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# Legislative Bulletin.......................................\.........................April 4, 2006

**Contents:**

> **H.J.Res. 81 ---** Providing for the appointment of Phillip Frost as
> a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian
> Institution
>
> **H.J.Res. 82 ---** Providing for the reappointment of Alan G. Spoon
> as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian
> Institution
>
> **H.Con.Res. 355 ---** Recognizing the benefits and importance of
> school-based music education, and for other purposes **\
> H. Res. 703** --- Recognizing the 20^th^ anniversary of the Chernobyl
> nuclear disaster and supporting continued efforts to control radiation
> and mitigate the adverse health consequences related to the Chernobyl
> nuclear power plant
>
> **H.Res. 744** --- Expressing support for the Good Friday Agreement of
> 1998 as the blueprint for lasting peace in Northern Ireland and
> support for continued police reform in Northern Ireland as a critical
> element in the peace process
>
> **H.Res. 692**--- Commending the people of the republic of the
> Marshall Islands for the contributions and sacrifices they made to the
> United States nuclear testing program in the Marshall Islands,
> solemnly acknowledging the first detonation of a hydrogen bomb by the
> United States on March 1, 1954, on the Bikini Atoll in the Marshall
> Islands, and remembering that 60 years ago the United States began its
> nuclear testing program in the Marshall Islands

H.J.Res. 81 --- Providing for the appointment of Phillip Frost as a
citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution
--- *as introduced* (Regula, R-OH)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The resolution is scheduled for
consideration on Tuesday, April 4, 2006, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.J.Res. 81 resolves that "the vacancy on the
Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, in the class other than
Members of Congress, occurring by reason of the expiration of the term
of Manuel L. Ibanez of Texas on May 4, 2006, is filled by the
appointment of Phillip Frost of Florida. The appointment is for a term
of 6 years, beginning on the later of May 5, 2006, or the date of the
enactment of this joint resolution."

**[Additional Information]{.underline}**: Phillip Frost is from Miami
Beach, Florida and is the Chairman of the Board and CEO of Ivax
Corporation. According to the sponsor's office, Frost is "nationally
recognized for his creative enterprise, business and marketing acumen,
and generous support of education and the arts. ...He and his wife,
Patricia, who is chair of the Smithsonian National Board, are renowned
collectors who gave their 113-piece collection of American abstract art
to the Smithsonian in 1986, \[and\] they also have stated their interest
in exploring the possibility of providing significant support for a
major exhibition on medical history at the National Museum of American
History." In addition, Frost has given tens of thousands of dollars to
the Democratic Party over the last few years.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: The resolution was introduced on
March 7, 2006, and referred to the Committee on House Administration,
which took no official action.

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

**[Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Joelle Cannon,
<joelle.cannon@mail.house.gov>, X69717

**H.J.Res. 82 --- Providing for the reappointment of Alan G. Spoon as a
citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution
--- *as introduced* (Regula, R-OH)**

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The resolution is scheduled for
consideration on Tuesday, April 4, 2006, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.J.Res. 81 resolves that "the vacancy on the
Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, in the class other than
Members of Congress, occurring by reason of the expiration of the term
of Alan G. Spoon of Massachusetts on May 4, 2006, is filled by the
reappointment of the incumbent for a term of 6 years. The reappointment
shall take effect on May 5, 2006."

**[Additional Information]{.underline}**: Alan Spoon of Massachusetts is
Managing Partner of Polaris Venture Partners, and previously was the
President of the Washington Post Company for 18 years. According to the
sponsor's office, "During his career with The Post Company, \[Spoon\]
served as President, Chief Operating Officer, board member, Chief
Financial Officer, President of Newsweek, head of newspaper marketing,
and head of corporate business development, \[and\] ... he maintains
leadership and advisory roles with numerous companies and organizations
in the technology, communications, and financial industries." In
addition, Alan Spoon has given thousands of dollars to the democrat
candidates over the last few years, including Senators Bayh, Lieberman,
and Kerry.

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: The resolution was introduced on
March 7, 2006, and referred to the Committee on House Administration,
which took no official action.

