![](media/image1.jpeg){width="6.489583333333333in"
height="1.15625in"}**Legislative
Bulletin...............................................June 23, 2008**

**Contents**:

> **H.R. 4044---**National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Act of 2008
>
> **H.R. 3546---**To authorize the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice
> Assistance Grant Program at fiscal year 2006 levels through 2012
>
> **H.Res. 1293---**Commemorating the 44th Anniversary of the death of
> civil rights workers Andrew Goodman, James Chaney and Michael
> Schwerner in Philadelphia, Mississippi while working in the name of
> American democracy to register voters and secure civil rights during
> the summer of 1964, which would become known as A Freedom Summer
>
> **H.R. 6109---**Pre-Disaster Mitigation Act of 2008
>
> **H.R. 5001---**Old Post Office Building Redevelopment Act of 2008
>
> **H.R. 2452---**Raw Sewage Overflow Community Right-to-Know Act
>
> **H.R. 6040---**To amend the Water Resources Development Act of 2007
> to clarify the authority of the Secretary of the Army to provide
> reimbursement for travel expenses incurred by members of the Committee
> on Levee Safety
>
> **H.Res. 1229---**Recognizing the achievements of America\'s high
> school valedictorians of the graduating class of 2008, promoting the
> importance of encouraging intellectual growth, and rewarding academic
> excellence of all American high school students
>
> **H.Res. 1242---**Honoring the life, musical accomplishments, and
> contributions of Louis Jordan on the 100th anniversary of his birth
>
> **H.Res. 1050---**Recognizing Pittsfield, Massachusetts, as being home
> to the earliest known reference to the word \"baseball\" in the United
> States as well as being the birthplace of college baseball
>
> **H.Con.Res. 372---**Supporting the goals and ideals of Black Music
> Month and to honor the outstanding contributions that African American
> singers and musicians have made to the United States
>
> **H.Res. 1051---**Congratulating James Madison University in
> Harrisonburg, Virginia, for 100 years of service and leadership to the
> United States
>
> **H.Con.Res. 2---**Expressing the sense of the Congress that schools
> in the United States should honor the contributions of individuals
> from the territories of the United States by including such
> contributions in the teaching of United States history

**H.R. 4044---National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Act of 2008
*(Schakowsky, D-IL)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, June 23, 2008, under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the bill.\
\
**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 4044 would exempt members of the Nation
Guard and Reserve that had been deployed for more than 90 days from
means testing requirements to file for chapter 7 bankruptcies. Under
current law, persons filing for chapter 7 bankruptcy must meet a minimum
income threshold to establish that the debtor is not financially able to
repay the debt. H.R. 4044 removes the threshold with respect to members
of the Nation Guard and Reserve that have been deployed in Iraq or
Afghanistan since September 11, 2001.

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention
and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 amended bankruptcy laws in the U.S.
in order to limit fraud and abuse in the system and to ensure that
debtors with the ability to pay back debt did so. To that end, the law
established a minimum threshold of income for debtors filing under
chapter 7. Under this law, debtors who earn a certain level of income
are not allowed to file for bankruptcy under chapter 7. H.R. 4044 would
remove the income test from consideration if the debtor filing for
chapter 7 bankruptcy was a member of the Nation Guard and Reserve that
had been deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan for at least 90 days since
September 11, 2001. According to [House Report
110-726](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr726)),
a similar exemption already exists for service-disabled veterans. The
House Report also states that less than one-tenth of one percent of all
chapter 7 filers are service members who were deployed in Iraq or
Afghanistan.

[Committee Action]{.underline}: H.R. 4044 was introduced on November 1,
2007, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on
Commercial and Administrative Law. On April 24, 2008, the subcommittee
held a mark-up and reported the bill, as amended, by voice vote. On June
11, 2008, the full committee held a mark-up and reported the bill, as
amended, by voice vote.

[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}: According to CBO, H.R. 4044 would "have
no significant impact on the federal budget."

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

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

**[Does the Bill Comply with House Rules Regarding Earmarks/Limited Tax
Benefits/Limited Tariff Benefits?]{.underline}** According the Committee
on the Judiciary, in [House Report
110-726](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr726)),
the bill "contains no congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or
limited tariff benefits as defined in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of the
rule XXI."

