![](media/image1.jpeg){width="6.489583333333333in"
height="1.15625in"}**Legislative
Bulletin...........................................March 6, 2007**

> **Contents:**
>
> **H.Res. 98**---Honoring the life and achievements of the late Dr.
> John Garang de Mabior and reaffirming the continued commitment of the
> House of Representatives to a just and lasting peace in the Republic
> of the Sudan
>
> **H.R. 987---**NATO Freedom Consolidation Act
>
> **H.Res. 149**---Supporting the goals of International Women's Day
>
> **H.Res. 180**---Honoring the life and achievements of Leo T. McCarthy
> and expressing profound sorrow on his death
>
> **H.Res. 162**---Recognizing the contributions of the Negro Baseball
> Leagues and their players
>
> **H.Con.Res. 62** --- Supporting the goals and ideals of a National
> Children and Families Day, in order to encourage adults in the United
> States to support and listen to children and to help children
> throughout the Nation achieve their hopes and dreams
>
> **H.R. 710** --- Living Kidney Organ Donation Act
>
> **H.R. 584** --- To designate the headquarters building of the
> Department of Education in Washington, DC, as the Lyndon Baines
> Johnson Federal Building
>
> **H.R. 544** --- To designate the United States courthouse at South
> Federal Place in Santa Fe, New Mexico, as the "Santiago E. Campos
> United States Courthouse"
>
> **H.R. 399** --- To designate the United States Courthouse to be
> constructed in Jackson, Mississippi, as the "R. Jess Brown United
> States Courthouse"
>
> **H.Res. 182** --- Commending and congratulating Virginia State
> University on the occasion of its 125th anniversary

H.Res. 98---Honoring the life and achievements of the late Dr. John
Garang de Mabior and reaffirming the continued commitment of the House
of Representatives to a just and lasting peace in the Republic of the
Sudan (*Payne, D-NJ*)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The resolution is scheduled to be
considered on Tuesday, March 6^th^, under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 98 would resolve that the House:

-   "honors the life and achievements of Dr. John Garang de Mabior;

-   "reaffirms its commitment to a just and lasting peace in the
    Republic of the Sudan;

-   "calls for full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement
    without any delay;

-   "strongly urges the people of southern Sudan and its leaders to
    continue to support Dr. Garang's vision for a new Sudan;

-   "strongly supports the creation of a Dr. John Garang de Mabior
    Institute for Agriculture, Peace, and Economic Development; *\[no
    details provided on what that is or where it would be\]* and

-   "directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to transmit an
    enrolled copy of this resolution to the Secretary of State with a
    request that the Secretary transmit it to Dr. Garang's widow,
    Rebecca Garang, and to the Government of Southern Sudan, through the
    Office of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) in the
    District of Columbia."

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: Dr. John Garang de Mabior was
the founder and leader of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army
(SPLM/A), a rebel movement made up primarily of Christians and animists
who opposed the imposition of Islamic law from the north.

As the resolution points out, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which
was signed by the Government of Sudan and the SPLM/A on January 9, 2005
largely due to Dr. Garang's efforts, "gave southern Sudan the right to
self-determination through a referendum after six years and also offered
the northern establishment in Sudan the opportunity to make unity
attractive during the interim period."

On July 8, 2005, Dr. Garang was sworn in as First Vice President of
Sudan, a sign that Sudanese unity might be possible. Yet just three
weeks later, he was killed in a helicopter crash on his way back from a
meeting with the Uganda president.

To view a compelling photo-biography of Dr. Garang, visit this website:
<http://www.sudan.com/news/garang_obit/index.html>.

**[RSC Bonus Fact]{.underline}**: Bad weather is blamed for the
helicopter crash, which also took the lives of six of Dr. Garang's
colleagues and seven Ugandan officials, but many in southern Sudan
believe that foul play was involved.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: On January 24, 2007, the resolution
was referred to the Foreign Affairs Committee, which, on February
15^th^, marked up and ordered the resolution reported to the full House
by voice vote.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution would authorize a
budgetarily insignificant expenditure (transmitting a copy of the
enrolled resolution).

**[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}**: Paul S. Teller,
<paul.teller@mail.house.gov>, (202) 226-9718

H.R. 987---NATO Freedom Consolidation Act (*Tanner, D-TN*)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled to be
considered on Tuesday, March 6^th^, under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the bill.

