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# Legislative Bulletin...........................................April 5, 2006

> **Contents:**
>
> **H.R. 3127** --- Darfur Peace and Accountability Act of 2006
>
> **H.Con.Res. 320** --- Calling on the Government of the Socialist
> Republic of Vietnam to immediately and unconditionally release Dr.
> Pham Hong Son and other political prisoners and prisoners of
> conscience
>
> **H.Res. 578** --- Concerning the Government of Romania's ban on
> intercountry adoptions and the welfare of orphaned or abandoned
> children in Romania
>
> **H.Con.Res. 360 ---** Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for
> the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service
>
> **H.Con.Res. 371 ---** Honoring and congratulating the Minnesota
> National Guard, on its 150th anniversary, for its spirit of dedication
> and service to the State of Minnesota and the Nation and recognizing
> that the role of the National Guard, the Nation's citizen-soldier
> based militia, which was formed before the United States Army, has
> been and still is extremely important to the security and freedom of
> the Nation
>
> **H.Con.Res. 370** --- Expressing the sense of the Congress that Saudi
> Arabia should fully live up to its World Trade Organization
> commitments and end all aspects of any boycott on Israel
>
> **H.Res. 737** --- Supporting the goals and ideals of Financial
> Literacy Month
>
> **H.R. 4688** --- Mayor John Thompson "Tom" Garrison Memorial Post
> Office Designation Act
>
> **H.R. 4561** --- Francisco "Pancho" Medrano Post Office Building
> Designation Act\
> **H.R. 4646** --- Coach John Wooden Post Office Building Designation
> Act\
> **H.Res. 556** --- Expressing the sense of the House of
> Representatives that a National Methamphetamine Prevention Week should
> be established to increase awareness of methamphetamine and to educate
> the public on ways to help prevent the use of that damaging narcotic
>
> **H.Con.Res. 366 ---** To congratulate the National Aeronautics and
> Space Administration on the 25th anniversary of the first flight of
> the Space Transportation System, to honor Commander John Young and the
> Pilot Robert Crippen, who flew Space Shuttle Columbia on April 12-14,
> 1981, on its first orbital test flight, and to commend the men and
> women of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and all
> those supporting America's space program for their accomplishments and
> their role in inspiring the American people
>
> **H.Res. 541 ---** Honoring Drs. Roy J. Glauber, John L. Hall, and
> Theodor W. Hansch for being awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for
> 2005, and Drs. Yves Chauvin, Robert H. Grubbs, and Richard R. Schrock
> for being awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2005, and for other
> purposes

H.R. 3127 --- Darfur Peace and Accountability Act --- *as reported*

(Hyde, R-IL)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** The bill is scheduled for
consideration on Wednesday, April 5, 2006, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}:** H.R. 3127 includes Congressional findings
that "on July 22, 2004, the House of Representatives and the Senate
declared that the atrocities occurring in the Darfur region of Sudan are
genocide" and states the sense of Congress that "the genocide unfolding
in the Darfur region of Sudan is characterized by acts of terrorism and
atrocities directed against civilians, including mass murder, rape, and
sexual violence committed by the Janjaweed and associated militias with
the complicity and support of the National Congress Party-led faction of
the Government of Sudan." The bill would also:

-   "Prohibit foreign assistance to countries that provide military
    assistance to Sudan, except when that assistance is for humanitarian
    reasons;

-   "Direct the President to use the influence and vote of the U.S. at
    both the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
    to encourage those organizations to provide additional support to
    the African Union Mission in Sudan;

-   "Allow the President to block the assets ("consistent with the
    International Emergency Economic Powers Act") of any individual
    determined to be complicit in acts of genocide, war crimes, or
    crimes against humanity in Darfur;

-   "Require the President to deny visas and entry to any individual
    determined to be complicit in said acts, but allows a waiver if it
    is in the U.S. national interests, provided that the appropriate
    congressional committees are notified in advance;

-   "State that the President "should immediately consider imposing the
    sanctions (described in the Comprehensive Peace in Sudan Act
    of 2004) against the Janjaweed commanders and coordinators
    identified in subcommittee hearings in June, 2004;

-   "Direct the President to take all necessary and appropriate steps to
    deny the Government of Sudan access to oil revenues, including by
    prohibiting entry at United States ports to cargo ships or oil
    tankers engaged in business or trade activities in the oil sector of
    Sudan or involved in the shipment of goods for use by the armed
    forces of Sudan until such time as the Government of Sudan has
    honored its commitments to cease attacks on civilians, demobilize
    and demilitarize the Janjaweed and associated militias, grant free
    and unfettered access for deliveries of humanitarian assistance, and
    allow for the safe and voluntary return of refugees and internally
    displaced persons;

