 *(Farr, D-CA)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, March 5, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.\
\
**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 1084 would authorize the establishment
of the Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization
and the Response Readiness Corps. The office, which would operate within
the State Department, would coordinate non-military efforts to assist
nations dealing with post-conflict development and other emergencies
with stabilization and reconstruction. The specific provisions of the
bill are outlined below.

***Authority to Provide Assistance for Reconstruction and Stabilization
Crises***

-   Grants the President the authority to use civil agencies and
    non-federal employees to assist in stabilizing or reconstructing a
    country or region if the President determines that it is important
    to the security interests of the U.S.

-   Authorizes the President to transfer funds made available through
    any other provision of law to utilize civilian agencies and
    non-federal employees to assist stabilizing and reconstructing at
    risk nations or regions.

-   Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as necessary for this
    section through FY 2010 as long as the amount appropriated does not
    exceed \$100 million in any single fiscal year.

***Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization***

-   Establishes the Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and
    Stabilization within the State Department. The Coordinator for
    Reconstruction would be appointed by the President with the advice
    and consent of the Senate.

-   Makes the Office responsible for the following functions:

> \--Monitoring political and economic instability worldwide.
>
> \--Assessing the various types of stabilization and reconstruction
> crises that could occur.
>
> \--Planning to address problems that arise during destabilization
> crises.
>
> \--Coordinating with relevant government agencies.
>
> \--Entering into arrangements with relevant government agencies to
> address destabilization crises.
>
> \--Identifying people in state and local governments or the private
> sector to participate in the Response Readiness Corps or the Response
> Readiness Reserve.
>
> \--Training and educating civilian personnel to perform stabilization
> and reconstruction activities.
>
> \--Sharing and coordinating stabilization activities with the U.N. and
> NATO.
>
> \--Coordinating plans for joint civilian-military stabilization
> activities.
>
> \--Maintaining the capacity to field an evaluation team to undertake
> on-site assessments.

***Response Readiness Active Duty Corps***

-   Establishes the Response Readiness Corps under the Secretary of
    State and the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International
    Development (USAID) to provide assistance in support of
    reconstruction and stabilization operations in countries or regions
    that are at risk of, in, or are in transition from, conflict or
    civil strife.

-   Requires that the Corps be made up of active and standby components
    consisting of United States Government personnel, including
    employees of the Department of State, the United States Agency for
    International Development, and other agencies that are recruited and
    trained to provide such assistance.

-   Authorizes "such sums as are necessary" to carryout the activities
    of the Readiness Reserve Corps and the Civilian Reserve Corps.

***Civilian Reserve Corps***

-   Authorizes the Secretary of State to establish a Civilian Reserve
    Corps for which purpose the Secretary is authorized to employ and
    train individuals who have the skills necessary for carrying out
    reconstruction and stabilization activities, and who have
    volunteered for that purpose.

-   Stipulates that the deployment of the Civilian Reserve Corps shall
    be done in a way to avoid impairing the capacity and readiness of
    any State and local governments from which Civilian Reserve Corps
    personnel may be drawn.

***Stabilization and Reconstruction Education and Training***

-   Requires the Secretary of State to make use of all relevant existing
    training and education programs offered within the government.

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: According to [a Senate
Report](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(sr050))
for a similar bill (S. 613), H.R. 1084 is meant to improve the U.S.
government's "capacity to respond quickly and effectively to complex
emergencies overseas." As a means of accomplishing this goal, the bill
would create a new office in the State Department to address
"post-conflict situations and other emergencies overseas where civilians
may be needed to work alongside U.S. military to provide expertise." In
the 109^th^ Congress, the Senate adopted a different version of this
legislation (S. 3322) by unanimous consent, but the bill was never
considered in the House.

The State Department and USAID currently operate numerous programs that
seek to stabilize and reconstruct nations and regions overseas that are
in crisis. These programs often involve inter-governmental coordination
and are appropriated billions of dollars each year. The following is a
partial list (including the amount of federal funds appropriated to each
program over the past three years) of non-defense programs intended to
respond to emergency crisis situations to countries and regions that are
in need of stabilization and reconstruction.

