macadeliccc/US-FederalLaws huggingface dataset:
An act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to engage in a feasibility study.
PL 96-162 (S.585), enacted 12/28/1979

PUBLIC LAW 96-162—DEC. 28, 1979 
93 STAT. 1241 
Public Law 96-162 
96th Congress 
An Act 
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to engage in a feasibility study. 
Dec. 28,197.— 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled. That the Secretary Yakima River 
of the Department of the Interior is authorized and directed to Basin Water 
conduct a feasibility study of the Yakima River Basin Water 
p^^^t^ 
Enhancement Project, which shall include an analysis by the United feasibility study. 
States Geological Survey of the water-supply data for the Yakima 
River Basin. The Secretary is authorized to accept moneys from the 
State of Washington or other persons or entities, public or private, to 
assist in the financing of 
the feasibility study. 
Approved December 28, 1979. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 96-601 accompanying H.R. 2757 (Comm. on Interior and Insular 
Affairs). 
SENATE REPORT No. 96-248 (Comm. on Energy and Natural Resources). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 125 (1979): 
July 23, considered and peissed Senate. 
Dec. 10, H.R. 2757 considered and passed House; passage vacated and S. 585, 
amended, passed in lieu. 
Dec. 18, Senate concurred in House amendments.
A bill to amend the Retired Federal Employees Health Benefits Act, as amended, with respect to the Government contribution toward subscription charge.
PL 96-156 (S.716), enacted 12/27/1979

93 STAT. 1166 
PUBLIC LAW 96-156—DEC. 27, 1979 
Public Law 96-
96th Congress 
156 
Dec. 27, 1979 
[S. 716] 
Retired Federal 
Employees 
Health Benefits 
Act, amendment. 
Subscription 
charge, 
Government 
contribution. 
42 u s e 1395r. 
42 u s e 1395J. 
An Act 
To amend the Retired Federal Employees Health Benefits Act, as amended, with 
respect to the Government contribution toward subscription charge. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled. That (a) section 4 of 
the Retired Federal Employee Health Benefits Act (Public Law 
86-724; 74 Stat. 850), as amended, is amended to read £is follows: 
"SEC. 4. If a retired employee enrolls for self-only in the health 
benefits plan provided for by section 3 of this Act, the Government 
shall contribute each month toward his subscription charge an 
amount equal to the current monthly premium of an individual for 
such month under section 1839(cX3) of the Social Security Act. The 
Government contribution for a retired employee enrolled for self and 
family shall be twice the contribution for one enrolled for self-only. A 
retired employee may not receive a Government contribution for 
more than one plan, nor may a retired employee receive a Govern-
ment contribution if he is covered under the enrollment of another 
employee or retired employee who is receiving a Government contri-
bution toward his enrollment. The immediately preceding sentence 
shall not apply with respect to the plan for supplementary medical 
insurance provided by part B of title XVIII of the Social Security 
Act.". 
O
t
)
) Subsection (a) of section 6 of such Act is amended— 
(1) by striking out "appropriate Government contribution 
established by the Commission pursuant to section 4(a) of the 
Act" and inserting "Government contribution under section 4 of 
this Act"; and 
(2) by adding at the end thereof the following new sentence: 
"The immediately preceding sentence shall not apply with re-
spect to the plan for supplementary medical insurance provided 
by part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act.". 
(c) The amendments made by this Act shall apply to contributions 
made by the Government on or after the later o
f
— 
(1) the first day of the first month beginning after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, or 
(2) October 1,1979. 
Approved December 27, 1979. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
SENATE REPORT No. 96-154 (Gomm. on Governmental Affairs). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 125 (1979): 
May 22, considered and passed Senate. 
Dec. 17, considered and passed House.
A bill to amend the Act incorporating the American Legion so as to redefine eligibility for membership therein.
PL 96-155 (S.1874), enacted 12/21/1979