-   "Prohibit foreign assistance to any government of a country that is
    in violation of the embargo on military assistance against Sudan
    pursuant to U.N. Security Council Resolutions 1556 and 1591;

-   "Prohibit the current restrictions against Sudan (imposed pursuant
    to Executive Order 13067) from being modified or lifted until the
    President transmits to the appropriate congressional committees that
    Sudan is acting in good faith to address and resolve transgressions
    (enumerated in the text); and

-   "Require the Department of State to provide reports dealing with the
    African Union Mission in Sudan."

[**Committee Action**:]{.underline} H.R. 3127 was introduced on June 30,
2005, and referred to the Committee on International Relations
Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations
on March 8, 2006, where the bill was marked-up on March 15, 2006, and
the bill was amended and reported to the House by a voice vote (H. Rept.
109-392, Part I). The bill was also referred to the House Judiciary
Committee, where it was reported to the House by a voice vote (H.
Rept.109-392, Part II).

[**Cost to Taxpayers**:]{.underline} CBO estimates that "implementing
H.R. 3127 would not have a significant impact on 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}**: The Committee Report, [H.
Rept. 109-392, Part
1](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/2?cp109:./temp/~cp109B6hrQ&sid=cp109B6hrQ&item=2&sel=DOC&hd_count=2&xform_type=3&r_n=hr392p1.109&&sid=cp109B6hrQ&&),
cites constitutional authority for this legislation in Article 1,
Section 8, and Clause 18 (to make all laws that are necessary and
proper) 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}** Derek V. Baker;
[derek.baker@mail.house.gov](mailto:Derek.baker@mail.house.gov);
202-226-8585

H.Con.Res. 320 --- Calling on the Government of the Socialist Republic
of Vietnam to immediately and unconditionally release Dr. Pham Hong Son
and other political prisoners and prisoners of conscience --- *as
introduced*

(Smith, R-NJ)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** The resolution is scheduled for
consideration on Wednesday, April 5, 2006, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}:** H.Con.Res. 320 would call on the Government
of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to immediately and unconditionally
release Dr. Pham Hong Son and other political prisoners and prisoners of
conscience.

The resolution resolves, among other things, that Congress:

-   "condemns and deplores the arbitrary detention of Dr. Pham Hong Son
    by the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and calls for
    his immediate and unconditional release, and for the immediate and
    unconditional release of all other political prisoners;

-   "condemns and deplores the violations of freedom of speech,
    religion, movement, association, and the lack of due process
    afforded to individuals in Vietnam; and

-   "strongly urges the Government of Vietnam to consider the
    implications of its actions for the broader relationship between the
    United States and Vietnam, including the impact on trade relations."

The resolution states, among other things, the sense of Congress that
the U.S. should:

-   "make the immediate release of Dr. Pham Hong Son a top concern;

-   "continue to urge the Government of Vietnam to comply with
    internationally recognized standards for basic freedoms and human
    rights; and

-   "make clear to the Government of Vietnam that it must adhere to the
    rule of law and respect the freedom of the press in order for it to
    accede to the World Trade Organization (WTO)."

The resolution also includes numerous findings, including the following:

-   "in March 2002, Dr. Pham Hong Son was arrested after he had
    translated an article entitled "What is Democracy?" from the Web
    site of the United States Embassy in Vietnam and sent it to both
    friends and senior party officials;

-   "in none of his activities did Dr. Pham advocate violence in his
    opposition to the Vietnamese Government or its policies;

-   "Dr. Pham was sentenced in June 2003, after a half-day closed trial
    in Hanoi, to 13 years of imprisonment and three years of house
    arrest on spurious espionage charges;

-   "such spurious charges are routinely used to suppress peaceful
    democracy activists, as in the notorious cases of Father Thadeus
    Nguyen Van Ly, his two nephews and niece, and in the cases of Pham
    Que Duong, Tran Khue, and Tran Dung Tien;

-   "Dr. Pham remains imprisoned in harsh conditions, including
    imprisonment for more than a year in solitary confinement, which
    have endangered his health;

-   "Dr. Pham and other political prisoners and prisoners of conscience
    have been deprived of their basic human rights by being denied their
    ability to exercise freedom of opinion and expression;

-   "the arbitrary imprisonment and the violation of the human rights of
    citizens of Vietnam are sources of continuing, grave concern to
    Congress; and

-   "Vietnam continues to restrict access to Western diplomats,
    journalists, and humanitarian organizations to the Central Highlands
    and the Northwest Highlands, where there are credible reports that
    ethnic minorities suffer serious violations of their human and civil
    rights, including property rights, and ongoing restrictions on
    religious activities, including forced conversions."

