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# Legislative Bulletin...........................................February 8, 2006

> **Contents:**
>
> **H.Res. 670** --- Congratulating the National Football League
> champion Pittsburgh Steelers for winning Super Bowl XL and completing
> one of the greatest postseason runs in professional sports history
>
> **H.R. 4456** --- Hattie Caraway Station Post Office Designation Act
>
> **H.Res. 389** --- Supporting the goals and ideals of The Year of the
> Museum
>
> **H.Res. 660 -** Supporting the goals and ideals of National Mentoring
> Month
>
> **H.Res. 657** -- Honoring the contributions of Catholic schools
>
> **H.Con.Res. 331 -** Honoring the sacrifice and courage of the 12 coal
> miners killed and the stamina and courage of the one who survived the
> mine disaster in Sago, West Virginia, and the sacrifice and courage of
> the two coal miners killed in the Aracoma Alma mine disaster, and
> recognizing the rescue crews for their outstanding efforts in the
> aftermath of the tragedies

H.Res. 670 --- Congratulating the National Football League champion
Pittsburgh Steelers for winning the Super Bowl XL and completing one of
the greatest postseason runs in professional sports history --- *as
introduced* (Murphy, R-PA)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** The resolution is scheduled for
consideration on Wednesday, February 8, 2006, under a motion to suspend
the rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}:** H.Res. 670 congratulates the Pittsburgh
Steelers for winning Super Bowl XL (40). The resolution states, among
other findings, that:

-   "The Pittsburgh Steelers won Super Bowl XL by defeating the Seattle
    Seahawks 21--10 in Detroit, Michigan, on February 5, 2006;

-   "With this victory, the Pittsburgh Steelers franchise has tied the
    San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys for the most Super Bowl
    championships in National Football League history with 5 each;

-   "For 73 years, the people of the City of Pittsburgh have seen
    themselves in the grit, tenacity, and achievement of the Pittsburgh
    Steelers franchise, and they proudly celebrate the team's 5th Super
    Bowl championship."

The resolution resolves that the House of Representatives congratulates
the National Football League champion Pittsburgh Steelers for winning
Super Bowl XL and completing one of the greatest postseason runs in
professional sports history.

[**Committee Action**:]{.underline} H.Res. 670 was introduced on
Tuesday, February 7, 2006, and referred to the Committee on Government
Reform, which took no official action.

[**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. 4456 --- Hattie Caraway Station Post Office Designation Act --- *as
introduced* (*Berry, D-AR*)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** The bill is scheduled for
consideration on Wednesday, February 8, 2006, under a motion to suspend
the rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}:** H.R. 4456 would designate the facility of the
United States Postal Service located at 2404 Race Street in Jonesboro,
Arkansas, as the "Hattie Caraway Station."

[**Additional Information**:]{.underline} Mrs. Hattie Caraway was a
former U.S. Senator from Arkansas. Her husband, Thaddeus Horatius
Caraway, was first elected to Congress in 1912 and to the Senate in
1920. He had just been reelected to the U.S. Senate when he died
unexpectedly in 1931. Arkansas Governor Harvey Parnell then appointed
Hattie Caraway to her husband's Senate seat. She was sworn in on
December 9, 1931 and was confirmed in a special election on January 12,
1932. She thus became the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate. She
was reelected in 1938, and ran again in 1944, losing to then-Congressman
William Fulbright.

[**Committee Action**:]{.underline} H.R. 4456 introduced on December 7,
2005, and referred to the Committee on Government Reform. The bill was
marked-up on February 6, 2006, and reported to the House by unanimous
consent.

