datamatters24/research-document-archive huggingface dataset:
IV 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 251
Expressing the sense of the Congress with respect to the right of all Ameri-
cans to keep and bear arms in defense of life or liberty and in the 
pursuit of all other legitimate endeavors. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 23, 2003
Mr. CRANE submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on the Judiciary 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Expressing the sense of the Congress with respect to the 
right of all Americans to keep and bear arms in defense 
of life or liberty and in the pursuit of all other legitimate 
endeavors.
Whereas the second amendment to the Constitution of the 
United States conveys an inalienable right to all Amer-
ican citizens, such right occupying the same preferred po-
sition as all other constitutional rights; 
Whereas unconscionable abridgements of the second amend-
ment have been undertaken over the years by State and 
local governmental bodies, and have been allowed by the 
courts to stand uncorrected; and 
Whereas the Framers of the second amendment to the Con-
stitution and those who ratified the second amendment
•HCON 251 IH 
intended that the individual retain the right to keep and 
bear arms in order to protect life, liberty, and property 
and to protect our Nation from those who would attempt 
to destroy our freedom: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that the 
Constitution provides that all individual citizens have the 
right to keep and bear arms, which right supersedes the 
power and authority of any government.
Æ
IV 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 252
Expressing support for the designation and goals of ‘‘Hire a Veteran Week’’. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 24, 2003
Mr. HOLT (for himself, Mr. BROWN of South Carolina, Mr. MICHAUD, Mr. 
SIMPSON, Mr. FILNER, Mr. EVANS, Mr. LYNCH, Mr. SERRANO, Mrs. 
CHRISTENSEN, Mr. RODRIGUEZ, Ms. LEE, Mr. GREEN of Wisconsin, Mr. 
FROST, Mr. WILSON of South Carolina, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. HOLDEN, 
Mr. ROSS, Mrs. JONES of Ohio, Mr. ENGLISH, Mr. BAKER, Mrs. 
MALONEY, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. WYNN, Mr. ACEVEDO-VILA´, Mr. KIL-
DEE, Ms. NORTON, Mr. KIND, Ms. BORDALLO, Mr. BELL, Mr. LANTOS, 
Mr. SANDLIN, Ms. MAJETTE, and Mr. STRICKLAND) submitted the fol-
lowing concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
Veterans’ Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 
for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case 
for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
committee concerned 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Expressing support for the designation and goals of ‘‘Hire 
a Veteran Week’’.
Whereas the people of the United States have a sincere ap-
preciation and respect for the military personnel who 
serve the Armed Forces of the United States; 
Whereas, although veterans possess special qualities and 
skills which make them ideal candidates for employment,
•HCON 252 IH 
many veterans encounter difficulties in securing employ-
ment; 
Whereas it would be inconsistent, inconsiderate, and contrary 
to the economic competitiveness of the United States to 
neglect the post-military needs of the military personnel 
who have served in the Armed Forces of the United 
States; 
Whereas many of the brave men and women who have served 
the United States so gallantly and selflessly in the war 
on terrorism and the war in Iraq since September 11, 
2001 are beginning to return home to be reunited with 
their loved ones and will be re-entering the workforce or 
searching for their first jobs outside of military service; 
and 
Whereas the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Depart-
ment of Labor, the Office of Personnel Management, and 
many State and local governments administer veterans 
programs and have veterans employment representatives 
both to ensure that veterans receive the services to which 
they are entitled and to promote employer interest in hir-
ing veterans: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That the Congress 
(1) recognizes the importance of the men and 
women who have served or who currently serve in 
the Armed Forces of the United States; 
(2) supports the designation of an appropriate 
week as ‘‘Hire a Veteran Week’’; and
•HCON 252 IH 
(3) encourages the President to issue a procla-
mation calling upon employers, labor organizations, 
veterans service organizations, and Federal, State, 
and local governmental agencies to lend their sup-
port to increase employment of the men and women 
who have served in the Armed Forces of the United 
States.
