datamatters24/research-document-archive huggingface dataset:
109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 242
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Providing for acceptance of a statue of Po’Pay, pre-
sented by the State of New Mexico, for place-
ment in National Statuary Hall, and for other 
purposes.
109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 242
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring),
•HCON 242 EH 
SECTION 1. ACCEPTANCE OF STATUE OF PO’PAY FROM THE 
PEOPLE OF NEW MEXICO FOR PLACEMENT IN 
NATIONAL STATUARY HALL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The statue of Po’Pay, furnished 
by the people of New Mexico for placement in National 
Statuary Hall in accordance with section 1814 of the Re-
vised Statutes of the United States (2 U.S.C. 2131), is 
accepted in the name of the United States, and the thanks 
of the Congress are tendered to the people of New Mexico 
for providing this commemoration of one of New Mexico’s 
most eminent personages. 
(b) PRESENTATION CEREMONY.—The State of New 
Mexico is authorized to use the Rotunda of the Capitol 
on September 22, 2005, for a presentation ceremony for 
the statue. The Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol 
Police Board shall take such action as may be necessary 
with respect to physical preparations and security for the 
ceremony. 
(c) DISPLAY IN ROTUNDA.—The statue shall be dis-
played in the Rotunda of the Capitol for a period of not 
more than 6 months, after which period the statue shall 
be moved to its permanent location in the National Stat-
uary Hall Collection.
•HCON 242 EH 
SEC. 2. TRANSMITTAL TO GOVERNOR OF NEW MEXICO. 
The Clerk of the House of Representatives shall 
transmit an enrolled copy of this concurrent resolution to 
the Governor of New Mexico.
Passed the House of Representatives September 21, 
2005. 
Attest:
Clerk.
‘‘(12) rail line acquisitions and relocation 
projects in accordance with section 325.’’. 
(d) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
chapter 3 of such title is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘325. Rail line acquisitions and relocation projects.’’. 
Æ
(b) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) The Federal Government has a substantial 
interest in promoting quality care and improving the 
delivery of health care services to patients in health 
care facilities in the United States. 
(2) Recent changes in health care delivery sys-
tems that have resulted in higher acuity levels 
among patients in health care facilities increase the 
need for improved quality measures in order to pro-
tect patient care and reduce the incidence of medical 
errors. 
(3) Inadequate and poorly monitored registered 
nurse staffing practices that result in too few reg-
istered nurses providing direct care jeopardize the 
delivery of quality health care services. 
(4) Numerous studies have shown that patient 
outcomes are directly correlated to direct care reg-
istered nurse staffing levels, including a 2002 Joint 
Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organi-
zations report that concluded that the lack of direct 
care registered nurses contributed to nearly a quar-
ter of the unanticipated problems that result in in-
jury or death to hospital patients. 
(5) Requirements for direct care registered 
nurse staffing ratios will help address the registered
nurse shortage in the United States by aiding in re-
cruitment of new registered nurses and improving 
retention of registered nurses who are considering 
leaving direct patient care because of demands cre-
ated by inadequate staffing. 
(6) Establishing adequate minimum direct care 
registered nurse-to-patient ratios that take into ac-
count patient acuity measures will improve the deliv-
ery of quality health care services and guarantee pa-
tient safety. 
(7) Establishing safe staffing standards for di-
rect care registered nurses is a critical component of 
assuring that there is adequate hospital staffing at 
all levels to improve the delivery of quality care and 
protect patient safety. 
SEC. 2. MINIMUM DIRECT CARE REGISTERED NURSE 
STAFFING REQUIREMENT. 
(a) MINIMUM DIRECT CARE REGISTERED NURSE 
STAFFING REQUIREMENT.—The Public Health Service 
Act (42 U.S.C. 201 et seq.) is amended by adding at the 
end the following new title:
H. Con. Res. 242
Agreed to September 21, 2005
One Hundred Ninth Congress
of the
United States of America 
AT THE FIRST SESSION 
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday, 
the fourth day of January, two thousand and five 
Concurrent Resolution
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concur-
ring), 
SECTION 1. ACCEPTANCE OF STATUE OF PO’PAY FROM THE PEOPLE 
OF NEW MEXICO FOR PLACEMENT IN NATIONAL STAT-
UARY HALL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The statue of Po’Pay, furnished by the people 
of New Mexico for placement in National Statuary Hall in accord-
ance with section 1814 of the Revised Statutes of the United States 
(2 U.S.C. 2131), is accepted in the name of the United States, 
and the thanks of the Congress are tendered to the people of 
New Mexico for providing this commemoration of one of New 
Mexico’s most eminent personages. 