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: The Committee on the
Judiciary, in [House Report
110-726](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr726)),
cites constitutional authority in Article 1, Section 8, Clause 4.

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

**H.R. 3546---To authorize the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance
Grant Program at fiscal year 2006 levels through 2012 *(Johnson,
D-GA)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, June 23, 2008, under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the bill.\
\
**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 3546 would extend the authorization of
the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program at \$1.1
billion annually through FY 2012.

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: The Edward Byrne Memorial
Justice Assistance Grant Program was established in 1988 as an anti-drug
program to provide federal law enforcement grants to state and local
governments. The program offer grants for local drug task-force
agencies, crime prevention initiatives and substance abuse programs,
among other efforts. Byrne, the officer for whom the program is named,
was killed while protecting a witness in a drug case in New York in
1988.

The Bush Administration has proposed eliminating funding for the program
and it has been regularly appropriated at levels far lower than the
\$1.1 billion authorization. Though the President did not request any
funding for the program in FY 2008, the omnibus spending bill
appropriated \$170 million for the program.

**[Possible Conservative Concerns]{.underline}**: Some conservatives may
be concerned that H.R. 3546 authorizes \$1.1 billion annually for a
federal grant program that the Administration has attempted to defund in
multiple budget requests.

[Committee Action]{.underline}: H.R. 3546 was introduced on September
17, 2007, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. On June 18,
2008, the full committee held a mark-up and reported the bill by voice
vote.

[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}: A CBO score for H.R. 3546 was not
available at press time, however, the bill would authorize \$1.1 billion
in FY 2008 and \$5.5 billion over the FY 2008---FY 2012 period.

**[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 congressional earmarks, limited
tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in clause 9(d),
9(e), or 9(f) of the rule XXI 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. 1293**---**Commemorating the 44th anniversary of the deaths of
civil rights workers Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, and Michael Schwerner
in Philadelphia, Mississippi, while working in the name of American
democracy to register voters and secure civil rights during the summer
of 1964, which has became known as "Freedom Summer" *(Lewis, D-GA)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The resolution is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, June 23, 2008, under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 1293 would express the sense that the
House or Representatives encourages all Americans to:

-   "Pause and remember Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, and Michael
    Schwerner and the 44th anniversary of their deaths;

-   "Commemorate the life and work of Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, and
    Michael Schwerner, and all of the other brave Americans who made the
    ultimate sacrifice in the name of civil rights and voting rights for
    all Americans; and

-   "Commemorate and acknowledge the legacy of the brave Americans who
    participated in the civil rights movement and the role that they
    played in changing the hearts and minds of Americans and creating
    the political climate necessary to pass legislation to expand civil
    rights and voting rights for all Americans."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "44 years ago, on June 21, 1964, Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, and
    Michael Schwerner were murdered in Philadelphia, Mississippi, while
    working in the name of American democracy to register voters and
    secure civil rights during the summer of 1964, which would become
    known as 'Freedom Summer';

-   "Andrew Goodman was a 20-year-old White anthropology major from New
    York\'s Queens College, who volunteered for the Freedom Summer
    Project;

-   "James Chaney was a 21-year-old African-American from Meridian,
    Mississippi, who became a civil rights activist, joining the
    Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) in 1963 to work on voter
    education and registration;

-   Michael 'Mickey' Schwerner was a 24-year-old White CORE field
    secretary in Mississippi and a veteran of the civil rights movement,
    from Brooklyn, New York;

-   "In 1964, Mississippi had a Black voting-age population of 450,000,
    but only 16,000 Blacks were registered to vote;

-   "Most Black voters were disenfranchised by law or practice in
    Mississippi;

-   "In 1964, Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, and Michael Schwerner
    volunteered to work as part of the 'Freedom Summer' project that
    involved several civil rights organizations, including the
    Mississippi State chapter of the National Association for the
    Advancement of Colored People, the Southern Christian Leadership
    Conference, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, and CORE,
    with the purpose of registering Black voters in Mississippi;

-   "On the morning of June 21, 1964, the 3 men left the CORE office in
    Meridian and set out for Longdale, Mississippi, where they were to
    investigate the recent burning of the Mount Zion Methodist Church, a
    Black church that had been functioning as a Freedom School for
    education and voter registration;

-   "On their way back to Meridian, James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and
    Michael Schwerner were detained and later arrested and taken to the
    Philadelphia, Mississippi, jail;