This bill is similar to the bill that passed the Senate last year (S.
4014) but was never considered by the House.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 987 would designate the countries of
Albania, Croatia, Georgia, Macedonia, and Ukraine as eligible to receive
assistance under the NATO Participation Act of 1994 (Title II of Public
Law 103-447), which established a program to help former communist
countries transition to NATO membership. The original program included
Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. The program
authorizes the President to provide to transitioning countries excess
defense articles, military education and training funds and services,
and cash. The bill would authorize such sums as may be necessary for
FY2008 for these transitioning countries.

H.R. 987 also contains a list of findings, tracing the history of NATO
enlargement since the fall of the Soviet Union, as well as congressional
actions supporting such enlargement. Also included are three statements
of policy, showing continued support for NATO enlargement and for the
countries of Albania, Croatia, Georgia, Macedonia, and Ukraine
specifically.

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: On March 29, 2004, seven new
countries formally joined NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization:
Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia.
This was the fifth, and the largest, round of enlargement in NATO's
history. Currently, three countries, Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia,
are members of NATO's Membership Action Plan (MAP), designed to assist
aspiring partner countries meet NATO standards and prepare for possible
future membership.

For more information on NATO enlargement, visit this webpage:
<http://www.nato.int/issues/enlargement/index.html>.

For more information on NATO, visit this website:
<http://www.nato.int/>.

**[RSC Bonus Fact]{.underline}**: NATO intends to extend further
invitations to join NATO to qualifying countries at its next summit, in
2008.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: On February 12, 2007, the resolution
was referred to the Foreign Affairs Committee, which, on February
15^th^, marked up and ordered the resolution reported to the full House
by voice vote.

**[Administration Position]{.underline}**: The Administration has
explicitly supported NATO membership for Albania, Croatia, and
Macedonia. As to Georgia and Ukraine, the Administration has said that
it will consider NATO membership for them "when the time is right."
<http://nationaljournal.com/members/markups/2007/02/mr_20070215_3.htm>

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: A CBO cost estimate of the
authorizations in this bill is unavailable.

**[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.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: A committee report citing
constitutional authority is unavailable.

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

H.Res. 149---Supporting the goals of International Women's Day
(*Schakowsky, D-IL*)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The resolution is scheduled to be
considered on Tuesday, March 6^th^, under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 149 would resolve that the House:

-   "supports the goals of International Women's Day;

-   "recognizes and honors the women in the United States and in other
    countries who have fought and continue to struggle for equality in
    the face of adversity;

-   "reaffirms its commitment to ending discrimination and violence
    against women and girls, to ensuring the safety and welfare of women
    and girls, and to pursuing policies that guarantee the basic human
    rights of women and girls both in the United States and in other
    countries; and

-   "encourages the President to\--

> \--reaffirm his commitment to pursue policies to protect fundamental
> human rights and civil liberties, particularly those of women and
> girls; and
>
> \--issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States
> to observe International Women's Day with appropriate programs and
> activities."

The resolution contains a variety of findings about the importance of
females, including:

-   "Whereas women leaders have recently made significant strides,
    including the 2007 election of Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi as the
    first female Speaker of the House of Representatives, the 2006
    election of Michelle Bachelet as the first female President of
    Chile, the 2006 election of Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf as the first
    female President in Africa's history, and the 2005 election of
    Angela Merkel as the first female Chancellor of Germany, who will
    also serve as the second woman to chair a G8 summit beginning in
    2007;

-   "Whereas women account for 80 percent of the world's 70 million
    micro-borrowers, 75 percent of the 28,000 United States loans
    supporting small businesses in Afghanistan are made to women, and 11
    women are chief executive officers of Fortune 500 companies; and

-   "Whereas in the United States, women are graduating from high school
    at higher rates and are earning bachelors degrees or higher degrees
    at greater rates than men, with 88 percent of women between the ages
    of 25 and 29 having obtained a high school diploma and 31 percent of
    women between the ages of 25 and 29 earning a bachelors degree or
    higher."