[**Committee Action**:]{.underline} H.Con.Res. 320 was introduced on
December 16, 2005, and referred to the Committee on International
Relations Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International
Operations. The bill was marked-up on March 15, 2006, and it was
reported to the House by unanimous consent.

[**Cost to Taxpayers**:]{.underline} The resolution authorizes 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.

**[RSC Staff Contact:]{.underline}** Derek V. Baker;
[derek.baker@mail.house.gov](mailto:Derek.baker@mail.house.gov);
202-226-8585

H.Res. 578 --- Concerning the Government of Romania's ban on
intercountry adoptions and the welfare of orphaned or abandoned children
in Romania --- *as introduced* (Smith, R-NJ)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** The resolution is scheduled for
consideration on Wednesday, April 5, 2006, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}:** H.Res. 578 would address the government of
Roman's current ban on intercountry adoptions and general welfare of
orphaned and abandoned children in Romania. The resolution resolves that
the House of Representatives:

-   "supports the desire of the Government of Romania to improve the
    standard of care and well-being of children in Romania;

-   "urges the Government of Romania to complete the processing of the
    intercountry adoption cases which were pending when Law 273/2004 was
    enacted;

-   "urges the Government of Romania to amend its child welfare and
    adoption laws to decrease barriers to adoption, both domestically
    and intercountry, including by allowing intercountry adoption by
    persons other than biological grandparents;

-   "urges the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United
    States Agency for International Development to work collaboratively
    with the Government of Romania to achieve these ends; and

-   "requests that the European Union and its member States not impede
    the Government of Romania's efforts to place orphaned or abandoned
    children in permanent homes in a manner that is consistent with
    Romania's obligations under the Hague Convention on Protection of
    Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption."

The resolution includes numerous finding, including the following:

-   "following the execution of Romanian President Nicolae Ceausescu in
    1989, it was discovered that more than 100,000 underfed, neglected
    children throughout Romania were living in hundreds of squalid and
    inhumane institutions;

-   "between 1990 and 2004, United States citizens adopted more than
    8,200 Romanian children, with a similar response from Western
    Europe;

-   "the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported in March 2005
    that more than 9,000 children a year are abandoned in Romania's
    maternity wards or pediatric hospitals and that child abandonment in
    Romania in '2003 and 2004 was no different from that occurring 10,
    20, or 30 years ago';

-   "there are approximately 37,000 orphaned or abandoned children in
    Romania today living in state institutions, an additional 49,000
    living in temporary arrangements, such as foster care, and an
    unknown number of children living on the streets and in maternity
    and pediatric hospitals;

-   "on December 28, 1994, Romania ratified the Hague Convention on
    Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry
    Adoption which recognizes that 'intercountry adoption may offer the
    advantage of a permanent family to a child for whom a suitable
    family cannot be found in his or her State of origin';

-   "intercountry adoption offers the hope of a permanent family for
    children who are orphaned or abandoned by their biological parents;
    and

-   "on June 21, 2004, the Parliament of Romania enacted Law 273/2004 on
    adoption, which prohibits intercountry adoption except by a child's
    biological grandparent or grandparents."

[**Committee Action**:]{.underline} H.Res. 578 was introduced on
November 18, 2005, and referred to the Committee on International
Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats and the
Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International
Operations. Both subcommittees marked-up the bill and reported it to the
House by unanimous consent.

[**Cost to Taxpayers**:]{.underline} The resolution authorizes 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.

**[RSC Staff Contact:]{.underline}** Derek V. Baker;
[derek.baker@mail.house.gov](mailto:Derek.baker@mail.house.gov);
202-226-8585

H.Con.Res. 360 --- Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the
National Peace Officers' Memorial Service --- *as introduced* (Schuster,
R-PA)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The resolution is scheduled for
consideration on Wednesday, April 5, 2006, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 360 authorizes the Grand Lodge of
the Fraternal Order of Police and its auxiliary to sponsor a public
event, the 25th annual National Peace Officers' Memorial Service, on the
Capitol Grounds, in order to honor the law enforcement officers who died
in the line of duty during 2005. The event is to be held on May 15,
2006, or a different date as determined by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Rules and Administration of the
Senate jointly.

