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

**Legislative
Bulletin................................................May 5, 2008**

**Contents:**

> **H.R. 3658---**To amend the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to permit
> rest and recuperation travel to United States territories for members
> of the Foreign Service
>
> **H.Res. 1011---**Calling on the United States Government and the
> international community to promptly develop, fund, and implement a
> comprehensive regional strategy to protect civilians, facilitate
> humanitarian operations, contain and reduce violence, and contribute
> to conditions for sustainable peace and good governance in Chad, as
> well as in the wider region that includes the northern region of the
> Central African Republic and the Darfur region of Sudan
>
> **H.Res. 1109---**Honoring the memory of Dith Pran by remembering his
> life's work and continuing to acknowledge and remember the victims of
> genocides that have taken place around the globe
>
> **H.Res. 1166**---Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives
> regarding provocative and dangerous statements and actions taken by
> the Government of the Russian Federation that undermine the
> territorial integrity of the Republic of Georgia
>
> **H.Con.Res. 317---**Condemning the Burmese regime's undemocratic
> constitution and scheduled referendum
>
> **H.Res. 1091---**Honoring the life, achievements, and contributions
> of Charlton Heston and extending its deepest sympathies to the family
> of Charlton Heston for the loss of such a great generous man, husband,
> and father
>
> **H.Res. 1113---**Celebrating the role of mothers in the United States
> and supporting the goals and ideals of Mother's Day
>
> **H.Res. 952**---Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives
> that there should be established a National Teacher Day to honor and
> celebrate teachers in the United States
>
> **S. 2929**---A bill to temporarily extend the programs under the
> Higher Education Act of 1965
>
> **H.Res. 1168**---Congratulating charter schools and their students,
> parents, teachers, and administrators across the United States for
> their ongoing contributions to education, and for other purposes
>
> **H.Res. 1155**---Honoring the recipients of the El Dorado Promise
> scholarship

**H.R. 3658---To amend the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to permit rest
and recuperation travel to United States territories for members of the
Foreign Service (Fortuño*,* R-PR)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, May 5, 2008, under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the bill.\
\
**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 3658 would authorize the Secretary of
State to pay for rest and relaxation travel to U.S. territories
(American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Commonwealth
of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands)
for members of the Foreign Service.

**[Additional Information]{.underline}**: Under current law, the
Secretary of State is allowed to pay for the travel expenses of members
of the Foreign Service and their families for the purpose of rest and
relaxation while they are serving overseas. However, such travel is
limited to locations abroad that are distinct from where the Foreign
Service member is serving and locations within the U.S. H.R. 3658 would
expand the definition to allow the Secretary to pay for travel to U.S.
territories as well.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 3658 was introduced on
September 25, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs,
which held a mark-up on April 30, 2008, and reported the bill by
unanimous consent.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: A CBO score for H.R. 3658 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.

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

**H.Res. 1011---Calling on the United States Government and the
international community to promptly develop, fund, and implement a
comprehensive regional strategy to protect civilians, facilitate
humanitarian operations, contain and reduce violence, and contribute to
conditions for sustainable peace and good governance in Chad, as well as
in the wider region that includes the northern region of the Central
African Republic and the Darfur region of Sudan (Wolf*,* R-VA)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H.Res. 1011 is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, May 5, 2008, under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 1011 would express the sense that the
House:

-   "Expresses concern about the safety and well-being of innocent
    civilians in Chad, and the refugees from Darfur and the Central
    African Republic;

-   "Strongly condemns Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and the
    National Congress Party for their support of the armed rebellion and
    aggressive behavior in Chad and throughout the region;

-   "Calls on parties to seek a negotiated settlement;

-   "Urges the Government of Chad to:

    -   "Engage in an inclusive national dialogue with all stakeholders
        of the current conflict to reach a comprehensive agreement that
        would address the root causes of the Chadian crisis and
        strengthen democratic institutions;

    -   "Protect its civilians from violence and respect and enforce the
        rule of law in accordance with international norms and
        standards; and

    -   "Honor its May 9, 2007, agreement with the United Nations
        Children\'s Fund, ensuring its commitment to end all recruitment
        of persons under the age of 18 and demobilize all children under
        the age of 18 from its security forces;

-   "Urges the Government of the Central African Republic to:

    -   "Fulfill its obligation under international law to protect
        civilians; and

    -   "Engage in constructive and inclusive dialogue with opposition
        and armed groups;

-   "Calls on armed opposition groups to:

    -   "Renounce violence and respect the rule of law;

