> ![](media/image1.jpeg){width="6.489583333333333in" height="1.15625in"}

**Legislative
Bulletin...............................................June 10, 2008**

**Contents:**

> **H.R. 6028---**Merida Initiative to Combat Illicit Narcotics and
> Reduce Organized Crime Authorization Act of 2008

**H. Res. 1063**---Marking the 225th anniversary of the Treaty of Paris
of 1783

> **H. Con. Res. 318**---Supporting the goals and ideals of the
> International Year of Sanitation
>
> **H. Con. Res. 332**---Recognizing the 60th Anniversary of the
> Universal Declaration of Human Rights
>
> **H. Con. Res. 337**---Honoring the Seeds of Peace for its 15th
> anniversary
>
> **H.Con.Res. 336**---Honoring the sacrifices and contributions made by
> disabled American veterans
>
> **H.Res.1235**---Expressing support for National D-Day Remembrance Day
>
> **H. Res. 1010**---Recognizing the importance of manufactured housing
>
> **S. 682**---Edward William Brooke III Congressional Gold Medal Act
>
> **H.Res. 1145**---Recognizing the 100 year anniversary of the
> establishment of St. Mary's Cooperative Credit Association
>
> **S. 254**---Constantino Brumidi Congressional gold medal award
>
> **H.R. 3229**---National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center
> Commemorative Coin Act
>
> **H.R. 2268**---Mother's Day Centennial Commemorative Coin Act
>
> **H.R. 1553**---Conquer Childhood Cancer Act of 2007
>
> **H. Res 977**---Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives
> that rebate checks would better stimulate the economy if spent on
> American-made products and services from American-owned companies
>
> **S. 2146**---To authorize EPA to accept, as part of a settlement,
> diesel emission reduction Supplemental Environmental Projects
>
> **H. Res. 1236**---Expressing the sympathy of the House of
> Representatives to the citizens of Black Hawk, Buchanan, Butler, and
> Delaware Counties, Iowa, who were victims of the devastating tornado
> that struck their communities on May 25, 2008

**H.R. 6028---Merida Initiative to Combat Illicit Narcotics and Reduce
Organized Crime Authorization Act of 2008 *(Berman, D-CA)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled to be
considered on Tuesday, June 10, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.\
\
**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 6028 would authorize \$1.59 billion over
three years to fund assistance to Mexico and Central America to combat
drug trafficking, organized crime, and narcotics related violence. The
bill also contains funding for programs meant to strengthen the region's
judicial system. The bill also requires the Department of State to
designate a coordinator to oversee and carry out the wide range of
programs authorized by the bill and funds programs to curb the
trafficking of illegal guns into the U.S. A summary of the main
provisions of the legislation follows below.

*[Funding for Mexico]{.underline}*: The bill authorizes \$780 million
over the FY 2008---FY 2010 period to fund four specific programs aimed
at reducing drug trafficking and organized crime in Mexico. The four
areas funded under this section are counter narcotics trafficking, port
and airport security, operations technology, and law enforcement. Among
the types of assistance given under this program are training of Mexican
law enforcement officials and the transfer of helicopters to Mexican law
enforcement.

H.R. 6028 authorizes \$330 million over the FY 2008---FY 2010 period to
fund programs to enhance the rule of law and judicial system in Mexico.
The areas addressed under this section are transparency, human rights
and combating corruption, development, preventing officials from
participating in drug trafficking, and building institutions that
promote and uphold the rule of law. The funds are used to aid Mexican
law enforcement officials in enhancing due process and the rule of law.
Specifically, the funds are used to provide technical assistance for
Mexican court and prison reform.

*[Central America]{.underline}*: H.R. 6028 authorizes \$220 million over
the FY 2008---FY 2010 period to fund programs to combat narcotics
trafficking in Belize, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador,
Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.

In addition, the bill authorizes \$185 million over the FY 2008---FY
2010 period for programs to enhance the judicial systems and the rule of
law in the nations listed above.

*[Programs inside the United States]{.underline}*: H.R. 6028 requires
the Attorney General to expand the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms
and Explosives' (ATF) "Project Gunrunner" program. The program is
designed to stop the illegal trafficking of firearms along the
U.S.-Mexico border. According to [Committee Report
110-673](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr673)),
the number of gunrunners along the U.S.-Mexico border is far greater
than the number of ATF agents assigned to stop illegal gunrunning.

The bill authorizes \$15 million over the FY 2008---FY 2010 period for
the Attorney General, through the ATF, to participate in the U.S.
mission to stop drug trafficking across the U.S.-Mexico Border.

*[Conditions on Assistance]{.underline}*: Before money is distributed to
an eligible country, H.R. 6028 requires the president to ensure that
there is a "reasonable expectation" that funds will not be used to
commit human rights violations. The president would be responsible for
creating a process to determine whether human rights violations were
occurring in connection with the funding and submit the process to
Congress.

The bill also prohibits a recipient nation from receiving surveillance
equipment unless the president determines that it will be used solely
for the provided purpose.

*[Coordinator]{.underline}*: H.R. 6028 would establish the position of
Coordinator of United States Government Activities to Implement the
Merida Initiative within the Department of State. The coordinator would
oversee every aspect of implementing and funding anti-trafficking
activities under this legislation in Mexico, Central America, and the
U.S.

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: According to Foreign Affairs
[Committee Report
110-673](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr673)),
approximately 90% of all illegal drugs in the U.S. come from either
Mexico or Central America. In 2007, President George W. Bush and Mexican
President Felipe Calderon met to discuss ways in which the two nations
could combine forces to combat the trafficking of narcotics into the
U.S. The committee asserts that the Mexican government has stepped-up
its efforts to combat drug trafficking in the last three years, with
over 6,000 deaths blamed on the anti-cartel effort in that time period.
In order to enhance the U.S. effort to support anti-trafficking action
in Mexico and Central America, President Bush submitted a proposal to
Congress following his meeting with President Calderon. According to the
committee, President Bush's proposal is "largely reflected" by the
provisions in H.R. 6028.

**[Possible Conservative Concerns]{.underline}**: In early May,
Representative Hunter and other Members of Congress authored a letter to
the President with concerns about funding for the Merida project. The
letter reads:

> Strengthening security cooperation between the United States and
> Mexico remains important to our overall efforts of preventing illegal
> drugs and other contraband from crossing our Southern land border.
> However, Mexico's questionable drug enforcement efforts and reputation
> for corruption within its government, police and military forces
> require that we proceed cautiously with the use of American taxpayer
> funds for this purpose.\
> \
> According to the Congressional Research Service, Mexico remains the
> chief foreign supplier of marijuana into the United States and
> continues to supply the majority of methamphetamines, heroine and
> cocaine that enters our country. Additionally, intimidation and
> violence perpetrated by Mexican drug trafficking organizations
> continues to threaten the safety of millions of Americans living in
> Border States and communities.\
> \
> While we must continue working closely with Mexico to address these
> issues, it is also important that we take the necessary steps here at
> home toward achieving a secure and enforceable border. We hope you
> agree that until our Southern land border is adequately secured, there
> is little chance at reducing the amount of illegal drugs and
> contraband originating in Mexico and other Central American that enter
> our country everyday.

