![](media/image1.jpeg){width="6.489583333333333in"
height="1.15625in"}**Legislative
Bulletin...........................................May 8, 2007**

> **Contents:**
>
> **H.Res. 307** --- Expressing the sense of the House of
> Representatives that public servants should be commended for their
> dedication and continued service to the Nation during Public Service
> Recognition Week, May 7 through 13, 2007
>
> **H.Con.Res. 117** --- Commemorating the 400th Anniversary of the
> settlement of Jamestown
>
> **H.Res. 291** - Supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers
> Memorial Day
>
> **H.Con.Res. 105** --- Supporting the goals and ideals of a National
> Suffragists Day to promote awareness of the importance of the women
> suffragists who worked for the right of women to vote in the United
> States
>
> **H.R. 2080** --- To amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to
> conform the District charter to revisions made by the Council of the
> District of Columbia relating to public education
>
> **H.R. 2081** --- To amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to
> increase the salary of the Chief Financial Officer of the District of
> Columbia

**H.Res. 307 --- Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives
that public servants should be commended for their dedication and
continued service to the Nation during Public Service Recognition Week,
May 7 through 13, 2007** ***(Davis, D-IL)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H.Res 307 is scheduled for
consideration on Tuesday, May 8, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

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

-   "commends public servants for their outstanding contributions to
    this great Nation during Public Service Recognition Week and
    throughout the year;

-   "salutes their unyielding dedication and spirit for public service;

-   "honors those government employees who have given their lives in
    service to their country;

-   "calls upon a new generation to consider a career in public service
    as an honorable profession; and

-   "encourages efforts to promote public service careers at all levels
    of government."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "Public Service Recognition Week provides an opportunity to
    recognize the important contributions of public servants and honor
    the diverse men and women who meet the needs of the Nation through
    work at all levels of government;

-   "millions of individuals work in government service in every city,
    county, and State across America and in hundreds of cities abroad;

-   "public service is a noble calling involving a variety of
    challenging and rewarding professions;

-   "the United States of America is a great and prosperous Nation, and
    public service employees contribute significantly to that greatness
    and prosperity;

-   "public servants have bravely fought in armed conflict in defense of
    this Nation and its ideals and deserve the care and benefits they
    have earned through their honorable service;

-   "May 7 through 13, 2007, has been designated Public Service
    Recognition Week to honor America\'s Federal, State, and local
    government employees; and

-   "Public Service Recognition Week is celebrating its 23rd anniversary
    through job fairs, student activities, and agency exhibits."

**[Committee:]{.underline}** H.Res. 307 was introduced on April 17,
2007, and referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform,
which held a mark-up and reported the bill by voice vote on May 1, 2007.

**[Cost to Taxpayers:]{.underline}** H.Con.Res 307 authorizes no
expenditures.

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

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

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

**H.Con.Res. 117 --- Commemorating the 400th Anniversary of the
settlement of Jamestown (Davis, R-VA)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 117 is scheduled for
consideration on Tuesday, May 8, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 117 would express that the House
of Representatives "commemorates the 400th Anniversary of the founding
of the colony Jamestown in 1607 and urges all Americans to honor this
seminal event in our Nation's history."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "the founding of the colony at Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607, the
    first permanent English colony in America, and the capital of
    Virginia for 92 years, has major significance in the history of the
    United States;

-   "the Jamestown Settlement owed its survival in large measure to the
    compassion and aid of the Native people in its vicinity;

-   "Native Virginia people substantially aided the Jamestown colonists
    with food and supplies at times that were crucial to their survival;

-   "the Native people served as guides to geography and natural
    resources, crucial assistance in the Virginia colonists' exploration
    of the Chesapeake Region;

-   "the Jamestown Settlement brought people from throughout the
    Atlantic Basin together to form a society that drew upon the
    strengths and characteristics of English, European, African, and
    Native American cultures;

-   "economic, political, religious, and social institutions that
    developed during the first 9 decades of the existence of Jamestown
    continue to have profound effects on the United States, particularly
    in English common law and language, cross cultural relationships,
    manufacturing, and economic structure and status;

-   "in 2000, Congress established the Jamestown 400th Commemoration
    Commission to ensure a suitable national observance of the Jamestown
    2007 anniversary, and Congress commends the Commission's hard work
    and dedication;

-   "Congress reminds all Americans of the importance of their country's
    history and founding at Jamestown; and

-   "the 2007 observance of the founding of Jamestown commemorates the
    400th anniversary of the first permanent English colony in America."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 117 was introduced on
April 18, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform, which held a mark-up was held on May 1, 2007, and the
resolution was reported by voice vote.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 117 authorizes no
expenditure.

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

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

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

**H.Res. 291 --- Supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers
Memorial Day (Poe, R-TX)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H.Res. 291 is scheduled for
consideration on Tuesday, May 8, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 291 would express that the House of
Representatives "supports the goals and ideals of Peace Officers
Memorial Day to honor Federal, State, and local peace officers killed or
disabled in the line of duty; and calls upon the people of the United
States to observe such a day with appropriate ceremonies and respect."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "there are more than 870,000 sworn law enforcement officers
    throughout the United States;

-   "law enforcement officers are dedicated to serving this country, and
    protecting this country and its citizens from harm;

-   "law enforcement officers face dangers and threats to their personal
    safety each day;

-   "more than 56,000 law enforcement officers are assaulted every year;

-   "every 53 hours, a law enforcement officer in the United States is
    killed in the line of duty;

-   "143 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in
    2006, 12 fewer than the 155 officers killed in 2005;

-   "Public Law 87-726 requests that the President issue proclamations
    designating May 15th of each year as National Peace Officers
    Memorial Day; and

-   "section 7(m) of title 4, United States Code, requires that the flag
    of the United States be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers
    Memorial Day."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Res. 291 was introduced on March
29, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform, which held a mark-upon May 1, 2007, and the resolution was
reported by voice vote.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: H.Res. 291 authorizes no
expenditure.