-   *Assistance to Rebuilding Countries Assessment*:

\--\$780 million in FY 2007

\--\$791 million in FY 2008

\--\$786 million in FY 2009

-   *Assistance to Developing Countries Assessment*:

\--\$1.22 billion in FY 2007

\--\$1.34 billion in FY 2008

\--\$1.11 billion in FY 2009

-   *Contribution to the United Nations Development Programme*:

\--\$109 million in FY 2007

\--\$109 million in FY 2008

\--\$75 million in FY 2009

-   *Contributions For International Peacekeeping Activities
    Assessment*:

\--\$1.41 billion in FY 2007

\--\$1.69 billion in FY 2008

\--\$1.49 billion in FY 2009

-   *International Disaster Assistance Assessment*:

\--\$526 million in FY 2007

\--\$430 million in FY 2008

\--\$298 million in FY 2009

-   *Office of Transition Initiatives Assessment*:

\--\$40 million in FY2007

\--\$45 million in FY2008

\--\$40 million in FY 2009

-   *Food Aid for Emergencies and Development*

\--\$1.66 billion in FY2007

\--\$1.21 billion in FY 2008

\--\$1.22 billion in FY 2009

**[Possible Conservative Concerns]{.underline}**: Some conservatives may
be concerned that H.R. 1084 would establish the Office of the
Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization within the State
Department and authorize \$620 million over five years to carry out
reconstruction and stabilization projects which are similar to numerous
other programs already carried out by the Secretary of State and USAID.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 1084 was introduced on February
15, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, which took
no official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: According to CBO, H.R. 1084 would
increase discretionary spending by \$236 million in FY 2009 and \$620
million over a five year period.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** Yes, it would create the Office of the
Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization within the State
Department. It would also create the Response Readiness Corps and the
Response Readiness Reserve to carryout the activities of the new office.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** No.

**[Does the Bill Comply with House Rules Regarding Earmarks/Limited Tax
Benefits/Limited Tariff Benefits?]{.underline}** A Committee report
designating compliance with clause 9 of rule XXI is unavailable.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: A Committee report citing
Constitutional authority is unavailable. House Rule XIII, Section
3(d)(1), requires that all committee reports contain a statement citing
the *specific* powers granted to Congress in the Constitution to enact
the law proposed by the bill or joint resolution. *\[emphasis added\]*

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

H.Con.Res. 278---Supporting Taiwan's fourth direct and democratic
presidential elections in March 2008 (Ros-Lehtinen, R-FL)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 278 is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, March 5, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 278 would express the sense of the
House that:

-   "The United States Government should reaffirm its unwavering
    commitment to Taiwan's democracy and security; and

-   "International delegations should be encouraged to visit Taiwan for
    the purpose of witnessing the presidential elections in March 2008."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "The United States and Taiwan share common ideals and a clear vision
    for the 21st century, where freedom and democracy are the
    foundations for peace, prosperity, and progress;

-   "Taiwan has dramatically improved its record on human rights and
    routinely holds free and fair elections in a multiparty system, as
    evidenced by Taiwan\'s first democratic presidential election in
    1996, second in 2000, and third in 2004;

-   "The democratic and open presidential elections in 2000 mark the
    first transfer of power from one party to another in Taiwan\'s
    history;

-   "Taiwan has demonstrated its unequivocal support for human rights
    and a commitment to the democratic ideals of freedom of speech,
    freedom of the press, rule of law, and free and fair elections
    routinely held in a multiparty system;

-   "Taiwan is one of the strongest democratic allies of the United
    States in the Asia-Pacific region;

-   "Taiwan's young democracy faces constant military threat and
    intimidation from neighboring China; and

-   "The United States Congress has organized congressional delegations
    to witness the electoral process in thriving democracies, including
    elections in Taiwan."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 278 was introduced on
December 19, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs,
which took no official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers:]{.underline}** The resolution does not authorize
expenditures.\
\
**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

H.Res. 951---Condemning the ongoing Palestinian rocket attacks on
Israeli civilians by Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist organizations

(Garrett, R-NJ)

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="3.5493055555555557in"
height="2.2291666666666665in"}

Israeli high school classroom after a Palestinian rocket attack.

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, March 5^th^, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

[NOTE]{.underline}: This is a Garrett-Hensarling resolution originally
authored by the RSC. At press time, this resolution had 225 co-sponsors.