PUBLIC LAW 96-155—DEC. 21, 1979 
93 STAT. 1165 
Public Law 96-
96th Congress 
155 
An Act 
To amend the Act incorporating the American Legion so as to redefine eligibility for 
membership therein. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of 
America in Congress assembled. That section 5 of the 
Act entitled "An Act to incorporate the American Legion", approved 
September 16,1919 (41 Stat. 285; 36 U.S.C. 45), is hereby amended to 
read as follows: 
"SEC. 5. No person shall be a member of this corporation unless he 
has served in the naval or military services of the United States at 
some time during any of the following periods: April 6, 1917, to 
November 11,1918; December 7,1941, to December 31,1946; June 25, 
1950, to January 31,1955; December 22,1961, to May 7,1975; all dates 
inclusive, or who, being a citizen of the United States at the time of 
entry therein, served in the military or naval service of any of the 
governments associated with the United States during said wars or 
hostilities: Provided, however. That such person shall have an honor-
able discharge or separation from such service or continues to serve 
honorably after any of the aforesaid terminal dates.". 
Approved December 21, 1979. 
Dec. 21, 1979 
[S. 1874] 
American 
Legion. 
Membership 
eligibility, 
redefinition. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 96-675 accompanying H.R. 5583 (C!omm. on the Judiciary). 
SENATE REPORT No. 96-450 (Comm. on the Judiciary). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 125 (1979): 
Dec. 14, considered and passed Senate. 
Dec. 17, considered and passed House in lieu of H.R. 5583
A bill to authorize the sale to certain foreign nations of certain excess naval vessels.
PL 96-150 (H.R.5163), enacted 12/20/1979

PUBLIC LAW 96-150—DEC. 20, 1979 
93 STAT. 1091 
Public Law 96-150 
96th Congress 
An Act 
To authorize the sale to certain foreign nations of certain excess naval vesselsi 
Dec. 20,1979 
Be it enacted bv the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Unit&i States of 
America in Congress assembled, That in accordance 
with section 7307 of title 10, United States Code, the Congress 
approves the sale of fourteen vessels of the United States Navy as 
follows: 
(1) One tank landing ship of the Suffolk County class, one 
auxiliary repair drydock of the ARD-12 class, and one small 
auxiliary floating drydock of the AFDL-35 class, to the Govern-
ment of Brazil. 
(2) One auxiliary repair drydock of the ARD-12 class, to the 
Government of 
Colombia. 
(3) One auxiliary repair drydock of the ARD-12 class, to the 
Government of 
Ecuador. 
(4) One dock Icmding ship of the Cabildo class, to the Govern-
ment of 
Greece. 
(5) One destroyer tender of the Shenandoah class, to the 
Government of 
Indonesia. 
(6) One auxiliary repair drydock of the ARD-12 class, to the 
Government of the Republic of 
Korea. 
(7) One auxiliary repair drydock of the ARD-12 class, to the 
Government of 
Mexico. 
(8) One auxiliary repair drydock of the ARD-2 class, to the 
Government of Peru. 
(9) One cargo ship of the Kukui class and one small auxiliary 
floating drydock of the AFDL-35 class, to the Government of the 
Republic of 
the Philippines. 
(10) Two amphibious transports of 
the Paul Revere class, to the 
Government of 
Spain. 
SEC. 2. (a) Any sale of a vessel under the first section of this Act 
shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the President may 
require and shall be for a price not less than the value in United 
States dollars of the vessel involved. 
O
b
) Any expense of the United States in connection with the 
transfer of a vessel sold under the first section of this Act shall be 
charged to the Government involved. 
SEC. 3. The approval of the Congress under the first section of this 
Act shall expire at the end of the two-year period beginning on the 
date of the enactment of this Act. 
Approved December 20, 1979. 
[H.R. 5163] 
Excess naval 
vessels, sale to 
foreign 
countries. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 96-445 (Comm. on Armed Services). 
SENATE REPORT No. 96-420 (Comm. on Armed Services). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 125 (1979): 
Sept. 25, considered and passed House. 
Dec. 6, considered and passed Senate.
An original bill to amend the National Consumer Cooperative Bank Act to provide for a small business representative on the Banks' Board.
PL 96-149 (S.1788), enacted 12/16/1979

