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

**Legislative
Bulletin................................................April 22, 2008**

**Contents:**

> **H.R. 3513---**Copper Salmon Wilderness Act
>
> **H.R. 5151---**Wild Monongahela Act: A National Legacy for West
> Virginia's Special Places
>
> **H.R. 831---**Coffman Cove Administrative Site Conveyance Act of 2008
>
> **H.R. 3734---**Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National
> Conservation Area Act
>
> **H.Con.Res. 323---**Expressing Congressional support for the goals
> and ideals of National Health Care Decisions Day
>
> **H.Res. 981---**Recognizing March 6, 2008, as the first-ever World
> Glaucoma Day, established to increase awareness of glaucoma, which is
> the second leading cause of preventable blindness in the United States
> and worldwide
>
> **H.Res. 1112---**Recognizing 2008 as the International Year of the
> Reef
>
> **H.Res. 891**---Celebrating 35 years of space-based observations of
> the Earth by the Landsat spacecraft and looking forward to sustaining
> the longest unbroken record of civil Earth observations of the land
>
> **H.Res. 1118---**Honoring the life and achievements of John Archibald
> Wheeler and expressing condolences on his passing
>
> **H.Res. 1117---**Declaring the support of the House of
> Representatives for the goals and ideals of Earth Day and for
> developing the scientific and technological capabilities to achieve
> those goals
>
> **H.Con.Res. 322---**Recognizing the 60th anniversary of the founding
> of the modern State of Israel and reaffirming the bonds of close
> friendship and cooperation between the United States and Israel

**H.R. 3513---Copper Salmon Wilderness Act** ***(DeFazio, D-OR)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled to be
considered on Tuesday, April 22, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.\
\
**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 3513 would designate approximately
11,922 acres (approximately 40%) of the Siskiyou National Forest in
Oregon as the Copper Salmon Wilderness. The bill would require the
Secretary of Agriculture, through the U.S. Forest Service, to preserve
and protect the land from any future development or mechanized vehicle
use.

H.R. 3513 would also designate 6.1 miles of the North Fork Elk River and
5.1 miles of the South Fork Elk River as part of the Elk River Wild and
Scenic River in Oregon. The addition would extend the Elk River Wild and
Scenic River designation from 19 miles in length to 30.

The bill would stipulate that the designations may not be construed to
diminish any Indian tribe rights and would require the Secretary of
agriculture to enter into a "memorandum of understanding" with the
Coquille Indian Tribe regarding access to the Copper Salmon Wilderness.

Finally, H.R. 3513 would designate an additional 1,708 acres of the
Siskiyou National Forest as potential wilderness are for eventual
inclusion in the Copper Salmon Wilderness designation. The Secretary
would be required to manage the potential wilderness land in the same
way the Copper Salmon Wilderness is managed, which an exception that
would allow the use of motorized vehicles on the land to conduct planned
ecological restoration until the land is permanently designated as
wilderness. The potential wilderness area will be officially designated
as a part of the Copper Salmon Wilderness when the Secretary publishes a
notice that the planned ecological restoration is complete or within ten
years, whichever is first.

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: The [Wilderness
Act](http://wilderness.nps.gov/document/wildernessAct.pdf) was signed in
1964 in order to preserve and protect federal land that was especially
pristine and untouched by human development. According to the text of
the Act, the purpose of the designation is to ensure that human
expansion and mechanized growth does not occupy or modify all lands in
the U.S. As such, federal land designated as "wilderness" is prohibited
from being used for any resource extraction such as logging or mining,
but is generally open to the public for camping, hiking, hunting, and
fishing. Mechanized vehicles are strictly prohibited on wilderness
lands. Since the wilderness designation is only given to lands that are
already controlled by the federally government, this bill would not add
new land to the U.S. Forest Service's domain. Once designated,
wilderness areas remain under the control of the federal department that
originally managed the land, in this case, the Department of Agriculture
operating through the U.S. Forest Service.\
\
Because of the tight land-use restriction placed on federal land
designated as wilderness, there is often local controversy associated
with the designation. However, the Committee on Natural Resources, in
[House Report
110-591](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr591)),
states that "H.R. 3513 has broad support from Oregon Governor
Kulongoski, the Curry County Commission, the Mayor of Port Orford, the
Port Orford Chamber of Commerce, the Friends of the Elk River, Trout
Unlimited, and the American Fisheries Society (Oregon Chapter)."\
\
**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 3513 was introduced on
September 10, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources.
On April 2, 2008, a mark-up was held and the bill was reported, as
amended, by voice vote.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: According to CBO, H.R. 3513 would
cost less than \$1 million annually (subject to appropriation) to survey
and mark the wilderness area and conduct ecological restoration.