**[Summary, as amended]{.underline}**: H.Res. 951 would resolve that the
House:

-   "strongly condemns---

> \--Hamas, which controls Gaza, and other Palestinian terrorist
> organizations for the ongoing rocket attacks on Israeli civilians and
> continued human rights violations;
>
> \--state sponsors of terror, such as Iran and Syria, for enabling
> Palestinian terrorist organizations to carry out attacks against
> innocent Israeli civilians; and
>
> \--the use of innocent Palestinian civilians as human shields by those
> who carry out rocket and other attacks;

-   "expresses condolences to the families of the innocent victims on
    both sides of the conflict;

-   "supports the sovereign right of the Government of Israel to defend
    its territory against attacks;

-   "expresses sympathy and support for innocent Palestinian civilians
    who reject all forms of terrorism and desire to live in peace with
    their Israeli neighbors but who continue to be utilized as human
    shields by terrorist organizations;

-   "considers rocket attacks against Israel and the fostering of
    terrorism in the Palestinian territories as direct and serious
    impediments to the achievement of Israeli-Palestinian peace;

-   "calls on the President to---

> \--direct the United States Permanent Representative to the United
> Nations to introduce a resolution within the United Nations Security
> Council condemning Palestinian rocket and other attacks against
> innocent Israeli civilians; and
>
> \--direct the Secretary of State to raise this issue in all applicable
> bilateral and international fora;

-   "calls on responsible countries and United States allies in the
    Middle East to officially and publicly condemn Palestinian rocket
    attacks and other terrorist actions against Israel; and

-   "reaffirms the strong and unyielding friendship between the
    Governments and the people of Israel and the United States."

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: More than 4,500 rockets and
mortar shells, targeted primarily and intentionally at civilian
communities, have been fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip by Hamas and
other terrorist organizations since Israeli forces withdrew from there
in 2005. Nearly a thousand of these rockets and mortar shells have been
fired into Israel since New Year's Day this year. The primary cities
under siege have been Sderot and Ashkelon, where the terrorist rockets
have hit homes, schools, buildings, roads, power lines, and other such
infrastructure.

These unprovoked rocket and mortar attacks have murdered over a dozen
Israelis, inflicted hundreds of casualties, produced thousands of cases
of shock and post-traumatic stress, especially among children, and
caused severe disruption of daily life. The rocket-storing and
rocket-launching facilities are deliberately embedded amongst the
Palestinian civilian population,

utilizing them as human shields.

Numerous reports have cited the copious amounts of sophisticated
weapons, small arms, and weapons manufacturing materials that have been
smuggled into Gaza through Egypt. Additionally, public reports have
cited the role of Iran and Syria in providing material support and
training to those carrying out rocket and other terrorist attacks from
Gaza, the flow of which has increased since the Gaza-Egypt border breach
on January 23, 2008.

Recently, the rockets being used in the attacks are more sophisticated
with longer ranges. Israel has made incursions into Gaza to attack the
rocket facilities and the terrorists who launch the rockets, but more
Israeli action is expected soon.

For more information on the rockets, the ongoing attacks, and statistics
on past attacks, go
[here](http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Terrorism-+Obstacle+to+Peace/Palestinian+terror+since+2000/Missile+fire+from+Gaza+on+Israeli+civilian+targets+Aug+2007.htm#statistics).

**[RSC Bonus Fact]{.underline}**: One target most under siege in Israel
is Sapir College in Sderot. Sapir, just a mile from Gaza, is Israel's
largest public college with over 8,000 students. The Sapir campus also
contains 12 institutions housed in dozens of buildings, including an
elementary school, a high school, and pre-army institutions, employing
some 10,000 people. It could be like any college town in America, except
that Sapir College has been hit with [hundreds]{.underline} of rockets
since 2000, and the barrage is not stopping. In fact, a 47-year-old
student was killed in a Sapir parking lot just last week.

Many of Sapir's classrooms and auditoriums are unusable, either because
of past rocket damage or from being in the line of future rocket fire.
Windows must remain open at all times (in order to hear the warning
sirens), even in the searing heat of the desert. And even if people hear
the sirens, they have only 15 seconds to take cover before impact.
Anxiety attacks are common occurrences, and exams are frequently
interrupted by incoming rockets.

To learn more about Sapir, go
[here](http://www.sapir.ac.il/generalpage.asp?div=english).

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: On January 29, 2008, the resolution
was referred to the Foreign Affairs Committee, which, on February
27^th^, marked up the resolution and by unanimous consent agreed to seek
consideration on the House floor under suspension of the rules.

**[Administration Position]{.underline}**: Although the Bush
Administration has condemned the Palestinian attacks, it has also
criticized Israel for taking actions in Gaza to defend itself.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution would authorize no
expenditure.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}**: No.

**[Does the Bill Comply with House Rules Regarding Earmarks/Limited Tax
Benefits/Limited Tariff Benefits?]{.underline}**: Though the bill
contains no earmarks, and there's no accompanying committee report, the
earmarks rule (House Rule XXI, Clause 9(a)) does not apply, by
definition, to legislation considered under suspension of the rules.