-   "Later that same evening, on June 21, 1964, they were taken from the
    jail, turned over to the Ku Klux Klan, and were beaten, shot, and
    killed;

-   "2 days later, their burnt, charred, gutted blue Ford station wagon
    was pulled from the Bogue Chitto Creek, just outside Philadelphia,
    Mississippi;

-   "The national uproar caused by the disappearance of the civil rights
    workers led President Lyndon B. Johnson to order Secretary of
    Defense Robert McNamara to send 200 active duty Navy sailors to
    search the swamps and fields in the area for the bodies of the 3
    civil rights workers, and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy to
    order his Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) director, J. Edgar
    Hoover, to send 150 agents to Mississippi to work on the case;

-   "The bodies of Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, and Michael Schwerner,
    beaten and shot, were found on August 4, 1964, buried under a mound
    of dirt;

-   "On December 4, 1964, 21 White Mississippians from Philadelphia,
    Mississippi, including the sheriff and his deputy, were arrested,
    and the Department of Justice charged them with conspiring to
    deprive Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, and Michael Schwerner of their
    civil rights, since murder was not a Federal crime;

-   "On December 10, 1964, the same day Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
    received the Nobel Peace Prize, a United States District judge
    dismissed charges against the 21 men accused of depriving the 3
    civil right workers of their civil rights by murder;

-   "In 1967, after an appeal to the Supreme Court and new testimony, 7
    individuals were found guilty, but 2 of the defendants, including
    Edgar Ray Killen, who had been strongly implicated in the murders by
    witnesses, were acquitted because the jury came to a deadlock on
    their charges;

-   "On January 6, 2005, a Neshoba County, Mississippi, grand jury
    indicted Edgar Ray Killen on 3 counts of murder; and

-   "June 21, 2008, will be the 44th anniversary of Andrew Goodman,
    James Chaney, and Michael Schwerner's ultimate sacrifice."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Res. 1293 was introduced on June
20, 2008, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.R. 6109---Pre-Disaster Mitigation Act of 2008 *(Oberstar, D-IL)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, June 23, 2008, under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the bill.\
\
**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 6109 would reauthorize the Pre-Disaster
Mitigation Program for three years, through FY 2011. The program, which
is carried out by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), awards
grants to state and local organizations to fund pre-disaster mitigation
planning and projects. The bill would authorize \$250 million annually
for the program through FY 2011.

H.R. 6109 would require FEMA to award each state at least the lesser of
\$575,000, or 1% of the total amount appropriated. The bill would also
prohibit FEMA from awarding more than 15% of the total appropriated
amount to one state.

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: FEMA's Pre-Disaster Mitigation
program was initially authorized by the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000.
The program was based on a pilot program known as "Project Impact,"
which FEMA carried out from 1997 through 2001. The program awards
technical and financial assistance to state and local government before
disasters occur in order to reduce the physical and financial toll of
disasters. According to [House Report
110-725,](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr725))
"Examples of mitigation activities include the seismic strengthening of
buildings and infrastructure, acquiring repetitively flooded homes,
installing shutters and shatter resistant windows in hurricane-prone
areas, and the building of 'safe rooms' in houses and other buildings to
protect from high winds." The program was appropriated \$114 million in
FY 2008 and the Administration has requested \$75 million for the
program in FY 2009.

**[Possible Conservative Concerns]{.underline}**: Some conservatives may
be concerned that H.R. 6109 increases the authorization for the
Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program by \$136 million over the level
appropriated for the program in FY 2008.

[Committee Action]{.underline}: H.R. 6109 was introduced on May 21,
2007, and referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure. On May 22, 2008, the committee held a mark-up and
reported the bill by voice vote.

[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}: According to CBO, H.R. 6109 would
authorize \$250 million in FY 2008 and \$750 million over the FY
2008---FY 2011 period.

**[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 the Committee
on the Judiciary, in [House Report
110-725](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr725)),
the bill "contains no congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or
limited tariff benefits as defined in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of the
rule XXI."

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: The Committee on the
Judiciary, in [House Report
110-725](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr725)),
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.R. 5001---Old Post Office Building Redevelopment Act of 2008**

***(Holmes-Norton, D-DC)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, June 23, 2008, under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the bill.\
\
**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 5001 would require the General Services
Administration (GSA) to move forward with a plan to redevelop the Old
Post Office Building, located in Washington D.C. The GSA would be
required to proceed with an existing redevelopment plan that was
approved by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and
the Senate Committee on Appropriations and Environment and Public Works,
in 2001. The plan would authorize funds for the GSA to enter into
contracts with private firms to redevelop the building.