[**Cost to Taxpayers**:]{.underline} A CBO score of H.R. 4456 is
unavailable, but the only costs associated with a 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}** Derek V. Baker;
[derek.baker@mail.house.gov](mailto:Derek.baker@mail.house.gov);
202-226-8585

H.Res. 389 --- Supporting the goals and ideals of The Year of the Museum
--- *as introduced* (*Slaughter, D-NY*)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** The resolution is scheduled for
consideration on Wednesday February 8, 2006, under a motion to suspend
the rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}:** H.Res. 389 would support "the goals and
ideals of The Year of the Museum." The resolution states, among other
findings, that:

-   "museums are institutions of public service and education that
    foster exploration, study, observation, critical thinking,
    contemplation and dialogue to advance a greater public knowledge,
    understanding, and appreciation of history, science, the arts, and
    the natural world;

-   "the Nation\'s more than 16,000 museums found in 9 out of every 10
    counties in the United States receive approximately 865,000,000
    visits annually from people of all ages and backgrounds, with
    attendance being free at more than half of these museums."

The resolution resolves that the House of Representatives:

1)  "supports the goals and ideals of The Year of the Museum; and

2)  "requests that the President issue a proclamation calling upon the
    people of the United States to observe such a year with appropriate
    programs and activities."

For more information on the Year of the Museum, visit the American
Association of Museums website at:
<http://www.aam-us.org/sp/yom/learnmore.cfm>

[**Committee Action**:]{.underline} H.Res. 389 was introduced on July
26, 2005, and referred to the Committee on Government Reform. The bill
was marked-up on September 29, 2005, and 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. 660 - Supporting the goals and ideals of National Mentoring
Month** ---***as introduced* (Osborne, R-NE)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The resolution is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, February 8th, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 22 resolves that the House of
Representatives:

-   "supports the goals and ideals of National Mentoring Month;

-   "acknowledges the hard work of individuals and groups who promote
    mentoring and who are observing the month with appropriate
    ceremonies and activities that promote awareness of and volunteer
    involvement with youth mentoring; and

-   "recognizes with gratitude the contributions of the millions of
    caring adults who are already serving as mentors and encourages more
    adults to volunteer as mentors."

**[Additional Information]{.underline}:** The resolution lists the
following findings regarding youth mentoring:

-   "youth mentoring is a centuries-old concept, through which a
    dependable adult provides guidance, support, and encouragement to
    help a young person become a responsible, productive adult;

-   "mentoring, when done well, helps young people stay in school and
    improve academically, boosts self-esteem and communication skills,
    and improves the chances of going on to higher education;

-   "there are thousands of mentoring programs in communities of all
    sizes across the United States, focused on building strong,
    effective relationships between caring and responsible adults and
    young people who need positive adult role models;

-   "in spite of the great benefits mentoring provides, America has a
    serious mentoring gap, with more than 15 million young people
    currently in need of caring adult role models;

-   "the demand for mentoring far exceeds the current capacity of local
    mentoring programs and the number of adults who currently volunteer
    as mentors;

-   "on December 22, 2005, the President designated January 2006 as
    National Mentoring Month to focus the Nation\'s attention on the
    essential role mentoring plays in the lives of young people;

-   "the month-long celebration of mentoring will encourage more
    individuals and organizations, including schools, businesses,
    nonprofit organizations, faith institutions, and foundations, to
    become engaged in mentoring; and

-   "National Mentoring Month will, most importantly, build awareness of
    mentoring and recruit more individuals to become mentors, helping
    close our Nation\'s mentoring gap."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: On January 31, 2006, the bill was
introduced and referred to the House Committee on Education and the
Workforce, 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.

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Joelle Cannon;
<joelle.cannon@mail.house.gov>, (202) 226-9717

H.Res. 657 -- Honoring the contributions of Catholic schools

(Kennedy, R-MN)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The resolution is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, February 8, under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the bill.

**Note:** In 2003, 2004, and 2005 the House passed similar resolutions,
H.Res. 26 by a vote of 398-1
(<http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2003/roll013.xml>), H.Res. 492 by a vote of
398-1 (<http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2004/roll002.xml>), H.Res. 23 by a
vote of 408-0 (<http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll014.xml>)

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 657 would resolve that the House:

> "(1) supports the goals of Catholic Schools Week, an event
> co-sponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association and the
> United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and established to
> recognize the vital contributions of America\'s thousands of Catholic
> elementary and secondary schools; and
>
> "(2) congratulates Catholic schools, students, parents, and teachers
> across the Nation for their ongoing contributions to education, and
> for the key role they play in promoting and ensuring a brighter,
> stronger future for this Nation."

