In this task, you are given text for US Congressional and California state bills, your task is to generate a summary for this bill.

Input: Consider Input: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Hudson River Valley Special Resource 
Study Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of the Interior.
            (2) Study area.--The term ``study area''--
                    (A) means the portion of the Hudson River that 
                flows from Rodgers Island at Fort Edward to the 
                southern-most boundary of Westchester County, New York; 
                and
                    (B) includes any relevant sites and landscapes 
                within the counties in New York that abut the area 
                described in subparagraph (A).

SEC. 3. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds as follows:
            (1) The Hudson River Valley possesses important and unique 
        cultural, historical, natural, recreational and scenic 
        resources that have been central to the development and 
        sustainment of our Nation.
            (2) The Hudson River Valley encompasses a rich array of 
        sensitive natural resources ranging from the River itself and 
        its vast estuarine district, to its wetlands, refuges, parks, 
        forests, farmlands, preserves, cliffs, mountains, and valleys.
            (3) The Hudson River and its tributaries are home to a 
        number of rare and threatened animal species, habitats, and 
        plants.
            (4) The Hudson River Valley is home to myriad biking, 
        heritage, pedestrian and scenic trail systems on the eastern 
        and western sides of the River that are now connected by the 
        Walkway Over the Hudson bridge, which has been designated as a 
        National Recreation Trail.
            (5) Throughout history, the Hudson River Valley has played 
        a central role in the development of our nation, starting from 
        the vibrant Native American communities that first inhabited 
        the land, to Henry Hudson's voyage up the river later named for 
        him in the vessel Half Moon in 1609 and later with the American 
        Revolution, the debate on our Constitution, the first 
        successful steamboat voyage by Robert Fulton in 1807, the 
        Industrial Revolution, and the modern labor and environmental 
        movements.
            (6) The Hudson River Valley gave birth to important 
        movements in American art, architecture and literature through 
        the work of Andrew Jackson Downing, Alexander Jackson Davis, 
        Thomas Cole, Frederick Church and their associates from the 
        Hudson River School of Art, as well as through authors such as 
        Washington Irving, James Fenimore Cooper, William Cullen 
        Bryant, Susan and Anna Warner, and John Burroughs.
            (7) The depictions and descriptions of the Hudson River 
        Valley's renowned scenery and natural resources played a 
        central role in the recognition of the value of the landscape 
        and the development of an American esthetic and environmental 
        ideal.
            (8) A 1996 National Park Service study called the Hudson 
        River Valley ``the landscape that defined America.''.
            (9) The Hudson River Valley has been the subject of 
        multiple State and Federal inventories, studies, and plans that 
        should greatly assist a National Park Service special resource 
        study.

SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF STUDY.

    (a) In General.--As soon as funds are made available for this 
purpose, the Secretary shall complete a study of the Hudson River 
Valley in the State of New York to evaluate--
            (1) the national significance of the area; and
            (2) the suitability and feasibility of designating the area 
        as a unit of the National Park System.
    (b) Study Guidelines.--In conducting the study under subsection 
(a), the Secretary shall--
            (1) use the criteria for the study of areas for potential 
        inclusion in the National Park System included in section 8 of 
        Public Law 91-383, as amended by section 303 of the National 
        Parks Omnibus Management Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-391; 112 
        Stat. 3501); and
            (2) closely examine park unit models, in particular 
        national river and recreation areas, as well as other landscape 
        protection models, that--
                    (A) encompass large areas of non-Federal lands 
                within their designated boundaries;
                    (B) foster public and private collaborative 
                arrangements for achieving National Park Service 
                objectives; and
                    (C) protect and respect the rights of private land 
                owners.

SEC. 5. REPORT.

    Not later than 24 months after the date that funds are first made 
available for this purpose, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee 
on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on 
Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report on the 
findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the study authorized by 
this Act.

Output: Hudson River Valley Special Resource Study Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to complete a study of the Hudson River Valley in the state of New York to evaluate: (1) the national significance of the part of the Hudson River that flows from Rodgers Island at Fort Edward to the southern-most boundary of Westchester County, New York, including any relevant sites and landscapes within counties in New York that abut that part of the River (the study area); and (2) the suitability and feasibility of designating the study area as a unit of the National Park System.


Input: Consider Input: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Mandatory Foreclosure Mediation 
Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act, the following definitions shall apply:
            (1) Alternative to foreclosure.--The term ``alternative to 
        foreclosure''--
                    (A) means a course of action with respect to a 
                mortgage offered by a servicer to a borrower as an 
                alternative to a covered foreclosure action; and
                    (B) includes a short sale and a deed in lieu of 
                foreclosure.
            (2) Borrower.--The term ``borrower'' means a mortgagor 
        under a mortgage who is in default or at risk of imminent 
        default, as determined by the Secretary through regulations.
            (3) Foreclosure action.--The term ``foreclosure action'' 
        means a judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure.
            (4) Loan modification program.--The term ``loan 
        modification program'' means a program or procedure designed to 
        change the terms of a mortgage in the case of the default, 
        delinquency, or imminent default or delinquency of a mortgagor, 
        including a loan modification program established by a servicer 
        that reduces the principal owed by the mortgagor on the 
        mortgage.
            (5) Mortgage.--The term ``mortgage'' means a federally 
        related mortgage loan, as defined in section 3(1) of the Real 
        Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 (12 U.S.C. 2602(1)), 
        that is secured by a first or subordinate lien on residential 
        real property.
            (6) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Housing and Urban Development.
            (7) Servicer.--The term ``servicer''--
                    (A) has the same meaning as in section 6(i) of the 
                Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 (12 
                U.S.C. 2605(i)); and
                    (B) includes a person responsible for servicing a 
                pool of mortgages.