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

**[Staff Contact]{.underline}**: Joelle Cannon,
<joelle.cannon@mail.house.gov>, X69717

**H.Con.Res. 355 --- Recognizing the benefits and importance of
school-based music education, and for other purposes --- *as introduced*
*(Cooper, D-TN)***

**[Order of Business]{.underline}**: The resolution is scheduled for
consideration on Tuesday, April 4, 2006, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}**: H.Res. 698 resolves the following sense of
the House of Representatives:

-   "that music education grounded in rigorous instruction is an
    important component of a well-rounded academic curriculum and should
    be available to every student in every school; and

-   "the Congress recognizes NAMM, the International Music Products
    Association, for its efforts to emphasize the importance of school
    music programs in the academic and social development of children."

**[Additional Information]{.underline}**: The resolution lists a number
of findings, including the following:

-   "school music programs enhance intellectual development and enrich
    the academic environment for students of all ages;

-   "students who participate in school music programs are less likely
    to be involved with drugs, gangs, or alcohol and have better
    attendance in school;

-   "the majority of students attending public schools in inner city
    neighborhoods have virtually no access to music education, which
    places them at a disadvantage compared to their peers in other
    communities;

-   "local budget cuts are predicted to lead to significant curtailment
    of school music programs, thereby depriving millions of students of
    an education that includes music;

-   "every student in the United States should have an opportunity to
    reap the benefits of music education; and

-   "NAMM, the International Music Products Association, highlights
    during the month of March the important role that school music
    programs play in the academic and social development of children."

**[Committee Action]{.underline}**: H.Res. 698 was introduced on March
9, 2005, and referred to the House Committee on Education and the
Workforce, which took no official action.

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

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

**RSC Staff Contact**: Joelle Cannon; joelle.cannon@mail.house.gov;
(202) 226-9717.

H.Res. 703 --- Recognizing the 20^th^ anniversary of the Chernobyl
nuclear disaster and supporting continued efforts to control radiation
and mitigate the adverse health consequences related to the Chernobyl
nuclear power plant --- *as introduced* (Gallegly, R-CA)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** The resolution is scheduled for
consideration on Tuesday, April 4, 2006, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}:** H.Res. 703 would recognize the 20^th^
anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in Ukraine (on April 26,
1986) and would support continued efforts to control radiation and other
adverse health consequences related to Chernobyl. The resolution states
the following findings, among other items:

-   "Serious radiological, health, and socioeconomic consequences for
    the populations of Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia, as well as for the
    populations of other affected areas, have been identified since the
    disaster;

-   "The Chernobyl Forum, an initiative launched by the International
    Atomic Energy Agency and supported by the World Health Organization,
    the United Nations Development Program, and other United Nations
    agencies, as well as by the governments of Ukraine, Belarus, and
    Russia, examined the scientific evidence of the human health affects
    and the environmental impact of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster;

-   "The Chernobyl Forum found that approximately 5,000,000 people live
    in areas of Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia that were contaminated by
    radioactivity;

-   "Humanitarian assistance and public health research into the
    consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster will continue to be
    needed in the coming decades when a large number of latent health
    effects are expected to emerge;

-   "In 1997, the United States, the European Union, and Ukraine
    developed the Shelter Implementation Plan for the purpose of
    protecting people and the environment from the dangers of the large
    quantity of highly radioactive material contained in the Chernobyl
    nuclear power plant; and

-   **"As the United States is the largest single country donor to the
    Chernobyl Shelter Fund, which was created with the purpose of
    funding the Shelter Implementation Plan, having pledged a total of
    \$203,000,000."** (emphasis added)

H.Res. 703 resolves that the House of Representatives:

-   "Recognizes the 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster
    and expresses sympathy for the ongoing effects of the disaster,
    including adverse health consequences and deaths;

-   "Calls upon national and international health organizations to focus
    their research into the public health consequences of the Chernobyl
    nuclear disaster into areas identified by the Chernobyl Shelter
    Fund, so that the global community can benefit from the findings of
    such research;

