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# Legislative Bulletin....................................................February 5, 2007

> **Contents:**
>
> **H.R. 433** --- To designate the facility of the United States Postal
> Service located at 1700 Main Street in Little Rock, Arkansas, as the
> "Scipio A. Jones Post Office Building"
>
> **H.Res. 69** --- Recognizing and honoring Benny Parsons and
> expressing the condolences of the House of Representatives to his
> family on his death
>
> **H.R. 577** --- To designate the facility of the United States Postal
> Service located at 3903 South Congress Avenue in Austin, Texas, as the
> "Sergeant Henry Ybarra III Post Office Building"
>
> **H.R. 514 ---** To designate the facility of the United States Postal
> Service located at 16150 Aviation Loop Drive in Brooksville, Florida,
> as the "Sergeant Lea Robert Mills Brooksville Aviation Branch Post
> Office"
>
> **H.Res. 94 ---** Supporting the goals and ideals of National Consumer
> Protection Week
>
> **H.Con.Res. 35 ---** Supporting the goals and ideals of National
> Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
>
> **H.R. 433 --- To designate the facility of the United States Postal
> Service located at 1700 Main Street in Little Rock, Arkansas, as the
> "Scipio A. Jones Post Office Building" (*Snyder, D-AZ*)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** The bill is scheduled for
consideration on Monday, February 5, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}:** H.R. 433 would designate the U.S. Postal
Service facility located at 1700 Main Street in Little Rock, Arkansas,
as the "Scipio A. Jones Post Office Building."

**[Additional Background]{.underline}:** According to various internet
sources, Scipio Africanus Jones (named after a Roman general) was born
into slavery in August, 1863 in Smith Township, just south of Little
Rock, Arkansas. Mr. Jones gained his freedom at an early age, and went
on to receive his bachelor's degree in 1887. He self-educated himself as
a lawyer, and passed the Arkansas bar exam in 1889.

Mr. Jones became a prominent African-American Republican and held
various leadership positions, including serving as a delegate to the
Republican National Convention several times. He later was appointed as
a state and federal judge, and argued a famous case known as the "Elaine
12," successfully defending twelve black sharecroppers sentenced to
death for participation in the Elaine Race Riot in 1919. Judge Scipio
Jones died in Little Rock, Arkansas, on March 2, 1943.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}:** H.R. 433 was introduced on January
12, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform, which took no official action.

[**Cost to Taxpayers**:]{.underline} A CBO score of H.R. 433 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. 69 --- Recognizing and honoring Benny Parsons and expressing the
condolences of the House of Representatives to his family on his death

(Hayes, R-NC)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** The resolution is scheduled for
consideration on Monday, February 5, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}:** H.Res. 69 would resolve that the House of
Representatives:

1)  "recognizes Benny Parsons as one of the greatest race car drivers
    ever to participate in the sport of auto racing and recognizes his
    many contributions to the Nation throughout his lifetime;

2)  "honors Benny Parsons for transcending the sport of auto racing to
    become a role model as both a talented competitor and mentor and as
    a loving husband and father; and

3)  "extends its deepest condolences to the family of Benny Parsons."

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

-   "Benny Parsons was born in Wilkes County, North Carolina, on July
    12, 1941, and resided in the towns of Ellerbe and Concord, North
    Carolina in the Eighth Congressional District;

-   "Benny Parsons was the first ARCA Champion inducted into the
    International Sports Hall of Fame;

-   "Benny Parsons had an extraordinary career as a National Association
    for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) driver, winning 21 races,
    including the 1975 Daytona 500;

-   "in 1998 Benny Parsons was named one of the 50 Greatest Drivers in
    NASCAR History;

-   "after a successful career as a driver, Benny Parsons developed a
    successful career in broadcasting, further expanding his sport
    through his insight and commentary;

-   "Benny Parsons passed away on January 16, 2007, prompting friend and
    former competitor Darrell Waltrip to state that 'Benny Parsons was
    the kindest, sweetest, most considerate person I have ever known. He
    was a great champion, a great ambassador for our sport but more than
    that, he was a great person. He exemplified that good guys can be
    winners too'."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}:** H.Res. 69 was introduced on January
17, 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. 577 --- To designate the facility of the United States Postal
> Service located at 3903 South Congress Avenue in Austin, Texas, as the
> "Sergeant Henry Ybarra III Post Office Building" (*Doggett, D-TX*)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** The bill is scheduled for
consideration on Monday, February 5, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="0.75in"
height="1.2in"}**[Summary]{.underline}:** H.R. 577 would designate the
U.S. Postal Facility located at 3903 South Congress Avenue in Austin,
Texas, as the "Sergeant Henry Ybarra III Post Office Building."