H.R. 5001 would authorize the GSA to provide replacement office space
for any federal workers displaced during the redevelopment. The bill
would also require the GSA to submit a report on any proposed
redevelopment contracts to the House Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Appropriations and
Environment and Public Works. The GSA could not enter into a development
contract until 30 legislative days after a report is submitted to the
proper committees.

CBO estimates that the redevelopment project would cost \$18 million
over the FY 2009---FY 2013 period.

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: The Old Post Office Building,
located at 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, in Washington D.C., opened in 1899
and served as the headquarters of the Nation's postal department. At the
time it was built the building was the second tallest structure in D.C.,
exceeded only by the Washington Monument. Over the 20^th^ Century, the
building fell into disrepair and was considered for condemnation until
it was refurbished in 1977. The building now houses portions of four
federal agencies and commercial stores and restaurants. According to
[House Report
110-724](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr724)),
the Old Post Office Building costs the GSA \$11.9 million to operate
each year, while the GSA only received \$5.4 million in rent. At the
request of Congress, the GSA created a redevelopment plan in 2001 in
order to maintain the historic characteristics of the building while
making the Old Post Office Building profitable for the federal
government. While the plan was approved by Congress, the GSA never
formally attempted to redevelop the building. This legislation would
require the GSA to enter into contracts with private entities to get the
project underway.

[Committee Action]{.underline}: H.R. 5001 was introduced on January 16,
2008, and referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure. On May 22, 2008, the full committee held a mark-up and
reported the bill, as amended, by voice vote.

[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}: According to CBO, H.R. 5001 would cost
\$18 million over the FY 2009---FY 2013 period.

**[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 the Committee
on the Judiciary, in [House Report
110-724](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr724)),
the bill "contains no congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or
limited tariff benefits as defined in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of the
rule XXI."

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: The Committee on the
Judiciary, in [House Report
110-724](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr724)),
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.R. 2452---Raw Sewage Overflow Community Right-to-Know Act**

***(Bishop, D-NY)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, June 23, 2008, under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the bill.\
\
**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 2452 would require publically owned and
operated sewage treatment plants to monitor and notify the public within
24 hours of a sewage overflow. The bill would also require owners and
operators of publically owned sewage treatment facilities to notify
public health officials in the event of a spill or overflow that could
effect human health. The bill would require the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) to ensure that the owners and operators meet the
requirements of the bill in order to obtain water treatment permits
under the Clean Water Act. The bill would define a "sewage overflow" as
"an overflow, spill, release, or diversion of wastewater from a sanitary
sewer system."

H.R. 2452 would mandate that publically owned an operated sewage
treatment plants take the following actions:

-   Institute and utilize a monitoring program for sewer overflows;

-   Notify the public of a sewer overflow within 24 hours if there are
    potential effects on human health;

-   Notify public health authorities if there is a potential risk to
    human health due to a sewer overflow;

-   Report each sewer overflow on monthly discharge monitoring reports
    to EPA or the state;

-   Submit an annual report to EPA or the state on the number of
    overflows in a calendar year, including the details of magnitude,
    duration, location, potentially affected receiving waters, and
    mitigation efforts.

H.R. 2452 would require the EPA, within one year of enactment of the
bill, to issue standardized regulations for publically owned and
operated sewage treatment facilities to follow when monitoring,
assessing, and reporting sewage overflows. The bill would also stipulate
that nothing in the legislation would be construed to limit a state's
ability to enact more stringent monitoring or reporting regulations.

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: According to [Committee Report
110-723](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr723)),
"wastewater collection systems collect domestic sewage and other
wastewater from homes and other buildings and convey it to wastewater
treatment plants for proper treatment and disposal. These collection
systems and treatment facilities are an extensive, valuable, and complex
part of the nation's infrastructure. Sewage treatment operators perform
an important job that helps protect the public, and are critical in
achieving the goals of the Clean Water Act." The EPA reports that spills
and overflows at sewage collection and treatment facilities result in
between 3,500 and 5,500 individual cases of human illness each year.