**[Outside Organizations]{.underline}**: This resolution is strongly
supported by AIPAC, the Zionist Organization of America, the Republican
Jewish Coalition, the National Jewish Democratic Council, the American
Jewish Committee, and the International Fellowship of Christians and
Jews. The Endowment for Middle East Truth has also worked with the RSC
to help condemn the ongoing rocket attacks.

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Paul S. Teller,
<paul.teller@mail.house.gov>, (202) 226-9718

H.Con.Res. 292---Honoring Margaret Truman Daniel and her lifetime of
accomplishments *(Cleaver, D-MO)*

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 292 is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, March 5, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 292 would express the sense that
the House "honors Margaret Truman Daniel and her lifetime of
accomplishments."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "Margaret Truman Daniel was born to Bess and Harry S. Truman on
    February 17, 1924, in Independence, Missouri;

-   "Margaret became First Daughter when Vice President Harry S. Truman,
    the former Missouri Senator, was sworn into office after the passing
    of President Franklin D. Roosevelt;

-   "On April 21, 1956, Margaret married newspaperman Clifton Daniel in
    Independence, Missouri, at Trinity Episcopal Church, the same church
    in which her parents were married;

-   "In 1953, after the Truman presidency, Margaret moved to New York
    City to work with the National Broadcasting Company, working on such
    shows as Edward R. Murrow's 'Person to Person' and co-hosting a talk
    show program with Mike Wallace;

-   "As a novelist, Margaret wrote 23 books, including best-selling
    mysteries and biographies;

-   "Margaret exhibited a deep commitment to public service, serving as
    secretary to the Board of Trustees of the Truman Scholarship
    Foundation, as a member of the Board of Directors of the Truman
    Library Institute, as a member of the Executive Committee on the
    Truman Centennial Committee, and as a constant advocate for
    Presidential libraries;

-   "Margaret Truman Daniel was an intelligent, independent, and
    gracious woman who made our Nation proud as she flourished in every
    aspect of her life; and

-   "Margaret in every sense carried on the Truman family legacy and is
    survived by 3 sons, Clifton Daniel, Harrison Daniel, and Thomas
    Daniel, as well as 5 grandchildren, and is pre-deceased by her
    husband, Clifton Daniel, and a fourth son, William Daniel."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 292 was introduced on
February 12, 2008, and referred to the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform, which held a mark-up on February 26, 2008, and
reported the bill by voice vote.\
\
**[Cost to Taxpayers:]{.underline}** The resolution does not authorize
expenditures.\
\
**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

**H.R. 4774---To designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 10250 John Saunders Road in San Antonio, Texas, as
the "Cyndi Taylor Krier Post Office Building" (Smith, R-TX)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H.R. 4774 is scheduled for
consideration on Wednesday, March 5, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 4774 would designate the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at 10250 John Saunders Road in San
Antonio, Texas, as the "Cyndi Taylor Krier Post Office Building."

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: According to the University of
Texas, Cyndi Taylor Krier served as a Republican in the Texas State
Senate from 1984 through 1992. In 1992, Krier became the first woman and
the first Republican elected as Baxter County Judge. In her role as
judge, Krier served 1.4 million people in the San Antonio area for
nearly a decade. In 2001, Krier was appointed to a six year term on the
University of Texas Board of Regents. She served on the board until
November 8, 2007.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 4774 was introduced on December
18, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform, which held a mark-up and reported the bill by voice vote on
February 26, 2008.

[**Cost to Taxpayers**:]{.underline} A CBO score for H.R. 4774 is
unavailable, but the only costs associated with a U.S. post office
renaming are those for sign and map changes, none of which significantly
affect the federal budget.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** No.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: Although no committee report
citing constitutional authority is available, Article I, Section 8,
Clause 7 of the Constitution grants Congress the authority to establish
Post Offices and post roads.

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

H.Con.Res. 286---Expressing the sense of Congress that Earl Lloyd should
be recognized and honored for breaking the color barrier and becoming
the first African American to play in the National Basketball
Association League 58 years ago *(Moran, D-VA)*

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 286 is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, March 5, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 286 would express the sense of
Congress that "Earl Lloyd should be recognized and honored for breaking
the color barrier and becoming the first African-American to play in the
National Basketball Association League 58 years ago."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "Earl Lloyd was born in Alexandria, Virginia on April 3, 1928;

-   "Earl Lloyd first developed his passion for basketball at the city
    of Alexandria's segregated Parker-Gray High School;