The resolution also notes some of the challenges facing women,
including:

-   "Whereas worldwide women remain vastly underrepresented in national
    and local assemblies, accounting on average for less than 10 percent
    of the seats in parliament, except for in East Asia where the figure
    is approximately 18 to 19 percent, and in no developing region do
    women hold more than 8 percent of the ministerial positions;

-   "Whereas women work two-thirds of the world's working hours and
    produce half of the world's food, yet earn only 1 percent of the
    world's income and own less than 1 percent of the world's property;

-   "Whereas in the United States between 1995 and 2000, female managers
    earned less than their male counterparts in the 10 industries that
    employ the vast majority of all female employees;

-   "Whereas according to the United States Agency for International
    Development, two-thirds of the 876,000,000 illiterate individuals
    worldwide are women, two-thirds of the 125,000,000 school-aged
    children who are not attending school worldwide are girls, and girls
    are less likely to complete school than boys;

-   "Whereas domestic violence causes more deaths and disability among
    women between ages 15 and 44 than cancer, malaria, traffic
    accidents, and war;

-   "Whereas worldwide, at least 1 out of every 3 women and girls has
    been beaten in her lifetime;

-   "Whereas worldwide, 130,000,000 girls and young women have been
    subjected to female genital mutilation and it is estimated that
    10,000 girls are at risk of being subjected to this practice in the
    United States; and

-   "Whereas according to the Congressional Research Service and the
    Department of State, illegal trafficking in women and children for
    forced labor, domestic servitude, or sexual exploitation involves
    between 1,000,000 and 2,000,000 women and children each year, of
    whom 50,000 are transported into the United States."

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: International Women's Day
(IWD), which was born out of the Socialist Movement in the United States
in the early 20^th^ Century, has been celebrated on March 8^th^ for 90
years. International Women's Day is described on the IWD website as a
"global day connecting all women around the world and inspiring them to
achieve their full potential. IWD celebrates the collective power of
women past, present and future."

For more background on International Women's Day, visit this United
Nations webpage:
<http://www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/women/womday97.htm>, as well as
this webpage: <http://www.internationalwomensday.com/>.

**[RSC Bonus Fact]{.underline}**: The 104^th^ Congress changed the
[House Rules](http://www.rules.house.gov/ruleprec/110th.pdf) 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."  This rule is still in effect in the 110^th^
Congress. <http://www.rules.house.gov/ruleprec/110th.pdf>. Technically,
this resolution does not itself establish a commemorative day.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: On February 8, 2007, the resolution
was referred to the Foreign Affairs Committee, which, on February
15^th^, marked up and ordered the resolution reported to the full House
by voice vote.

**[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}**: Paul S. Teller,
<paul.teller@mail.house.gov>, (202) 226-9718

H.Res. 180---Honoring the life and achievements of Leo T. McCarthy and
expressing profound sorrow on his death (*Eshoo, D-CA*)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The resolution is scheduled to be
considered on Tuesday, March 6^th^, under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 180 would resolve that the House:

-   "expresses its profound sorrow and deep condolences to the McCarthy
    family on the occasion of the death of Leo McCarthy on February 5,
    2007; and

-   "directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to transmit a
    copy of this resolution to the family of Leo McCarthy."

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: Leo McCarthy was a Democrat
elected to the California Assembly in 1968 and served until 1982.
McCarthy was the Assembly's Speaker from 1974 to 1980. McCarthy was
elected Lieutenant Governor of the State of California three times,
serving from 1982 to 1994. The resolution notes that McCarthy
established the Feminization of Poverty Task Force, comprised of women
leaders from business executives to former welfare recipients to develop
ways to overcome economic barriers that confront women. The resolution
contains a lengthy list of other major legislative accomplishments for
McCarthy, ranging from toxic waste cleanup to mammography standards to
nursing home patient treatment. After retiring from public service, he
founded the Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common
Good at the University of San Francisco. McCarthy died on February 5,
2007.

For more information on McCarthy, visit these webpages:
<http://mccarthycenter.usfca.edu/about/founders/inmemoriam.html> and
<http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2007/02/07/MNMCCARTHY23.DTL&type=politics>.

**[RSC Bonus Fact]{.underline}**: Leo McCarthy was an immigrant from New
Zealand.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: On February 16, 2007, the resolution
was referred to the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which, on
February 28^th^, marked up and ordered the resolution reported to the
full House by unanimous consent.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution would authorize a
budgetarily insignificant expenditure (transmitting a copy of the
enrolled resolution).