**[Additional Information]{.underline}**: Peace officers include police
officers, park police, correctional

officers, and others involved in law enforcement. Based on preliminary
estimates, 155 peace officers were killed in the line of duty in 2005. A
total of 1,635 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty during
the past 10 years, an average of 164 per year. On average, more than
57,000 law enforcement officers are assaulted each year, resulting in
some 17,000 injuries (source
http://www.nleomf.com/TheMemorial/Facts/killedlod.htm).

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation that designated
May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day. Over the past 22 years, over
3,000 law enforcement officers have been honored. In addition, Section
136 of title 36, United States Code, requests that the President issue
each year a proclamation: 1) designating May 15 as Peace Officers
Memorial Day in honor of federal, state, and local officers killed or
disabled in the line of duty; 2) directing that the U.S. flag on federal
buildings and property be flown at half-staff; and 3) encouraging
citizens and state and local governments to observe Peace Officers
Memorial Day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: The resolution was introduced on
March 16, 2006, and referred to the Committee on House Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure, which held a markup and ordered it to
be reported by a voice vote on March 30, 2006.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution authorizes no
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.

**[Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Joelle Cannon,
<joelle.cannon@mail.house.gov>, X69717

**H.Con.Res. 371 --- Honoring and congratulating the Minnesota National
Guard, on its 150th anniversary, for its spirit of dedication and
service to the State of Minnesota and the Nation and recognizing that
the role of the National Guard, the Nation's citizen-soldier based
militia, which was formed before the United States Army, has been and
still is extremely important to the security and freedom of the Nation
--- *as introduced* (Kennedy, R-MN)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The resolution is scheduled for
consideration on Wednesday, April 5, 2006, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.J.Res. 81 resolves that Congress

-   "honors and congratulates the Minnesota National Guard for its
    spirit of dedication and service to the State of Minnesota and to
    the Nation on its 150th anniversary; and

-   "recognizes that the role of the National Guard, the Nation's
    citizen-soldier based militia, which was formed before the United
    States Army, has been and still is extremely important to the
    security and freedom of the Nation."

**[Additional Information]{.underline}**: The resolution lists a number
of findings, including the following:

-   "the Minnesota National Guard traces its origins to the formation of
    the Pioneer Guard in the Minnesota territory in 1856, two years
    before Minnesota became the 32nd State in the Union;

-   "during the Civil War the First Minnesota Infantry regiment saw
    battle at Bull Run, Antietam, and Gettysburg;

-   "during a critical moment in the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3,
    1863, 262 soldiers of the First Minnesota Infantry, along with other
    Union forces, bravely charged and stopped Confederate troops
    attacking the center of the Union position on Cemetery Ridge;

-   "only 47 men answered the roll after this valiant charge, earning
    the First Minnesota Infantry the highest casualty rate of any unit
    in the Civil War;

-   "the Minnesota National Guard was mobilized for duty in World War I,
    where many Minnesotans saw duty in France, including the 151st Field
    Artillery, which saw duty as part of the famed 42nd 'Rainbow'
    Division;

-   men of the Minnesota National Guard\'s 175th Field Artillery, as
    part of the 34th 'Red Bull' Division, became the first American
    Division to be deployed to Europe in January of 1942;

-   "Minnesota National Guard troops have helped keep the peace in the
    former Yugoslavia, including 1,100 troops who have seen service in
    Bosnia, Croatia, and Kosovo;

-   "over 11,000 members of the Minnesota National Guard have been
    called up for full-time service since the September 11th terrorist
    attacks; and

-   "on April 17, 2006, the Minnesota National Guard will celebrate its
    150th anniversary along with its historical and recent
    accomplishments."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: The resolution was introduced on
March 30, 2006, and referred to the Committee on Armed Services, which
took no official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution authorizes no
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.