[Committee Action]{.underline}: H.R. 2452 was introduced on May 23,
2007, and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. On May 7, 2008, the
subcommittee held a mark-up and reported the bill, as amended, by voice
vote. On May 15, 2008, the full committee held a mark-up and reported
the bill by voice vote.

[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}: According to CBO, H.R. 2452 would cost
\$1 million in FY 2009 and \$500,000 annually thereafter for the EPA to
create and enforce new regulations.

**[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}** Yes, the bill contains numerous
local government mandates by requiring publically owned and operated
sewage treatment facilities to follow new regulations regarding
monitoring and reporting overflows of sewage waste. According to CBO,
"Without knowing the precise nature of the regulations that EPA would
issue as a result of this bill, CBO cannot make a precise estimate of
the costs of the mandates. Based on information from affected entities,
however, we estimate that the costs of the mandates could exceed the
threshold established in UMRA (\$68 million in FY 2008, adjusted
annually for inflation)."

**[Does the Bill Comply with House Rules Regarding Earmarks/Limited Tax
Benefits/Limited Tariff Benefits?]{.underline}** According the Committee
on the Judiciary, in [House Report
110-723](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr723)),
the bill "contains no congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or
limited tariff benefits as defined in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of the
rule XXI."

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: The Committee on the
Judiciary, in [House Report
110-723](http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/cpquery/R?cp110:FLD010:@1(hr723)),
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.R. 6040---** **To amend the Water Resources Development Act of 2007
to clarify the authority of the Secretary of the Army to provide
reimbursement for travel expenses incurred by members of the Committee
on Levee Safety (Mica, R-FL)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The bill is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, June 23, 2008, under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the bill.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.R. 6040 would amend the Water Resources
Development Act of 2007 (WRDA) to condition reimbursement for travel
expenses incurred by members of the Committee on Levee Safety on the
availability of appropriations. Currently, travel expenses are made on
the condition that amounts are made available in advance in
appropriations Acts.

**[Additional Background]{.underline}**: Title 9 of WRDS instructed the
Army Corps of Engineers to set up a Committee on Levee Safety. The bill
included language which addressed how the members of the Committee could
be reimbursed for their travel expenses. As of recently, the Army Corps
of Engineers has expressed that their counsel believes this language to
no longer be legal or applicable---and therefore, this bill makes a
technical correction to address their concern.

According to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure:

> H.R. 6040, a bill to Amend the Water Resources Development Act of 2007
> to Clarify the Authority of the Secretary of the Army to Provide
> Reimbursement for Travel Expenses Incurred by Members of the Committee
> on Levee Safety, makes a technical change to Title IX of the Act.
> Without including language "subject to the availability of
> appropriations", the Committee on Levee Safety cannot convene to
> develop recommendations for nationwide standards on levee safety.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.R. 6040 was introduced on May 13,
2008, and referred to the House Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, which took no further action.

**[Cost to Taxpayers]{.underline}**: There is no CBO cost estimate for
the bill, but the bill does not authorize any funds.

**[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}** No House Report exists.

**[Constitutional Authority]{.underline}**: No House Report exists.

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

**H. Res. 1229---** **Recognizing the achievements of America\'s high
school valedictorians of the graduating class of 2008, promoting the
importance of encouraging intellectual growth, and rewarding academic
excellence of all American high school students (*Meeks, D-NY)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H. Res. 1229 is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, June 23, 2008, under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H. Res. 1229 would express that the House of
Representatives

-   "honors and recognizes the valedictorians and graduating seniors of
    the class of 2008 for their academic achievements and contributions
    to their communities;

-   "encourages all valedictorians and graduating seniors to further
    their intellectual inquiry and academic studies in universities and
    postsecondary educational institutions; and

-   "supports the continued social engagement of valedictorians and
    graduating seniors, which utilizes their knowledge and skills for
    the betterment of their communities and the social, cultural, and
    economic advancement of the Nation."