**[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}** According to the
Committee on Natural Resources, in [House Report
110-591](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr591)),
"H.R. 3513 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 Natural
Resources, in [House Report
110-591](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr591)),
cites constitutional authority in Article 1, Section 8, but fails to
cite a specific clause. House Rule XIII, Section 3(d)(1), requires that
all committee reports contain "a statement citing the *specific*
*powers* granted to Congress in the Constitution to enact the law
proposed by the bill or joint resolution." *\[emphasis added\]*

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

**H.R. 5151---Wild Monongahela Act: A National Legacy for West
Virginia's Special Places *(Rahall, D-WV)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled to be
considered on Tuesday, April 22, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.\
\
**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 5151 would designate approximately
38,000 acres within the Monongahela National Forest in the State of West
Virginia as wilderness area under the Wilderness Act of 1964. The bill
would designate seven new wilderness areas as follows:

-   5,242 acres would be designated as the "Big Draft Wilderness."

-   7,955 acres would be designated as the "Cheat Mountain Wilderness."

-   12,032 acres would be designated as an expansion of the Cranberry
    Wilderness.

-   7,215 acres would be designated as an expansion of the Dolly Sods
    Wilderness.

-   740 acres would be designated as an expansion of the Otter Creek
    Wilderness.

-   6,820 acres would be designated as the "Roaring Plains West
    Wilderness."

-   7,124 acres would be designated as the "Spice Run Wilderness."

H.R. 5151 would also remove two portions of land from the Laurel Fork
South Wilderness area, but keeps the land as a part of the Monongahela
National Forest. The bill would require the Secretary of Agriculture to
administer the land trough the U.S. Forest Service. In its
administration of the wilderness areas, the Secretary would be required
to develop a plan for hiking, horseback riding, and bicycling within the
wilderness area. The bill would also allow the Secretary to continue a
completive footrace that is held annually in the Dolly Sods Wilderness
area. Finally, the bill would stipulate that the additional wilderness
designations would affect the jurisdiction of the State of West Virginia
with respect to fish and wildlife.

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: The [Monongahela National
Forest](http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/mnf/index.shtml) was first established
in 1911 with the acquisition of 7,200 acres. Today, the national forest
contains nearly 920,000 acres across 10 counties in West Virginia.
Land-use within the forest includes camping, hiking, hunting, fishing,
logging, and mining. The addition of new wilderness area designations in
H.R. 5151 would significantly limit land-use activities on approximately
38,000 acres of land. Currently, land-use is restricted in some other
areas of the park that are designated wilderness under the Wilderness
Act of 1964.

The [Wilderness
Act](http://wilderness.nps.gov/document/wildernessAct.pdf) was signed in
1964 in order to preserve and protect federal land that was especially
pristine and untouched by human development. According to the text of
the Act, the purpose of the designation is to ensure that human
expansion and mechanized growth does not occupy or modify all lands in
the U.S. As such, federal land designated as "wilderness" is prohibited
from being used for any resource extraction such as logging or mining,
but is generally open to the public for camping, hiking, hunting, and
fishing. Mechanized vehicles are strictly prohibited on wilderness
lands. Since the wilderness designation is only given to lands that are
already controlled by the federally government, this bill would not add
new land to the U.S. Forest Service's domain. Once designated,
wilderness areas remain under the control of the federal department that
originally managed the land, in this case, the Department of Agriculture
operating through the U.S. Forest Service.\
\
**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 5151 was introduced on January
29, 2008, and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources. On April
2, 2008, a mark-up was held and the bill was reported, as amended, by
voice vote.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: According to CBO, H.R. 5151 would
cost less than \$1.4 million (subject to appropriation) over the FY 2009
through FY 2013 period to survey and mark the new wilderness areas.