**[Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Joelle Cannon,
<joelle.cannon@mail.house.gov>, X69717

H.Con.Res. 370 --- Expressing the sense of the Congress that Saudi
Arabia should fully live up to its World Trade Organization commitments
and end all aspects of any boycott on Israel --- *as introduced* (Shaw,
R-FL)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The resolution is scheduled for
consideration on Wednesday, April 5, 2006, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 370 expresses the sense of
Congress that:

-   "Saudi Arabia should maintain and fully live up to its commitments
    under the World Trade Organization (WTO) and end all aspects of any
    boycott on Israel; and

-   "the President, the United States Trade Representative, and the
    Secretary of State---

    -   "should continue their active involvement on this issue by
        strongly urging the Government of Saudi Arabia to comply with
        its WTO obligations; and

    -   "should urge Saudi Arabia to end any boycott on Israel."

**[Additional Information]{.underline}**: The resolution lists a number
of findings, including the following:

-   "the United States supported the accession of Saudi Arabia to the
    World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2005;

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-   "as part of the working party report for the accession of Saudi
    Arabia to the WTO, Saudi Arabia reiterated its commitment to
    terminate the secondary and tertiary boycotts on Israel;

-   Saudi Arabia also committed not to discriminate against any WTO
    members and specifically did not invoke the non-application
    provisions of the WTO Agreement, and thus has rights and obligations
    to all WTO members, including Israel;

-   "in spite of these commitments to WTO members and United States
    officials, press reports indicate that an official of the Government
    of Saudi Arabia has stated that Saudi Arabia has not committed to
    ending the primary boycott on Israel, which would violate Saudi
    Arabia's WTO obligations toward Israel;

-   "United States Trade Representative Portman has testified to the
    Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives that
    Saudi Arabia's application of the boycott is a 'big concern' of the
    United States; that Saudi Arabia did not invoke non-application of
    WTO commitments to Israel, so that Saudi Arabia is required to
    provide nondiscriminatory treatment to Israel; and that the United
    States Trade Representative has received assurances from Saudi
    Arabia that it will abide by its WTO commitments; and

-   "the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) scheduled its
    'Ninth Meeting of the Liaison Officers of Islamic Regional Officers
    for the Boycott of Israel' for the week of March 13, 2006, at the
    OIC's headquarters in Saudi Arabia."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: The resolution was introduced on
March 29, 2006, and referred to the House Committees on Ways and Means
and International Relations, neither of which took any official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution authorizes no
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.

**[Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Joelle Cannon,
<joelle.cannon@mail.house.gov>, X69717

H.Res. 737 --- Supporting the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy
Month --- *as introduced* (Biggert, R-IL)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** The resolution is scheduled for
consideration on Wednesday, April 5, 2006, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

Earlier in the 109^th^ Congress, the House passed an almost identical
resolution, H. Res. 148, by a vote of 409 - 2 ([Roll no.
95](http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll095.xml)). In the 108^th^
Congress, the House passed two substantively similar resolutions: H.Res.
127 (by a vote of 380-1) and H.Res. 578 (by a vote of 391-0).

**[Summary]{.underline}:** H.Res. 737 would support the goals and ideals
of Financial Literacy Month. The resolution resolves that the House of
Representatives

-   "supports the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month,
    including raising public awareness about the importance of financial
    education in the United States and the serious consequences that may
    result from a lack of understanding about personal finances; and

-   "requests that the President issue a proclamation calling on the
    Federal Government, States, localities, schools, nonprofit
    organizations, businesses, other entities, and the people of the
    United States to observe the month with appropriate programs and
    activities with the goal of increasing financial literacy rates for
    individuals of all ages and walks of life."

[**Additional Background**:]{.underline} Congress established the
Financial Literacy and Education Commission in H.R. 2622 (Section 513 of
Public Law 108-159) in 2003.

According to the resolution's findings, April has been designated as
"Financial Literacy Month" to educate the public on the need to increase
financial literacy throughout the nation by the National Council on
Economic Education and the Jump\$tart Coalition for Personal Financial
Literacy.

Also found in the resolution's findings are the following statements:

-   "a study completed in 2004 by the Jump\$tart Coalition for Personal
    Financial Literacy found that high school seniors know less about
    principles of basic personal finance than did high school seniors 7
    years earlier;

-   "studies show that as many as 10 million households in the United
    States are 'unbanked' or are without access to mainstream bank
    products and services; and

-   "Congress sought to implement a national strategy for coordination
    of Federal financial literacy efforts through the establishment of
    the Financial Literacy and Education Commission (FLEC) in 2003, the
    designation of the Office of Financial Education of the Department
    of the Treasury to provide support for the Commission, and
    requirements that the Commission\'s materials, website, toll-free
    hotline, annual report, and national multimedia campaign be
    multilingual."