**[Additional Background]{.underline}:** Sergeant Henry Ybarra III died
in Iraq on September 11, 2003, when a tire on a military truck exploded
as he was changing it. Sergeant Ybarra was 32 years old, and was married
with three children.

Sergeant Ybarra, from Austin, Texas, had been serving in the military
for over 10 years, and his mother was quoted as saying, "Since he was a
young kid he wanted to fight for our country. He died defending the
freedom (he) believed in." Sergeant Ybarra was assigned to D Troop, 6th
Squadron, 6th Cavalry, Illesheim, Germany.

For additional information about Sergeant Ybarra, please visit:
<http://www.militarycity.com/valor/256762.html>.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}:** H.R. 577 was introduced on January
19, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform, which took no official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}:** A CBO score of H.R. 577 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.R. 514 --- To designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 16150 Aviation Loop Drive in Brooksville, Florida, as
the "Sergeant Lea Robert Mills Brooksville Aviation Branch Post Office"
*(Brown-Waite, R-FL)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, February 5, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

![](media/image3.png){width="0.7555555555555555in"
height="1.0416666666666667in"}**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 514 would
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at
16150 Aviation Loop Drive in Brooksville, Florida, as the "Sergeant Lea
Robert Mills Brooksville Aviation Branch Post Office."

**[Additional Information]{.underline}**: Sergeant Lea Robert Mills, age
21, was killed in April 2006, while during combat operations against
enemy forces in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 514 was introduced in the House
on January 17, 2007, and referred to the House Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform, which took no official action.

**[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}**: Joelle Cannon;
<joelle.cannon@mail.house.gov>, (202) 226-0718.

**H.Res. 94 --- Supporting the goals and ideals of National Consumer
Protection Week *(Hinojosa, D-TX)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The resolution is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, February 5, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 94 would resolve that the Congress:

-   "supports the goals and ideals of the Ninth Annual National Consumer
    Protection Week, including raising public awareness about the
    importance of consumer protection;

-   "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 week with appropriate programs and
    activities with the goal of increasing protection for consumers of
    all ages and walks of life; and

-   "encourages people across the Nation to take advantage of the wealth
    of consumer protection information that can enhance confidence in
    the marketplace."

The bill lists a number of findings, including the following:

-   "informed consumers are better equipped to see through frauds and
    deceptions, whether they take the form of questionable claims in an
    advertisement, offers that come in the mail or e-mail, or schemes
    designed to appear to be risk-free;

-   "the Federal Government provides many educational resources and
    programs to help people protect themselves against fraud by
    supplying them with information about their options in the
    marketplace;

-   "the Federal Trade Commission and more than 100 other Federal
    agencies have collaborated on a website, www.consumer.gov, which
    provides helpful information ranging from how credit ratings work to
    how to buy a new home;

-   "expanding access to information about financial services provides
    individuals with lower-cost and safer options for managing finances
    and building wealth, and is likely to reduce predatory lending;

-   "public, community-based, and private sector organizations
    throughout the United States are working to increase financial
    literacy rates and consumer protection for people of all ages and
    walks of life through a range of outreach efforts, including media
    campaigns, websites, and one-on-one counseling for individuals."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Res. 94 was introduced on January
24, 2007, and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce,
which took no official action.

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

**[Does the Bill Create New Federal Programs or Rules]{.underline}?**:
No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-]{.underline}**

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

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Joelle Cannon;
<joelle.cannon@mail.house.gov>, (202) 226-0718.