**[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.R. 831---Coffman Cove Administrative Site Conveyance Act of 2008
(Young, R-AK)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled to be
considered on Tuesday, April 22, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.\
\
**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 831 would require the Secretary of
Agriculture to convey a 12 acre parcel of U.S. Forest Service land to
the City of Coffman Cove, Alaska. In the event that the city were to
sell the land, the bill would require the city to give the proceeds to
the Tongass National Forest.

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: According to [House Report
110-592](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr592)),
a 12 acre parcel of land in the center of the town of Coffer Cove is
owned by the U.S. Forest Service as an administrative cite. However, the
Committee of Natural Resources reports that a decline in timber sales in
the area has reduced the Forest Service's need for that land and all of
the federal buildings have been removed to from the land. H.R. 5151
would give the unused land to the small town of 200 residents.\
\
**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 831 was introduced on February
5, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources. On April 2,
2008, a mark-up was held and the bill was reported, as amended, by voice
vote.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: According to CBO, H.R. 831 would
have no significant impact on the budget.

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

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

**[Does the Bill Comply with House Rules Regarding Earmarks/Limited Tax
Benefits/Limited Tariff Benefits?]{.underline}** According to the
Committee on Natural Resources, in [House Report
110-592](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr592)),
"H.R. 831 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 Natural
Resources, in [House Report
110-592](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr592)),
cites constitutional authority in Article 1, Section 8, but fails to
cite a specific clause. House Rule XIII, Section 3(d)(1), requires that
all committee reports contain "a statement citing the *specific*
*powers* granted to Congress in the Constitution to enact the law
proposed by the bill or joint resolution." *\[emphasis added\]*

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

**H.R. 3734---Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National
Conservation Area Act (Simpson, R-ID)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled to be
considered on Tuesday, April 22, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill.\
\
**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 3734 would re-designate the Snake River
Birds of Prey National Conservation Area in southwest Idaho as the
"Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area."

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: The 500 acre [Snake River Birds
of Prey National Conservation
Area](http://www.blm.gov/id/st/en/fo/four_rivers/special_areas/snake_river_birds.html)
was established in 1993 to support a large population of birds of prey
in Idaho and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. H.R. 3734
would rename the conservation area in honor of Morley Nelson, a foremost
expert of birds of prey who died in 2005.\
\
**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 3734 was introduced on October
2, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources. On April 2,
2008, a mark-up was held and the bill was reported, as amended, by voice
vote.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: According to CBO, H.R. 3734 would
have no significant impact on the budget.

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

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

**[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.Con.Res. 323---Expressing Congressional support for the goals and
ideals of National Health Care Decisions Day (Gingrey*,* R-GA)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 323 is scheduled to be
considered on Tuesday, April 22, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 323 would express the sense that
the House:

-   "Supports the goals and ideals of National Health Care Decisions
    Day;

-   "Supports the goals and ideals of advance care planning for all
    adult Americans;

-   "Encourages each person in the United States who is over the age of
    18 to prepare an advance directive to assist his or her loved ones,
    health care providers, and others as they honor his or her wishes;

-   "Calls upon all members of this body to execute such documents and
    discussions for themselves; and

-   "Encourages health care, civic, educational, religious, and for- and
    non-profit organizations to encourage individuals to prepare advance
    directives to ensure that their wishes and rights with respect to
    health care are protected."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "National Health Care Decisions Day is designed to raise public
    awareness of the need to plan ahead for health care decisions
    related to end-of-life care and medical decision-making whenever
    patients are unable to speak for themselves and to encourage the
    specific use of advance directives to communicate these important
    decisions;

-   "The Patient Self-Determination Act (42 U.S.C. 1395cc(f) et seq.),
    guarantees patients the right to information about their rights
    under State law regarding accepting or refusing medical treatment;

-   "It is estimated that only a minority of Americans have executed
    advance directives, including those who are terminally ill or living
    with life-threatening or life-limiting illnesses;

-   "To avoid any legal or medical confusion due to the emotions
    involved in end-of-life decisions, it is in the best interest of all
    Americans that each person over the age of 18 communicate his or her
    wishes by creating an advance directive;

-   "Establishing National Health Care Decisions Day will encourage
    health care facilities and professionals as well as chaplains,
    attorneys, and others to participate in a collective, nationwide
    effort to provide clear, concise, and consistent information to the
    public about health care decision-making, particularly advance
    directives; and

-   "As a result of National Health Care Decisions Day, recognized on
    April 16, 2008, more Americans will have conversations about their
    health care decision, more Americans will execute advance directives
    to make their wishes known, and fewer families and health care
    providers will have to struggle with making difficult health care
    decisions in the absence of guidance from the patient."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 323 was introduced on
April 8, 2008, and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce,
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.