For more information on the Jump\$tart Coalition, visit this website:

<http://www.jumpstart.org/>.

For more information on the National Council on Economic Education,
visit this website:

<http://www.ncee.net/>.

According to GuideStar, neither the Jump\$tart Coalition nor the
National Council on

Economic Education receives government funds. For more information,
visit this webpage:

[http://www.guidestar.org](http://www.guidestar.org/).

**[Conservative Concerns:]{.underline}** Some conservatives may be
concerned that while Congress has passed three resolutions encouraging
financial literacy for both youths and adults alike in the past two
years, this Congress is currently residing over a record budget deficit
of \$400 billion, and has not passed a balanced budget since FY2000.
Further, the United States public debt is approximately \$8.2 trillion
and counting.

According to Article I, Section 7, Clause 1 of the Constitution, "all
bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of
Representatives..."

[**Committee Action**:]{.underline} H.Res. 737 was introduced on March
28, 2006, and referred to the Committee on Government Reform. The bill
was marked-up on March 30, 2006, and it was reported to the House by
unanimous consent.

[**Cost to Taxpayers**:]{.underline} The resolution authorizes 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.

**[RSC Staff Contact:]{.underline}** Derek V. Baker;
[derek.baker@mail.house.gov](mailto:Derek.baker@mail.house.gov);
202-226-8585

**H.R. 4688 --- Mayor John Thompson "Tom" Garrison Memorial Post Office
Designation Act --- *as introduced* (Hayes, R-NC)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, April 5, 2006, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: The bill designates the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at 1 Boyden Street in Badin, North
Carolina, as the "Mayor John Thompson 'Tom' Garrison Memorial Post
Office."

**[Additional Information:]{.underline}** John Thompson "Tom" Garrison,
was the former mayor of Badin, North Carolina. He died at the age of 80
in October 2005. Rebecca Anne Marbry Garrison, his wife of fifty-five
years, preceded him in death. In September of 1943, Mr. Garrison entered
the Army and played an active role in the European Theater of Operations
for 22 months during WWII. He was awarded the Silver Star and other
military honors. Mr. Garrison's professional career was in the insurance
and real estate fields until his retirement in 1995. He was an active
member of the First Baptist Church in Albemarle for over 50 years.
(Source:
<http://www.legacy.com/charlotte/DeathNotices.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=15434081>)

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: On February 1, 2006, the bill was
introduced and referred to the House Committee on Government Reform,
which marked it up and reported it to the full House by unanimous
consent on March 9, 2006.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The only costs associated with a
postal facility 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}**: Sheila Cole,
sheila.cole@mail.house.gov (202) 226-9719

**H.R. 4561 --- Francisco "Pancho" Medrano Post Office Building
Designation Act --- *as introduced* (*Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-TX*)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, April 5, 2006, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: The bill designates the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at 8624 Ferguson Road in Dallas,
Texas, shall be known and designated as the "Francisco 'Pancho' Medrano
Post Office Building."

**[Additional Information:]{.underline}** According to an April 4, 2002,
*Dallas Morning News* story about his death at age 81, Francisco
"Pancho" Medrano Sr., was the "patriarch of what was once Dallas' most
powerful political family\..." The son of a Mexican laborer, he was a
pivotal force for bringing Hispanics into the city's mainstream and
quashing discrimination. He served on the Dallas Park and Recreation
Board from 1997 to 2001, though he is remembered for his contributions
that largely began with the civil rights movement of the 1960s. "Outside
Dallas, Mr. Medrano is known for his five decades of union and civil
rights work with the United Automobile Workers. He began organizing a
union for the North American Aviation plant in Dallas prior to World War
II. During his half century with the union, he integrated lunch counters
in Dallas, took part in civil rights marches in the Deep South and
organized farm workers in the Texas valley with the late civil rights
leader and union organizer César Chávez. Along the way he was a
successful heavy-weight prize fighter and an aircraft jig builder."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: On December 15, 2005, the bill was
introduced and referred to the House Committee on Government Reform,
which marked it up and reported it to the full House by unanimous
consent on March 30, 2006.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The only costs associated with a
postal facility 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}**: Sheila Cole,
sheila.cole@mail.house.gov (202) 226-9719

**H.R. 4646 --- Coach John Wooden Post Office Building Designation Act
--- *as introduced* (*Sherman, D-CA*)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, April 5, 2006, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: The bill designates the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at 7320 Reseda Boulevard in Reseda,
California, shall be known and designated as the "Coach John Wooden Post
Office Building."