-   "Earl Lloyd was drafted by the NBA in 1950 as a ninth round pick by
    the Washington Capitols;

-   "On October 31, 1950, Earl Lloyd became the first African-American
    to play in the NBA;

-   "Earl Lloyd dissolved the color barrier in the NBA 3 years after
    Jackie Robinson had done the same in baseball;

-   "Earl Lloyd proudly put his professional career on hold and served
    in the Army for 2 years before returning to the NBA;

-   "Earl Lloyd played 560 NBA games and won a championship before
    retiring in 1960; and

-   "In 2003, Earl Lloyd was inducted into the Naismith Memorial
    Basketball Hall of Fame."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 286 was introduced on
January 29, 2008, and referred to the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform, which held a mark-up on February 26, 2008, and
reported the bill by voice vote.\
\
**[Cost to Taxpayers:]{.underline}** The resolution does not authorize
expenditures.\
\
**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

**H.R. 5220---To designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 3800 SW. 185th Avenue in Beaverton, Oregon, as the
"Major Arthur Chin Post Office Building" *(Wu, D-OR)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H.R. 5220 is scheduled for
consideration on Wednesday, March 5, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 5220 would designate the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at 3800 SW. 185th Avenue in
Beaverton, Oregon, as the "Major Arthur Chin Post Office Building."

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: According to the *Seattle
Post-Intelligencer*, Major Arthur Chin was an American pilot, born to
Chinese immigrants in Portland, Oregon, in 1913. In 1932, Chin, who had
already begun flying lessons, joined a group of Americans of Chinese
descent on a voyage to China to pilot fighters against the invading
Japanese. Chin shot down nine Japanese planes and rose to the rank of
"Ace" before being severely injured over a battlefield in Northern China
in 1939. After the war, Chin returned to his hometown of Portland, began
a career at the local post office, and quietly raised his family. Chin
lived in Portland until his death in 1997.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 5220 was introduced on January
29, 2008, and referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform, which held a mark-up and reported the bill by voice vote on
February 26, 2008.

[**Cost to Taxpayers**:]{.underline} A CBO score for H.R. 5220 is
unavailable, but the only costs associated with a U.S. post office
renaming are those for sign and map changes, none of which significantly
affect the federal budget.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** No.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: Although no committee report
citing constitutional authority is available, Article I, Section 8,
Clause 7 of the Constitution grants Congress the authority to establish
Post Offices and post roads.

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

**H.R. 5400---To designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 160 East Washington Street in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, as
the "Sgt. Michael M. Kashkoush Post Office Building" (LaTourette,
R-OH)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H.R. 5400 is scheduled for
consideration on Wednesday, March 5, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 5400 would designate the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at 160 East Washington Street in
Chagrin Falls, Ohio, as the "Sgt. Michael M. Kashkoush Post Office
Building."

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: According to the *Washington
Post*, Sgt. Michael Kashkoush, 24, was killed while conducting combat
operation in Anbar province, Iraq, on January 23, 2007. Kashkoush was a
2001 graduate of Chagrin Falls High School in Ohio, where he played
football and wrestled. A counterintelligence specialist assigned to the
assigned to 3rd Intelligence Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force,
stationed in Okinawa, Japan, Kashkoush had only been in Iraq for ten
days when he was killed.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 5400 was introduced on February
12, 2008, and referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform, which held a mark-up and reported the bill by voice vote on
February 26, 2008.

[**Cost to Taxpayers**:]{.underline} A CBO score for H.R. 5400 is
unavailable, but the only costs associated with a U.S. post office
renaming are those for sign and map changes, none of which significantly
affect the federal budget.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** No.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: Although no committee report
citing constitutional authority is available, Article I, Section 8,
Clause 7 of the Constitution grants Congress the authority to establish
Post Offices and post roads.

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

S.J.Res. 25---A joint resolution providing for the appointment of John
W. McCarter as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the
Smithsonian Institution *(Leahy, D-VT)*

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: S.J.Res. 25 is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, March 5, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: S.J.Res. 25 would appoint John W. McCarter of
Illinois as a citizen regent on the Smithsonian Board of Regents for a
term of 6 years, effective on the date of the enactment of this
resolution.

**[Additional Information]{.underline}**: John W. McCarter, Jr. is
President and Chief Executive Officer of Chicago's Field Museum, one of
the most renowned natural history museums in the world.

