Expressing the sense of the Congress that the United States should address the ongoing problem of untouchability in India.

Bill: 110-hconres-139
Sponsor: Rep. Franks, Trent [R-AZ-2]
Introduced: 2007-05-01 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: AIDS (Disease)
Americans in foreign countries
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Commerce
Crime and Law Enforcement
Crimes against women
Democracy
Development credit institutions
Diplomacy
Discrimination
Discrimination in employment
Economic assistance
Employee selection
Employee training
Equality before the law
Ethnic relations
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Foreign loans
Government Operations and Politics
Government contractors
Health
Housing and Community Development
Human immunodeficiency viruses
Human rights
India
Labor and Employment
Law
Medical research
Minorities
Political violence
Recruiting of employees
Rule of law
Rural health
Science, Technology, Communications
South Asia
Wages
Women

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-01
text: 
Expresses the sense of Congress that, as the leaders of the United States and the Republic of India have expressed commitment to the values of human freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, it is in U.S. interests to address the treatment of the Dalits and Tribals in India by: (1) raising the issue of caste discrimination and untouchability; (2) inviting Dalit organizations to participate in the planning and implementation of U.S. development projects; (3) prioritizing funding for projects that positively impact Dalit and Tribal communities, especially women; (4) ensuring that anyone receiving U.S. government funds in India is aware that it is U.S. policy that caste discrimination is unacceptable; (5) ensuring that qualified Dalits are not discouraged from working with the U.S. government or U.S.-funded organizations in India; and (6) discussing the issue of caste in the context of congressional delegations.

action_date: 2007-07-23
text: 
Expresses the sense of Congress that, as the leaders of the United States and the Republic of India have expressed commitment to the values of human freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, it is in U.S. interests to address the treatment of the Dalits and Tribals in India by: (1) raising the issue of caste discrimination and untouchability; (2) encouraging the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to ensure that the needs of Dalit organizations are incorporated in project development; (3) ensuring that projects that positively impact Dalit and Tribal communities, especially Dalit women, are developed; (4) ensuring that cooperative research programs targeting rural health care, the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and rural technology contain proper focus on the Dalits and Tribals; (5) ensuring that anyone receiving U.S. government funds in India is aware that it is U.S. policy that caste discrimination is unacceptable and that the United States is committed to eliminating it; (6) ensuring that qualified Dalits are not discouraged from working with the U.S. government or U.S.-funded organizations in India; and (7) discussing the issue of caste in the context of congressional delegations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-07-24
text: Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2007-07-23
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2007-07-23
text: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text as passed in House: CR H8211-8212)
action_date: 2007-07-23
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text as passed in House: CR H8211-8212)
action_date: 2007-07-23
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 139.
action_date: 2007-07-23
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8211-8213)
action_date: 2007-07-23
text: Mr. Sherman moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.
action_date: 2007-06-26
text: Committee Agreed to Seek Consideration Under Suspension of the Rules, (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2007-06-26
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2007-05-01
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2007-05-01
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-05-01
text: Introduced in House