**[Additional Information:]{.underline}** According to the Basketball
Hall of Fame, "John Wooden was a fabulous basketball player before
becoming the most successful coach in college basketball history." He
was All-State in high school, and at Purdue University was called the
"Indiana Rubber Man." He was a three-time Helms Athletic Foundation
All-America and named College Player of the Year in 1932, the year
Purdue won the national championship. While he was coach of UCLA, the
Bruins set all-time records with four perfect 30-0 seasons, 88
consecutive victories, 38 straight NCAA tournament victories, 20 PAC 10
championships, and 10 national championships, including seven in a row.
Six times, John Wooden was named Coach of the Year, and he is one of
only three people enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a
player and a coach. (Source:
<http://www.hoophall.com/halloffamers/Wooden.htm>)

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: On December 18, 2005, the bill was
introduced and referred to the House Committee on Government Reform,
which marked it up and reported it to the full House by unanimous
consent on March 30, 2006.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The only costs associated with a
postal facility 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}**: Sheila Cole,
sheila.cole@mail.house.gov (202) 226-9719

**H.Res. 556 --- Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives
that a National Methamphetamine Prevention Week should be established to
increase awareness of methamphetamine and to educate the public on ways
to help prevent the use of that damaging narcotic --- *as introduced*
*(Rep. Baird, D-WA)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The resolution is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, April 5, 2006, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: The resolution has 11 findings and resolves
that it is the sense of the House of Representatives that:

> "**a National Methamphetamine Prevention Week should be established**
> to increase awareness of methamphetamine and educate the public on
> effective ways to help prevent methamphetamine use at the
> international, Federal, State, and local levels; and
>
> "the people of the United States and interested groups should be
> encouraged to observe National Methamphetamine Prevention Week with
> appropriate ceremonies and activities" (emphasis added).

**[Note:]{.underline}** This resolution violates the spirit of the House
Rules enacted by the Republican Congress on the first day of the 104^th^
Congress. The 104^th^ Congress changed House rules to prohibit a bill
from being considered on the House floor if "it establishes or expresses
a commemoration", which is defined as "a remembrance, celebration, or
recognition for any purpose through the designation of a specified
period of time"
(<http://clerk.house.gov/legisAct/legisProc/rules/rule12.html>).

The resolution states that "a National Methamphetamine Prevention Week
should be established." Because the resolution states that a week should
exist and technically does not establish a month, the parliamentarian's
office will likely rule that it is allowable under House rules.

**[Additional Information:]{.underline}** According to the resolution's
findings, methamphetamine is a highly addictive, man-made drug that can
be injected, snorted, smoked, or ingested orally, the effects of which
include feelings of euphoria that last for up to 24 hours and psychotic
behavior such as auditory hallucinations, mood disturbances, delusions,
and paranoia, potentially causing the user to experience homicidal or
suicidal thoughts as well as violent behavior and brain damage.

Meth is typically produced in clandestine laboratories, known as "meth
labs," using a variety of volatile and toxic ingredients available in
stores, and presents a danger to the individual preparing the
methamphetamine, the community surrounding the laboratory, and the law
enforcement personnel who discover the laboratory. The National
Association of Counties has conducted surveys with law enforcement and
child welfare officials in more than 500 counties, and found that 40
percent of all the child welfare officials in the survey reported
increased out-of-home placements of children due to methamphetamine use.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: On November 16, 2005, the bill was
introduced and referred to the House Committee on Government Reform,
which marked it up and reported it to the full House by unanimous
consent on March 9, 2006.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution has no cost.

**[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}**: Sheila Cole,
sheila.cole@mail.house.gov (202) 226-9719

**H.Con.Res. 366 --- To congratulate the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration on the 25th anniversary of the first flight of the Space
Transportation System, to honor Commander John Young and the Pilot
Robert Crippen, who flew Space Shuttle Columbia on April 12-14, 1981, on
its first orbital test flight, and to commend the men and women of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration and all those supporting
America's space program for their accomplishments and their role in
inspiring the American people --- *as introduced* (Calvert, R-CA)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The resolution is scheduled for
consideration on Wednesday, April 5, 2006, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 366 resolves the following sense
of the House of Representatives:

-   "congratulates the National Aeronautics and Space Administration on
    the 25th anniversary of the first flight of the Space Transportation
    System;

-   "honors Commander John Young and the Pilot Robert Crippen, who flew
    Space Shuttle Columbia on April 12-14, 1981, on its first orbital
    test flight; and

-   "commends the men and women of the National Aeronautics and Space
    Administration and all those supporting America's space program for
    their accomplishments and their role in inspiring the American
    people."