(b) PRESENTATION CEREMONY.—The State of New Mexico is 
authorized to use the Rotunda of the Capitol on September 22, 
2005, for a presentation ceremony for the statue. The Architect 
of the Capitol and the Capitol Police Board shall take such action 
as may be necessary with respect to physical preparations and 
security for the ceremony. 
(c) DISPLAY IN ROTUNDA.—The statue shall be displayed in 
the Rotunda of the Capitol for a period of not more than 6 months, 
after which period the statue shall be moved to its permanent 
location in the National Statuary Hall Collection. 
SEC. 2. TRANSMITTAL TO GOVERNOR OF NEW MEXICO. 
The Clerk of the House of Representatives shall transmit an 
enrolled copy of this concurrent resolution to the Governor of New 
Mexico. 
Attest:
Clerk of the House of Representatives.
Attest:
Secretary of the Senate.
I 
109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1113 
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide that natural gas 
distribution lines are 15-year property for depreciation purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 3, 2005 
Mr. MCCRERY (for himself, Mr. WELLER, Mr. ENGLISH of Pennsylvania, Mr. 
JEFFERSON, Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky, Mr. COLE of Oklahoma, Mr. 
HERGER, and Mr. NUNES) introduced the following bill; which was re-
ferred to the Committee on Ways and Means 
A BILL 
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide 
that natural gas distribution lines are 15-year property 
for depreciation purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION LINES TREATED 
AS 15-YEAR PROPERTY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subparagraph (E) of section 
168(e)(3) (relating to classification of certain property) is 
amended by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of clause (v), by 
striking the period at the end of clause (vi) and by insert-
ing ‘‘, and’’, and by adding at the end the following new 
clause: 
‘‘(vii) any natural gas distribution 
line.’’. 
(b) ALTERNATIVE SYSTEM.—The table contained in 
section 168(g)(3)(B) is amended by inserting after the 
item relating to subparagraph (E)(vi) the following: 
‘‘(E)(vii) ....................................................................................................
35’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
this section shall apply to property placed in service after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, in taxable years 
ending after such date. 
Æ
‘‘TITLE XXIX—MINIMUM DIRECT 
CARE 
REGISTERED 
NURSE 
STAFFING REQUIREMENT 
‘‘SEC. 2901. MINIMUM NURSE STAFFING REQUIREMENT. 
‘‘(a) STAFFING PLAN.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A hospital shall implement 
a staffing plan that— 
‘‘(A) provides adequate, appropriate, and 
quality delivery of health care services and pro-
tects patient safety; and 
‘‘(B) is consistent with the requirements of 
this title. 
‘‘(2) EFFECTIVE DATES.— 
‘‘(A) 
IMPLEMENTATION
OF
STAFFING 
PLAN.—Subject to subparagraph (B), the re-
quirements under paragraph (1) shall take ef-
fect not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this title. 
‘‘(B) APPLICATION
OF
MINIMUM
DIRECT 
CARE
REGISTERED
NURSE-TO-PATIENT
RA-
TIOS.—The requirements under subsection (b) 
shall take effect as soon as practicable, as de-
termined by the Secretary, but not later than 2 
years after the date of the enactment of this 
title, or in the case of a hospital in a rural area
(as defined in section 1886(d)(2)(D) of the So-
cial Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ww(d)(2)(D)), 
not later than 4 years after the date of the en-
actment of this title. 
‘‘(b) MINIMUM DIRECT CARE REGISTERED NURSE- 
TO-PATIENT RATIOS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A hospital’s staffing plan 
shall provide that, during each shift within a unit of 
the hospital, a direct care registered nurse may be 
assigned to not more than the following number of 
patients in that unit, subject to paragraph (3): 
‘‘(A) 1 patient in operating room units and 
trauma emergency units. 
‘‘(B) 2 patients in critical care units, in-
cluding emergency critical care and intensive 
care units, labor and delivery units, and 
postanesthesia units. 
‘‘(C) 3 patients in antepartum units, emer-
gency room units, pediatrics units, stepdown 
units, and telemetry units. 