Some conservatives may have many similar concerns with giving money to
Mexico to combat their drug trade.

[Committee Action]{.underline}: H.R. 6028 was introduced on May 13,
2008, and referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee
on the Judiciary. On May 14, 2008, the Committee on Foreign Affairs held
a mark-up and reported the bill, as amended, by voice vote. On June 6,
2008, the Committee on the Judiciary discharged the bill without taking
any official action.\
\
[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}: According to CBO, H.R. 6028 would
authorize \$595 million in FY 2008 and \$1.59 billion over the FY
2008---FY 2013 period to fund anti-drug trafficking programs in Mexico,
Central America and the U.S.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** Yes, the bill establishes and authorizes
funding for numerous new programs to combat drug trafficking and
increase the rule of law in Mexico, Central America, and the U.S.

**[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}** According to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs, in [Committee Report
110-673](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr673)),
"H.R. 6028 does not contain any congressional earmarks, limited tax
benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in clause 9(d), 9(e), or
9(f) of rule XXI."

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: the Committee on Foreign
Affairs, in [Committee Report
110-673](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr673)),
cites constitutional authority in Article 1, Section 8, but does not
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}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

**H. Res. 1063---Marking the 225th anniversary of the Treaty of Paris of
1783, which ended the Revolutionary War with the Kingdom of Great
Britain and recognized the independence of the United States of America,
and acknowledging the shared values and close friendship between the
peoples and governments of the United States and the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland (*Wu, D-OR)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H. Res. 1063 is scheduled to be
considered on Tuesday, June 10, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H. Res. 1063 would express that the House of
Representatives

-   "Marks the 225th anniversary of relations between the United States
    and the Kingdom of Great Britain;

-   "Recognizes that the Kingdom of Great Britain's recognition of the
    United States was an important event in the history of the Nation;

-   "Reaffirms the value of the deep friendship that has developed
    between our two Countries since the signing of the Treaty of Paris;
    and

-   "Looks forward to a continued and strengthened relationship between
    the British and American people."

The resolution lists numerous findings, including the following:

-   "The United States will celebrate this year the 225th anniversary of
    its relationship with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
    Northern Ireland since the September 3, 1783 signing of the Treaty
    of Paris, which formally ended the American Revolutionary War
    between the Kingdom of Great Britain and the United States of
    America;

-   "Both the United Kingdom and the United States are free and
    democratic nations with a common commitment to human rights and the
    rule of law;

-   "The United Kingdom is a major ally of the United States and 2008
    marks the 50th anniversary of the US-UK Mutual Defense Agreement
    that was signed in Washington, DC, on July 3, 1958, and renewed in
    Washington, DC, on June 14, 2004;

-   "Both the United Kingdom and the United States are founding members
    of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), having been party
    to the North Atlantic Treaty signed in Washington, DC, on April 4,
    1949;

-   "The United Kingdom is a major partner in the worldwide fight
    against terrorism, supporting the United States in many key armed
    struggles;

-   "The United Kingdom is the second largest contributor to the
    multinational force in Iraq;

-   "The United Kingdom plays a significant role in the military effort
    to bring lasting stability to Afghanistan and is the second largest
    contributor to NATO\'s International Security Assistance Force;

-   "Approximately 675,000 British citizens reside in the United States,
    and 155,000 Americans reside in the United Kingdom, with both
    communities contributing to the fabric of life in their host
    countries;

-   "The relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom
    is one of unity and strength, and has been proven to be of mutual
    benefit."

[Committee Action]{.underline}: H. Res. 1063 was introduced on March 31,
2008 and referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, which held
a mark-up of the resolution on April 30, 2008 and passed the resolution
by unanimous consent.

[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}: The resolution does not authorize
expenditures.\
\
[Does the Resolution Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline} No.\
\
[Does the Resolution Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government,
or Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline} No.\
\
[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}: Sarah Makin; 202-226-0718;
[**sarah.makin@mail.house.gov**](mailto:sarah.makin@mail.house.gov).

**H. Con. Res. 318---Supporting the goals and ideals of the
International Year of Sanitation (*Payne, D-NJ)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H. Con. Res. 318 is scheduled to be
considered on Tuesday, June 10, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H. Con. Res. 318 would express that the House
of Representatives

-   "Supports the goals and ideals of the International Year of
    Sanitation;

-   "Recognizes the importance of sanitation on public health, poverty
    reduction, economic and social development, and the environment; and

-   "Encourages the people of the United States to observe the
    International Year of Sanitation with appropriate recognition,
    ceremonies, activities, and programs to demonstrate the importance
    of sanitation, hygiene, and access to safe drinking water in
    achieving the Millennium Development Goals."

The resolution lists numerous findings, including the following:

-   "In 2000, the United States, along with other world leaders, at the
    55th United Nations General Assembly, committed to achieving the
    Millennium Development Goals which provide a framework for countries
    and international organizations to combat such global social ills as
    poverty, hunger, and disease;

-   "One target of the Millennium Development Goals is to halve by 2015
    the proportion of people without access to safe drinking water and
    basic sanitation, the only target to be codified into U.S. law in
    the Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-121) ;

-   "The lack of access to safe water and sanitation is one of the most
    pressing environmental public health issues in the world;

-   "Over 1,000,000,000 people live without potable water and an
    estimated 2,600,000,000 people do not have access to basic
    sanitation facilities, which includes 980,000,000 children;

-   "Every 20 seconds a child dies as a direct result of a lack of
    access to basic sanitation facilities;

-   "At any one time almost half of the developing world's people are
    suffering from diseases associated with lack of water, sanitation,
    and hygiene;

-   "Improved sanitation decreases the incidences of debilitating and
    deadly maladies such as cholera, intestinal worms, diarrhea,
    pneumonia, dysentery, and skin infections;

-   "increased sanitation is fundamental for reaching all of the
    Millennium Development Goals;

-   "Access to basic sanitation helps economic and social development in
    countries where poor sanitation is a major cause of lost work and
    school days because of illness;

-   "Sanitation in schools enables children, particularly girls reaching
    puberty, to remain in the educational system;

-   "According to the World Health Organization, every dollar spent on
    proper sanitation by governments generates an average of \$7.00 in
    economic benefit;

-   "Improved disposal of human waste protects the quality of water
    sources used for drinking, preparation of food, agriculture, and
    bathing; and

-   "In 2006, the United Nations, at the 61st Session of the General
    Assembly, declared 2008 as the International Year of Sanitation to
    recognize the progress made in achieving the global sanitation
    target detailed in the Millennium Development Goals, as well as to
    call upon all Member States, United Nations agencies, regional and
    international organizations, civil society organizations, and other
    relevant stakeholders to renew their commitment to attaining that
    target."