**[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}**: Paul S. Teller,
<paul.teller@mail.house.gov>, (202) 226-9718

H.Res. 162---Recognizing the contributions of the Negro Baseball Leagues
and their players (*Cohen, D-TN*)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The resolution is scheduled to be
considered on Tuesday, March 6^th^, under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 162 would resolve that the House:

-   "recognizes the teams and players of the Negro Baseball Leagues for
    their achievements, dedication, sacrifices, and contributions to
    both baseball and our Nation; and

-   "requests that the President issue a proclamation recognizing 'Negro
    Leaguers Recognition Day'."

The resolution notes that "by achieving success on the baseball field,
African American baseball players helped break down color barriers and
integrate African Americans into all aspects of society in the United
States."

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: Six separate baseball leagues,
known collectively as the "Negro Baseball Leagues," were organized by
black Americans between 1920 and 1960. Major League Baseball did not
fully integrate its leagues until July 1959.

Jackie Robinson, whose career began with the Kansas City Monarchs of the
Negro American League, became the first black American to play in the
Major Leagues in April 1947, was named Major League Baseball Rookie of
the Year in 1947, subsequently led the Brooklyn Dodgers to six National
League pennants and a World Series championship, and was later inducted
into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

For more information on Negro Baseball Leagues, visit this website:
<http://www.negroleaguebaseball.com/>.

**[RSC Bonus Fact]{.underline}**: The 104^th^ Congress changed the
[House Rules](http://www.rules.house.gov/ruleprec/110th.pdf) 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."  This rule is still in effect in the 110^th^
Congress. <http://www.rules.house.gov/ruleprec/110th.pdf>. Technically,
this resolution does not itself establish a commemorative day.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: On February 14, 2007, the resolution
was referred to the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which, on
February 28^th^, marked up and ordered the resolution reported to the
full House by unanimous consent.

**[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}**: Paul S. Teller,
<paul.teller@mail.house.gov>, (202) 226-9718

H.Con.Res. 62 --- Supporting the goals and ideals of a National Children
and Families Day, in order to encourage adults in the United States to
support and listen to children and to help children throughout the
Nation achieve their hopes and dreams (Tom Davis, R-VA)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** The resolution is scheduled for
consideration on Tuesday, March 6, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

An almost identical resolution, H.Res. 763, passed the House during the
109^th^ Congress by a voice vote on June 6, 2006.

**Note:** The 104^th^ Congress changed the [House
Rules](http://www.rules.house.gov/ruleprec/110th.pdf) 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." This rule is still in effect in the 110^th^ Congress.

The resolution states in the findings that "Congress urges the
establishment of January, 2006 as National Stalking Awareness Month."
Because the resolution urges and does not establish a commemorative
month, the parliamentarian's office has ruled (in similar instances)
that it is allowable under House rules.

**[Summary]{.underline}:** H.Con.Res. 62 would resolve that the House of
Representatives supports the following goals and ideals of a National
Children and Families Day to:

-   "encourage adults to support, listen to, and encourage children
    throughout the Nation;

-   "reflect upon the important role that all families play in the lives
    of children; and

-   "recognize that strong, healthy families improve the quality of life
    and the development of children."

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

-   "research shows that spending time together as a family is critical
    to raising strong and resilient kids;

-   "strong healthy families improve the quality of life and the
    development of children;

-   "it is essential to celebrate and reflect upon the important role
    that all families play in the lives of children and their positive
    effect for the Nation's future; and

-   "the country's greatest natural resource is its children."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}:** H.Con.Res. 62 was introduced on
February 8, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Oversight and
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. 710 --- Living Kidney Organ Donation Act

(Norwood, R-GA; *Inslee, D-WA*)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** The bill is scheduled for
consideration on Tuesday, March 6, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill. [Note]{.underline}: This bill was originally
scheduled for Floor consideration last week but was pulled from the
calendar.

[Note]{.underline}: On February 13, 2007, long-time conservative
activist, Rep. Charlie Norwood lost his long battle with cancer.  RSC
Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) released [[this
statement]{.underline}](http://www.house.gov/hensarling/rsc/doc/CA_022007_hensarlingnorwood.doc)
in honor of Rep. Norwood.

**[Summary]{.underline}:** Current law prohibits any person from
knowingly acquiring, receiving, or otherwise transferring any human
organ for valuable consideration for use in human transplantation if the
transfer affects interstate commerce. H.R. 710 would provide that this
prohibition does not apply with respect to the paired donation of human
kidneys.