Æ
•HCON 257 IH 
Whereas during World War I, Harry Colmery joined the 
Army Air Service, serving as a first lieutenant at a time 
when military aviation was in its infancy; 
Whereas after World War I, Harry Colmery actively contrib-
uted to the growth of the newly formed American Legion 
and went on to hold several offices in the Legion and was 
elected National Commander in 1936; 
Whereas in 1943, the United States faced the return from 
World War II of what was to become an active duty force 
of 15,000,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines; 
Whereas Harry Colmery, recognizing the potential effect of 
the return of such a large number of veterans to civilian 
life, spearheaded the efforts of the American Legion to 
develop legislation seeking to ensure that these Ameri-
cans who had fought for the democratic ideals of the Na-
tion and to preserve freedom would be able to fully par-
ticipate in all of the opportunities the Nation provided; 
Whereas in December 1943, during an emergency meeting of 
the American Legion leadership, Harry Colmery crafted 
the initial draft of the legislation that became the Serv-
icemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, also known as the 
GI Bill of Rights; 
Whereas the GI Bill of Rights is credited by veterans’ service 
organizations, economists, and historians as the engine 
that transformed postwar America into a more egali-
tarian, prosperous, and enlightened Nation poised to lead 
the world into the 21st century; 
Whereas since its enactment, the GI Bill of Rights has pro-
vided education or training for approximately 7,800,000 
men and women, including 2,200,000 in college, 
3,400,000 in other schools, 1,400,000 in vocational edu-
IV 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 253
Expressing the sense of the Congress that there should be established a 
‘‘Free Enterprise Education Week’’ to encourage schools and businesses 
to educate students about the free enterprise system. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 24, 2003
Mr. KENNEDY of Minnesota submitted the following concurrent resolution; 
which was referred to the Committee on Government Reform 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Expressing the sense of the Congress that there should be 
established a ‘‘Free Enterprise Education Week’’ to en-
courage schools and businesses to educate students about 
the free enterprise system.
Whereas the United States values the free enterprise system 
as the basic economic system in the Nation; 
Whereas the Nation’s kindergarten, elementary, and sec-
ondary education system should strive to educate young 
Americans about the importance of the Nation’s free en-
terprise system; 
Whereas students’ understanding of the Nation’s free market 
system is an important part of the Nation’s long-term 
economic growth;
•HCON 253 IH 
Whereas American companies, student organizations, and 
teachers are willing and able to participate in educating 
young people about free markets and opportunities; and 
Whereas many organizations, such as Students in Free En-
terprise, have developed programs to teach and encourage 
entrepreneurship among students: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that there 
should be established a ‘‘Free Enterprise Education 
Week’’ to encourage schools and businesses in the United 
States to educate students about the free enterprise sys-
tem.
Æ
IV 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 256
Recognizing the Honorable Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela on his 85th birthday. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 24, 2003
Mr. RUSH (for himself, Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi, Mr. TOWNS, Mr. DAVIS 
of Illinois, Ms. LEE, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. OWENS, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of 
Texas, Mrs. CHRISTENSEN, Ms. CARSON of Indiana, Mr. LEWIS of Geor-
gia, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. CLYBURN, Ms. KIL-
PATRICK, and Mr. JEFFERSON) submitted the following concurrent reso-
lution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Recognizing the Honorable Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela on 
his 85th birthday.
Whereas throughout the incredible life of the Honorable Nel-
son Rolihlahla Mandela, his continuous courage has in-
spired the Congress and given the Congress continuous 
energy to achieve not only a free South Africa but also 
a free and just world; 
Whereas Nelson Mandela fought the abominable apartheid re-
gime under the most strenuous conditions, including the 
27-year political detention period; 
Whereas during Nelson Mandela’s tenure as the first demo-
cratically elected president of South Africa, he epitomized 
the goals of dignity, grace, and reconciliation;
•HCON 256 IH 
Whereas Nelson Mandela is a source of strength and wisdom 
who continues to challenge the Congress to make the 
world a better place to live; 
Whereas Nelson Mandela persists in bringing truth to issues 
confronting the world such as the AIDS pandemic and 
respect for internationally recognized norms and laws; 
and 
Whereas July 18, 2003 marks Nelson Mandela’s 85th birth-
day: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That the Congress recognizes the Honorable 
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela on his 85th birthday and wish-
es him more wonderful years to come.
Æ
IV 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 257
Expressing the sense of Congress that the President should posthumously 
award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Harry W. Colmery. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 24, 2003
Mr. RYUN of Kansas (for himself, Mr. TIAHRT, Mr. MORAN of Kansas, Mr. 