[Committee Action]{.underline}: H. Con. Res. 318 was introduced on March
14, 2008 and referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, which
held a mark-up of the resolution on April 30, 2008 and passed the
resolution, as amended, by unanimous consent.

[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}: The resolution does not authorize
expenditures.\
\
[Does the Resolution Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline} No.\
\
[Does the Resolution Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government,
or Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline} No.\
\
[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}: Sarah Makin; 202-226-0718;
[**sarah.makin@mail.house.gov**](mailto:sarah.makin@mail.house.gov).

**H. Con. Res. 332---Recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights (Fortenberry, R-NE)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H. Con. Res. 332 is scheduled to be
considered on Tuesday, June 10, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H. Con. Res. 332 would express that the House
of Representatives

-   "Recognizes on its 60th anniversary year the Universal Declaration
    of Human Rights as a singular achievement of the community of
    nations;

-   "Recognizes the contribution in the Declaration of Independence and
    the United States Constitution to the development of the Universal
    Declaration of Human Rights, and the role of the United States in
    preserving the legacy of these foundational human rights precepts
    through its participation in the United Nations;

-   "Urges all United Nations Member States to renew their commitment to
    uphold and promote the transcendent principles of human dignity
    enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, especially
    on behalf of the world's most vulnerable persons and those who have
    no power to advocate on their own behalf; and

-   "Joins with colleagues inspired by the spirit of goodwill in
    parliaments throughout the world in seeking to guide the United
    Nations and its agencies to serve as effective instruments of
    genuine and lasting justice and peace among nations."

The resolution lists numerous findings, including the following:

-   "The United Nations Charter sought to establish an international
    forum to 'save succeeding generations from the scourge of war\...,
    reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth
    of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of
    nations large and small\...';

-   "Through manifold works of generosity, the people of the United
    States exemplify a noble conviction that the deepest yearnings of
    the human heart for respect and dignity transcend political, ethnic,
    and religious differences;

-   "The people of the United States continue to inspire their leaders
    to prioritize endeavors which bring hope and healing to those in
    need throughout the world;

-   "The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the Universal
    Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948, as a 'common
    standard of achievement for all peoples and nations\...';

-   "The preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states,
    '\...recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and
    inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the
    foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world\...';

-   "The Universal Declaration of Human Rights sets forth a common
    understanding of universal rights and freedoms and the notion that
    these cannot be created and are neither conferred by countries nor
    by governments, but rather are inalienable rights and freedoms with
    which all human persons are endowed by their very nature; and

-   "United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon noted on Human Rights
    Day 2007, that '\[i\]t is our duty to ensure that these rights are a
    living reality\--that they are known, understood and enjoyed by
    everyone, everywhere.'"

[Committee Action]{.underline}: H. Con. Res. 332 was introduced on April
24, 2008 and referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, which
held a mark-up of the resolution on April 30, 2008 and passed the
resolution, as amended, by unanimous consent.

[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}: The resolution does not authorize
expenditures.\
\
[Does the Resolution Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline} No.\
\
[Does the Resolution Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government,
or Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline} No.\
\
[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}: Sarah Makin; 202-226-0718;
[**sarah.makin@mail.house.gov**](mailto:sarah.makin@mail.house.gov).

**H. Con. Res. 337---** **Honoring Seeds of Peace for its 15th
anniversary as an organization promoting understanding, reconciliation,
acceptance, coexistence, and peace in the Middle East, South Asia, and
other regions of conflict *(Allen, D-ME)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H. Con. Res. 337 is scheduled to be
considered on Tuesday, June 10, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H. Con. Res. 337 would express that the House
of Representatives

-   "Reaffirms that youth should be involved in long-term, visionary
    solutions to violent conflicts;

-   "Honors the accomplishments of Seeds of Peace in its 15 years of
    promoting understanding, reconciliation, acceptance, coexistence,
    and peace among youth from the Middle East and other regions of
    conflict around the world; and

-   "Views Seeds of Peace as a highly creative and successful effort to
    achieve reconciliation among peoples from areas of conflict, which
    inspires great hope that nations in conflict ultimately can learn to
    live together in peace, cooperation, and security."

The resolution lists numerous findings, including the following:

-   "Seeds of Peace, founded by the late John Wallach, is a program that
    brings together young people and educators from regions of conflict
    to study and learn about coexistence and conflict resolution;

-   "These young people study and learn primarily at an international
    conflict resolution summer camp operated by Seeds of Peace in
    Otisfield, Maine, and also through its regional programs such as the
    facilitation training course in the Middle East, the homestay
    programs in South Asia, and international regional conferences;

-   "The first international conflict resolution camp welcomed Israeli,
    Palestinian, Jordanian, and Egyptian youths in the summer of 1993,
    and has since expanded to involve youths from other regions of
    conflict, including from Greece, Turkey and divided Cyprus, the
    Balkans, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan;

-   "Seeds of Peace works to dispel fear, mistrust, and prejudice, which
    among others are root causes of violence and conflict, and to build
    a new generation of leaders who are committed to achieving peace;

-   "Seeds of Peace reveals the human face of those whom youth may have
    been taught to hate, by engaging campers in both guided coexistence
    sessions and ordinary summer camp activities such as living together
    in cabins, sharing meals, canoeing, swimming, playing sports, and
    creative exploration through the arts and computers;

-   "Long-term peace between Arabs and Israelis, Indians and Pakistanis,
    and Afghans and Pakistanis can only be achieved with the emergence
    of a new generation of leaders who will choose dialogue, friendship,
    and openness over violence and hatred;

-   "Seeds of Peace provides year-round opportunities via regional
    programming and innovative technology to enable former participants
    to build on the relationships forged at camp, so that the learning
    processes begun at camp may continue subsequently in the
    participants' home countries;

-   "Youth graduates of the camp, known as Seeds, currently number over
    4,000, with an additional 567 adult delegation leaders also having
    completed Seeds of Peace training;

-   "Seeds of Peace is strongly supported by participating governments
    and many world leaders; and

-   "continued partial Federal funding for Seeds of Peace demonstrates
    its recognized importance in promoting peaceful resolution of
    conflicts as a primary goal of United States policy."

[Committee Action]{.underline}: H. Con. Res. 337 was introduced on April
29, 2008 and referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, which
held a mark-up of the resolution on April 30, 2008 and passed the
resolution by unanimous consent.