**[Additional Information]{.underline}**: The resolution lists a number
of findings, including the following:

-   "Space Shuttle Columbia was the first manned, reusable spacecraft
    that was flown into orbit without benefit of previous unmanned
    orbital test flights;

-   "the Space Shuttle Columbia was the first spacecraft to launch with
    wings, using solid rocket boosters;

-   "the Space Shuttle program has allowed the United States to partner
    with other nations to build and to inhabit the International Space
    Station;

-   "the successful return to flight of the Space Shuttle represents the
    first leg of the Nation's Vision for Space Exploration;

-   "the very specialized and highly valued workforce of the Space
    Shuttle program will contribute greatly to the Vision for Space
    Exploration as we return to the Moon, and go on to Mars and beyond;
    and

-   "heroes such as John Young and Robert Crippen are a great
    inspiration to our next generation of Americans as they stimulate
    interest in the study of math and science."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 366 was introduced on
March 29, 2006, and referred to the House Committee on Science, which
took no official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution authorizes no
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-]{.underline}**

**[Sector Mandates?]{.underline}**: No.

**RSC Staff Contact**: Joelle Cannon; joelle.cannon@mail.house.gov;
(202) 226-9717.

**H.Res. 541 --- Honoring Drs. Roy J. Glauber, John L. Hall, and Theodor
W. Hansch for being awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for 2005, and
Drs. Yves Chauvin, Robert H. Grubbs, and Richard R. Schrock for being
awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2005, and for other purposes
--- *as introduced* (Baird, R-WA)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The resolution is scheduled for
consideration on Wednesday, April 5, 2006, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 541 resolves that the House of
Representatives:

-   "recognizes and honors Drs. Roy J. Glauber, John L. Hall, and
    Theodor W. Hansch;

-   "recognizes and honors Drs. Yves Chauvin, Robert H. Grubbs, and
    Richard R. Schrock; and

-   "acknowledges the importance of National Institute of Standards and
    Technology research and its contributions to United States industry,
    academia, and government."

**[Additional Information]{.underline}**: The resolution lists a number
of findings, including the following:

-   "on October 10, 2005, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded
    the Nobel Prize in Physics for 2005 to Drs. Roy J. Glauber, John L.
    Hall, and Theodor W. Hansch for their pioneering discoveries in the
    field of optics;

-   "their contributions to the quantum theory of optical coherence and
    development of laser-based precision spectroscopy, including the
    optical frequency comb technique, has led to improvements in the
    accuracy of precision instruments such as GPS locators, atomic
    clocks, and navigation systems;

-   "John L. Hall recently retired from a long career with the National
    Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Quantum Physics
    Division, and was one of the founding fellows of the JILA, a joint
    Federal lab/university cooperative effort supporting research and
    post-graduate training;

-   "the NIST, founded in 1901, and its laboratories and collaborations
    with academia have contributed to the achievements of present and
    past Nobel Prize winners by supporting research that strengthens the
    global economic competitiveness of the United States through the
    development of technologies, measurement methods, and standards;

-   "John L. Hall is one of three NIST researchers to have received a
    Nobel Prize;

-   "on October 10, 2005, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded
    the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2005 to Drs. Yves Chauvin,
    Robert H. Grubbs, and Richard R. Schrock for their pioneering
    discoveries in the field of organic chemistry; and

-   "their research on metathesis reactions and the development of the
    metathesis method in organic synthesis has resulted in a major
    advance for 'green chemistry' and the development of pharmaceuticals
    that can be made through methods that are more efficient and
    generate fewer hazardous wastes."

Recent news stories have reported that Glauber and Hall have made
several comments regarding the current Congress and President Bush,
inferring that decisions to fund science initiatives and policies have
been motivated by politics and not policy or knowledge. To view more
information about these statements, please visit:

<http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2005-12-08-nobellaureates_x.htm?csp=34>.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Res. 541 was introduced on
November 11, 2005, and referred to the House Committee on Science, which
took no official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution authorizes no
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-]{.underline}**

**[Sector Mandates?]{.underline}**: No.

**RSC Staff Contact**: Joelle Cannon; joelle.cannon@mail.house.gov;
(202) 226-9717.

**\###**