**H. Res. 981---Recognizing March 6, 2008, as the first-ever World
Glaucoma Day, established to increase awareness of glaucoma, which is
the second leading cause of preventable blindness in the United States
and worldwide *(Baldwin, D-WI)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H. Res. 981 is scheduled to be
considered on Tuesday, April 22, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H. Res. 981 would express the sense that the
House of Representatives:

-   "recognizes the first-ever World Glaucoma Day;

-   "supports the efforts of the National Eye Institute within the
    National Institutes of Health to fund research on the causes of
    glaucoma, including genetic and environmental risk factors, glaucoma
    prevention, the relationships between damage to the optic nerve and
    loss of vision, societal and individual impacts, diagnostics, and
    treatment to save and potentially restore sight; and

-   "congratulates the American Glaucoma Society for its efforts to
    expand awareness of the prevalence and economic burden of glaucoma,
    as well as the continued need for federally funded research into the
    disease, through congressional visits recently conducted."

H. Res. 981 lists several findings, including the following:

-   "glaucoma is a progressive disease of the optic nerve, robbing
    individuals of both peripheral and central vision;

-   "glaucoma affects all age groups, including infants, children, and
    the elderly;

-   "glaucoma disproportionately affects underserved minority
    populations, with African-Americans having a three times greater
    risk of developing this disease than White Americans, and it is the
    leading cause of irreversible vision loss in African-Americans and
    Hispanics;

-   "glaucoma is the second leading cause of preventable vision loss in
    the United States, afflicting 2,200,000 Americans, and it is the
    leading cause of permanent blindness worldwide, afflicting
    67,000,000 persons;

-   "awareness is absolutely crucial, as glaucoma often has no symptoms
    until vision loss occurs, and it is estimated that, in the United
    States, more than half of the individuals with glaucoma are unaware
    that they have it and, in developing countries, 90 percent of
    individuals with glaucoma are unaware that they have it;

-   "with early diagnosis and ongoing treatment, 90 percent of the cases
    where blindness occurs can be avoided and awareness is crucial, so
    that individuals with known risk factors for glaucoma and those over
    the age of 40 should have regular, comprehensive eye examinations
    that include careful evaluation of the optic nerve and measurement
    of eye pressure;

-   "the National Eye Institute (NEI) within the National Institutes of
    Health (NIH) has been a worldwide leader in glaucoma research,
    elucidating the genetic basis of different types of the disease
    (including risk factors) and the potential for gene therapy
    approaches, identifying factors that can protect the optic nerve
    from damage, evaluating the potential for optic nerve cell
    regeneration, and better understanding how elevated intraocular
    pressure leads to optic nerve damage and how pressure-reducing drugs
    ultimately developed from NEI-led research can reduce glaucoma
    progression;

-   "adequate Federal funding is needed at the NEI for research to
    prevent, diagnose, and cure glaucoma-related vision impairment and
    blindness, which disproportionately affects underserved minority
    populations; and

-   "the public needs to know the insidious nature of glaucoma, that
    there are means for detecting and treating it to save sight, and the
    importance of compliance associated with those treatments, and the
    first-ever World Glaucoma Day is an observance planned to increase
    global awareness in that regard."

**[Conservative Concerns]{.underline}**: Some conservatives may be
concerned that this legislation expresses the need for "federally funded
research into the disease, through congressional visits recently
conducted."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H. Res. 981 was introduced February
13, 2008, and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce,
which took no official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: H Res. 981 does not authorize any
funds. A CBO score was no 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. 1112---Recognizing 2008 as the International Year of the Reef\
*(Baird, D-WA)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H. Res. 1112 is scheduled to be
considered on Tuesday, April 22, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H. Res. 1112 would express the sense that the
House of Representatives:

-   "recognizes the International Year of the Reef;

-   "supports strong programs in environmental and marine research at
    the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other
    Federal agencies to better understand the threats faced by coral
    reef systems;

-   "supports the efforts of the International Coral Reef Initiative to
    promote public awareness and encourage public stewardship of the
    world\'s coral reefs; and

-   "encourages further research and development efforts to preserve
    coral reefs around the world."