EVANS, and Mr. SMITH of New Jersey) submitted the following concur-
rent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Government Re-
form 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Expressing the sense of Congress that the President should 
posthumously award the Presidential Medal of Freedom 
to Harry W. Colmery.
Whereas the life of Harry W. Colmery of Topeka, Kansas, 
was marked by service to his country and its citizens; 
Whereas Harry Colmery earned a degree in law in 1916 from 
the University of Pittsburgh and, through his practice of 
law, contributed to the Nation, notably by successfully 
arguing two significant cases before the United States 
Supreme Court, one criminal, the other an environmental 
legal dispute;
•HCON 315 IH 
(5) a stable and democratic Ukraine that inte-
grates into the Euro-Atlantic structure is an essen-
tial element of European security and the United 
States should support the accession of Ukraine to 
NATO membership.
Æ
•HCON 257 IH 
cation, and 690,000 in farm training and, in addition, 
2,100,000 World War II veterans purchased homes 
through the GI Bill; 
Whereas as a result of the benefits available to veterans 
through the initial GI Bill, the Nation gained over 
800,000 professionals as the GI Bill transformed these 
veterans into 450,000 engineers, 238,000 teachers, 
91,000 scientists, 67,000 doctors, and 22,000 dentists; 
Whereas President Truman established the Presidential 
Medal of Freedom in 1945 to recognize notable service 
during war and in 1963, President Kennedy reinstated 
the medal to honor the achievement of civilians during 
peacetime; 
Whereas pursuant to Executive Order No. 11085, the Medal 
of Freedom may be awarded to any person who has made 
an especially meritorious contribution to ‘‘(1) the security 
or national interest of the United States, or (2) world 
peace, or (3) other significant public or private endeav-
ors’’; and 
Whereas Harry Colmery, noted for his service in the military, 
in the legal sector, and on behalf of the Nation’s vet-
erans, clearly meets the criteria established for the Presi-
dential Medal of Freedom: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that the 
President should posthumously award the Presidential 
Medal of Freedom to Harry W. Colmery of Topeka, Kan-
sas.
Æ
108TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. CON. RES. 262
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Whereas the performance and singing of traditional, patriotic
music has served as a vital instrument for the recruit-
ment and retention of members of the armed forces of
the United States, has been a catalyst for the develop-
ment of public support for a common defense policy, and
has united Americans of all backgrounds throughout the
In the Senate of the United States,
August 1 (legislative day, July 21), 2003.
Resolved, That the resolution from the House of Rep-
resentatives (H. Con. Res. 259) entitled ‘‘Concurrent resolu-
tion providing for a conditional adjournment of the House of
Representatives and a conditional recess or adjournment of
the Senate.’’, do pass with the following
AMENDMENT:
Page 1, line 3, strike out all after ‘‘1946,’’ over to
and including ‘‘designee,’’ in line 2 on page 2 and insert:
when the House adjourns on the legislative day of Tuesday,
July 29, 2003,
Attest:
Secretary.
‘‘(b) INAPPLICABILITY OF EFFECTIVE DATE PROVI-
SIONS.—Section 116 shall not apply to the amendment 
made by subsection (a) of this section.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—Section 2 of such 
Act is amended in the table of contents by inserting 
after the item relating to section 116 the following 
new item:
‘‘Sec. 117. Fatherhood program.’’.
SEC. 120. STATE OPTION TO MAKE TANF PROGRAMS MAN-
DATORY PARTNERS WITH ONE-STOP EMPLOY-
MENT TRAINING CENTERS. 
Section 408 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
608) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(h) STATE OPTION TO MAKE TANF PROGRAMS 
MANDATORY PARTNERS WITH ONE-STOP EMPLOYMENT 
TRAINING CENTERS.—For purposes of section 121(b) of 
the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, a State program 
funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act 
shall be considered a program referred to in paragraph 
(1)(B) of such section, unless, after the date of the enact-
ment of this subsection, the Governor of the State notifies 
the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Labor 
in writing of the decision of the Governor not to make 
the State program a mandatory partner.’’.
108TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. CON. RES. 259
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That, in consonance with section 132(a) of
the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946, when the
House adjourns on the legislative day of Friday, July 25,
2003, or Saturday, July 26, 2003, on a motion offered
•HCON 259 EH
pursuant to this concurrent resolution by its Majority
Leader or his designee, it stand adjourned until 2 p.m.
on Wednesday, September 3, 2003, or until the time of
any reassembly pursuant to section 2 of this concurrent
resolution, whichever occurs first; and that when the Sen-
ate recesses or adjourns on any day from Friday, July
25, 2003, through Monday, August 4, 2003, on a motion
offered pursuant to this concurrent resolution by its Ma-
jority Leader or his designee, it stand recessed or ad-
journed until noon on Tuesday, September 2, 2003, or at
such other time on that day as may be specified by its
Majority Leader or his designee in the motion to recess
or adjourn, or until the time of any reassembly pursuant
to section 2 of this concurrent resolution, whichever occurs
first.
SEC. 2. The Speaker of the House and the Majority
Leader of the Senate, or their respective designees, acting
jointly after consultation with the Minority Leader of the
House and the Minority Leader of the Senate, shall notify
the Members of the House and the Senate, respectively,
to reassemble at such place and time as they may des-
•HCON 259 EH
ignate whenever, in their opinion, the public interest shall
warrant it.
Passed the House of Representatives July 25, 2003.
Attest:
Clerk.
H. Con. Res. 259
Agreed to August 1, 2003
One Hundred Eighth Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE FIRST SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday,
the seventh day of January, two thousand and three
Concurrent Resolution
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concur-
ring), That, in consonance with section 132(a) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946, when the House adjourns on the legisla-
tive day of Tuesday, July 29, 2003, it stand adjourned until 2
p.m. on Wednesday, September 3, 2003, or until the time of any
reassembly pursuant to section 2 of this concurrent resolution,
whichever occurs first; and that when the Senate recesses or
adjourns on any day from Friday, July 25, 2003, through Monday,
August 4, 2003, on a motion offered pursuant to this concurrent
resolution by its Majority Leader or his designee, it stand recessed
or adjourned until noon on Tuesday, September 2, 2003, or at
such other time on that day as may be specified by its Majority
Leader or his designee in the motion to recess or adjourn, or
until the time of any reassembly pursuant to section 2 of this
concurrent resolution, whichever occurs first.
SEC. 2. The Speaker of the House and the Majority Leader
of the Senate, or their respective designees, acting jointly after
consultation with the Minority Leader of the House and the
Minority Leader of the Senate, shall notify the Members of the
House and the Senate, respectively, to reassemble at such place
H. Con. Res. 259—2
and time as they may designate whenever, in their opinion, the
public interest shall warrant it.
Attest:
Clerk of the House of Representatives.
Attest:
Secretary of the Senate.
One Hundred Eighth Congress
of the
United States of America 
AT THE FIRST SESSION 
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday, 
the seventh day of January, two thousand and three 
Concurrent Resolution
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concur-
ring), That, in consonance with section 132(a) of the Legislative 
Reorganization Act of 1946, when the House adjourns on the legisla-
tive day of Tuesday, July 29, 2003, it stand adjourned until 2 
p.m. on Wednesday, September 3, 2003, or until the time of any 
reassembly pursuant to section 2 of this concurrent resolution, 
whichever occurs first; and that when the Senate recesses or 
adjourns on any day from Friday, July 25, 2003, through Monday, 
August 4, 2003, on a motion offered pursuant to this concurrent 
resolution by its Majority Leader or his designee, it stand recessed 
or adjourned until noon on Tuesday, September 2, 2003, or at 
such other time on that day as may be specified by its Majority 
Leader or his designee in the motion to recess or adjourn, or 
until the time of any reassembly pursuant to section 2 of this 
concurrent resolution, whichever occurs first. 
SEC. 2. The Speaker of the House and the Majority Leader 
of the Senate, or their respective designees, acting jointly after 
consultation with the Minority Leader of the House and the 
Minority Leader of the Senate, shall notify the Members of the 
House and the Senate, respectively, to reassemble at such place 
and time as they may designate whenever, in their opinion, the 
public interest shall warrant it. 
Attest:
Clerk of the House of Representatives.
Attest:
Secretary of the Senate.