[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}: The resolution does not authorize
expenditures.\
\
[Does the Resolution Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline} No.\
\
[Does the Resolution Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government,
or Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline} No.\
\
[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}: Sarah Makin; 202-226-0718;
[**sarah.makin@mail.house.gov**](mailto:sarah.makin@mail.house.gov).

**H. Con. Res. 336---** **Honoring the sacrifices and contributions made
by disabled American veterans *(Altmire, D-PA)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H. Con. Res. 336 is scheduled to be
considered on Tuesday, June 10, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H. Con. Res. 336 would express that the House
of Representatives

-   "Recognizes the great sacrifices made by disabled veterans and their
    families;

-   "Calls on the people of the United States to honor all disabled
    American veterans and the freedom for which they sacrificed;

-   "Encourages local, State, and national organizations and
    governmental institutions to participate in the effort to honor the
    sacrifices of America's disabled veterans; and

-   "Supports the goals and ideals of Disabled American Veterans Week."

The resolution lists the following findings:

-   "The people of the United States have a sincere appreciation and
    respect for members of the Armed Forces who suffered disabling
    wounds while serving in the United States military;

-   "There are approximately 2,800,000 veterans receiving benefits from
    the Department of Veterans Affairs for disabilities incurred while
    defending our Nation;

-   "The current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have resulted in 30,000
    disabled American veterans as a direct result of combat operations,
    and even more so from conditions simulating war, instrumentalities
    of war, and hazardous duty in combat-related training;

-   "Families throughout every State in America have been affected by
    loved ones returning disabled from their service to their Nation;

-   "The American public supports the brave men and women who have
    defended the freedom of all in America;

-   "America owes its very integrity to her sons and daughters in
    uniform, who risk the most for the least, and who epitomize the
    extraordinary meaning of service, sacrifice, and, most importantly,
    freedom; and

-   "Americans should remember and honor our men and women in uniform
    who incurred disabilities while defending our Nation with a Disabled
    American Veterans Week."

[Committee Action]{.underline}: H. Con. Res. 336 was introduced on April
29, 2008 and referred to the House Committee on Veterans\' Affairs which
took no official action.

[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}: The resolution does not authorize
expenditures.\
\
[Does the Resolution Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline} No.\
\
[Does the Resolution Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government,
or Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline} No.\
\
[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}: Sarah Makin; 202-226-0718;
[**sarah.makin@mail.house.gov**](mailto:sarah.makin@mail.house.gov).

**H. Res. 1235---** **Expressing support for the designation of National
D-Day Remembrance Day, and recognizing the spirit, courage, and
sacrifice of the men and women who fought and won World War II (Scalise,
R-LA)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H. Res. 1235 is scheduled to be
considered on Tuesday, June 10, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H. Res. 1235 would express that the House of
Representatives supports the designation of National D-Day Remembrance
Day, recognizes and honors the veterans who served on D-Day, and thanks
them for their spirit, courage, and sacrifice.

The resolution lists the following findings:

-   "June 6, 2008, marks the 64th anniversary of D-Day, the day of the
    beginning of the Allied assault against the Axis forces at Normandy,
    France, during World War II;

-   " The D-Day assault, codenamed Operation Overlord, was the most
    extensive amphibious invasion ever to occur, and involved 5,000
    ships, over 11,000 sorties of Allied aircraft, and 150,000 American,
    British, and Canadian troops on the first day of the operation;

-   "The D-Day assault was among the most important events of World War
    II, as the success of the Allied landings in Normandy provided the
    foothold for the liberation of France and the eventual Allied
    advancement into Germany, leading ultimately to the Allied victory
    in Europe;

-   "the brave men and women of our armed services who participated in
    the D-Day assault forever changed the course of history by starting
    the liberation of occupied Europe from Nazi Germany;

-   "5 separate beaches were assaulted, with American forces under the
    command of Lieutenant General Omar Bradley attacking Omaha and Utah
    beaches, and British and Canadian forces under the command of
    General Miles Dempsey attacking Gold, Juno, and Sword beaches;

-   "According to General Dwight D. Eisenhower, American troops would
    'accept nothing less than full victory';

-   "American troops displayed tremendous heroism, dedication, and
    strength in storming the beaches of Normandy against a heavily
    fortified enemy;

-   "American troops suffered significant losses during the assault,
    including over 6,500 casualties;

-   "June 6, 1944, is one of the most significant dates in the history
    of the United States;

-   "The National D-Day Museum was dedicated on June 6, 2000, in New
    Orleans, Louisiana;

-   "Congress designated the museum as 'America's National World War II
    Museum' in 2003;

-   "The museum has welcomed 1,800,000 visitors since its opening, and
    currently sees an average of 17,000 visitors a month;

-   "The National World War II Museum is the only museum in the United
    States that exists for the exclusive purpose of interpreting the
    American experience during World War II on both the homefront and
    battlefront and, in doing so, covers all the branches of the Armed
    Forces and the Merchant Marines;

-   "The museum interprets the American experience during World War II,
    celebrates the American spirit, recognizes the teamwork, optimism,
    courage, and sacrifice of the men and women who won World War II,
    and promotes the exploration and expression of these values by
    future generations; and

-   "It would be appropriate to designate June 6, 2008, as National
    D-Day Remembrance Day."

[Committee Action]{.underline}: H. Res. 1235 was introduced on June 3,
2008 and referred to the House Committee on Veterans\' Affairs which
took no official action.

[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}: The resolution does not authorize
expenditures.\
\
[Does the Resolution Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline} No.\
\
[Does the Resolution Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government,
or Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline} No.\
\
[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}: Sarah Makin; 202-226-0718;
[**sarah.makin@mail.house.gov**](mailto:sarah.makin@mail.house.gov).

**H. Res. 1010---** **Recognizing the importance of manufactured housing
in the United States *(Donnelly, D-IN)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H. Res. 1010 is scheduled to be
considered on Tuesday, June 10, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H. Res. 1010 would express that the House of
Representatives

-   "Recognizes the importance of manufactured housing in providing
    decent, sustainable, and affordable housing;

-   "Recognizes the importance of manufactured housing in contributing
    to homeownership in the United States;

-   "Recognizes the importance of homeownership, including homeownership
    of manufactured homes, in building strong communities and families;
    and

-   "Recognizes and fully supports the goals and ideals of Manufactured
    Housing Week and National Homeownership Month."