-   **"Supports continued United States assistance to the Chernobyl
    Shelter Fund, the Shelter Implementation Plan, construction of a
    facility to store spent nuclear fuel, and other efforts to mitigate
    the consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster; and**

-   **"Urges other countries and the European Union to continue to
    provide assistance to the Chernobyl Shelter Fund, the Shelter
    Implementation Plan, construction of a facility to store spent
    nuclear fuel, and other efforts to mitigate the consequences of the
    Chernobyl nuclear disaster."** (emphasis added)

**Additional Information:** Chernobyl is the name of a city in Ukraine,
roughly 15 miles downstream from the V.I. Lenin Nuclear Power Plant. On
April 26, 1986, the Number 4 reactor exploded and release 30-40 times
the radioactivity of the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Chernobyl is commonly viewed as the world's worst nuclear disaster. 30
facility workers died immediately in the accident, and roughly 135,000
people in a 20-mile radius were evacuated. According to the Washington
Post, "as recently as 2000, the Ukrainian government was spending 5
percent of its gross domestic product to mitigate consequences of the
disaster." In 1997, the Group of Seven nations, plus Russia, the
European Union and Ukraine, created the Chernobyl Shelter Fund as part
of a 10-year plan build a structure to contain the remains of the power
plant. The project, which is nearing completion, has a projected cost of
\$768 million and has received donations from 28 nations, including over
\$200 million from the U.S.

[**Committee Action**:]{.underline} H.Res. 703 was introduced on March
1, 2006, and referred to the Committee on International Relations, which
took no official action.

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

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

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

**[RSC Staff Contact:]{.underline}** Derek V. Baker;
[derek.baker@mail.house.gov](mailto:Derek.baker@mail.house.gov);
202-226-8585

H.Res. 744 --- Expressing support for the Good Friday Agreement of 1998
as the blueprint for lasting peace in Northern Ireland and support for
continued police reform in Northern Ireland as a critical element in the
peace process --- *as introduced* (Hyde, R-IL)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** The resolution is scheduled for
consideration on Tuesday, April 4, 2006, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}:** H.Res. 744 would express support for the Good
Friday Agreement of 1998 as the blueprint for lasting peace in Northern
Ireland and support continued police reform in Northern Ireland as a
critical element in the peace process. The resolution resolves that the
House of Representatives:

-   "reiterates its support for the Good Friday Agreement, signed on
    April 10, 1998, in Belfast, as the blueprint for a lasting peace in
    Northern Ireland;

-   "commends the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Tony Blair and
    the Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern for their leadership and
    persistence in seeking a peaceful resolution in Northern Ireland;

-   "commends the Sinn Fein leadership in successfully urging the Irish
    Republican Army to end its armed struggle and verifiably put its
    weapons beyond use;

-   "commends Sir Hugh S. Orde, Chief Constable of the Police Service of
    Northern Ireland (PSNI), for his leadership and for working to
    protect both communities;

-   "commends the PSNI for the institution of the Historical Enquiries
    Team, which will provide a thorough and independent examination of
    unresolved deaths that occurred in connection with the Troubles from
    1968 to 1989;

-   "commends Nuala O\'Loan and the Police Ombudsman's Office for the
    work they have done in promoting human rights in law enforcement and
    in fostering community confidence in the PSNI; and

-   "commends the work of the Northern Irish Policing Board and its
    District Partnerships for promoting genuine community policing in
    Northern Ireland."

The resolution further states that it is the sense of the House of
Representatives that:

-   "all groups and organizations should end their involvement in
    paramilitary activity;

-   "all political parties in Northern Ireland should\--

    -   agree to share power with all parties according to the
        democratic mandate of the Good Friday Agreement; and

    -   commit to work in good faith with all the institutions of the
        Good Friday Agreement, which established the Northern Ireland
        Assembly and an inclusive Executive, the North-South Ministerial
        Council, and the British-Irish Inter-Governmental Conference,
        for the benefit of all the people of Northern Ireland;

-   "since policing reform is a significant part of winning public
    confidence and acceptance in the new form of government in Northern
    Ireland, all political parties should cooperate fully with the PSNI
    in preventing and investigating crimes; and

-   "the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of Ireland
    should work to achieve full implementation of the Good Friday
    Agreement, including devolution of policing and justice, the
    normalization of the security presence, and of the Independent
    Commission on Policing in Northern Ireland reforms, including
    long-term senior-level exchanges between the Garda Siochana, the
    police service of the Republic of Ireland, and the PSNI."