IV 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 25
Expressing the sense of the Congress that Social Security reform measures 
should not force State and local government employees into Social Secu-
rity coverage. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 29, 2003
Mr. GREEN of Wisconsin submitted the following concurrent resolution; which 
was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Expressing the sense of the Congress that Social Security 
reform measures should not force State and local govern-
ment employees into Social Security coverage.
Whereas an estimated 5 million State and local government 
employees are currently covered under public pensions 
outside the Social Security program; and 
Whereas these State and local government employees deserve 
to be secure in the knowledge that their coverage will not 
be affected against their will by Social Security reform 
measures: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That no Social Security reform plan favorably 
considered by the Congress should cause State and local
•HCON 25 IH 
government employees covered under public pensions to be 
forced into coverage under the old-age, survivors, and dis-
ability insurance program under title II of the Social Secu-
rity Act.
Æ
HR 4916 RDS 
(C) by striking the period at the end of 
subparagraph (I) and inserting ‘‘, or’’, 
(D) by inserting after subparagraph (I) the 
following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(J) authorized to be paid out of the High-
way Trust Fund under the Surface Transpor-
tation Extension Act of 2004, Part IV.’’, and 
(E) in the matter after subparagraph (J), 
as added by this paragraph, by striking ‘‘Sur-
face Transportation Extension Act of 2004, 
Part III’’ and inserting ‘‘Surface Transpor-
tation Extension Act of 2004, Part IV’’. 
(2) MASS TRANSIT ACCOUNT.—Paragraph (3) 
of section 9503(e) of such Code is amended—
(A) in the matter before subparagraph (A), 
by striking ‘‘August 1, 2004’’ and inserting 
‘‘October 1, 2004’’, 
(B) in subparagraph (F), by striking ‘‘or’’ 
at the end of such subparagraph, 
(C) in subparagraph (G), by inserting ‘‘or’’ 
at the end of such subparagraph, 
(D) by inserting after subparagraph (G) 
the following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(H) the Surface Transportation Exten-
sion Act of 2004, Part IV,’’, and
HR 4916 RDS 
(E) in the matter after subparagraph (H), 
as added by this paragraph, by striking ‘‘Sur-
face Transportation Extension Act of 2004, 
Part III’’ and inserting ‘‘Surface Transpor-
tation Extension Act of 2004, Part IV’’. 
(3) EXCEPTION
TO
LIMITATION
ON
TRANS-
FERS.—Subparagraph (B) of section 9503(b)(5) of 
such Code is amended by striking ‘‘August 1, 2004’’ 
and inserting ‘‘October 1, 2004’’. 
(4) SPECIAL RULE FOR CORE HIGHWAY PRO-
GRAMS.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a core 
highway program, subsections (b)(5) and (c)(1) 
of section 9503 of such Code shall be applied 
by substituting ‘‘September 25, 2004’’ for ‘‘Oc-
tober 1, 2004’’. 
(B) CORE HIGHWAY PROGRAM.—For pur-
poses of subparagraph (A), the term ‘‘core 
highway program’’ means any program (other 
than any program carried out by the National 
Highway Traffic Safety Administration and any 
program carried out by the Federal Motor Car-
rier Administration) funded from the Highway 
Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Ac-
count).
HR 4916 RDS 
(b) AQUATIC RESOURCES TRUST FUND.—
(1) SPORT
FISH
RESTORATION
ACCOUNT.—
Paragraph (2) of section 9504(b) of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ‘‘Sur-
face Transportation Extension Act of 2004, Part 
III’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘Surface 
Transportation Extension Act of 2004, Part IV’’. 
(2) BOAT SAFETY ACCOUNT.—Subsection (c) of 
section 9504 of such Code is amended—
(A) by striking ‘‘August 1, 2004’’ and in-
serting ‘‘October 1, 2004’’, and 
(B) by striking ‘‘Surface Transportation 
Extension Act of 2004, Part III’’ and inserting 
‘‘Surface Transportation Extension Act of 
2004, Part IV’’. 
(3) EXCEPTION
TO
LIMITATION
ON
TRANS-
FERS.—Paragraph (2) of section 9504(d) of such 
Code is amended by striking ‘‘August 1, 2004’’ and 
inserting ‘‘October 1, 2004’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
(d) 
TEMPORARY
RULE
REGARDING
ADJUST-
MENTS.—During the period beginning on the date of the 
enactment of the Surface Transportation Extension Act