The resolution lists the following findings:

-   "Manufactured housing plays a vital role in meeting the housing
    needs of the people of the United States and is an important source
    of quality, affordable housing, including both homeownership and
    rental housing;

-   "The manufactured housing industry in the United States has
    approximately \$6,000,000,000 annually in sales and employs
    approximately 70,000 people in factories and retail centers alone;

-   "18,000,000 people in the United States, representing all segments
    of the population, including emerging demographics, live in
    manufactured homes;

-   "Because it is an important source of affordable housing,
    manufactured housing is a critical part of the solution to the
    ongoing crisis in the housing market in this Nation;

-   "The factory production process provides manufactured housing with
    technological advantages, value, and customization options for
    consumers seeking quality housing and sustainable homeownership;

-   "Manufactured homes are built to a national standard under the
    National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act
    of 1974, which governs construction, engineering, quality, safety,
    and systems performance;

-   "That Act supports innovation, consumer safety, efficiency, and
    quality while preserving the affordability and customization of
    manufactured housing;

-   "Creating affordable homeownership opportunities helps build
    communities and requires the cooperation of the private and public
    sectors, including the Federal Government and State and local
    governments;

-   "The laws of the United States, such as the Manufactured Housing
    Improvement Act of 2000, encourage manufactured housing
    homeownership and should continue to do so in the future;

-   "June is designated as National Homeownership Month; and

-   "The third week of June is recognized as Manufactured Housing Week."

[Committee Action]{.underline}: H. Res. 1010 was introduced on February
28, 2008 and referred to the House Committee on Financial Services which
took no official action.

[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}: The resolution does not authorize
expenditures.\
\
[Does the Resolution Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline} No.\
\
[Does the Resolution Contain Any New State-Government, Local-Government,
or Private-Sector Mandates?]{.underline} No.\
\
[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}: Sarah Makin; 202-226-0718;
[**sarah.makin@mail.house.gov**](mailto:sarah.makin@mail.house.gov).

**S. 682---** **Edward William Brooke III Congressional Gold Medal Act
*(Kennedy, D-MA)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: S. 682 is scheduled to be
considered on Tuesday, June 10, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: S. 682 is scheduled to be
considered on Tuesday, May 13, 2008, under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: S. 682 requires the "Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to make
appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of Congress, of
a gold medal of appropriate design, to Edward William Brooke III, the
first African American elected by popular vote to the U.S. Senate, in
recognition of his unprecedented and enduring service to our Nation."

The resolution authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and
sell duplicates in bronze of such medal. Furthermore, the resolution
would require that all proceeds from the sale of such medals to be
deposited into the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

The resolution lists the following findings:

-   "Edward William Brooke III was the first African American elected by
    popular vote to the United States Senate and served with distinction
    for 2 terms from January 3, 1967, to January 3, 1979;

-   "In 1960, Senator Brooke began his public career when Governor John
    Volpe appointed him chairman of the Boston Finance Commission, where
    the young lawyer established an outstanding record of confronting
    and eliminating graft and corruption and proposed groundbreaking
    legislation for consumer protection and against housing
    discrimination and air pollution;

-   "At a time when few African Americans held State or Federal office,
    Senator Brooke became an exceptional pioneer, beginning in 1962,
    when he made national and State history by being elected Attorney
    General of Massachusetts, the first African American in the Nation
    to serve as a State Attorney General, the second highest office in
    the State, and the only Republican to win statewide in the election
    that year, at a time when there were fewer than 1,000 African
    American officials in our nation;

-   "He won office as a Republican in a state that was strongly
    Democratic;

-   "As Massachusetts Attorney General, Senator Brooke became known for
    his fearless and honest execution of the laws of his State and for
    his vigorous prosecution of organized crime;

-   "The pioneering accomplishments of Edward William Brooke III in
    public service were achieved although he was raised in Washington,
    DC at a time when the Nation's capital was a city where schools,
    public accommodations, and other institutions were segregated, and
    when the District of Columbia did not have its own self-governing
    institutions or elected officials;

-   "Senator Brooke graduated from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School and
    went on to graduate from Howard University in 1941;

-   "Senator Brooke's enduring advocacy for self-government and
    congressional voting rights for the citizens of Washington, DC has
    roots in his life and personal experience as a native Washingtonian;

-   "Senator Brooke served for 5 years in the United States Army in the
    segregated 366th Infantry Regiment during World War II in the
    European theater of operations, attaining the rank of captain and
    receiving a Bronze Star Medal for 'heroic or meritorious achievement
    or service' and the Distinguished Service Award;

-   "After the war, Senator Brooke attended Boston University School of
    Law, where he served as editor of the school's Law Review,
    graduating with an LL.B. in 1948 and an LL.M. in 1949, and made
    Massachusetts his home;

-   "Senator Brooke's biography, Bridging The Divide: My Life, was
    published in 2006, and he is the author of The Challenge of Change:
    Crisis in Our Two-Party System, published in 1966;

-   "Senator Brooke became a racial pioneer, but race was never at the
    center of his political campaigns;

-   "He demonstrated to all that with commitment, determination, and
    strength of character, even the barriers once thought insurmountable
    can be overcome.

-   "He has devoted his life to the service of others, and made enormous
    contributions to our society today;

-   "The life and accomplishments of Senator Brooke is inspiring proof,
    as he says, that 'people can be elected on the basis of their
    qualifications and not their race.'"

**[Note]{.underline}**: Some members may be concerned that Senator
Brooke has a stated position against protecting unborn human life,
through his clear support of abortion.

In 1976, Senator Brooke supported the federal funding of abortion.
Specifically, Senator Brooke fought against pro-life efforts which
sought to prohibit federal funding for abortions of low-income women
insured by Medicaid. "If we now restrict or ban Medicaid funding for
abortions, the government will accomplish for poor women indirectly what
the 1973 \[Supreme Court\] opinion expressly forbade it to do
directly...a right without access is no right at all," said then-Senator
Edward Brooke (R-MA), speaking in opposition to the Hyde Amendment
during one of the early congressional debates on the issue.

Furthermore, Senator Brooke led the fight against restrictions in the
Senate Appropriations Committee and in the House-Senate Conference until
his defeat.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: S. 682 was introduced February 17,
2007, and referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and
Urban Affairs which discharged the resolution by unanimous consent. The
Senate passed the resolution without amendment by unanimous consent.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: No CBO score exists, but such
coin-minting legislation usually yields some revenue for the federal
government.

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

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

**[Does the Resolution Comply with House Rules Regarding
Earmarks/Limited Tax Benefits/Limited Tariff Benefits?]{.underline}**: A
Committee Report citing compliance with rules regarding earmarks,
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits was not available. Such
a report is technically not required because the resolution is being
considered under a suspension of the rules.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: Currently, no House Report
exists.

[RSC Staff Contact]{.underline}: Sarah Makin; 202-226-0718;
[**sarah.makin@mail.house.gov**](mailto:sarah.makin@mail.house.gov).