    -   "Engage in political dialogue to resolve the current crisis in
        their respective countries; and

    -   "Immediately end cooperation with the Government of Sudan and
        others that encourage and support armed rebellion;

-   "Urges the United Nations Security Council to remain focused on the
    crises in Chad and the Central African Republic, and to ensure the
    effective and impartial protection of civilians, including
    internally displaced persons and refugees, particularly local
    populations, by preempting, preventing, and deterring attacks on
    civilians; and

-   "Calls on the President to:

    -   "Continue United States humanitarian assistance to the refugees
        and internally displaced persons in Chad and the Central African
        Republic;

    -   "Provide support to strengthen democratic institutions and
        respect for human rights and rule of law; and

    -   "Seek punitive measures against the Government of Sudan by the
        United Nations Security Council for its aggression and
        destructive activities in Chad and the region."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Res. 1011 was introduced on
February 28, 2008, and referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs,
which held a mark-up and reported the bill, as amended, by unanimous
consent on April 30, 2008.

**[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.

**H.Res. 1109---Honoring the memory of Dith Pran by remembering his
life's work and continuing to acknowledge and remember the victims of
genocides that have taken place around the globe *(Sires, D-NJ)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H.Res. 1109 is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, May 5, 2008, under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 1109 would express the sense that the
House:

-   "Honors the life and legacy of Mr. Dith for his commitment to
    raising awareness about the atrocities that took place under the
    Khmer Rouge in Cambodia;

-   "Recognizes his courage and his endless pursuit for justice for the
    victims of the Cambodian genocide and all peoples around the world
    who have been victims of genocide; and

-   "Honors the memory of Mr. Dith by remembering his life\'s work and
    continuing to acknowledge and remember the victims of genocides that
    have taken place around the world."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "Dith Pran was born on September 23, 1942, in Siem Reap, Cambodia, a
    provincial town near the ancient temples at Angkor Wat;

-   "Mr. Dith, a photojournalist and human rights advocate, became the
    face of the atrocities in Cambodia carried out by the Khmer Rouge;

-   "Mr. Dith learned French and English in school and became a
    translator of Khmer for the United States Armed Forces and visiting
    film crews while he worked as a receptionist at a hotel near Angkor
    Wat prior to the escalation of the Vietnam War;

-   "During much of the early 1970s, Mr. Dith was a guide, interpreter,
    and friend of Sydney H. Schanberg of the New York Times;

-   "The friendship and partnership between Mr. Dith and Mr. Schanberg
    became the basis for the 1984 film, 'The Killing Fields', which
    showed the brutality perpetrated by the Khmer Rouge from 1975 to
    1979 under Pol Pot;

-   "Nearly 2,000,000 Cambodians died from 1975 to 1979 at the hands of
    the Khmer Rouge;

-   "For four years, Mr. Dith disguised himself as a peasant, worked in
    rice fields, and endured regular beatings and harsh labor while
    living on a diet of a tablespoon of rice a day because the Khmer
    Rouge would often kill anyone who appeared educated or even wore
    glasses;

-   "Dith fled 60 miles to the border of Thailand and arrived, on
    October 3, 1979, where Mr. Schanberg flew to greet him;

-   "Mr. Dith moved to New York, New York, and was hired in 1980 as a
    photographer for The New York Times; and

-   "On March 30, 2008, Mr. Dith, a resident of Woodbridge, New Jersey,
    passed away at the age of 65."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Res. 1109 was introduced on April
15, 2008, and referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, which held a
mark-up and reported the bill by unanimous consent on April 30, 2008.

**[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.

**H.Res. 1166---Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives
regarding provocative and dangerous statements and actions taken by the
Government of the Russian Federation that undermine the territorial
integrity of the Republic of Georgia *(Wexler, D-FL)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H.Res. 1166 is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, May 5, 2008, under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 1166 would express the sense that the
House:

-   "Condemns recent decisions made by the Government of the Russian
    Federation to establish 'official ties' with the regions of Abkhazia
    and South Ossetia, a process that further impedes reconciliation
    between those regions and the Government of the Republic of Georgia
    and that violates the sovereignty of the Republic of Georgia and the
    commitments of the Government of the Russian Federation to
    international peacekeeping;

-   "Calls upon the Government of the Russian Federation to immediately
    revoke its decision to establish 'official ties' with the regions of
    Abkhazia and South Ossetia;

-   "Strongly supports the restoration of the territorial integrity of
    the Republic of Georgia and a peaceful resolution of the conflicts
    within Georgia's internationally recognized borders;