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: January 29 to February 4, 2006,
has been designated as

Catholic Schools Week by the National Catholic Educational Association
and the United

States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The theme of the 2006 Catholic
Schools Week

is: "Catholic Schools: Character. Compassion. Values." According to one
of the week's sponsors, "Catholic Schools Week celebrates education that
goes beyond preparation for a secular life; it is an education that
prepares students for a Christian life." The week also "build\[s\]

community awareness of, and involvement in, Catholic schools throughout
the country"

(Source: <http://www.ncea.org/newinfo/nceacommunications/csw-fact.asp>).

The resolution's findings note that Catholic schools "ensure a broad,
values-added education emphasizing the lifelong development of moral,
intellectual, physical, and social values in America's young people" and
"produce students strongly dedicated to their faith, values, families,
and communities by providing an intellectually stimulating environment
rich in spiritual, character, and moral development." The total Catholic
school student enrollment for the 2005-2006 academic year is
approximately 2.5 million and the student-teacher ratio is 15 to 1, with
more than 27 percent of students from minority backgrounds.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: On January 31, 2006, the resolution
was introduced and referred to the Education and Workforce Committee,
which took no official action.

**[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.

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}** Sheila Cole; 202-226-9719;
sheila.cole@mail.house.gov

**H.Con.Res. 331 -- Honoring the sacrifice and courage of the 12 coal
miners killed and the stamina and courage of the one who survived the
mine disaster in Sago, West Virginia, and the sacrifice and courage of
the two coal miners killed in the Aracoma Alma mine disaster, and
recognizing the rescue crews for their outstanding efforts in the
aftermath of the tragedies ---**

***as introduced* (Capito, R-WV)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The resolution is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, February 8th, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 331 resolves that Congress:

-   "recognizes Thomas Anderson, Alva Martin Bennett, Jim Bennett, Jerry
    Groves, George Hamner Jr., Terry Helms, David Lewis, Martin Toler,
    Fred Ware Jr., Jack Weaver, Jesse Jones, and Marshall Winans for
    their sacrifice in the Sago, West Virginia, coal mine;

-   "recognizes Don Israel Bragg and Ellery 'Elvis' Hatfield for their
    sacrifice in the Aracoma Alma, West Virginia coal mine;

-   "extends the deepest condolences of the Nation to the families of
    these men;

-   "recognizes Randal McCloy for his stamina and courage that enabled
    him to survive in severe conditions for over 40 hours;

-   "recognizes the rescue crews for their outstanding effort resulting
    in the safe rescue of Randal McCloy; and

-   "recognizes the many volunteers who provided support for the miners'
    families during the rescue operations."

**[Additional Information]{.underline}:** According to the resolution,
"coal generates more than half of domestic electricity... \[and\] West
Virginia is the Nation's second largest coal producing State. ...An
average of 7,600 pounds of coal per person per year is used in the
United States... \[and\] coal continues to be the economic engine for
many communities. Coal miners are among the most productive of all
American workers, producing 7 tons of coal per miner per day, which
results in coal consistently being the most cost-effective choice for
generating electricity in the United States."

On January 2, 2006, 13 miners from West Virginia were trapped for over
40 hours in the Sago mine. The following 12 miners lost their lives
while trapped in the mine: Thomas Anderson, Alva Martin Bennett, Jim
Bennett, Jerry Groves, George Hamner Jr., Terry Helms, David Lewis,
Martin Toler, Fred Ware Jr., Jack Weaver, Jesse Jones, and Marshall
Winans. Randal McCloy was the only miner to be safely rescued. Only two
weeks later, Don Israel Bragg and Ellery Hatfield also died in the
Aracoma Alma Mine in West Virginia.

The RSC prepared a document outlining information on occupational
fatalities. To view this document, please click here:
<http://www.house.gov/pence/rsc/doc/010506_Occupational_Fatalities.doc>.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: On January 31, 2006, the bill was
introduced and referred to the House Committee on Education and the
Workforce, which took no official action.

**[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}**: Joelle Cannon;
<joelle.cannon@mail.house.gov>, (202) 226-9717