**H.Res. 1145**---**Recognizing the 100 year anniversary of the
establishment of St. Mary's Cooperative Credit Association, the "Bank of
the People", and the birth of the American credit union *(Shea-Porter,
D-NH)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The resolution is scheduled to be
considered on Tuesday, June 10, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 1145 would express the sense that the
House or Representatives "recognizes the 100th anniversary of the
founding of St. Mary's Cooperative Credit Association, the 'Bank of the
People', and the birth of the American credit union."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "America's first credit union was established in 1908, in
    Manchester, New Hampshire, in order to afford hard-working American
    textile workers access to credit and savings;

-   "The St. Mary's Cooperative Credit Association, later to be named
    the 'Bank of the People', would lay the foundation for the creation
    of over 8,500 credit unions in America today, which serve over
    90,000,000 members;

-   "On June 26, 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law
    the Federal Credit Union Act, thus enabling credit unions to be
    organized throughout the United States under the charters approved
    by the Federal Government;

-   "St. Mary's Cooperative Credit Association and other credit unions
    created as a result of the passage of the Federal Credit Union Act
    played an instrumental role in helping hard-working Americans
    recover after the Great Depression;

-   "America\'s Credit Union Museum, located on the site of America's
    first credit union, maintains a mission of 'educating present and
    future generations on the benefits of cooperative self-help efforts
    to promote thrift and sensible use of credit' and preserves the
    history and tradition of America's credit unions;

-   "Credit unions operate with the credo, 'Not for profit, not for
    charity-but for service' and have consistently reflected this
    philosophical tradition and the cooperative spirit of 'people
    helping people' that gave birth to the Federal Credit Union Act; and

-   "2008 will mark the 100th anniversary of the establishment of St.
    Mary's Cooperative Credit Association in Manchester, New Hampshire,
    America's first credit union."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Res. 1145 was introduced on April
23, 2008, and referred to the Committee on Financial Services, which
took no official action.\
\
**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution does not authorize
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}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

**S. 254---A bill to award posthumously a Congressional gold medal to
Constantino Brumidi (Enzi, R-WY)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled to be
considered on Tuesday, June 10, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.\
\
**[Summary]{.underline}**: S. 254 would require the Speaker of the House
and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to posthumously present, on
behalf of Congress, a gold medal honoring the Constantino Brumidi's
contributions to the nation. The bill would require the Architect of the
Capitol (AOC) to display the medal in the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC)
upon its completion.

S. 254 would require the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell
bronze duplicates of the medal to recoup the costs of designing and
producing the gold medal.

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: According to the Architect of
the Capitol (AOC), Constantino Brumidi was born in Italy in 1805 and
grew up in Rome, where he studied at the Italian Academy of Arts. In
1852, Brumidi immigrated to the United States and was hired as the
official artist charged with painting not only the interior of the
Capitol dome, but numerous hallways, rooms, and corridors throughout the
building. Brumidi worked on the Capitol for 27 years and painted "The
Apotheosis of George Washington," along with scores of frescoes and
paintings that decorate the building today. Brumidi continued to work in
the Capitol until his death in Washington, D.C., in 1880. The west
corridor in the Senate-side of the Capitol is named the "Brumidi
Corridor" in honor of his extensive work.

Congressional Gold Medal legislation usually authorizes funds to be
spent from the U.S. Mint's Public Enterprise Fund to pay for the costs
of the medals, while sales from the duplicate bronze medals are usually
deposited back into the Public Enterprise Fund.

The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that it costs \$35,000 to
create a Gold Medal, including approximately \$25,000 to design the
medal. According to Treasury, each Congressional Gold Medal contains 16
ounces of gold. As of June 9, 2008, gold was trading for \$891.50 an
ounce. Thus, a medal authorized under current rates would include
approximately \$14,264 worth of gold, and cost taxpayers approximately
\$39,264. While sales of most duplicate medals are not strong enough to
offset the cost of the gold medal, in some cases, sales of duplicate
medals for individuals such as George Washington, Pope John Paul II, and
Ronald Reagan, have offset their gold medal costs.

Among the recipients of the Congressional Gold Medal are President
George Washington, Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks, Winston
Churchill, and Pope John Paul II. Legislation has been introduced in
recent Congresses to award the medal to individuals such as the Reverend
Jesse Jackson, Arnold Palmer, Cesar Chavez, and Fred Rogers. To view a
full list of award recipients see:
<http://clerk.house.gov/art_history/house_history/goldMedal.html>.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: S. 254 was passed in the Senate of
May 21, 2007, and received in the House the following day. That same
day, the bill was referred to the Committee on Financial Services, which
took no official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: According to CBO, S. 254 would
authorize approximately \$35,000 for the production of the Constantino
Brumidi gold medal. CBO estimates that the Mint would "recoup some of
its costs by selling bronze duplicates to the public."

**[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}** A Committee Report
citing compliance with rules regarding earmarks, limited tax benefits,
or limited tariff benefits was not available. Such a report is not
required because the bill is being considered under a suspension of the
rules.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: A Committee Report citing
constitutional authority was not available as of press time.

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

**H.R. 3229---National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center Commemorative
Coin Act (Westmorland, R-GA)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled to be
considered on Tuesday, June 10, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.\
\
**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 3229 would require the Secretary of
Treasury, in 2012, to mint no more than 350,000 \$1 coins in
commemoration of the legacy of the U.S. Army Infantry and the
establishment of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center.

H.R. 3229 would require the Secretary to design the coin in a way that
is emblematic of the courage, pride, sacrifice, sense of duty, and
history of the United States Infantry. The coin would also be required
to contain the inscriptions "2012," "Liberty," "In God We Trust,"
"United States of America," and "E Pluribus Unum." The bill would
require the coin to weigh 26.7 grams, have a size one and a half inches
in diameter, and contain 90% silver and 10% copper. In addition, the
bill would require that, to the greatest extent possible, the coins be
struck United States Mint at West Point, New York.

H.R. 3229 would stipulate the coins have a face value of \$1 and be sold
at a surcharge of \$10. Each bill would be sold at a price the covers
the face value of the coin, the \$10 surcharge, and the cost of
producing the coin. All of the surcharges collected will be given to the
National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center.

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: The United States Army Infantry
traces back to the first days of the Revolutionary War and has been
involved in every major U.S. conflict. According to the National
Infantry Foundation,

> For more than two centuries, the United States Infantry has fought
> alongside other armed forces to protect our freedom. Their missions
> have brought them literally face-to-face with the enemy. Their
> courage, pride and sense of duty stood tall above any fear they faced.
> But the battle for our freedom has been costly. As many as 80 percent
> of all the servicemen and women who have died serving their country
> were part of the Infantry.