‘‘(D) 4 patients in intermediate care nurs-
ery units, medical/surgical units, and acute care 
psychiatric units. 
‘‘(E) 5 patients in rehabilitation units.
‘‘(F) 6 patients in postpartum (3 couplets) 
units and well-baby nursery units. 
‘‘(2) 
SIMILAR
UNITS
WITH
DIFFERENT 
NAMES.—The Secretary may apply minimum direct 
care registered nurse-to-patient ratios established in 
paragraph (1) to a type of hospital unit not referred 
to in such paragraph if such other unit performs a 
function similar to the function performed by the 
unit referred to in such paragraph. 
‘‘(3) ADJUSTMENT OF RATIOS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—If necessary to protect 
patient safety, the Secretary may prescribe reg-
ulations that— 
‘‘(i) increase minimum direct care reg-
istered nurse-to-patient ratios under this 
subsection to further limit the number of 
patients that may be assigned to each di-
rect care nurse; or 
‘‘(ii) add minimum direct care reg-
istered nurse-to-patient ratios for units not 
referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2). 
‘‘(B) CONSULTATION.—Such regulations 
shall be prescribed after consultation with af-
fected hospitals and registered nurses.
IV 
109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 242 
Providing for acceptance of a statue of Po’Pay, presented by the State 
of New Mexico, for placement in National Statuary Hall, and for other 
purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 14, 2005 
Mrs. WILSON of New Mexico (for herself, Mr. UDALL of New Mexico, and Mr. 
PEARCE) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was re-
ferred to the Committee on House Administration 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Providing for acceptance of a statue of Po’Pay, presented 
by the State of New Mexico, for placement in National 
Statuary Hall, and for other purposes. 
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), 
SECTION 1. ACCEPTANCE OF STATUE OF PO’PAY FROM THE 
PEOPLE OF NEW MEXICO FOR PLACEMENT IN 
NATIONAL STATUARY HALL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The statue of Po’Pay, furnished 
by the people of New Mexico for placement in National 
Statuary Hall in accordance with section 1814 of the Re-
vised Statutes of the United States (2 U.S.C. 2131), is
•HCON 242 IH 
accepted in the name of the United States, and the thanks 
of the Congress are tendered to the people of New Mexico 
for providing this commemoration of one of New Mexico’s 
most eminent personages. 
(b) PRESENTATION CEREMONY.—The State of New 
Mexico is authorized to use the Rotunda of the Capitol 
on September 22, 2005, for a presentation ceremony for 
the statue. The Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol 
Police Board shall take such action as may be necessary 
with respect to physical preparations and security for the 
ceremony. 
(c) DISPLAY IN ROTUNDA.—The statue shall be dis-
played in the Rotunda of the Capitol for a period of not 
more than 6 months, after which period the statue shall 
be moved to its permanent location in the National Stat-
uary Hall Collection. 
SEC. 2. TRANSMITTAL TO GOVERNOR OF NEW MEXICO. 
The Clerk of the House of Representatives shall 
transmit an enrolled copy of this concurrent resolution to 
the Governor of New Mexico. 
Æ
I 
109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1114 
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the small refiner 
exception to the oil depletion deduction. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 3, 2005 
Mr. MCCRERY (for himself, Mr. ENGLISH of Pennsylvania, Mr. SULLIVAN, 
and Mr. BROWN of Ohio) introduced the following bill; which was referred 
to the Committee on Ways and Means 
A BILL 
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify 
the small refiner exception to the oil depletion deduction. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. DETERMINATION OF SMALL REFINER EXCEP-
TION TO OIL DEPLETION DEDUCTION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Paragraph (4) of section 613A(d) 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to limita-
tions on application of subsection (c)) is amended to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(4) CERTAIN
REFINERS
EXCLUDED.—If the 
taxpayer or 1 or more related persons engages in the
refining of crude oil, subsection (c) shall not apply 
to the taxpayer for a taxable year if the average 
daily refinery runs of the taxpayer and such persons 
for the taxable year exceed 75,000 barrels. For pur-
poses of this paragraph, the average daily refinery 
runs for any taxable year shall be determined by di-
viding the aggregate refinery runs for the taxable 
year by the number of days in the taxable year.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by 
this section shall apply to taxable years ending after the 
date of the enactment of this Act. 