-   "Encourages the Government of the Russian Federation to work with
    the Government of Georgia, the peoples of Abkhazia and South
    Ossetia, and the international community to find a peaceful solution
    to the conflict;

-   "Welcomes the measured reaction of the Government of the Republic of
    Georgia to recent developments and commends President Saakashvili's
    latest initiatives to resolve territorial conflicts through peaceful
    means;

-   "Calls on United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to conduct an
    investigation of the April 20, 2008, incident in which an unarmed
    Georgian reconnaissance aircraft was shot down by what reports
    indicate was a missile launched from a Russian MIG-29 fighter jet;

-   "Urges all parties to the conflicts in the Republic of Georgia and
    governments around the world to eschew rhetoric and actions that
    escalate tensions and undermine efforts to negotiate a peaceful
    settlement to the conflicts; and

-   "Supports the declaration of the North Atlantic Treaty
    Organization's (NATO) Bucharest Summit in Romania, which stated that
    the Republic of Georgia will become a member of NATO, reiterates its
    support for the commitment to further enlargement of NATO to include
    democratic governments that are able and willing to meet the
    responsibilities of membership, and urges the foreign ministers of
    NATO member states at their meeting in December 2008 to consider
    favorably the application of the Government of the Republic of
    Georgia\'s Membership Action Plan."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "Since 1993, the territorial integrity of the Republic of Georgia
    has been reaffirmed by the international community, international
    law, and 32 United Nations Security Council resolutions;

-   "The Government of the Republic of Georgia has pursued in good faith
    a peaceful resolution of territorial conflicts in the regions of
    Abkhazia and South Ossetia since the end of hostilities in 1993;

-   "The Government of the Russian Federation has also detailed Russian
    officials to take up positions in the separatist governments,
    provided military equipment and support to separatists in the
    regions, and encouraged Russian volunteers to serve in militias in
    Abkhazia and South Ossetia;

-   "The announcement from the Government of the Russian Federation on
    April 16, 2008, that it will establish 'official ties' with the
    regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, recognize their official
    documents and legal entities, and further involve itself in aspects
    of their governments appears to be a thinly veiled attempt at
    annexation;

-   "On April 20, 2008, tensions between the Russian Federation and the
    Republic of Georgia further escalated when an unarmed and unmanned
    Georgian reconnaissance aircraft was shot down over Georgian
    territory, reportedly by a Russian MIG-29 fighter jet; and

-   "On April 23, 2008, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stated that
    'the United States is firmly committed to the territorial integrity
    and sovereignty of Georgia, that we support Georgia\'s efforts to
    make certain that the people of Abkhazia and South Ossetia feel
    fully a part of Georgia, and that we are very concerned at the
    recent move by the Russian Federation, the presidential decree that
    was issued'"

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Res. 1166 was introduced on April
29, 2008, and referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, which held a
mark-up and reported the bill by unanimous consent on April 30, 2008.

**[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.

**H.Con.Res. 317---Condemning the Burmese regime's undemocratic
constitution and scheduled referendum *(Holt, D-NJ)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 317 is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, May 5, 2008, under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 317 would express the sense that
the House:

-   "Denounces the one-sided, undemocratic, and illegitimate act by the
    State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) to legalize military rule
    with the constitution;

-   "Firmly insists that Burma's military regime begin a meaningful
    tri-partite dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the 1990 election
    winning parties and ethnic nationality representatives toward
    national reconciliation, and the full restoration of democracy,
    freedom of assembly, freedom of movement, freedom of speech, freedom
    of the press, and internationally recognized human rights for all
    Burmese citizens;

-   "Demands the immediate and unconditional release of Daw Aung San Suu
    Kyi, detained Buddhist monks, and all other political prisoners and
    prisoners of conscience;

-   "Denounces the SPDC for its failure to comply with the United
    Nation's recommendations and engage in a meaningful time-bound
    tri-partite dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi, the 1990 election
    winning parties and ethnic nationality representatives;

-   "Condemns the military regime's constitution and scheduled
    referendum;

-   "Calls for the SPDC to comply fully and immediately with the
    recommendations made by United Nations Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari
    and the United Nations Security Council Presidential Statement
    issued on October 11, 2007;

-   "Urges the President to call for the United Nations Security Council
    to not accept or recognize the SPDC's constitution which will be the
    outcome of the referendum;