In order to honor the service of those who have fought for the freedom
of America in the Army Infantry, the National Infantry Foundation has
undertaken the establishment of a National Infantry Museum at Patriot
Park in Fort Benning, Georgia. The National Infantry Foundation is
currently in the process of raising some \$70 million for the new
museum, which will seek to educate the public about the role of the Army
Infantry in America's history, honor those who have served in the Army
Infantry, and preserve the Infantry's history. H.R. 3229 seeks to raise
awareness of the Army Infantry and the National Infantry Museum by
commemorating the Infantry's courage, sacrifice, and honored history.\
\
**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 3229 was introduced on July 30,
2007, and referred to the Committee on Financial Services. On October
19, 2007, the bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Domestic and
International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology, which took no
official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: A CBO cost estimate for H.R. 3229
was not available at press time.

**[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}** A Committee Report
citing compliance with rules regarding earmarks, limited tax benefits,
or limited tariff benefits was not available. Such a report is not
required because the bill is being considered under a suspension of the
rules.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: A Committee Report citing
constitutional authority was not available as of press time.

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

**H.R. 2268---Mother's Day Centennial Commemorative Coin Act**

**(Capito, R-WV)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled to be
considered on Tuesday, June 10, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.\
\
**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 2268 would require the Secretary of
Treasury to mint no more than 400,000 \$1 coins in commemoration of the
100^th^ anniversary of the designation of Mother's Day by President
Woodrow Wilson in 1914.

H.R. 3229 would require the Secretary to design the coin in a way that
is emblematic of the 100^th^ anniversary of the designation of Mother's
Day as the second Sunday in May. The coin would also be required to
contain the inscriptions "2012," "Liberty," "In God We Trust," "United
States of America," and "E Pluribus Unum." The bill would require the
coin to weigh 26.7 grams, have a size one and a half inches in diameter,
and contain 90% silver and 10% copper.

H.R. 2268 would stipulate the coins have a face value of \$1 and include
a surcharge of \$10. Each bill would be sold at a price the covers the
face value of the coin, the \$10 surcharge, and the cost of producing
the coin. All of the surcharges collected will be divided equally
between the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Breast Cancer Foundation for the
purpose of furthering research funded by the organization and the
National Osteoporosis Foundation for the purpose of furthering research
funded by the Foundation.

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: According to findings listed in
the bill, Anne Jarvis, born in 1864, is considered to be the founder of
Mother's Day. Jarvis, a West Virginian, spent much of her time honoring
the life of her mother and declared the third anniversary of her
mother's death in 1905 as "Mother's Day." In 1910, West Virginia's
Governor, William Glasscock, made a proclamation commemorating the day
and encouraging everyone to wear white carnations and attend church to
mark the day. Four years later, Congress passed H.J.Res. 263,
designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day. The following Day,
on May 9, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson issued a Presidential
Proclamation encouraging government officials and the American people to
fly flags on the second Sunday in May to honor the mothers of America.\
\
**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 2268 was introduced on May 10,
2007, and referred to the Committee on Financial Services. On June 7,
2007, the bill was referred to the Subcommittee on Domestic and
International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology, which took no
official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: A CBO cost estimate for H.R. 2268
was not available at press time.

**[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}** A Committee Report
citing compliance with rules regarding earmarks, limited tax benefits,
or limited tariff benefits was not available. Such a report is not
required because the bill is being considered under a suspension of the
rules.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: A Committee Report citing
constitutional authority was not available as of press time.

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

**H.R. 1553---Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act of 2008
(Pryce, R-OH)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled to be
considered on Wednesday, June 4, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 1553 would amend the Public Health
Service Act to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health
(NIH) to establish several new programs and grant initiatives that would
support and fund pediatric cancer research and awareness. The bill would
authorize \$30 million annually and \$150 million over the FY 2009---FY
2013 period to fund the programs.

The bill would require the Director of NIH to establish programs through
the National Cancer Institute to conduct special research in pediatric
cancers. The bill would require that the research demonstrate a balanced
approach between "cause, prognosis, prevention, diagnosis, and
treatment." H.R. 1553 would also provide for a grant program to support
a sufficient amount of pediatric focused clinics to facilitate a
"continuous momentum of research excellent."

H.R. 1553 would call for the Director of NIH to award a grant for the
operation of a national childhood cancer database. The database, which
would be operated in cooperation with the National Cancer Institute,
would be known as the Childhood Cancer Research Network.

The bill would also require the Secretary of the Department of Health
and Human Services to provide grants to childhood cancer professional
and advocacy organizations that raise public awareness about childhood
cancer treatments.

**[Additional Information]{.underline}**: According to findings listed
in the bill, cancer kills more children than asthma, diabetes, cystic
fibrosis, and AIDS combined. Every year more than 2,300 children are
killed by cancer and 12,500 more are diagnosed with the disease. Despite
new and aggressive chemotherapy treatments, more than 50% of all
children diagnosed with a metastatic disease die. And although one in
330 Americans are diagnosed with cancer before age 20, childhood cancer
is usually the least detected and 80% of children are diagnosed with a
cancer that has spread throughout their body. H.R. 1553 is named for the
nine-year-old daughter of Rep. Deborah Pryce, who died of cancer in
1999.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 1553 was introduced on March
15, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
Subcommittee on Health. The Subcommittee held a mark-up on April 23,
2008, and reported the bill to the full committee by voice vote. On May
7, 2008, the full committee held a mark-up and reported the bill by
voice vote.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: According to CBO, H.R. 1553 would
authorize \$30 million in FY 2008 and \$150 million over the FY
2008---FY2012 period, subject to appropriation.

**[Does the Bill Expand the Size and Scope of the Federal
Government?]{.underline}** Yes, it creates new NIH and HHS grant
programs to enhance childhood cancer research and awareness.

**[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}** A Committee Report
citing compliance with rules regarding earmarks, limited tax benefits,
or limited tariff benefits was not available.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: A Committee Report citing
constitutional authority was not available.

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

**H.Res. 1145**---**Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives
that rebate checks would better stimulate the economy if spent on
American-made products and services from American-owned companies
*(Braley, D-IA)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The resolution is scheduled to be
considered on Tuesday, June 10, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 1145 would express the sense that the
House or Representatives "encourages Americans to use their rebate
checks from the stimulus package to purchase American-made goods and
services from American-owned companies."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "Many economists believe the economy of the United States is
    entering a recession;

-   "The economy lost 17,000 jobs in January 2008 and 191,000 in 2007;

-   "The manufacturing sector lost 269,000 jobs over the past 12 months
    and 28,000 jobs in January 2008 alone;

-   "Manufacturing employment now accounts for less than 10 percent of
    the job market for the first time since data began being collected
    in the 1930s;

-   "In January 2008, 18.3 percent of those unemployed had been out of
    work for 27 weeks or longer, up from 16.2 percent a year earlier;

-   "Manufactured goods imported from developing countries have grown
    from just 2.5 percent of the gross domestic product in 1990 to 6
    percent in 2006;