The bill lists numerous findings, including the following:

-   "valedictorians are conferred as the highest academically-ranked
    student in their high school's graduating class;

-   "over 15,000 of our Nation's secondary schools honor their highest
    academically-ranked students with the 'valedictorian' title;

-   "valedictorians have demonstrated consistency in their intellectual
    inquiry, academic discipline, and utilization of teacher mentoring
    throughout their high school careers;

-   "valedictorians serve as peer role models to fellow high school
    students by succeeding academically and contributing to community
    improvement;

-   "valedictorians are charged with the duty of giving a graduation
    speech that reflects upon the intellectual development and community
    involvement of the graduating class and inspires all graduating
    students to further their academic studies and social engagement;

-   "numerous valedictorians and graduating seniors will further their
    intellectual interests and academic studies by enrolling in
    universities and postsecondary educational institutions;

-   "family members, teachers, school administrators, and community
    members have nurtured the intellectual growth and rewarded the
    academic achievements of valedictorians and graduating seniors; and

-   "valedictorians and graduating seniors will become America's future
    civic, business, and political leaders, maintaining our Nation's
    global leadership position and strengthening its economic
    competitiveness."

[Committee Action]{.underline}: H. Res. 1229 was introduced on May 22,
2008 and referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor, which
took no further 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}: Sarah Makin; 202-226-0718;
[**sarah.makin@mail.house.gov**](mailto:sarah.makin@mail.house.gov).

**H. Res. 1242---** **Honoring the life, musical accomplishments, and
contributions of Louis Jordan on the 100th anniversary of his birth
(*Snyder, D-AR)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H. Res. 1242 is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, June 23, 2008, under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H. Res. 1242 would express that the House of
Representatives

-   "honors the life of Louis Jordan, on the 100th anniversary of his
    birth; and

-   "recognizes his important contributions to American music as a
    musician, composer, and entertainer."

The bill lists numerous findings, including the following:

-   "Louis Thomas Jordan was born July 8, 1908, in Brinkley, Arkansas;

-   "he studied music as a young child under his father James Aaron
    Jordan, who was the bandleader of the Brinkley Brass Band;

-   "in the late 1920s he attended Arkansas Baptist College in Little
    Rock, Arkansas, and majored in music;

-   "he joined Chick Webb's Savoy Ballroom band in 1936 in New York
    where he played saxophone and performed occasionally as a singer;

-   "in 1938 he started his own band, the Elks Rendez-Vous Band, and in
    1939 he changed the name of the group to the Tympany Five;

-   "his prolific musical career consists of 54 hit singles including,
    'Five Guys Named Moe', 'Let the Good Times Roll', 'Don't Let the Sun
    Catch You Cryin', and 'Barnyard Boogie', and 18 number 1 hits on
    Billboard's R&B chart including 'Beans and Cornbread', 'Run Joe',
    'Ain't That Just Like A Woman', 'Blue Light Boogie', and the 1946
    hit 'Choo Choo Ch'Boogie', which topped the Billboard's R&B chart
    for 18 weeks;

-   "15 of his hits made it onto the Pop charts, including 'Baby It's
    Cold Outside', 'Caldonia', 'Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby',
    'Ain' t Nobody Here But Us Chickens', 'Buzz Me', and 'Beware';

-   "he actively recorded for the Armed Forces Radio Service and the
    V-Disc program during World War II, and one of the his songs
    recorded during this period, 'G.I. Jive', was number 1 on the Pop
    chart for 2 weeks;

-   "he was featured in a variety of short musical films in the 1940s,
    such as the 1945 short film 'Caldonia', and played cameo roles in
    movies like 'Follow the Boys' and 'Swing Parade of 1946';

-   "his 1949 recording of 'Saturday Night Fish Fry' was one of the
    earliest musical examples of what would later become known as 'Rock
    and Roll';

-   "he died on February 4, 1975, in Los Angeles, California;

-   "he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland,
    Ohio, in 1987;

-   "in 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine named him one of the 100 Greatest
    Artists of All Time; and

-   "Louis Jordan will be highlighted on a United States Postal Service
    stamp, as part of the 2008 commemorative stamp program."

[Committee Action]{.underline}: H. Res. 1242 was introduced on June 5,
2008 and referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor, which
took no further 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}: Sarah Makin; 202-226-0718;
[**sarah.makin@mail.house.gov**](mailto:sarah.makin@mail.house.gov).

**H. Res. 1050---** **Recognizing Pittsfield, Massachusetts, as being
home to the earliest known reference to the word "baseball" in the
United States as well as being the birthplace of college baseball
(*Olver, D-MA)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H. Res. 1050 is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, June 23, 2008, under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H. Res. 1050 would express that the House of
Representatives

-   "recognizes the importance of college baseball to the Nation; and

-   "recognizes the birthplace of college baseball as Pittsfield,
    Massachusetts."

