datamatters24/research-document-archive huggingface dataset:
IV 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 459
Expressing the sense of the Congress that a postage stamp should be issued 
to honor coal miners. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 21, 2004
Mrs. CAPITO (for herself and Mr. KANJORSKI) submitted the following concur-
rent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Government Re-
form 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Expressing the sense of the Congress that a postage stamp 
should be issued to honor coal miners.
Whereas the Nation is greatly indebted to coal miners for the 
difficult and dangerous work they have performed to pro-
vide the fuel needed to operate the Nation’s industries 
and to provide energy to homes and businesses; 
Whereas millions of workers have toiled in the Nation’s coal 
mines over the last century, risking both life and limb to 
fuel the Nation’s economic expansion; 
Whereas during the last century over 100,000 coal miners 
have been killed in mining accidents in the Nation’s coal 
mines, and 3,500,000 coal miners have suffered non-fatal 
injuries;
•HCON 459 IH 
Whereas 100,000 coal miners have contracted Black Lung 
disease as a direct result of their toil in the Nation’s coal 
mines; 
Whereas coal provides 50 percent of the Nation’s electricity 
and is an essential fuel for industries such as steel, ce-
ment, chemicals, food, and paper; 
Whereas the United States has a demonstrated coal reserve 
of more than 500 billion tons, with an estimated 275 bil-
lion tons of recoverable reserves which, at current pro-
duction rates, represents about 275 years of recoverable 
coal reserves; 
Whereas these coal reserves represent about 95 percent of all 
fossil fuel reserves in the United States, and about one 
fourth of the world’s known coal reserves; 
Whereas the recoverable coal reserves in the United States 
have the energy equivalent of about 1 trillion barrels of 
oil, which is comparable to all of the world’s known oil 
reserves; 
Whereas since the energy crises of the 1970s, United States 
dependence on foreign oil has grown substantially, with 
imported oil accounting for 39 percent of all oil consumed 
in 1973 and about 60 percent today; 
Whereas energy security is an integral component of the Na-
tion’s economy and national security; 
Whereas coal mining continues to be the economic engine for 
many communities, providing jobs to areas with little eco-
nomic diversity; 
Whereas coal mining provides economic benefit far beyond its 
direct revenue, including billions of dollars in economic 
output and household earnings and hundreds of thou-
sands of jobs in other industries; and
•HCON 459 IH 
Whereas issuing a postage stamp to honor the Nation’s coal 
miners is fitting and proper: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that—
(1) the United States Postal Service should 
issue a stamp honoring the Nation’s coal miners; 
and 
(2) the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee 
should recommend to the Postmaster General that 
such a stamp be issued.
Æ
•HCON 45 IH 
20,000 will not find a marrow donor match within their 
family and must rely upon strangers; 
Whereas nearly 32,000 units of blood are used in the United 
States every day and blood supply reserves are often low 
since only 5 percent of the population donates blood reg-
ularly; 
Whereas almost everyone is a potential organ, tissue, bone 
marrow, and blood donor; 
Whereas transplantation has become an element of main-
stream medicine that prolongs and enhances life; 
Whereas for the sixth consecutive year, a coalition of health 
and other organizations is joining forces for National 
Donor Day, including the American Association of Blood 
Banks, the American Liver Foundation, the American 
Society of Transplant Surgeons, America’s Blood Cen-
ters, the Association of Organ Procurement Organiza-
tions, the Children’s Organ Transplant Association, the 
Coalition on Donation, the Emergency Nurses Associa-
tion, the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International, the 
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America, LifeSouth 
Community Blood Centers, The Marrow Foundation, the 
National Kidney Foundation, the National Marrow 
Donor Program, the National Minority Organ Tissue 
Transplant Education Program, the Saturn Corporation, 
United Auto Workers, and the United States Department 
of Health and Human Services; 
Whereas the first five National Donor Days raised a total of 
nearly 37,000 units of blood, added over 7,000 potential 
donors to the National Marrow Donor Program Registry, 
and distributed tens of thousands of organ and tissue 
pledge cards;
•HCON 45 IH 
Whereas National Donor Day is America’s largest annual 
one-day organ, tissue, bone marrow, and blood donation 
event; and 
Whereas the Department of Health and Human Services and 
a number of other businesses, foundations, and health or-
ganizations have designated February 14, 2003, as Na-
tional Donor Day: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That the Congress—
(1) supports the goals and ideas of National 
Donor Day; 
(2) encourages all Americans to learn about the 
importance of organ, tissue, bone marrow, and blood 
donation and to discuss such donation with their 
families and friends; and 
(3) requests that the President issue a procla-
mation calling on the people of the United States to 
conduct appropriate ceremonies, activities, and pro-
grams to demonstrate support for organ, tissue, 
bone marrow, and blood donation.