-   "Urges the President to call for the United Nations Security Council
    to pass a binding resolution, which will instruct the regime to
    fully comply with the recommendations made by United Nations Special
    Envoy Ibrahim Gambari and the United Nations Security Council
    Presidential Statement, and strengthen the mandate of
    Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to engage in a meaningful and
    time-bound dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the 1990 election
    winning parties and ethnic nationality representatives towards an
    inclusive democratic national reconciliation;

-   "Urges the President to push for a comprehensive arms embargo
    against the Burmese military regime at the United Nations Security
    Council so that weapons produced by foreign countries, including
    Ukraine, China, and Russia, who currently sell weapons to Burma\'s
    military regime, can no longer contribute the atrocities committed
    by Burma's military regime against civilians; and

-   "Urges the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to involve itself
    more deeply in reaching out to the Burmese democracy movement and
    work with the United Nations Security Council and the
    Secretary-General to end junta political intransigence and promote
    meaningful political dialogue."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "In 1988, the people of Burma came to the streets in a massive
    popular democracy uprising to call for democracy, human rights, and
    an end to military rule and a single party system;

-   "The current military regime violently crushed the mass democracy
    uprising in 1988, killing more than 3,000 peaceful protesters and
    took over power from the previous regime;

-   "The State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) over a period of 14
    years held a National Convention to draft a new constitution in
    which the process was tightly controlled, repressive and
    undemocratic;

-   "The National League for Democracy (NLD) walked out of the
    convention in 1995 because no one was allowed to table alternative
    proposals or voice any disagreement with the military regime;

-   "In 2005, the leaders of the Shan Nationalities League of Democracy
    (SNLD) were all arrested on false charges and sentenced to more than
    90 years in prison each;

-   "On February 9, 2008, the military regime announced that it will
    hold a constitutional referendum in May 2008 and a general election
    in 2010;

-   "On February 12, 2008, the SPDC extended the house arrest of U Tin
    Oo, Deputy Chairman of the NLD for another year; and

-   "The military regime is once again trying to abolish the 1990
    elections results and the election winning party status held by the
    NLD, and further legitimize military rule through an undemocratic
    process."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 317 was introduced on
March 14, 2008, and referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, which
held a mark-up and reported the bill by unanimous consent on April 30,
2008.

**[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.

**H.Res. 1091---Honoring the life, achievements, and contributions of
Charlton Heston and extending its deepest sympathies to the family of
Charlton Heston for the loss of such a great generous man, husband, and
father (Young, R-AK)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H.Res. 1091 is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, May 5, 2008, under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 1091 would express the sense that the
House:

-   "Honors the life, achievements, and contributions of Charlton
    Heston; and

-   "Extends its deepest sympathies to the family of Charlton Heston for
    the loss of such a great generous man, husband, and father."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "Charlton Heston first became beloved by the Nation as a great actor
    and portrayed many heroic figures, including Moses, Michelangelo,
    Andrew Jackson, John the Baptist, Mark Antony, and El Cid in epic
    movies of the 1950s and 1960s, and won the 1959 Best Actor Oscar for
    the lead character in 'Ben-Hur';

-   "Charlton Heston was a leader in many areas of life outside of
    acting, including serving as President of the Screen Actors Guild,
    which he helped to integrate with Ronald Reagan and was Chairman of
    the American Film Institute;

-   "Charlton Heston was an active supporter of the civil rights
    movement, including protesting the showing of his film at a
    segregated movie theater in Oklahoma City and participating in and
    leading the Arts Group in the 1963 civil rights march on Washington;

-   "In the last major public role of his life, Charlton Heston was
    President of the National Rifle Association from June 1998 until
    April 2003;

-   "As President of the National Rifle Association, Charlton Heston was
    a stalwart defender of the 2nd Amendment right of citizens to keep
    and bear arms and was an active and effective promoter of wildlife
    management through hunting;

-   "In 2003, Charlton Heston was awarded the Presidential Medal of
    Freedom, the Nation\'s highest civilian honor;

-   "Charlton Heston was born in Illinois on October 4, 1923, and his
    parents moved to St. Helen, Michigan, where he grew up; and

-   "Charlton Heston passed away on April 5, 2008, and the contributions
    he made to his family and his Nation will not be forgotten."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Res. 1091 was introduced on April
8, 2008, and referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, which held a
mark-up and reported the bill, as amended, by unanimous consent on April
16, 2008.\
\
**[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.