**H.Con.Res. 35 --- Supporting the goals and ideals of National Black
HIV/AIDS Awareness Day *(Lee, D-CA)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The resolution is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, February 5, 2007, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Note]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 35 is being considered as *amended*.
This summary represents the amended version.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 35 would resolve that Congress:

-   "supports the goals and ideals of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness
    Day and recognizes the seventh anniversary of observing such day;

-   "encourages State and local governments, including their public
    health agencies, to recognize such day, to publicize its importance
    among their communities, and to encourage individuals to undergo
    testing for HIV;

-   "encourages national, State, and local media organizations to carry
    messages in support of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day;

-   "supports full and equitable funding for the Ryan White HIV/AIDS
    Treatment Modernization Act of 2006;

-   "applauds the codification of the Minority AIDS Initiative within
    the reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act;

-   "supports appropriate funding for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment;

-   "supports the strengthening of stable African-American communities;

-   "supports reducing the impact of incarceration as a driver of new
    HIV infections within the African-American community;

-   "supports effective and comprehensive HIV prevention education
    programs to promote the early identification of HIV through
    voluntary routine testing, and to connect those in need to treatment
    and care as early as possible;

-   "supports reducing the number of HIV infections in the
    African-American community resulting from injection drug use; and

-   "supports efforts to link those infected with HIV to accessible care
    and treatment options."

The bill lists a number of findings, including the following:

-   "the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States has shifted primarily to
    the African-American community and other communities of color;

-   "the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated
    that, at the end of 2005, over 188,000 African Americans were living
    with AIDS, representing 44 percent of all cases in the United
    States;

-   "since the beginning of the epidemic, African Americans have
    accounted for nearly 400,000 or 42 percent of the estimated 953,000
    AIDS cases diagnosed, and through December 2005, an estimated
    211,559 African Americans with AIDS have died;

-   "the CDC estimates that, in 2005, African-American women accounted
    for over 66 percent of all HIV/AIDS cases among women, and were 25
    times more likely to be infected than White women;

-   "the CDC estimates that 73 percent of all children born to HIV
    infected mothers in 2004 were African-American;

-   "the CDC has determined that the leading cause of HIV infection
    among African-American men is sexual contact with other men,
    followed by intravenous drug use and heterosexual contact;

-   "in 1998, the Congress and the Clinton Administration created the
    National Minority AIDS Initiative to help coordinate funding, build
    capacity, and provide prevention, care, and treatment services
    within the African-American, Hispanic, Asian Pacific Islander, and
    Native American communities;

-   "on February 23, 2001, the first annual National Black HIV/AIDS
    Awareness Day was organized, with the slogan 'Get Educated, Get
    Involved, Get Tested'; and

-   "February 7 of each year is now recognized as National Black
    HIV/AIDS Awareness Day."

**[Additional Information]{.underline}:** Although this resolution is
designed to increase awareness of the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the
black community, last week the House voted to defund an AIDS program,
which has demonstrated significant success in reducing baby AIDS cases,
a large majority of which are African American. H.J.Res. 20, Making
Continuing Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2007, which passed in the
House last week, defunded (prohibits spending on) the Ryan White early
diagnosis grant program, known as "Baby AIDS." Baby AIDS provided early
testing and diagnostic programs and supported successful initiatives
that have dramatically reduced cases of baby AIDS.  Of note, according
to the CDC, of the children living with HIV/AIDS who received HIV from
their mother, two-thirds are African-American. In addition, in 2005, CDC
estimates that 141 infants were infected with HIV perinatally, 91 of
whom (or 65%) were African American.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 35 was introduced in the
House on January 18, 2007, and referred to the House Committee on Energy
and Commerce, which took no official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution authorizes no
expenditure. However, the resolution "supports full and equitable
funding for the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act of
2006." CBO estimated that the Ryan White Act of 2006, authorized the
appropriation of more than \$2 billion.

**[Does the Bill Create New Federal Programs or Rules]{.underline}?**:
No.

**[Does the Bill Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government, or
Private-]{.underline}**

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

**[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Joelle Cannon;
<joelle.cannon@mail.house.gov>, (202) 226-0718.

**\###**