H.R. 710 provides the following definition of "paired donation of human
kidney:"

-   "the donation and receipt of human kidneys under the following
    circumstances:

```{=html}
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```
-   "An individual (referred to as the first donor) desires to make a
    living donation of a kidney specifically to a particular patient
    (referred to as the first patient), but such donor is biologically
    incompatible as a donor for such patient.

-   "A second individual (referred to as the 'second donor') desires to
    make a living donation of a kidney specifically to a second
    particular patient (referred to as the 'second patient'), but such
    donor is biologically incompatible as a donor for such patient.

-   "the first donor is biologically compatible as a donor of a kidney
    for the second patient, and the second donor is biologically
    compatible as a donor of a kidney for the first patient.

-   "If there is any additional donor-patient pair, each donor in the
    group of donor-patient pairs is biologically compatible as a donor
    of a kidney for a patient in such group.

-   "All donors and patients in the group of donor-patient pairs
    (whether two pairs or more than two pairs) enter into a single
    agreement to donate and receive such kidneys, respectively,
    according to such biological compatibility in the group."

In short, the paired donation system allows for those patients with a
willing, living donor, to be paired up with living donors for other
patients (also with living donors), so that biologically compatible
donors are found for individuals with living donors. For example, assume
that Patient A has a friend who is a living, willing donor (Donor A),
but Donor A is not biologically compatible (for example, has a different
blood type) with their friend. Then, assume that Patient B also has a
friend who is a living, willing donor (Donor B), but who also is not
compatible with this friend. However, Patient A is compatible with Donor
B, and Patient B is compatible with Donor A. The paired donation system
would allow these donors to provide kidneys to these patients, without
the patients being placed on the kidney donation list, waiting for a
kidney from a deceased individual.

**[Additional Information]{.underline}**: According to the sponsor's
office, "Currently, 73,000 Americans are in need of a kidney transplant.
The average wait time to receive a kidney is over 4 years. Paired
transplantation is a way to solve the dilemma faced by people who want
to become living organ donors for a family member or friend, but are
unable to do so because they are biologically incompatible. In the
process of kidney paired donor transplants, a pair consisting of a
kidney transplant candidate and an incompatible living donor is matched
with another such incompatible pair to enable two transplants that
otherwise would not occur.

The controversy over paired organ donation began with a previous
interpretation by the Department of Health and Human Services stating
that paired donation may be in violation of the National Organ
Transplant Act's (NOTA) valuable consideration clause, which was
intended to outlaw the buying and/or selling of organs. As a result of
HHS' past questioning reflecting a sentiment that no longer exists,
sentiment wary of performing paired donation remains in some corners of
the transplant community but not of the procedure itself \-- even though
it has never been recognized as unlawful. Several states have begun to
allow paired donation to take place, but because the United Network for
Organ Sharing (UNOS) and create a national database until federal
guidance is given and thus will not track eligibility for paired
donation, thousands of people die waiting on a transplant list who could
be saved through paired donation.

Letters of strong support for H.R. 710 have been issued by the United
Network for Organ Sharing, the American Society of Transplantation,
Association of Organ Procurement Organizations, the National Kidney
Foundation, the American Society of Pediatric Nephrology, NATCO, Cedars
Sinai Health Systems, Johns Hopkins, and the American Society of
Transplant."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}:** H.R. 710 was introduced on January
29, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, which
took no official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}:** An official CBO score of H.R. 710
is unavailable. However, according to the sponsor's office, a
preliminary CBO analysis estimated the bill would realize savings of
\$30 million over five years, and \$500 million over 10 years.

Currently, Medicare pays for dialysis regardless of the age of the
patient. Under this bill, more people will get kidneys through living
donors, which in turn frees up more available kidneys (from deceased
donors) on the waiting list for additional kidney transplants. Thus,
additional kidney transplants result in less dialysis treatments and
associated costs.

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

H.R. 584 --- To designate the headquarters building of the Department of
Education in Washington, DC, as the Lyndon Baines Johnson Federal
Building (*Green, D-TX*)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** The bill is scheduled for
consideration on Tuesday, March 6, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}:** H.R. 584 would designate the headquarters
building of the Department of Education in Washington, DC, as the
"Lyndon Baines Johnson Federal Building." The Department of Education
headquarters building is located at 400 Maryland Avenue, Southwest,
Washington, DC.

**[Additional Background]{.underline}:** In Committee Report
[110-17](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr017):),