The bill lists numerous findings, including the following:

-   "Pittsfield, Massachusetts, is the home of a historic document
    discovered in Pittsfield's archives by noted baseball historian John
    Thorn in 2004;

-   "the historic document is a bylaw, passed by the Town of Pittsfield,
    Massachusetts, during a town meeting on September 5, 1791, which
    states that 'for the Preservation of the Windows in the New Meeting
    House . . . no Person or Inhabitant of said town, shall be permitted
    to play at any game called Wicket, Cricket, Baseball, Football, Cat,
    Fives or any other game or games with balls, within the Distance of
    Eighty Yards from said Meeting House';

-   "this bylaw was created to protect the windows of the new
    meetinghouse in the Town of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, which is
    currently the Congregational Church, designed by renowned architect
    Charles Bulfinch in 1789 and completed in 1793;

-   "Pittsfield, Massachusetts, through the First Home Plate project
    will commemorate being known as the home of the oldest known
    documentation of the game by erecting three permanent monuments,
    Bat, Ball, and Glove, to recognize Pittsfield's unparalleled
    position in baseball history;

-   "the monuments will highlight and represent the great virtues of the
    game that have solidified baseball as our national pastime;

-   "the virtues of baseball are innocence, youth, bridging generations,
    and how it parallels the great history of our Nation;

-   "Pittsfield, Massachusetts, is also the home of many historical
    baseball moments;

-   "Pittsfield, Massachusetts, is the birthplace of college baseball in
    the United States as it is the sight of the first intercollegiate
    baseball game between Amherst College and Williams College, which
    took place on July 1, 1859;

-   "in 1865, Ulysses F. 'Frank' Grant, generally considered the best
    African American player of the 19th century, was born in Pittsfield,
    Massachusetts;

-   "Pittsfield, Massachusetts, is the home of Wahconah Park, an
    enclosed ballpark and grandstand, originally built in 1892 and
    placed on the National Historic Register in June 2005;

-   "Pittsfield, Massachusetts, is where in 1921 and 1922, the Boston
    Red Sox played 2 exhibition games at Wahconah Park against the
    Hillies;

-   "Boston won the first game with a score of 10 to 9 and the Hillies
    won the second with a score of 4 to 1;

-   "in 1922, Jim Thorpe, considered one of the most versatile athletes
    in modern sports, played baseball at Wahconah Park;

-   "in 1924, Lou Gehrig made his professional debut with the Hartford
    Senators at Wahconah Park, where he hit a home run into the
    Housatonic River;

-   "Pittsfield, Massachusetts, hosted a vintage baseball game which was
    broadcast on national television in 2004;

-   "Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in 2005, welcomed the Pittsfield Dukes,
    a member of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, who made
    their second season debut at Wahconah Park in 2005; and

-   "on August 31, 2007, His Excellency, Deval L. Patrick, Governor of
    the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, proclaimed September 5, 2007, to
    be Pittsfield Baseball Day in the Commonwealth."

[Committee Action]{.underline}: H. Res. 1050 was introduced on March 13,
2008 and referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor, which
took no further 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}: Sarah Makin; 202-226-0718;
[**sarah.makin@mail.house.gov**](mailto:sarah.makin@mail.house.gov).

**H. Con. Res. 372---** **Supporting the goals and ideals of Black Music
Month and to honor the outstanding contributions that African American
singers and musicians have made to the United States (*Kilpatrick,
D-MI)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: H. Con. Res. 372 is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, June 23, 2008, under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H. Con. Res. 372 would express that the House
of Representatives

-   "supports the goals and ideals of Black Music Month;

-   "honors the outstanding contributions that African-American singers,
    musicians, composers, and producers have made to this country;

-   "calls on the people of the United States to take the opportunity to
    study, reflect on, and celebrate the majesty, vitality, and
    importance of African-American music; and

-   "requests and authorizes the President to issue a proclamation
    calling upon the people of the United States to observe such with
    appropriate ceremonies and activities."