H. Res. 1112 lists several findings, including the following:

-   "the International Coral Reef Initiative has designated 2008 as the
    International Year of the Reef;

-   "the International Year of the Reef is a global effort to raise
    public awareness of the value of coral reefs and the significance of
    the threats faced by coral reef systems, and to mobilize action to
    develop and implement innovative solutions and strategies to protect
    and conserve these important natural resources;

-   "over 225 organizations in 50 countries and territories participated
    during the first International Year of the Reef in 1997;

-   "coral reef systems provide economic, environmental, and cultural
    benefits to millions of people around the world and are vital in
    protecting shorelines and supporting coastal economies;

-   "coral reef systems are the most diverse ecosystem on earth,
    supporting at least 1,000,000 known species of plants and animals
    and 25 percent of all marine life;

-   "coral reef systems contribute \$375,000,000,000 each year to the
    worldwide economy;

-   "over 50 percent of all federally managed fisheries species in the
    U.S. depend upon coral reefs for part of their life cycle;

-   "coral reef systems provide for one-fourth of the total fish catch
    in the developing world;

-   "coral reefs around the world are confronted by many grave threats,
    including destructive fishing methods, damage by marine vessels and
    divers, development, pollution, ocean acidification, increasing sea
    temperatures, bleaching, and invasive species; and

-   "increased public awareness, as well as public and private
    investment, can prevent the further degradation of the world's coral
    reef systems in order to preserve this precious resource for future
    generations."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H. Res. 1112 was introduced April
16, 2008, and referred to the House Committee on Science and Technology,
which took no official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: H Res. 1112 does not authorize any
funds. A CBO score was no 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. 891---Celebrating 35 years of space-based observations of the
Earth by the Landsat spacecraft and looking forward to sustaining the
longest unbroken record of civil Earth observations of the land (Udall,
D-CO)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H.Res. 891 is scheduled to be
considered on Tuesday, April 22, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 891 would express the sense that the
House:

-   "Expresses its appreciation to all of the dedicated scientists,
    engineers, and program personnel who have contributed to the
    successful development and operation of the Landsat program over the
    past 35 years;

-   "Urges the continuation of the Landsat program and data record so as
    to sustain Landsat's value to scientific research, especially the
    study of global and climate change, and to the myriad applied uses
    of the data for societal benefit; and

-   "Believes that the Nation should continue to support the research,
    technological improvements, educational outreach, and development of
    decision making tools required to expand the use of Landsat data
    separately and as integrated with other Earth observations data."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "The year 2007 represents 35 years of continuous collection of
    space-based observations of the Earth's land cover by the United
    States Landsat satellites, which have enabled increased scientific
    understanding of the interrelationships of the Earth's land cover,
    energy balance, and biogeochemical processes as well as the
    realization of numerous societal benefits from the applied uses of
    the data;

-   "Landsat data are collected at a scale that enables the study of
    both natural and human-induced changes in land cover over time and
    their impacts on the Earth's ecosystems;

-   "Landsat data illuminated for the first time how human decisions,
    such as the expansion of cities, led to large-scale impacts on the
    environment; and

-   "The scientific and societal benefits of the Landsat program and its
    35-year data record illustrate the significant return on the public
    investment in Earth observations and the need for continued support
    for this critical national asset."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 323 was introduced on
April 8, 2008, and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce,
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.

**H. Res. 1118---Honoring the life and achievements of John Archibald
Wheeler and expressing condolences on his passing *(Foster, D-IL)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H. Res. 1118 is scheduled to be
considered on Tuesday, April 22, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H. Res. 1118 would express the sense that the
House of Representatives:

-   "honors the life and accomplishments of Professor John Archibald
    Wheeler and expresses condolences on his passing; and

-   "recognizes the profound importance of Dr. Wheeler's record as a
    pioneer in nuclear and theoretical physics and a long-time
    contributor to advancing mankind's understanding of the nature and
    workings of the universe."