According to the museum's Website, "McCarter previously was Senior Vice
President of Booz Allen & Hamilton, Inc. Earlier in his career, he
served as President of DeKalb Corporation, and was Budget Director of
the State of Illinois under Governor Richard B. Ogilvie. He was a White
House Fellow during the administration of Lyndon B. Johnson. McCarter is
a Director of W.W. Grainger, Janus Funds and Divergence, Inc. He is a
trustee of the University of Chicago and a board member and former
Chairman of Chicago's Public Television Station Channel 11. McCarter is
a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Business School, and also
attended the London School of Economics."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: On February 4, 2008, the Senate
passed S.J.Res. 25, without amendment, by unanimous consent. The
following day the resolution was sent to the House, which took no
official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers:]{.underline}** The resolution does not authorize
expenditures.\
\
**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

**H.R. 5159---Capitol Visitor Center Act of 2008 *(Brady, D-PA)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, March 5, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.\
\
**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 5159 would establish a management
structure for the Capitol Visitor Center and appropriate operational
funds. The specific provisions of the bill are outlined below.

***Administration and Management of Capitol Visitor Center***

-   Defines the CVC as a part of the Capitol created to provide enhanced
    security to Capitol visitors and staff and improve visitors' overall
    experience at the Capitol.

-   Establishes the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate
    and the Committee on House Administration as the oversight
    committees responsible for the CVC.

-   Makes special stipulations regarding which areas in the House and
    Senate expansion space are not to be treated as part of the CVC.

-   Establishes the Office of the Capitol Visitor Center within the
    Office of the Architect of the Capitol. The office will be headed by
    the Chief Executive Officer for Visitor Services, who will be
    appointed by the Architect of the Capitol.

-   Defines the duties of the Chief Executive Officer for Visitor
    Services, who would be responsible for all CVC operations and
    management, including long-term planning, budgeting, and day-to-day
    operations.

***Related Service Provided at the Capitol Visitor Center***

-   Grants the Chief Executive Officer for Visitor Services the
    authority to establish a gift shop in the CVC.

-   Grants the Chief Executive Officer for Visitor Services the
    authority to establish restaurants and other food service facilities
    in the CVC. Prohibits any events from taking place in the CVC's
    central hall with out the approval of Congress.

-   Establishes a revolving fund for gift shop and miscellaneous
    receipts. Money from the gift shop would go directly to the gift
    shop while miscellaneous receipts would go into a general CVC fund.

***Transfer of Capitol Guide Service***

-   Transfers every contract, liability, record, property, employee, and
    other assets and interests of the Capitol Guide Service to the
    Office of the Capitol Visitor Center. Stipulates that individuals
    employed with the Guide Service at the time of transfer would be
    fully employed and not have any pay, grade, or benefits reduced.

-   Authorizes the Chief Executive Officer to establish the duties and
    rates of pay for Capitol Guide Service guides and stipulates that
    all tours would be provided free of charge.

-   Establishes the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services,
    which would be subject to the Capitol Police Board, to coordinate
    accessibility to the Capitol for Members, employees, and visitors.
    The Office of Congressional Accessibility Services would replace the
    Special Services Office.

-   Authorizes the Director of the Office of Congressional Accessibility
    Services to hire personnel and disburse funds for procuring goods or
    providing assistance.

-   Transfers every contract, liability, record, property, employee, and
    other assets and interests of the Special Services Office to the
    Office of Congressional Accessibility Services.

***Authorization of Funds***

-   Authorizes "such sums as are necessary" to carry out the provisions
    of the bill.

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: According to [House Report
110---535](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr535)),
"The idea for the implementation of a centrally located facility to
better manage visitors to the U.S. Capitol had been discussed since the
104th Congress. Bills were introduced in both the House (H.R. 1230) and
Senate (S. 954) during the 104th Congress to authorize the
implementation and construction of a Capitol Visitor Center but no
action was taken on either bill. During the 105th Congress three bills
were introduced; two in the House (H.R. 20 and H.R. 4347) and one in the
Senate (S. 1508). All three bills authorized the planning and
construction of a Capitol Visitor Center, but none of these bills was
reported out of the committees to which they were referred. A design and
engineering obligation plan was approved by the House and Senate
legislative appropriations subcommittees in November 1999 and January
2000. Design development work for the center was started on January 31,
2000, and on June 20, 2000 a ceremonial groundbreaking took place."

Since construction began on the CVC, the project has been fraught with
delays and cost increases. For instance, a 2004 [Washington Post
Article](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A18422-2004Nov28.html)
states, "When work crews broke ground in 2002, the project was estimated
to cost \$373.5 million and to open in January 2005. Now the price tag
is \$421 million, and officials say they hope for an opening in spring
2006. Construction is about 50 to 55 percent complete." Four years later
the project is still under construction and set to open in the autumn of
2008. In the FY 2008 Legislative Branch Appropriations bill, the CVC was
appropriated \$27.5 million to complete construction and fund the year's
operations. The Capitol Guide Service, which provides all visitor tours,
received \$4.4 million in FY 2008.