The bill lists numerous findings, including the following:

-   "the Nation should be urged to recognize the exemplary contributions
    that African-American singers, musicians, and composers have made
    both to the United States and the world;

-   "the music of African-Americans is the music of America, and has
    historically transcended social, economic, and racial barriers to
    unite people of all backgrounds;

-   "artists, songwriters, producers, engineers, educators, executives,
    and other professionals in the music industry provide inspiration
    and leadership through their creation of music;

-   "African-American music is indigenous to the United States and
    originates from African genres of music;

-   "African-American genres of music such as gospel, blues, jazz,
    rhythm and blues, rap, and hip-hop have their roots in the
    African-American experience;

-   "African-American music has a pervasive influence on dance, fashion,
    language, art, literature, cinema, media, advertisements, and other
    aspects of culture;

-   "Black music has helped African-Americans endure great suffering and
    overcome injustice with courage and faith;

-   "civil rights demonstrators often marched to the cadence of many
    songs written and composed as gospels or spirituals that were
    created on the fields of slaves;

-   "June was first declared as Black Music Month in 1979 by President
    Carter and has yearly been designated as National Black Music Month
    by all concurrent Presidents;

-   "African-American musicians have played a significant role in
    inspiring people across the generations in America and around the
    world with their vision and creativity by writing lyrics which speak
    to the human experience and express heartfelt emotion;

-   "producers of African-American music have come to be known as some
    of the greatest musical talents who have enriched our culture and
    continue to influence fellow musicians today;

-   "African-American musicians have helped shape our national character
    and have become an important part of our musical heritage; and

-   "African-American music has millions of fans of different races and
    ages in cities and towns all across the United States."

[Committee Action]{.underline}: H. Con. Res. 372 was introduced on June
12, 2008 and referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor,
which took no further 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}: Sarah Makin; 202-226-0718;
[**sarah.makin@mail.house.gov**](mailto:sarah.makin@mail.house.gov).

**H.Res. 1051**---**Congratulating James Madison University in
Harrisonburg, Virginia, for 100 years of service and leadership to the
United States (Goodlatte, R-VA)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The resolution is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, June 23, 2008, under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 1051 would express the sense that the
House or Representatives "congratulates James Madison University for 100
years of leadership and service to the Harrisonburg/Rockingham County
region, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the Nation."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "On March 14, 1908, Virginia Governor Claude A. Swanson signed into
    law legislation for the establishment of the new State Normal School
    and Industrial School for Women;

-   "In 1938, the institution was renamed Madison College in honor of
    the Nation\'s fourth president, James Madison;

-   "In 1966, the Virginia General Assembly approved full coeducational
    status for the college, and men were enrolled as resident students
    for the first time;

-   "James Madison University (JMU) enrolls nearly 17,000 students and
    employs 3,000 full-time and part-time faculty and staff;

-   "In 2007, the US News and World Report ranked JMU as the top public,
    master\'s level university in the South for the 17th time;

-   "Also in 2007, the US News and World Report noted JMU\'s graduation
    rate, at 80 percent, was the highest among all public and private
    schools in the South;

-   "JMU has been led by presidents Julian Ashby Burress, Doctor Samuel
    Page Duke, Doctor G. Tyler Miller, Doctor Ronald E. Carrier, and
    Doctor Linwood H. Rose;

-   "JMU offers 106 degree programs, including 68 undergraduate
    programs, 30 graduate programs, 2 education specialist programs, and
    6 doctoral programs; and

-   "JMU has conferred more than 98,000 degrees."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Res. 1051 was introduced on March,
2008, and referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, 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.Con.Res. 2**---**Expressing the sense of the Congress that schools
in the United States should honor the contributions of individuals from
the territories of the United States by including such contributions in
the teaching of United States history *(Christensen, D-VI)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The resolution is scheduled to be
considered on Monday, June 23, 2008, under a motion to suspend the rules
and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 2 would express the sense that the
Congress that "schools in the United States should honor the
contributions of individuals from Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin
Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands by
including such contributions in the teaching of United States history."

The resolution lists a number of findings, including:

-   "Individuals from Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands,
    American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands have
    contributed to many aspects of the history and culture of the United
    States, including its politics, athletics, and music;

-   "Many students do not know the location or the significance of these
    places;

-   "The diversity of the citizens of the United States strengthens the
    Nation, and individuals from the territories of the United States
    contribute to that diversity; and

-   "It is important for students to study the history of these
    geographic areas as part of United States history."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Con.Res. 2 was introduced on
January 4, 2007, and referred to the Committee on Education and Labor,
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.