Æ
‘‘(4) RELATIONSHIP
TO
STATE-IMPOSED
RA-
TIOS.— 
‘‘(A) NO PREEMPTION OF CERTAIN STATE- 
IMPOSED RATIOS.—Nothing in this title shall 
preempt State standards that the Secretary de-
termines to be at least equivalent to Federal re-
quirements for a staffing plan established under 
this title. Minimum direct care registered nurse- 
to-patient ratios established under this sub-
section shall not preempt State requirements 
that the Secretary determines are at least 
equivalent to Federal requirements for a staff-
ing plan established under this title. 
‘‘(B) SATISFACTION OF CERTAIN FEDERAL 
REQUIREMENTS WITH CERTAIN STATE-IMPOSED 
NURSE-TO-PATIENT
RATIOS.—States that, at 
least 2 years prior to the date of the enactment 
of this title, have enacted minimum direct care 
nurse-to-patient ratios that allow the use of li-
censed practical nurses to meet State-imposed 
minimum direct care nurse-to-patient ratios 
may continue to make such allowance, and such 
allowance shall be considered to satisfy require-
ments imposed under this subsection, so long as
the particular licensed practical nurse is em-
ployed in the same or a comparable position. 
‘‘(5) EXEMPTION IN EMERGENCIES.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The requirements es-
tablished under this subsection shall not apply 
during a declared state of emergency if a hos-
pital is requested or expected to provide an ex-
ceptional level of emergency or other medical 
services. 
‘‘(B) EMERGENCY
DEFINED.—For pur-
poses of subparagraph (A), the term ‘declared 
state of emergency’ means a state of emergency 
that has been declared by the Federal Govern-
ment or the head of the appropriate State or 
local governmental agency having authority to 
declare that the State, county, municipality, or 
locality is in a state of emergency, but such 
term does not include a state of emergency that 
results from a labor dispute in the health care 
industry or consistent understaffing. 
‘‘(c) DEVELOPMENT AND REEVALUATION OF STAFF-
ING PLAN.— 
‘‘(1) CONSIDERATIONS
IN
DEVELOPMENT
OF 
PLAN.—In developing the staffing plan, a hospital 
shall provide for direct care registered nurse-to-pa-
III 
109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 242 
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 
SEPTEMBER 21, 2005 
Received 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Providing for acceptance of a statue of Po’Pay, presented 
by the State of New Mexico, for placement in National 
Statuary Hall, and for other purposes. 
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring),
HCON 242 RDS 
SECTION 1. ACCEPTANCE OF STATUE OF PO’PAY FROM THE 
PEOPLE OF NEW MEXICO FOR PLACEMENT IN 
NATIONAL STATUARY HALL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The statue of Po’Pay, furnished 
by the people of New Mexico for placement in National 
Statuary Hall in accordance with section 1814 of the Re-
vised Statutes of the United States (2 U.S.C. 2131), is 
accepted in the name of the United States, and the thanks 
of the Congress are tendered to the people of New Mexico 
for providing this commemoration of one of New Mexico’s 
most eminent personages. 
(b) PRESENTATION CEREMONY.—The State of New 
Mexico is authorized to use the Rotunda of the Capitol 
on September 22, 2005, for a presentation ceremony for 
the statue. The Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol 
Police Board shall take such action as may be necessary 
with respect to physical preparations and security for the 
ceremony. 
(c) DISPLAY IN ROTUNDA.—The statue shall be dis-
played in the Rotunda of the Capitol for a period of not 
more than 6 months, after which period the statue shall 
be moved to its permanent location in the National Stat-
uary Hall Collection.
HCON 242 RDS 
SEC. 2. TRANSMITTAL TO GOVERNOR OF NEW MEXICO. 
The Clerk of the House of Representatives shall 
transmit an enrolled copy of this concurrent resolution to 
the Governor of New Mexico. 
Passed the House of Representatives September 21, 
2005. 
Attest: 
JEFF TRANDAHL, 
Clerk.
I 
109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1115 
To amend the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to clarify 
the tariff rate for certain mechanics’ gloves. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 3, 2005 
Mr. MCKEON introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Ways and Means 
A BILL 
To amend the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United 
States to clarify the tariff rate for certain mechanics’ gloves. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. CERTAIN NON-KNIT GLOVES DESIGNED FOR 
USE BY AUTO MECHANICS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 62 of the Harmonized 
Tariff Schedule of the United States is amended by insert-
ing in numerical sequence the following new subheading, 
with the article description having the same degree of in-
dentation as the article description for subheading 
6216.00.43:
‘‘ 
6216.00.45 
Mechanics’ gloves ............................