it states that in 1963 President Johnson "approved the Higher Education
Facilities Act (P.L. 88-204) which authorized a five-year program of
federal grants and loans for construction or improvement of public and
private higher education academic facilities. This legislation was the
largest education program enacted by Congress since the National Defense
Education Act of 1958, and it was the first broad education bill enacted
in the post-World War II period that was not tied to national defense."

The Committee Report also notes that President Johnson is responsible
for signing into law the following federal education programs and laws:
the Library Services Act (P.L. 88-269), Elementary and Secondary
Education Act (P.L. 89-10), Higher Education Act (P.L. 89-329), Project
Head Start, International Education Act (P.L. 89-698), the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act Amendments of 1967 (P.L. 90-247), and the
Handicapped Children\'s Early Education Assistance Act (P.L. 90-538).

Finally, the Committee Report states that "Lyndon Baines Johnson will be
remembered not only as a ***great President*** and Member of Congress,
but also as a ***champion for education***." (***emphasis added***).

**[Possible Conservative Concerns]{.underline}:** As noted above,
President Johnson signed into law numerous programs that greatly
expanded the role of the federal government in education. The role of
education is generally viewed by conservatives as a function best and
most efficiently managed at the state and local level, and as such,
conservatives may be wary of putting their stamp of approval on this
decades-long federal expansion into education by naming the Department
of Education headquarters in Washington, D.C. after President Johnson.

In 1981, President Reagan proposed to eliminate the Education Department
as a cabinet-level agency, and in 1995 the newly elected Republican
House of Representatives proposed the elimination of the entire federal
Department of Education.

**[RSC Bonus Fact]{.underline}:** The U.S. Department of Education was
created as a cabinet-level agency by Public Law 96-98 (the Department of
Education Organization Act) on May 4, 1980, signed into law by President
Jimmy Carter.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}:** H.R. 584 was introduced on January
19, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure. The Committee considered, marked-up, and reported
(amended) the bill on February 7, 2007, to the House by a voice vote
(House Report
[110-17](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr017):)).

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}:** Although a CBO score of H.R. 584 is
unavailable, the costs associated with a federal building redesignation
tend to be insignificant.

**[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 Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee, in House Report
[110-17](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr017):),
cites constitutional authority in Article 1, Section 8, but fails to
cite a specific Clause.

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.R. 544 --- To designate the United States courthouse at South Federal
Place in Santa Fe, New Mexico, as the "Santiago E. Campos United States
Courthouse" (*Udall, D-NM*)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** The bill is scheduled for
consideration on Tuesday, March 6, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}:** H.R. 544 would designate the U.S. courthouse
at South Federal Place in Santa Fe, New Mexico, as the 'Santiago E.
Campos United States Courthouse.'

**[Additional Background]{.underline}:** Committee Report
[110-18](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr018):)
stated the following:

> "Santiago E. Campos served in the United States Navy as a Seaman 1st
> Class from 1944 to 1946. After leaving the Navy, Judge Campos attended
> the Central College in Fayette, Missouri, and received his law degree
> from the University of New Mexico in 1953, graduating first in his
> class. From 1954 until 1957, he worked as an Assistant Attorney
> General and subsequently as First Assistant Attorney General for the
> State of New Mexico. In 1971, after 14 years in private practice,
> Judge Campos was elected District Judge for the 1st Judicial District
> of New Mexico, and served in that capacity until 1978. In 1978,
> President Carter appointed Judge Campos to the federal bench. Judge
> Campos was the first Hispanic to serve as a Federal Judge in the
> District Court of New Mexico, as well as being the first Hispanic to
> serve as its Chief Judge. He held the title of Chief U.S. District
> Judge from February 5, 1987, to December 31, 1989, and became a Senior
> Judge on December 26, 1992. Judge Campos died on January 20, 2002,
> after suffering a long bout with cancer."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}:** H.R. 544 was introduced on January
17, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure's Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency
Management. The Committee considered, marked-up, and reported (amended)
the bill on February 7, 2007, to the House by a voice vote (House Report
[110-18](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr018):)).

[**Cost to Taxpayers**:]{.underline} A CBO score of H.R. 544 is
unavailable, but the only costs associated with a U.S. courthouse
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 9 of the Constitution grants Congress the authority to constitute
tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court; and Article I, Section 8,
Clause 18, the Necessary and Proper Clause, grants Congress the power to
make all laws necessary and proper to carry out the enumerated powers in
Article I, Section 8.