SEC. 3. MEDIATION REQUIRED BEFORE FORECLOSURE.

    (a) Initiation of Foreclosure Actions.--A servicer may not initiate 
a foreclosure action against a borrower unless the servicer has--
            (1) made a reasonable effort to initiate mediation 
        proceedings in accordance with the process established in 
        regulations prescribed pursuant to subsection (c) to determine 
        whether the borrower is eligible for a loan modification or an 
        alternative to foreclosure; and
            (2) offered the borrower a loan modification or an 
        alternative to foreclosure, if the borrower is eligible for the 
        loan modification or alternative to foreclosure.
    (b) Suspension of Foreclosure Actions.--
            (1) In general.--A servicer shall suspend a foreclosure 
        action that was initiated before the date of enactment of this 
        Act until the servicer--
                    (A) completes a mediation proceeding in accordance 
                with the process established in regulations prescribed 
                pursuant to subsection (c) to determine whether the 
                borrower is eligible for a loan modification or an 
                alternative to foreclosure; and
                    (B) offers the borrower a loan modification or an 
                alternative to foreclosure, if the borrower is eligible 
                for a loan modification or an alternative to 
                foreclosure.
            (2) Suspension.--During the period of the suspension under 
        paragraph (1), a servicer may not--
                    (A) send a notice of foreclosure to a borrower;
                    (B) conduct or schedule a sale of the real property 
                securing the mortgage of the borrower; or
                    (C) cause final judgment to be entered against the 
                borrower.
            (3) Reasonable efforts.--A servicer is not required to 
        suspend a foreclosure action under paragraph (1) if the 
        servicer--
                    (A) makes a reasonable effort to schedule a 
                mediation proceeding to determine whether the borrower 
                is eligible for a loan modification or an alternative 
                to foreclosure; and
                    (B) documents that the borrower has not agreed to a 
                mediation proceeding to determine whether the borrower 
                is eligible for a loan modification or an alternative 
                to foreclosure.
            (4) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this section may be 
        construed to require a servicer to delay an unavoidable 
        foreclosure, such as foreclosure that results from a borrower 
        abandoning the residential real property securing a mortgage.
    (c) Establishment of Mediation Process.--The Secretary shall 
establish through regulations a mediation process to determine whether 
the borrower is eligible for a loan modification or an alternative to 
foreclosure under this section.

SEC. 4. BAR TO FORECLOSURE ACTIONS.

    (a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), a violation of this Act 
shall be a bar to a foreclosure action.
    (b) Effect of Subsequent Compliance.--If a servicer is in 
compliance with this Act, the servicer may bring or proceed with a 
foreclosure action, without regard to a prior violation of this Act by 
the servicer.

SEC. 5. REGULATIONS.

    Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary shall issue regulations to carry out this Act.

SEC. 6. REPORT.

    Each servicer that initiates mediation proceedings under section 3 
shall submit to the Secretary a quarterly report at such time, in such 
manner, and containing such information, with respect to such 
proceedings, as the Secretary may require.

Output: Mandatory Foreclosure Mediation Act - Prohibits a servicer from initiating a foreclosure action against a borrower unless the servicer has: (1) made a reasonable effort to initiate mediation proceedings to determine if the borrower is eligible for a loan modification or an alternative to foreclosure; and (2) offered the borrower, if eligible, such a modification or alternative.

Requires a servicer to suspend a foreclosure action initiated before the enactment of this Act until the servicer: (1) completes such a mediation proceeding; and (2) offers the borrower, if eligible, a modification or alternative.

Prohibits a servicer, during the suspension period, from: (1) sending the borrower a notice of foreclosure, (2) conducting or scheduling a sale of the real property securing the mortgage, or (3) causing final judgment to be entered against the borrower.

Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish such a mediation process.

Declares that a servicer is not required to suspend a foreclosure action if the servicer makes a reasonable effort to schedule a mediation proceeding and documents that the borrower has not agreed to one.

Makes a violation of this Act a bar to a foreclosure action. Allows a servicer in compliance with this Act, however, to bring or proceed with a foreclosure action, regardless of any prior violation.