2.8% 
Free (A, AU, 
CA, CL, E, IL, 
J, JO, MX, 
SG) 
45% 
’’. 
(b) ADDITIONAL U.S. NOTE.—The additional U.S. 
Notes to chapter 62 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule 
of the United States are amended by adding at the end 
the following additional U.S. Note: 
‘‘3. For the purposes of subheading 6216.00.45, the term 
‘‘mechanics’ gloves’’ means gloves especially designed 
for the use of professional autoracing teams and gen-
eral automotive mechanics, with the following: syn-
thetic leather palms and fingers; fourchettes of syn-
thetic leather, nylon, or elastomeric yarn; backs com-
prising either one layer of knitted elastomeric fabric 
of heading 5407, or three layers with the outer layer 
of knitted elastomeric fabric of heading 5407, the 
center layer of foam, and the inner layer of tricot of 
heading 5903, whether or not including a thermo-
plastic rubber logo or pad on the back; and elastic 
wrist straps with molded thermoplastic rubber hook- 
and-loop enclosures.’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
this section apply to articles entered, or withdrawn from 
warehouse for consumption, on or after the 15th day after 
the date of the enactment of this Act. 
Æ
tient ratios above the minimum direct care reg-
istered nurse-to-patient ratios required under sub-
section (b) if appropriate based upon consideration 
of the following factors: 
‘‘(A) The number of patients and acuity 
level of patients as determined by the applica-
tion of an acuity system (as defined in section 
2906(1)), on a shift-by-shift basis. 
‘‘(B) The anticipated admissions, dis-
charges, and transfers of patients during each 
shift that impacts direct patient care. 
‘‘(C) Specialized experience required of di-
rect care registered nurses on a particular unit. 
‘‘(D) Staffing levels and services provided 
by other health care personnel in meeting direct 
patient care needs not required by a direct care 
registered nurse. 
‘‘(E) The level of technology available that 
affects the delivery of direct patient care. 
‘‘(F) The level of familiarity with hospital 
practices, policies, and procedures by temporary 
agency direct care registered nurses used dur-
ing a shift. 
‘‘(G) Obstacles to efficiency in the delivery 
of patient care presented by physical layout.
IV 
109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 243 
Expressing the sense of Congress that Billerica, Massachusetts, should be 
recognized as ‘‘America’s Yankee Doodle Town’’. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 14, 2005 
Mr. MEEHAN submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Government Reform 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Expressing the sense of Congress that Billerica, Massachu-
setts, should be recognized as ‘‘America’s Yankee Doodle 
Town’’. 
Whereas Thomas Ditson, Jr., a Billerica farmer, and a future 
member of the Billerica Minuteman Company, was seized 
by British soldiers in March of 1775, subsequently tarred 
and feathered, and paraded through the streets of Bos-
ton; 
Whereas the soldiers accompanying him were said to have 
played the tune of ‘‘Yankee Doodle’’, on their fifes and 
drums, and to have sung an original verse of the song 
which ridiculed his plight; 
Whereas the incident inspired outrage among the American 
Colonists and served to fan the flames of dissidence;
•HCON 243 IH 
Whereas during the Revolutionary War, ‘‘Yankee Doodle’’ 
was transformed into an anthem of Yankee pride; 
Whereas 1 month after the incident that inspired the original 
song lyrics, on the fateful day of April 19, 1775, Thomas 
Ditson, Jr., did fight with the Billerica Minutemen in 
Concord, Massachusetts, at the Battle of Meriam’s Cor-
ner; 
Whereas the residents of Billerica celebrate their Revolu-
tionary heritage every year with a ‘‘Yankee Doodle 
Homecoming’’ festival, honoring Thomas Ditson, Jr., and 
commemorating the role of Billerica in the fight for 
American independence; and 
Whereas the title ‘‘America’s Yankee Doodle Town’’ was for-
mally adopted by Billerica’s Board of Selectmen in 1988, 
and reflects the sense of town pride residents feel in Bil-
lerica’s connection to the song: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that Billerica, 
Massachusetts, be recognized as ‘‘America’s Yankee Doo-
dle Town’’. 
Æ