H. Res. 1118 lists several findings, including the following:

-   "John Archibald Wheeler was born July 9, 1911, in Jacksonville,
    Florida;

-   "John Wheeler graduated from high school at age 15 and earned a
    Ph.D. in physics from Johns Hopkins University at age 21;

-   "Dr. Wheeler then moved to Copenhagen to work in the field of
    nuclear physics with pioneering physicist Niels Bohr;

-   "while still in his 20s, Dr. Wheeler, then a Professor of Physics at
    Princeton, along with Dr. Bohr in 1939 worked out the first
    explanation of how the newly discovered nuclear fission actually
    worked;

-   "Dr. Wheeler spent the war years at Hanford, Washington working on
    the theoretical understanding of nuclear reactions that led to
    production of plutonium for the bomb dropped on Nagasaki and later
    worked on the development of the American hydrogen bomb under
    Project Matterhorn B;

-   "Dr. Wheeler then returned to Princeton where, after discussion with
    Albert Einstein, he switched from the study of nuclear physics to
    working on extending the theory of general relativity, including in
    1957 creating the concept of wormholes to describe tunnels in
    space-time and in 1967 coining the term black hole as part of the
    theory of gravitational collapse;

-   "Dr. Wheeler was a visionary who could see farther on the horizon
    than most people by way of his physical intuition;

-   "Dr. Wheeler was a beloved academic who trained some of the best
    minds in the next generation of physicists, a gifted communicator
    sometimes called a physics poet, and an active researcher for over
    70 years; and

-   "Dr. Wheeler was, in the words of Dr. Max Texmark, the last Titan,
    the only physics superhero still standing until the time of his
    death on April 13, 2008."

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: The following is from a [press
release](http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/04/20080414-5.html)
from the White House on the passing of Dr. Wheeler:

> During his distinguished career, Dr. Wheeler collaborated with
> scientists such as Albert Einstein and Niels Bohr on projects that
> changed the course of history.
>
> His early work with Bohr on how nuclei split apart, his vision of the
> possibilities of Einstein's curved space, and his work on quantum
> theory demonstrated his innovation and brilliance. And he will always
> be remembered for giving the phenomenon of "black holes" its name.
>
> Dr. Wheeler was also a great teacher who understood that educating
> young minds would be one of his most significant contributions. As a
> professor at Princeton University and the University of Texas-Austin,
> Dr. Wheeler inspired generations of students such as the late Nobel
> Prize winning physicist Richard Feynman to transform their curiosity
> into scientific discoveries.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H. Res. 1118 was introduced April
17, 2008, and referred to the House Committee on Science and Technology,
which took no official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: H Res. 1118 does not authorize any
funds. A CBO score was no 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. 1117---Declaring the support of the House of Representatives
for the goals and ideals of Earth Day and for developing the scientific
and technological capabilities to achieve those goals *(McNerney,
D-CA)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H. Res. 1117 is scheduled to be
considered on Tuesday, April 22, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H. Res. 1117 would express the sense that the
House of Representatives:

-   "supports the goals and ideals of Earth Day and thanks the many
    organizers and participants across the country for their tireless
    efforts in support of the environment;

-   "encourages the Department of Energy to step up its efforts in
    research, development, and demonstration of renewable energy
    technology and energy conservation techniques; and

-   "encourages all segments of American society to work together in
    ensuring that the research and development necessary to uncover
    solutions to our major environmental problems occurs in a timely
    manner."

H. Res. 1117 lists several findings, including the following:

-   "the need to educate Americans on the importance of stewardship of
    the environment led to the first Earth Day in 1970, the passage of a
    variety of environmental laws, and substantial environmental
    improvements over the intervening years;

-   "substantial air quality and other environmental problems persist in
    many areas of our country;

-   "today increasing numbers of Americans are concerned with the
    relatively rapid changes in our environment and decreasing
    biodiversity;

-   "the need to improve our interaction with the environment has led to
    the need for more sophisticated environmental research and
    development of solutions to environmental problems;

-   "today the importance of scientific evidence in making correct
    decisions about environmental problems has never been more
    important;

-   "Earth Day activities increase our understanding of the environment
    and its relationship to our personal decisions regarding energy
    conservation, use of renewable energy, use of natural resources, and
    recycling; and