Input: Consider Input: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``American Fighter Aces Congressional 
Gold Medal Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) An American Fighter Ace is a fighter pilot who has 
        served honorably in a United States military service and who 
        has destroyed 5 or more confirmed enemy aircraft in aerial 
        combat during a war or conflict in which American armed forces 
        have participated.
            (2) Beginning with World War I, and the first use of 
        airplanes in warfare, military services have maintained 
        official records of individual aerial victory credits during 
        every major conflict. Of more than 60,000 United States 
        military fighter pilots that have taken to the air, less than 
        1,500 have become Fighter Aces.
            (3) Americans became Fighter Aces in the Spanish Civil War, 
        Sino-Japanese War, Russian Civil War, Arab-Israeli War, and 
        others. Additionally, American military groups' recruited 
        United States military pilots to form the American Volunteer 
        Group, Eagle Squadron, and others that produced American-born 
        Fighter Aces fighting against axis powers prior to Pearl 
        Harbor.
            (4) The concept of a Fighter Ace is that they fought for 
        freedom and democracy across the globe, flying in the face of 
        the enemy to defend freedom throughout the history of aerial 
        combat. American-born citizens became Fighter Aces flying under 
        the flag of United States allied countries and became some of 
        the highest scoring Fighter Aces of their respective wars.
            (5) American Fighter Aces hail from every State in the 
        Union, representing numerous ethnic, religious, and cultural 
        backgrounds.
            (6) Fighter Aces possess unique skills that have made them 
        successful in aerial combat. These include courage, judgment, 
        keen marksmanship, concentration, drive, persistence, and 
        split-second thinking that makes an Ace a war fighter with 
        unique and valuable flight driven skills.
            (7) The Aces' training, bravery, skills, sacrifice, 
        attention to duty, and innovative spirit illustrate the most 
        celebrated traits of the United States military, including 
        service to country and the protection of freedom and democracy.
            (8) American Fighter Aces have led distinguished careers in 
        the military, education, private enterprise, and politics. Many 
        have held the rank of General or Admiral and played leadership 
        roles in multiple war efforts from WWI to Vietnam through many 
        decades. In some cases they became the highest ranking officers 
        for following wars.
            (9) The extraordinary heroism of the American Fighter Ace 
        boosted American morale at home and encouraged many men and 
        women to enlist to fight for America and democracy across the 
        globe.
            (10) Fighter Aces were among America's most-prized military 
        fighters during wars. When they rotated back to the United 
        States after combat tours, they trained cadets in fighter pilot 
        tactics that they had learned over enemy skies. The teaching of 
        combat dogfighting to young aviators strengthened our fighter 
        pilots to become more successful in the skies. The net effect 
        of this was to shorten wars and save the lives of young 
        Americans.
            (11) Following military service, many Fighter Aces became 
        test pilots due to their superior flying skills and quick 
        thinking abilities.
            (12) The American Fighter Aces are one of the most 
        decorated military groups in American history. Twenty-two 
        Fighter Aces have achieved the rank of Admiral in the Navy. 
        Seventy-nine Fighter Aces have achieved the rank of General in 
        the Army, Marines, and Air Force. Nineteen Medals of Honor have 
        been awarded to individual Fighter Aces.

SEC. 3. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.

    (a) Presentation Authorized.--The Speaker of the House of 
Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate shall make 
appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of the 
Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design to the American Fighter 
Aces, collectively, in recognition of their heroic military service and 
defense of our country's freedom, which has spanned the history of 
aviation warfare.
    (b) Design and Striking.--For the purposes of the award referred to 
in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury (in this Act referred 
to as the ``Secretary'') shall strike the gold medal with suitable 
emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by the Secretary.
    (c) Award of Medal.--Following the award of the gold medal in honor 
of the American Fighter Aces under subsection (a), the gold medal shall 
be given to the Smithsonian Institution, where it shall be available 
for display or temporary loan to be displayed elsewhere, particularly 
at appropriate locations associated with the American Fighter Aces, and 
that preference should be given to locations affiliated with the 
Smithsonian Institution.

SEC. 4. DUPLICATE MEDALS.

    The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold 
medal struck pursuant to section 3, at a price sufficient to cover the 
costs of the medal, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, 
and overhead expenses, and amounts received from the sale of such 
duplicates shall be deposited in the United States Mint Public 
Enterprise Fund.

SEC. 5. STATUS OF MEDALS.

    (a) National Medals.--The medals struck under this Act are national 
medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code.
    (b) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of sections 5134 and 5136 of 
title 31, United States Code, all medals struck under this Act shall be 
considered to be numismatic items.

            Passed the Senate March 26, 2014.

            Attest:

                                                             Secretary.
113th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                                S. 1827

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT

   To award a Congressional Gold Medal to the American Fighter Aces, 
   collectively, in recognition of their heroic military service and 
  defense of our country's freedom throughout the history of aviation 
                                warfare.


Output: .  American Fighter Aces Congressional Gold Medal Act - Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation of a congressional gold medal to the American Fighter Aces, collectively, in recognition of their heroic military service and defense of the nation's freedom. Requires the medal to be given to the Smithsonian Institution, where it shall be available for display or temporary loan to be displayed elsewhere, particularly at locations associated with the American Fighter Aces.