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

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

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

**H.Con.Res. 105 --- Supporting the goals and ideals of a National
Suffragists Day to promote awareness of the importance of the women
suffragists who worked for the right of women to vote in the United
States *(Berkley, D-NV) ***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res.105 is scheduled for
consideration on Tuesday, May 8, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 105 would express that the House
of Representatives "supports the goals and ideals of a National
Suffragists Day to promote awareness of the importance of the women
suffragists who worked for the right of women to vote in the United
States."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "one of the first public appeals for women\'s suffrage came in 1848
    when Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton called a women's
    rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York, on July 19, 1848;

-   "Sojourner Truth gave her famous speech titled 'Ain't I a Woman?' at
    the 1851 Women's Rights Convention, in Akron, Ohio;

-   "in 1869, women suffragists formed the National Woman Suffrage
    Association and the American Woman Suffrage Association, which were
    national organizations designed to work for the right of women to
    vote;

-   "these organizations united in 1890 to form the National American
    Woman Suffrage Association;

-   "in 1872, Susan B. Anthony and a group of women voted in the
    Presidential election, in Rochester, New York;

-   "at her trial, which attracted nationwide attention, Susan B.
    Anthony made a speech that ended with the following slogan:
    'Resistance to tyranny is obedience to God';

-   "on August 18, 1920, ratification of the 19th amendment to the
    Constitution was completed, thus guaranteeing women in the United
    States the right to vote;

-   "July 19th is the anniversary of the first women's rights
    convention; and

-   "designating July 19th as National Suffragists Day would raise
    awareness of the importance of women suffragists who fought for and
    won the right of women to vote in the United States."

**[RSC Bonus Fact]{.underline}**: In addition to her work for women's
suffrage, Susan B. Anthony was also an outspoken pro-life advocate.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Res. 105 was introduced on March
29, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform, which held a mark-upon May 1, 2007, and the resolution was
reported by voice vote.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: H.Res. 105 authorizes no
expenditure.

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

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

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

**H.R. 2080 --- To amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to
conform the District charter to revisions made by the Council of the
District of Columbia relating to public education *(Norton, D-DC)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** H.R. 407 is scheduled for
consideration on Tuesday, May 8, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R 2080 would amend the District of Columbia
Home Rule Act to alter the District of Columbia's charter concerning
education.

The legislation would repeal the section of the Home Rule that gives the
Mayor and the Council the power to establish the annual budget for the
District's Board of Education. H.R. 2080 would also strike a provision
that prohibits the Mayor and the Council from specifying purposes for
which funds may be expended or the amount of such funds.

In addition, H.R. 2080 repeals the authority of the Board of Education
to govern the D.C. public schools and provisions for the election of the
Board of Education.

**[Addition Information]{.underline}**: Congress must pass H.R. 2080
before the District of Columbia can formally hand control of the city's
schools to Mayor Adrian Fenty (D). Although the D.C. Council voted 9-2
in favor of the power transfer on April 19, 2007, Congress must approve
the change to the Home Rule before the mayoral takeover can legally take
effect.

According to the [Washington
Post](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/19/AR2007041901617.html),
a small, but vocal, number of D.C. residents opposed the takeover on the
grounds that the move would marginalize the city's Board of Education
without a vote by the residents. Other residents, however, seem eager
for a change in policy and favor the shakeup as a means of fixing D.C.'s
55,500 student, \$2.3 billion dollar school system.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 2080 was introduced on May 1,
2007, and referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform,
which held a mark-up the same day and reported the bill by voice vote.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: A CBO score for H.R. 2081 is not
available.

[**Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of
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 not available. However, House Rule XIII,
Section 3(d)(1), requires that all committee reports contain "a
statement citing the *specific* powers granted to Congress in the
Constitution to enact the law proposed by the bill or joint resolution"
*\[emphasis added\]*.

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

**H.R. 2081 --- To amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to
increase the salary of the Chief Financial Officer of the District of
Columbia *(Norton, D-DC)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** H.R. 2081 is scheduled for
consideration on Tuesday, May 8, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R 2081 would amend the District of Columbia
Home Rule Act to raise the salary of D.C.'s Chief Financial Officer to
150% of the rate of basic pay for level I of the Executive Schedule.

**[Addition Information]{.underline}**: H.R. 2081 would almost double
the annual salary of Washington D.C.'s Chief Financial Officer, Natwar
M. Gandhi, from \$186,600 to \$279,000, which would make him the city's
second highest paid official. According to an
[article](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/16/AR2007041600771.html)
in the Washington Post, Gandhi has been the CFO of the city since 2000.
During his tenure Gandhi has been "credited with helping rescue the
District from the brink of bankruptcy."

Recently, Gandhi's services were sought after by officials at Amtrak,
who reportedly offered him \$250,000 annually with a \$100,000 singing
bonus. In an effort to retain him as CFO, D.C. officials offered to
support Gandhi in his attempt to procure a raise to \$279,000. Gandhi
subsequently turned down Amtrak's offer, agreeing to stay in D.C. at the
new, higher salary.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 2081 was introduced on May 1,
2007, and referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform,
which held a mark-up the same day and reported the bill by voice vote.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: A CBO score for H.R. 2081 is not
available.

[**Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of
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 not available. However, House Rule XIII,
Section 3(d)(1), requires that all committee reports contain "a
statement citing the *specific* powers granted to Congress in the
Constitution to enact the law proposed by the bill or joint resolution"
*\[emphasis added\]*.

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