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

> **H.R. 399 --- To designate the United States Courthouse to be
> constructed in Jackson, Mississippi, as the "R. Jess Brown United
> States Courthouse" (*Thompson, D-MS*)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** The bill is scheduled for
consideration on Tuesday, March 6, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}:** H.R. 399 would designate the U.S. courthouse
to be constructed at the site bounded on the north by Court Street, on
the west by West Street, on the south by South Street, and on the east
by President Street in Jackson, Mississippi, as the "R. Jess Brown
United States Courthouse."

**[Additional Background]{.underline}:** Committee Report
[110-20](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr020):)
stated the following:

> He received a Bachelor of Education degree from Illinois State
> University, known then as Illinois State Normal University, in 1935,
> and a Master of Education degree from the University of Indiana in
> 1943. He attended Texas Southern Law School.
>
> In 1948, he was a co-plaintiff in a lawsuit for equal salaries for
> Jackson, Mississippi, school teachers. In 1953, he was admitted to the
> bar for the State of Mississippi and admitted to practice before the
> United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi.
> In 1955, he co-founded the Magnolia Bar Association, and he later
> served on the Board of the National Bar Association for nearly 15
> years. In 1958, he was admitted to practice before the United States
> Supreme Court.
>
> As Associate Counsel for the National Association for the Advancement
> of Colored People (NAACP) Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Brown
> filed the first civil rights suit in Mississippi in the 1950s in
> Jefferson Davis County seeking the enforcement of the right of black
> citizens to become registered voters. In 1961, Brown represented James
> H. Meredith in his suit to be allowed to enter the University of
> Mississippi; his victory in this case opened the doors of that
> university to all of Mississippi\'s citizens. While with the NAACP
> Legal Defense Fund, he played a major role in fighting discrimination
> in the areas of transportation and other public accommodations working
> along side Thurgood Marshall, who would later become Associate Justice
> of the United States Supreme Court.
>
> Brown also served as counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union,
> where he was successful in obtaining reversals of convictions of black
> defendants due to discrimination in jury selection. He also
> represented numerous black defendants in cases where the State sought
> the death penalty. As a result of these appeals, none of these
> defendants were ever executed. R. Jess Brown died in Jackson,
> Mississippi, on January 2, 1990.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}:** H.R. 399 was introduced on January
10, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure's Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency
Management. The Committee considered, marked-up, and reported (amended)
the bill on February 7, 2007, to the House by a voice vote (House Report
[110-20](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr020):)).

[**Cost to Taxpayers**:]{.underline} A CBO score of H.R. 399 is
unavailable, but the only costs associated with a U.S. courthouse
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 9 of the Constitution grants Congress the authority to constitute
tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court; and Article I, Section 8,
Clause 18, the Necessary and Proper Clause, grants Congress the power to
make all laws necessary and proper to carry out the enumerated powers in
Article I, Section 8.

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

H.Res. 182 --- Commending and congratulating Virginia State University
on the occasion of its 125th anniversary (Forbes, R-VA)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** The resolution is scheduled for
consideration on Tuesday, March 6, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}:** H.Res. 182 would resolve that the House of
Representatives commends and congratulates Virginia State University on
the occasion of its 125th anniversary.

The resolution also states a number of findings, including the
following:

-   "Virginia State University, overlooking the Appomattox River in the
    Town of Ettrick in Chesterfield County, will celebrate its 125th
    anniversary in 2007;

-   "Virginia State University (VSU) was founded on March 6, 1882, as
    the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute, making it the first
    fully State-supported 4-year institution of higher learning for
    black Americans and one of Virginia\'s two land-grant institutions;

-   "with an enrollment of nearly 5,000, VSU students live and attend
    classes on a beautiful 236-acre main campus with more than 50
    buildings, including 15 dormitories, 16 classroom buildings, and a
    416-acre agricultural research facility;

-   "the first president of Virginia State University was John Mercer
    Langston, who became the first African American elected to Congress
    from Virginia;

-   "Virginia State University has a long and rich history and has grown
    and changed considerably since 1882, and it continues that growth
    today, enriching individual lives, the surrounding community, and
    the Commonwealth through excellent teaching and innovative and
    engaging programs of study.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}:** H.Res. 182 was introduced on
February 16, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Education and Labor,
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

\###