**H. Res. 1113---Celebrating the role of mothers in the United States
and supporting the goals and ideals of Mother's Day (Fortenberry,
R-NE)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H. Res. 1113 is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, May 5, 2008, under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H. Res. 1113 would express the sense that the
House of Representatives celebrates the role of mothers in the United
States and supports the goals and ideals of Mother's Day.

H. Res. 1113 lists several findings, including the following:

-   "Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of each May;

-   "The first official Mother's Day was observed on May 10, 1908, in
    Grafton, West Virginia, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;

-   "2008 is the 100th anniversary of the first official Mother's Day
    observation;

-   "In 1908, Elmer Burkett, a U.S. senator from Nebraska, proposed
    making Mother's Day a national holiday;

-   "In 1914, Congress passed a resolution designating the second Sunday
    of May as Mother's Day;

-   "It is estimated that there are more than 82,000,000 mothers in the
    United States;

-   "Mothers have made immeasurable contributions toward building strong
    families, thriving communities, and ultimately a strong Nation;

-   "The services rendered to the children of the United States by their
    mothers have strengthened and inspired the Nation throughout its
    history;

-   "We honor ourselves and mothers in the United States when we revere
    and emphasize the importance of the role of the home and family as
    the true foundation of the Nation; and

-   "Mothers continue to rise to the challenge of raising their families
    with love, understanding, and compassion, while overcoming the
    challenges of modern society."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H. Res. 1113 was introduced April
16, 2008, and referred to the House Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform, which held a mark-up on the bill on May 1, 2008 and
ordered the bill reported by voice vote.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: H Res. 1113 does not authorize any
funds. A CBO score 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.

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

**H. Res. 952---Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives
that there should be established a National Teacher Day to honor and
celebrate teachers in the United States *(Klein, D-FL)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H. Res. 952 is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, May 5, 2008, under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H. Res. 952 would express the sense of the
House of Representatives that:

-   "There should be established a National Teacher Day to honor and
    celebrate teachers; and

-   "The President should issue a proclamation calling on the people of
    the United States to observe such a day with appropriate ceremonies,
    programs, and activities."

H. Res. 952 lists several findings, including the following:

-   "The education of children in the United States is the foundation of
    the future success of the United States;

-   "Education is critical for the creation of an innovative workforce
    and for increasing the global competitiveness of the United States;

-   "Teachers help students cultivate the knowledge and principles
    necessary to be successful in life;

-   "Teachers are held to high expectations, while often receiving
    little compensation;

-   "Teachers help instill civic responsibility among students in the
    United States;

-   "Teachers deserve annual national recognition for their knowledge,
    selfless dedication to their profession, compassion, and sacrifice;
    and

-   "The Tuesday of the first full week of May of each year is an
    appropriate day for the establishment of National Teacher Day."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H. Res. 952 was introduced January
29, 2008, and referred to the House Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform, which held a mark-up on the bill on March 13, 2008
and ordered the bill reported by voice vote.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: H Res. 952 does not authorize any
funds. A CBO score 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.

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

**S. 2929---A bill to temporarily extend the programs under the Higher
Education Act of 1965 *(Kennedy, D-MA)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: S. 2929 is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, May 5, 2008, under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: S. 2929 would extend the authorization (at
current, FY08 levels) for the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) through
May 31, 2008. The HEA expired on April 30, 2008.

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: The Higher Education Act of
1965 (HEA) provides the majority of the federal government's higher
education financial aid programs. According to CRS, HEA programs
comprise the government's "major student aid programs to support
postsecondary education attendance, as well as other significant
programs such as those providing aid to special groups of institutions
of higher education and support services to enable disadvantaged
students to complete secondary school and enter and complete college."
The HEA has been operating under temporary extensions while a long-term
extension of the program is negotiated. On February 7, 2008, the House
passed H.R. 4137, the College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007,
which would extend the HEA through FY 2014. The bill has yet to be taken
up by the Senate. The last temporary extension of the HEA was passed in
March and extended programs through April 30, 2008.

[**Committee Action**:]{.underline} S. 2929 was introduced and passed in
the Senate by unanimous consent on April 29, 2008. The same day the bill
was sent to the House, which took no official action.

[**Cost to Taxpayers**:]{.underline} A CBO score for S. 2929 is not
available.