The resolution states the following findings, among other items:

-   "inclusive power-sharing based on these defining qualities is
    essential to the viability and advancement of the democratic process
    in Northern Ireland;

-   "paramilitary activity by both traditions in a democratic society
    undermines the trust and confidence that are essential in a
    political system based on inclusive power-sharing in Northern
    Ireland;

-   "on September 26, 2005, the International Independent Commission on
    Decommissioning (IICD) confirmed the Irish Republican Army had
    destroyed its full arsenal of weapons;

-   "the new Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has made great
    strides in becoming an integrated, professional, and impartial
    police force under civilian control and responsive to all community
    concerns, and has worked to protect both communities from violence."

[**Committee Action**:]{.underline} H.Res. 744 was introduced on March
29, 2006, and referred to the Committee on International Relations,
which took no official action.

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

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

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

**[RSC Staff Contact:]{.underline}** Derek V. Baker;
[derek.baker@mail.house.gov](mailto:Derek.baker@mail.house.gov);
202-226-8585

H.Res. 692 --- Commending the people of the republic of the Marshall
Islands for the contributions and sacrifices they made to the United
States nuclear testing program in the Marshall Islands, solemnly
acknowledging the first detonation of a hydrogen bomb by the United
States on March 1, 1954, on the Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands,
and remembering that 60 years ago the United States began its nuclear
testing program in the Marshall Islands --- *as introduced* (*Del.
Faleomavaega, D-AS*)

**[Order of Business]{.underline}:** The resolution is scheduled for
consideration on Tuesday, April 4, 2006, under a motion to suspend the
rules and pass the resolution.

**[Summary]{.underline}:** H.Res. 692 would commend "the people of the
Republic of the Marshall Islands for the contributions and sacrifices
they made to the United States nuclear testing program in the Marshall
Islands, solemnly acknowledging the first detonation of a hydrogen bomb
by the United States on March 1, 1954, on the Bikini Atoll in the
Marshall Islands, and remembering that 60 years ago the United States
began its nuclear testing program in the Marshall Islands."

H.Res. 692 resolves that the House of Representatives:

-   "commends the people of the Republic of the Marshall Islands for the
    contributions and sacrifices they made to the United States nuclear
    testing program in the Marshall Islands;

-   "solemnly acknowledges the first detonation of a hydrogen bomb by
    the United States on March 1, 1954, on the Bikini Atoll in the
    Marshall Islands; and

-   "remembers that 60 years ago the United States began its nuclear
    testing program in the Marshall Islands."

The resolution also states the following findings, among other items:

-   "between 1946 and 1958, the United States conducted 67 nuclear tests
    in the Marshall Islands, all of which were atmospheric;

-   "in July 1998, the United States Center for Disease Control
    estimated that 6,300,000,000 billion curies of radioactive
    iodine-131 were released to the atmosphere as a result of the
    testing in the Marshall Islands;

-   "the United States must assist the people of the Marshall Islands to
    help them extricate themselves from the legacy of the nuclear age
    and the burden of providing testing grounds for nuclear weapons; and

-   "the importance of the nonproliferation of weapons of mass
    destruction must also include the essential nonproliferation of
    illness, forced relocation, and social and cultural ills in the
    indigenous communities that paid disproportionately for the adverse
    consequences of weapons processing, deployment, and storage."

[**Committee Action**:]{.underline} H.Res. 692 was introduced on
February 16, 2006, and referred to the Committee on International
Relations, which took no official action.

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

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

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

**[RSC Staff Contact:]{.underline}** Derek V. Baker;
[derek.baker@mail.house.gov](mailto:Derek.baker@mail.house.gov);
202-226-8585