**[Possible Conservative Concerns]{.underline}**: Some conservatives may
be concerned that H.R. 5159 would authorize \$31 million in FY 2009 to
maintain the Capitol Visitor Center and employ 275 tour guides---an
increase of more than \$26 million over the amount appropriated for the
Capitol Guide Service and Special Services Office in the FY 2008
Legislative Branch Appropriations Act.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 5159 was introduced on January
29, 2008, and referred to the Committee on House Administration. On
February 12, 2008, a mark-up was held and the bill was amended and
reported.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: According to CBO, H.R. 5159 would
authorize \$31 million in FY 2009 and \$173 million over a five year
period.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** No.

**[Does the Bill Comply with House Rules Regarding Earmarks/Limited Tax
Benefits/Limited Tariff Benefits?]{.underline}** According to [House
Report
110---535](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr535)),
H.R. 5159 does not contain any earmarks, limited tax benefits, or
limited tariff benefits.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: The Committee on House
Administration, in [House Report
110---535](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr535)),
cites "the legislative power *broadly granted* to Congress under Article
I, Section 8 of the Constitution." House Rule XIII, Section 3(d)(1),
requires that all committee reports contain a statement citing the
*specific* powers granted to Congress in the Constitution to enact the
law proposed by the bill or joint resolution. *\[emphasis added\]*

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

H.Con.Res. 307---Expressing the sense of Congress that Members'
Congressional papers should be properly maintained and encouraging
Members to take all necessary measures to manage and preserve these
papers *(Brady, D-PA)*

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 307 is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, March 5, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 307 would express the sense of the
Congress that:

-   "Members' Congressional papers (including papers of Delegates and
    Resident Commissioners to the Congress) should be properly
    maintained;

-   "Each Member of Congress should take all necessary measures to
    manage and preserve the Member\'s own Congressional papers; and

-   "Each Member of Congress should be encouraged to arrange for the
    deposit or donation of the Member\'s own noncurrent Congressional
    papers with a research institution that is properly equipped to care
    for them, and to make these papers available for educational
    purposes at a time the Member considers appropriate."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "Members' Congressional papers (including papers of Delegates and
    Resident Commissioners to the Congress) serve as indispensable
    sources for the study of American representative democracy;

-   "These papers document vital national, regional, and local public
    policy issues;

-   "These papers are crucial to the public\'s understanding of the role
    of Congress in making the Nation's laws and responding to the needs
    of its citizens;

-   "Because these papers serve as essential primary sources for the
    history of Congress, the study of these papers will illuminate the
    careers of individual Members;

-   "By custom, these papers are considered the personal property of the
    Member who receives and creates them, and it is therefore the Member
    who is responsible to decide on their ultimate disposition; and

-   "Resources are available through the Office of the Clerk of the
    House of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate to assist
    Members with the professional and cost-effective management and
    preservation of these papers"

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 307 was introduced on
March 4, 2008, and referred to the Committee on House Administration,
which took no official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers:]{.underline}** The resolution does not authorize
expenditures.\
\
**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

H.Res. 1007---Expressing the condolences of the House to those affected
by the devastating shooting incident of February 14, 2008, at Northern
Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois (Manzullo, R-IL)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H.Res. 1007 is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, March 5, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 1007 would express the sense that the
House:

-   "Expresses its sincere condolences to the families, friends, and
    loved ones of those who were killed in the tragic shooting on
    February 14, 2008, at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb,
    Illinois: Gayle Dubowski, Catalina Garcia, Julianna Gehant, Ryanne
    Mace, and Daniel Parmenter;

-   "Extends its support and prayers to those who were wounded and
    wishes them a speedy recovery;

-   "Commends the emergency responders, law enforcement officers, health
    care providers, and counselors who performed their duties with
    professionalism and dedication in response to the tragedy;

-   "Reaffirms its commitment to helping ensure that schools, colleges,
    and universities in the United States are safe and secure
    environments for learning; and

-   "Expresses its solidarity with Northern Illinois University and its
    students, faculty, staff, and administration as they mourn their
    losses and as they recover from this tragic incident."