Æ
III 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 460
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 
JUNE 24, 2004
Received and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Regarding the security of Israel and the principles of peace 
in the Middle East.
Whereas the United States is hopeful that a peaceful resolu-
tion of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be achieved; 
Whereas the United States is strongly committed to the secu-
rity of Israel and its well-being as a Jewish state; 
Whereas Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has proposed an 
initiative intended to enhance the security of Israel and 
further the cause of peace in the Middle East;
HCON 460 RFS 
Whereas President George W. Bush and Prime Minister 
Sharon have subsequently engaged in a dialogue with re-
spect to this initiative; 
Whereas President Bush, as part of that dialogue, expressed 
the support of the United States for Prime Minister 
Sharon’s initiative in a letter dated April 14, 2004; 
Whereas in the April 14, 2004, letter the President stated 
that in light of new realities on the ground in Israel, in-
cluding already existing major Israeli population centers, 
it is unrealistic to expect that the outcome of final status 
negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians will be 
a full and complete return to the armistice lines of 1949, 
but realistic to expect that any final status agreement 
will only be achieved on the basis of mutually agreed 
changes that reflect these realities; 
Whereas the President acknowledged that any agreed, just, 
fair, and realistic framework for a solution to the Pales-
tinian refugee issue as part of any final status agreement 
will need to be found through the establishment of a per-
manent alternative and the settling of Palestinian refu-
gees there rather than in Israel; 
Whereas the principles expressed in President Bush’s letter 
will enhance the security of Israel and advance the cause 
of peace in the Middle East; 
Whereas there will be no security for Israelis or Palestinians 
until Israel and the Palestinians, and all countries in the 
region and throughout the world, join together to fight 
terrorism and dismantle terrorist organizations; 
Whereas the United States remains committed to the security 
of Israel, including secure, recognized, and defensible bor-
ders, and to preserving and strengthening the capability
•HCON 462 EH
cial, cultural, and other relations between the people of
the United States and the people of Taiwan during the
next quarter century;
Whereas since its enactment in 1979 the Taiwan Relations
Act has been instrumental in maintaining peace, security,
and stability in the Taiwan Strait;
Whereas when the Taiwan Relations Act was enacted, it af-
firmed that the decision of the United States to establish
diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China
was based on the expectation that the future of Taiwan
would be determined by peaceful means;
Whereas the Government of the People’s Republic of China
refuses to renounce the use of force against Taiwan;
Whereas the Department of Defense report entitled ‘‘Annual
Report on the Military Power of the People’s Republic of
China,’’ dated July 30, 2003, documents that the Gov-
ernment of the People’s Republic of China is seeking co-
ercive military options to resolve the Taiwan issue and,
as of the date of the report, has deployed approximately
450 short-range ballistic missiles against Taiwan and is
adding 75 missiles per year to this arsenal;
Whereas the escalating arms buildup of missiles and other of-
fensive weapons by the People’s Republic of China in
areas adjacent to the Taiwan Strait is a threat to the
peace and security of the Western Pacific area;
Whereas section 3 of the Taiwan Relations Act (22 U.S.C.