-   "Annually, total housing starts decreased in 2007 to 1,353,700,
    which is a 24.8 percent decrease from the 2006 estimate of
    1,800,900;

-   "Congress and the President responded to the potential recession by
    passing into law a bipartisan stimulus package that provides rebate
    checks of up to \$600 per individual and \$1,200 per married couple,
    plus an additional \$300 per child;

-   "The stimulus legislation will put money back into the hands of
    low-income and middle-income Americans, those who need it most;

-   "The stimulus legislation will be most effective if the rebate
    checks are spent on American-made goods and services from
    American-owned companies;

-   "American-made goods are the best in the world;

-   "The annual trade deficit has grown to the \$700,000,000,000 range
    in the past decade, up from the \$100,000,000,000 range in the early
    1990s;

-   "Buying American-made goods would not add to the size of the growing
    trade deficit, which many economists contend is unreasonably large;

-   "There have been concerns about the safety of imported goods,
    spurred by the fact that 60 percent of product recalls in the past
    year involved Chinese-made toys, food ingredients, and other
    products; and

-   "Many countries do not follow the same environmental, labor, and
    human rights standards of the United States, putting American
    workers and companies at a competitive disadvantage."

**[Additional Information]{.underline}**: H.Res. 1145 seemingly implies
that trade is detrimental to the U.S. economy. However, most economic
data suggests that trade is essential to the prosperity of the U.S.
economy. In a May 2008, briefing paper Daniella Markheim, the Heritage
Foundation's senior trade analyst, wrote:

> The number of American jobs displaced each year by international trade
> is estimated to be no more than a relatively small 3 percent of the
> work­force. Far more important in changing the com­position of America's
> workforce have been advances in technology and shifts in consumer
> preferences. The combined impact of innovation and reduced barriers to
> trade has served to help the economy, not harm it. Under NAFTA,
> America has experienced an average unemployment rate of 5.1
> percent---2 per­cent lower than the average unemployment rate during
> the decade before the agreement was imple­mented. Today, more than 57
> million Americans are employed by firms that engage in international
> trade---roughly 40 percent of all non-farm jobs\... Since 1994, when
> NAFTA was implemented, U.S. GDP has grown by more than 50 percent, and
> the econ­omy has created a net 26 million new jobs.
> (<http://www.heritage.org/Research/TradeandForeignAid/bg2132.cfm>)

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Res. 1145 was introduced on
February 12, 2008, and referred to the Energy and Commerce Committee
Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection, which took no
official action.\
\
**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution does not authorize
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}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.

**S. 2146---A bill to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency to accept, as part of a settlement, diesel emission
reduction Supplemental Environmental Projects, and for other purposes**

***(Carper, D-DE)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled to be
considered on Tuesday, June 10, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.\
\
**[Summary]{.underline}**: S. 2146 would allow the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) to accept diesel emissions reduction
"supplemental environmental projects" as settlements of environmental
violations. Under current law, the EPA cannot accept diesel emissions
reduction projects in return for a reduced monetary penalty because the
diesel emission reduction program now receives appropriated funding.

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: According to [Senate Report
110-266](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(sr266)),
the Environmental Protection Agency, when environmental laws and
regulations are violated, may allow violators to supplement monetary
penalties by conduction projects that benefit the environment. Known as
"supplemental environmental projects," these undertakings allow
violators of environmental restrictions to reduce their monetary
penalties while participating in projects that fulfill the EPA's
underlying mission.\
\
The EPA has used supplemental environmental projects as a way to carry
out numerous environmental ventures. One of the most popular
supplemental environmental projects involves retrofitting and updating
old diesel engines, especially those in school busses, to make them more
environmentally friendly. Environmental violators have funded some \$62
million in diesel engine clean-up projects through supplemental
environmental projects. According to the Senate Committee on Environment
and Public Works, supplemental environmental projects make up for 37% of
all diesel engine retrofitting endeavors.

In 2005, Energy Policy Act authorized EPA funds for the diesel engine
projects through the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, which was included
in the bill. Last December, the FY 2008 Omnibus Appropriations Act
appropriated funds for the program for the very first time since it was
authorized in 2005. The omnibus appropriated \$49.2 million for the
program.

According to [Senate Report
110-266](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(sr266)),
the EPA does not allow environmental violators to conduct supplemental
environmental projects that are officially appropriated money by
Congress. Therefore, all of the diesel engine programs that were being
conducted through supplemental environmental projects have ceased. S.
2146 would allow environmental violators to engage in diesel reduction
supplemental environmental projects, despite the fact that the programs
now receive appropriated funds.\
\
**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: According to CBO, S. 2146 would
slightly reduce revenue by allowing certain environmental policy
violators to reduce their monetary penalties by engaging in diesel
emission reduction projects. CBO estimates that the reduction in revenue
would amount to less than \$500,000 annually.

**[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}** [Senate Report
110-266](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(sr266))
does not cite compliance with rules regarding earmarks, limited tax
benefits, or limited tariff benefits was not available.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: [Senate Report
110-266](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(sr266))
does not cite constitutional authority.

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

**H.Res. 1236**---**Expressing the sympathy of the House of
Representatives to the citizens of Black Hawk, Buchanan, Butler, and
Delaware Counties, Iowa, who were victims of the devastating tornado
that struck their communities on May 25, 2008 *(Braley, D-IA)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The resolution is scheduled to be
considered on Tuesday, June 10, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 1236 would express the sense that the
House or Representatives

-   "Expresses its deepest sympathies to the citizens of Black Hawk,
    Buchanan, Butler, and Delaware Counties, Iowa, who were victims of
    the devastating tornado that struck their communities on May 25,
    2008; and

-   "Expresses its support as these citizens continue their efforts to
    clean up and rebuild their communities."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "On Sunday May 25, 2008, a tornado struck eastern Iowa and left a
    path of destruction from Aplington to Lamont;

-   "This tornado was classified as an EF-5, the strongest possible
    type, with winds estimated at 205 miles per hour;

-   "8 people died in Parkersburg and New Hartford as a result of the
    tornado;

-   "Approximately 50 percent of the community of Parkersburg was
    destroyed, including at least 288 homes;

-   "Substantial damage also occurred in Aplington, New Hartford,
    Dunkerton, Fairbank, Hazleton, and Lamont; and

-   "The faith, courage, and determination of the citizens of Black
    Hawk, Buchanan, Butler, and Delaware Counties, Iowa, is evident as
    they continue the task of cleaning up and rebuilding their
    communities following the tornado.'

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Res. 1236 was introduced on June
4, 2008, and referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, which took no official action.\
\
**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: The resolution does not authorize
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}**: Andy Koenig;
<andy.koenig@mail.house.gov>; 202-226-9717.