-   "Earth Day has become the preeminent day of environmental
    celebrations, clean-ups, and educational events across the country."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H. Res. 1117 was introduced April
17, 2008, and referred to the House Committee on Science and Technology,
which took no official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: H. Res. 1117 does not authorize any
funds. A CBO score was no 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. Con. Res. 322---** **Recognizing the 60th anniversary of the
founding of the modern State of Israel and reaffirming the bonds of
close friendship and cooperation between the United States and Israel
*(Pelosi, D-CA)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H. Con. Res. 322 is scheduled to be
considered on Tuesday, April 22, 2008, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H. Con. Res. 322 would express the sense that
the House of Representatives:

-   "recognizes the historic significance of the 60th anniversary of the
    reestablishment of the sovereign and independent State of Israel as
    a homeland for the Jewish people;

-   "reaffirms its enduring support for Israel as Israel pursues peace
    with its neighbors;

-   "reaffirms its support for Israel's right to defend itself against
    threats to its security and existence;

-   "commends the people of Israel for their remarkable achievements in
    building a new state and a pluralistic, democratic society in the
    face of terrorism, as well as hostility, ostracism, and belligerence
    from many of their neighbors;

-   "reaffirms the bonds of friendship and cooperation which have
    existed between the United States and Israel for the past 60 years,
    and commits to strengthening those bonds; and

-   "extends the warmest congratulations and best wishes to the State of
    Israel and the Israeli people for a peaceful, prosperous, and
    successful future."

H. Con. Res. 322 lists several findings, including the following:

-   "on November 29, 1947, the United Nations General Assembly voted to
    partition the British Mandate of Palestine and create a Jewish
    state;

-   "on May 14, 1948, the people of Israel proclaimed the establishment
    of the sovereign and independent State of Israel, and the United
    States Government established full diplomatic relations with Israel;

-   "the desire of the Jewish people to establish an independent modern
    State of Israel is an outgrowth of the existence of the historic
    kingdom of Israel established in the Land of Israel 3,000 years ago,
    with the city of Jerusalem as its capital;

-   "for over 2,000 years, there has been continuous Jewish presence and
    residence in the land comprising the modern State of Israel;

-   "the establishment of the modern State of Israel as a homeland for
    the Jewish people followed the slaughter of more than 6,000,000
    European Jews during the Holocaust;

-   "since its establishment 60 years ago, the modern State of Israel
    has rebuilt a nation, forged a new and dynamic democratic society,
    and created a thriving economic, political, cultural, and
    intellectual life despite the heavy costs of war, terrorism, and
    unjustified diplomatic and economic boycotts against the people of
    Israel;

-   "the people of Israel have established a vibrant, pluralistic,
    democratic political system, including freedom of speech,
    association, and religion; a vigorously free press; free, fair and
    open elections; the rule of law; a fully independent judiciary; and
    other democratic principles and practices;

-   "Israel has developed some of the leading universities in the world,
    and 8 Israeli citizens have been awarded the Nobel Prize;

-   "Israel has developed an advanced, entrepreneurial economy, is among
    the world\'s leaders in the high-tech industry, and is at the
    forefront of research and development in the field of renewable
    energy sources;

-   "Israel regularly sends humanitarian aid, search-and-rescue teams,
    mobile hospitals, and other emergency supplies, to help victims of
    disasters around the world, including the 1994 Rwandan civil war,
    the 1998 bombing of the United States Embassy in Kenya, the 1999
    earthquakes in Turkey, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2005
    hurricanes along the southern coast of the United States, and the
    2007 fires in Greece;

-   "Israel has absorbed millions of Jews from countries throughout the
    world and fully integrated them into Israeli society;

-   "Israel has bravely defended itself from repeated terrorist and
    military attacks since its independence;

-   "successive leaders of Israel have sought to achieve peace with
    Israel's Arab neighbors;

-   "Israel has established peaceful bilateral relations with
    neighboring Egypt and Jordan and has made its desire to establish
    peaceful relations with all Arab states abundantly clear;

-   "for 6 decades, the United States and Israel have maintained a
    special relationship based on mutually shared democratic values,
    common strategic interests, and moral bonds of friendship and mutual
    respect;

-   "the American people feel a strong affinity for the Israeli people
    based on common values and shared cultural heritage; and

-   "the United States continues to regard Israel as a strong and
    trusted ally and an important strategic partner."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H. Con. Res. 322 was introduced
April 4, 2008, and referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs,
which took no official action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: H Con. Res. 322 does not authorize
any funds. A CBO score was no 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>.