3302) requires that the United States Government will
make available defense articles and defense services in
such quantity as may be necessary to enable Taiwan to
maintain a sufficient self-defense capability;
HCON 460 RFS 
of Israel to deter enemies and defend itself against any 
threat; 
Whereas Israel has the right to defend itself against ter-
rorism, including the right to take actions against ter-
rorist organizations that threaten the citizens of Israel; 
Whereas the President stated on June 24, 2002, his vision 
of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side-by-side in 
peace and security and that vision can only be fully real-
ized when terrorism is defeated, so that a new state may 
be created based on rule of law and respect for human 
rights; and 
Whereas President Bush announced on March 14, 2003, that 
in order to promote a lasting peace, all Arab states must 
oppose terrorism, support the emergence of a peaceful 
and democratic Palestine, and state clearly that they will 
live in peace with Israel: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That Congress—
(1) strongly endorses the principles articulated 
by President Bush in his letter dated April 14, 
2004, to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon which 
will strengthen the security and well-being of the 
State of Israel; and 
(2) supports continuing efforts with others in 
the international community to build the capacity 
and will of Palestinian institutions to fight ter-
rorism, dismantle terrorist organizations, and pre-
HCON 460 RFS 
vent the areas from which Israel has withdrawn 
from posing a threat to the security of Israel.
Passed the House of Representatives June 23, 2004. 
Attest: 
JEFF TRANDAHL, 
Clerk.
the total apportionments for such fiscal year pursu-
ant to sections 2(a) and 5(c) of the Surface Trans-
portation Extension Act of 2003 and amounts ap-
portioned under this section shall equal the percent-
age listed for each State in section 105(b) of title
23, United States Code. The shares in such section
shall be adjusted in accordance with section 105(f)
of such title. The minimum amount allocated to a
State under this subsection for the fiscal year shall
be $1,000,000.
(2) AUTHORIZATION.—There are authorized to
be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund
(other than the Mass Transit Account) such sums as
may be necessary to carry out this subsection for fis-
cal year 2004.
(3) ADMINISTRATION
OF
FUNDS.—Funds ap-
portioned to a State under this subsection—
(A) shall be available for obligation in the
same manner as if such funds were apportioned
to the State under chapter 1 of title 23, United
States Code;
(B) shall be combined with funds appor-
tioned to the State for the minimum guarantee
program under section 2(a) of the Surface
Transportation Extension Act of 2003; and
108TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. CON. RES. 461
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Whereas life insurance is an essential part of a sound finan-
cial plan;
Whereas life insurance provides financial security for families
in the event of a premature death by helping surviving
family members to meet immediate and longer-term fi-
nancial obligations and objectives;
•HCON 461 EH
Whereas nearly 50,000,000 Americans say they lack the life
insurance coverage needed to ensure a secure financial
future for their loved ones;
Whereas recent studies have found that when a premature
death occurs, insufficient life insurance coverage on the
part of the insured results in three-fourths of surviving
family members’ having to take measures such as work
additional jobs or longer hours, borrow money, withdraw
money from savings and investment accounts, and, in too
many cases, move to smaller, less expensive housing;
Whereas individuals, families and businesses can benefit
greatly from professional insurance and financial plan-
ning advice, including the assessment of their life insur-
ance needs; and
Whereas the Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Edu-
cation (LIFE), the National Association of Insurance
and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) and a coalition rep-
resenting hundreds of leading life insurance companies
and organizations have designated September 2004 as
‘‘Life Insurance Awareness Month’’ the goal of which
goal is to make consumers more aware of their life insur-
ance needs, seek professional advice, and take the actions
necessary to achieve the financial security of their loved
ones: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress—
(1) recognizes and supports the goals and ideals
of ‘‘Life Insurance Awareness Month’’; and
(2) requests the President to issue a proclama-
tion calling on the Federal Government, States, lo-
•HCON 461 EH
calities, schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses,
other entities, and the people of the United States
to observe ‘‘Life Insurance Awareness Month’’ with
appropriate programs and activities.