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: The gunman took the lives of 5
students and wounded 17 more. The 5 students who lost their lives that
day were:

-   "Gayle Dubowski, age 20, of Carol Stream, Illinois, a devout member
    of her church who sang in the church choir and worked as a camp
    counselor and volunteer in rural Kentucky;

-   "Catalina 'Cati' Garcia, age 20, of Cicero, Illinois, a
    first-generation American who had hoped to be a teacher, was her
    family's 'princess' and inspiration, and was rarely seen without a
    beaming smile;

-   "Julianna Gehant, age 32, of Mendota, Illinois, who dreamed of
    becoming a teacher, and who spent more than 12 years in the United
    States Army and Army Reserve, serving our Nation and saving money
    for college;

-   "Ryanne Mace, age 19, of Carpentersville, Illinois, a much-loved
    only child who was rarely without a warm smile and hoped to be a
    counselor so she could help others; and

-   "Daniel Parmenter, age 20, of Westchester, Illinois, 'Danny' to his
    friends, a 6-foot, 5-inch rugby player with a gentle spirit and
    bright future, who died trying to protect his girlfriend from
    gunfire."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Res. 1007 was introduced on
February 28, 2008, and referred to the Committee on Education and Labor,
which took no official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution does not authorize
expenditures.\
\
**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

H.Res. 1013---Expressing the sense of Congress that providing breakfast
in schools through the National School Breakfast Program has a positive
impact on classroom performance *(Moore, D-WI)*

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H.Res. 1013 is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, March 5, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 1013 would express the sense that the
House:

-   "Recognizes the importance of the National School Breakfast Program
    and its overall positive effect on the lives of low-income children
    and families, as well as its effect on helping to improve a child's
    overall classroom performance;

-   "Expresses support for States that have successfully implemented
    school breakfast programs in order to improve the test scores and
    grades of its participating students; and

-   "Encourages states to strengthen their school breakfast programs by
    improving access for students, to promote improvements in the
    nutritional quality of breakfasts served, and to inform students and
    parents of healthy nutritional and lifestyle choices."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "Almost 17,000 schools that participate in the National School Lunch
    Program do not participate in the National School Breakfast Program;

-   "Fiscal year 2006, 7,700,000 students in the United States consumed
    free or reduced-price school breakfasts provided under the National
    School Breakfast Program established by section 4 of the Child
    Nutrition Act of 1966;

-   "**Making breakfast widely available** through different venues or a
    combination thereof, such as in the classroom, obtained as students
    exit their school bus, or outside the classroom, **has been shown to
    lessen the stigma of receiving free or reduced-price breakfast**,
    which often prevents eligible students from obtaining traditional
    breakfast in the cafeteria; *\[Emphasis added\]*

-   "**Providing free universal breakfast, especially in the classroom,
    has been shown to significantly increase school breakfast
    participation rates and increase absences and tardiness;**
    *\[Emphasis added\]*

-   "Studies have shown that access to nutritious programs such as the
    National School Lunch Program and National School Breakfast Program
    helps to create a strong learning environment for children and helps
    to improve children\'s concentration in the classroom;

-   "Students who eat a complete breakfast have been shown to make fewer
    mistakes and work faster in math exercises than those who eat a
    partial breakfast;

-   "Studies suggest that eating breakfast closer to classroom and
    test-taking time improves student performance on standardized tests
    relative to students who skip breakfast or have breakfast at home;

-   "Studies show that students who skip breakfast are more likely to
    have difficulty distinguishing among similar images, show increased
    errors, and have slower memory recall;

-   "Children who live in families that experience hunger have been
    shown to be more likely to have lower math scores, face an increased
    likelihood of repeating a grade, and receive more special education
    services;

-   "Studies suggest that children who eat breakfast have more adequate
    nutrition and intake of nutrients, such as calcium, fiber, protein,
    and vitamins A, E, D, and B-6; and

-   "Children who fail to eat breakfast, whether in school or at home,
    are more likely to be overweight than children who eat a daily
    healthy breakfast."

**[Possible Conservative Concerns]{.underline}**: Some conservatives may
be concerned that H.Res. 1013 suggests that the federal government
should provide free and universal breakfasts to all students, regardless
of their means, in order to reduce the "stigma of receiving a free or
reduced price breakfast." Some conservatives may also be concerned that
the School Breakfast Program, which will receive \$2.367 billion in
federal funds in FY 2008, should be reserved for needy families who lack
the means to provide breakfast for their children, rather than be
expanded universally.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Res. 1013 was introduced on March
4, 2008, and referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, which
took no official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution does not authorize
expenditures.\
\
**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline}** No.\
\
**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.