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

[]{.mark}

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

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

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

**H. Res. 1168---Congratulating charter schools and their students,
parents, teachers, and administrators across the United States for their
ongoing contributions to education, and for other purposes (Boustany,
R-LA)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H. Res. 1168 is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, May 5, 2008, under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H. Res. 1168 would express the sense that the
House of Representatives:

-   "Acknowledges and commends charter schools and their students,
    parents, teachers, and administrators across the United States for
    their ongoing contributions to education and improving and
    strengthening our public school system;

-   "Supports the ninth annual National Charter Schools Week; and

-   "Joins the President in calling on the people of the United States
    to conduct appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities to
    demonstrate support for charter schools during this weeklong
    celebration in communities throughout the United States."

H. Res. 1168 lists several findings, including the following:

-   "Charter schools deliver high-quality education and challenge our
    students to reach their potential;

-   "Charter schools provide thousands of families with diverse and
    innovative educational options for their children;

-   "Charter schools are public schools authorized by a designated
    public entity that are responding to the needs of our communities,
    families, and students and promoting the principles of quality,
    choice, and innovation;

-   "In exchange for the flexibility and autonomy given to charter
    schools, they are held accountable by their sponsors for improving
    student achievement and for their financial and other operations;

-   "40 States and the District of Columbia have passed laws authorizing
    charter schools;

-   "Over 4,300 charter schools are now serving approximately 1,200,000
    children;

-   "Over the last 14 years, Congress has provided over \$2,237,256,000
    in support to the charter school movement through startup financing
    assistance and grants for planning, implementation, and
    dissemination;

-   "Over 365,000 children are on charter school waiting lists
    nationally;

-   "Charter schools improve their students' achievement and stimulate
    improvement in traditional public schools;

-   "Charter schools must meet the student achievement accountability
    requirements under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
    1965 in the same manner as traditional public schools, and often set
    higher and additional individual goals to ensure that they are of
    high quality and truly accountable to the public;

-   "Charter schools give parents new freedom to choose their public
    school, routinely measure parental satisfaction levels, and must
    prove their ongoing success to parents, policymakers, and their
    communities;

-   "Charter schools nationwide serve a higher percentage of low-income
    and minority students than the traditional public system;

-   "Charter schools have enjoyed broad bipartisan support from the
    Administration, Congress, State Governors and legislatures,
    educators, and parents across the United States; and

-   "The ninth annual National Charter Schools Week, to be held May 5
    through May 9, 2008, is an event sponsored by charter schools and
    grassroots charter school organizations across the United States to
    recognize the significant impacts, achievements, and innovations of
    charter schools."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H. Res. 1168 was introduced May 1,
2008, and referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor, which
took no official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: H Res. 1168 does not authorize any
funds. A CBO score 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.

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

**H. Res. 1155---Honoring the recipients of the El Dorado Promise
scholarship *(Ross, D-AR)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H. Res. 1155 is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, May 5, 2008, under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H. Res. 1155 would express the sense that the
House of Representatives:

-   "Congratulates the recipients of the El Dorado Promise scholarship
    for choosing to further their education;

-   "Observes that April 30, 2008, is the second academic signing day
    for graduating El Dorado High School students receiving El Dorado
    Promise and other academic scholarships;

-   "Acknowledges that the El Dorado Promise scholarship program is
    important for the revitalization of southern Arkansas; and

-   "Recognizes Murphy Oil Corporation for its efforts to ensure that
    children from southern Arkansas, who might otherwise struggle in
    financing a college education, are able to attend college."

H. Res. 1155 lists several findings, including the following:

-   "The 2000 United States Census determined that El Dorado, Arkansas,
    had a significantly lower percentage of residents with degrees from
    institutions of higher education and significantly higher percentage
    of families who fell below the poverty line than the national
    average;

-   "It is increasingly important for students to obtain a college
    education in order to keep up with the demands of the modern
    workforce and global economy;

-   "The El Dorado Promise scholarship is a tuition scholarship, created
    and funded by Murphy Oil Corporation, which enables all eligible
    high school graduates of the El Dorado Public School District in El
    Dorado, Arkansas, to attend any accredited 2- or 4-year, public or
    private, college or university;

-   "School enrollment in the El Dorado Public School District has
    significantly increased since the El Dorado Promise scholarship
    program was established, despite a 15-year trend of decreasing
    enrollment;

-   "The El Dorado Promise scholarship program increased the number of
    El Dorado High School students who chose to attend college after
    graduation by 20 percent; and

-   "On April 30, 2008, El Dorado High School students who received El
    Dorado Promise and other academic scholarships sign academic letters
    of intent for the colleges they will be attending upon graduation."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H. Res. 1155 was introduced April
29, 2008, and referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor,
which took no official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: H Res. 1155 does not authorize any
funds. A CBO score 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.

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