Passed the House of Representatives September 28,
2004.
Attest:
Clerk.
•HCON 462 EH
Whereas the Taiwan Relations Act requires the United States
to maintain the capacity to resist any resort to force or
other forms of coercion that would jeopardize the secu-
rity, or the social or economic system, of the people of
Taiwan;
Whereas the Taiwan Relations Act affirms the preservation
and enhancement of the human rights of the people of
Taiwan as an objective of the United States;
Whereas Taiwan serves as a model of democratic reform for
the People’s Republic of China;
Whereas Taiwan’s 1996 election was the first time in five
millennia of recorded Chinese history that a democrat-
ically elected president took office;
Whereas Taiwan’s democracy has deepened with a peaceful
transfer of power from one political party to another
after the presidential election of 2000;
Whereas the relationship between the United States and Tai-
wan has deepened with Taiwan’s evolution into a full-
fledged, multi-party democracy that respects human
rights and civil liberties;
Whereas high-level visits between government officials of the
United States and Taiwan are not inconsistent with the
‘‘one China policy’’; and
Whereas any attempt to determine Taiwan’s future by other
than peaceful means and other than with the express
consent of the people of Taiwan would be considered of
grave concern to the United States: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That—
PART HC
III 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 461 
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 
SEPTEMBER 29, 2004 
Received 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the importance 
of life insurance, and recognizing and supporting Na-
tional Life Insurance Awareness Month. 
Whereas life insurance is an essential part of a sound finan-
cial plan; 
Whereas life insurance provides financial security for families 
in the event of a premature death by helping surviving 
family members to meet immediate and longer-term fi-
nancial obligations and objectives;
PART HC
HCON 461 RDS 
Whereas nearly 50,000,000 Americans say they lack the life 
insurance coverage needed to ensure a secure financial 
future for their loved ones; 
Whereas recent studies have found that when a premature 
death occurs, insufficient life insurance coverage on the 
part of the insured results in three-fourths of surviving 
family members’ having to take measures such as work 
additional jobs or longer hours, borrow money, withdraw 
money from savings and investment accounts, and, in too 
many cases, move to smaller, less expensive housing; 
Whereas individuals, families and businesses can benefit 
greatly from professional insurance and financial plan-
ning advice, including the assessment of their life insur-
ance needs; and 
Whereas the Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Edu-
cation (LIFE), the National Association of Insurance 
and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) and a coalition rep-
resenting hundreds of leading life insurance companies 
and organizations have designated September 2004 as 
‘‘Life Insurance Awareness Month’’ the goal of which 
goal is to make consumers more aware of their life insur-
ance needs, seek professional advice, and take the actions 
necessary to achieve the financial security of their loved 
ones: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That the Congress— 
(1) recognizes and supports the goals and ideals 
of ‘‘Life Insurance Awareness Month’’; and 
(2) requests the President to issue a proclama-
tion calling on the Federal Government, States, lo-
PART HC
HCON 461 RDS 
calities, schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, 
other entities, and the people of the United States 
to observe ‘‘Life Insurance Awareness Month’’ with 
appropriate programs and activities. 
Passed the House of Representatives September 28, 
2004. 
Attest: 
JEFF TRANDAHL, 
Clerk.
108TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. CON. RES. 462
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Reaffirming unwavering commitment to the Taiwan
Relations Act, and for other purposes.
108TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. CON. RES. 462
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Whereas April 10, 2004, marked the 25th anniversary of the
enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act (22 U.S.C. 3301
et seq.), codifying in law the basis for continued commer-
cial, cultural, and other relations between the United
States and Taiwan;
Whereas it is and will continue to be United States policy to
further encourage and expand these extensive commer-
108TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. CON. RES. 464
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Whereas the All-America City award is the oldest and most
respected community recognition program in the Nation;
Whereas for 55 years the National Civic League has encour-
aged and recognized civic excellence by honoring commu-
nities of all sizes where business, citizens, voluntary orga-
nizations, and governments work together to address crit-
ical issues;
•HCON 462 EH
(1) Congress reaffirms its unwavering commit-
ment to the Taiwan Relations Act (22 U.S.C. 3301
et seq.) as the cornerstone of United States relations
with Taiwan;
(2) the military modernization and weapons
procurement program of the People’s Republic of
China is a matter of grave concern, and particularly
the current deployment of approximately 500 mis-
siles directed toward Taiwan;
(3) the President should direct all appropriate
United States Government officials to raise these
grave concerns regarding military threats to Taiwan
with officials of the Government of the People’s Re-
public of China;
(4) the President and Congress should deter-
mine whether the escalating arms buildup, including
deployment of offensive weaponry and missiles in
areas adjacent to the Taiwan Strait, requires that
additional defense articles and services be made
available to Taiwan, and the United States Govern-
ment should encourage the leadership of Taiwan to
devote sufficient financial resources to the defense of
their island;
(5) as recommended by the U.S.-China Eco-
nomic and Security Review Commission, the Depart-
•HCON 462 EH
ment of Defense should provide a comprehensive re-
port on the nature and scope of military sales by the
Russian Federation to the People’s Republic of
China to the Committees on International Relations
and Armed Services of the House of Representatives
and Committees on Foreign Relations and Armed
Services of the Senate;
(6) the President should encourage further dia-
logue between democratic Taiwan and the People’s
Republic of China; and
(7) the United States Government should not
discourage current officials of the Taiwan Govern-
ment from visiting the United States on the basis
that doing so would violate the ‘‘one China policy’’.
Passed the House of Representatives July 15, 2004.
Attest:
Clerk.
•HCON 464 EH
Whereas the All-America City Award recognizes exemplary
grassroots community-oriented problem-solving, and is
given to communities that confront challenges and
achieve results cooperatively; and
Whereas more than 4000 communities have competed and
more than 500 communities have been named All-Amer-
ica Cities: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress honors the cities of Con-
cord, North Carolina; Evansville, Indiana; Cottage Grove,
Oregon; Spokane, Washington; Springfield, Ohio; Monte-
video, Minnesota; Pembroke Pines, Florida; Stockton,
California; Philippi, West Virginia; and Hidalgo, Texas,
on receiving the National Civic League 2004 All-America
City Award.
Passed the House of Representatives October 6,
2004.
Attest:
Clerk.
•HCON 462 IH 
(2) the military modernization and weapons 
procurement program of the People’s Republic of 
China is a matter of grave concern, and particularly 
the current deployment of approximately 500 mis-
siles directed toward Taiwan; 
(3) the President should direct all appropriate 
United States Government officials to raise these 
grave concerns regarding military threats to Taiwan 
with officials of the Government of the People’s Re-
public of China; 
(4) the President and Congress should deter-
mine whether the escalating arms buildup, including 
deployment of offensive weaponry and missiles in 
areas adjacent to the Taiwan Strait, requires that 
additional defense articles and services be made 
available to Taiwan, and the United States Govern-
ment should encourage the leadership of Taiwan to 
devote sufficient financial resources to the defense of 
their island; 
(5) as recommended by the U.S.-China Eco-
nomic and Security Review Commission, the Depart-
ment of Defense should provide a comprehensive re-
port on the nature and scope of military sales by the 
Russian Federation to the People’s Republic of 
China to the Committees on International Relations
•HCON 462 IH 
and Armed Services of the House of Representatives 
and Committees on Foreign Relations and Armed 
Services of the Senate; 
(6) the President should encourage further dia-
logue between democratic Taiwan and the People’s 
Republic of China; and 
(7) the United States Government should not 
discourage current officials of the Taiwan Govern-
ment from visiting the United States on the basis 
that doing so would violate the ‘‘one China policy’’.
Æ