PUBLIC LAW 96-149—DEC. 16, 1979 
93 STAT. 1089 
Public Law 96-149 
96th Congress 
An Act 
To amend the National Consumer Cooperative Bank Act to provide for a small 
business representative on the Bank's Board. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, That (a) section 
103(a) of the National Consumer Cooperative Bank Act is amended— 
(1) by striking out "thirteen" in the first sentence and inserting 
in Ueu thereof "fifteen"; 
(2) by striking out "seven" in the third sentence and inserting 
in lieu thereof "eight"; 
(3) by inserting after the third sentence the following: "The 
President shall appoint one member of the Board from among 
proprietors of small business concerns, as defined under section 3 
of the Small Business Act, which are manufacturers or retailers. 
The member of the Board appointed in accordance with the 
preceding sentence shall not be subject to the resignation and 
termination provisions of subsection (b)."; and 
(4) by striking out "104" in the last sentence. 
(Jo) Section 103(b) is amended— 
(1) by striking out the third sentence thereof and inserting in 
lieu thereof the following: "Two additional members of the Board 
designated by the President (who shall be members who had been 
appointed by the President) shall resign at the annual meeting 
occurring after the time when the amount of paid-in capital 
attributable to the class B and class C stock equals or exceeds 
eight-fifteenths of the total amount of paid-in capital of the Bank. 
An additional member of the Board designated by the President 
(who shall be a member who had been appointed by the Presi-
dent) shall resign at the annual meeting occurring after the time 
when the amount of paid-in capital attributable to the class B 
and class C stock equals or exceeds three-fifths of the total 
amount of paid-in capital of the Bank."; 
(2) by inserting after "Five" in the next to the last sentence "of 
the". 
Dec. 16, 1979 
[S. 1788] 
National 
Consumer 
Cooperative 
Bank Act, 
amendment. 
92 Stat. 502. 
12 use 3013. 
15 use 632. 
59-194 O — 81 
71 : QU 
93 STAT. 1090 
PUBLIC LAW 96-149—DEC. 16, 1979 
92 Stet. 502. 
(c) Section 103(d) of such Act is amended by striking "all" in the 
12 use 3013. 
first sentence and inserting after "five" the words "of the". 
(d) The second sentence of section 103(h) of such Act is amended by 
striking out "Until" and inserting in lieu thereof "The member of the 
Board appointed from among proprietors of small business and, 
until". 
Approved December 16, 1979. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
SENATE REPORT No. 96-328 (Comm. on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 125 (1979): 
Sept. 27, considered and passed Senate. 
Dec. 5, considered and passed House.
An act to waive the time limitation on the award of certain military decorations to members of the Intelligence and Reconnaissance Platoon of the 394th Infantry Regiment, 99th Infantry Division, for acts of valor performed during the Battle of the Bulge.
PL 96-145 (H.R.3407), enacted 12/14/1979

PUBLIC LAW 96-145—DEC. 14, 1979 
93 STAT. 1085 
Public Law 96-145 
96th Congress 
An Act 
To waive the time limitation on the award of certain military decorations to 
——' 
— 
members of the Intelligence and Reconnaissance Platoon of the 394th Infantry 
[H.R. 3407] 
Regiment, 99th Infantry Division, for acts of valor performed during the Battle of 
the Bulge. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled. That the time Military 
limitation contained in section 3744 of title 10, United States Code, decorations, 
with respect to the awarding of certain medals to persons in the ^^^gj,™^*^*^^'^' 
Army shall not apply with respect to the awarding of any such medal 
to individuals who served as members of the Intelligence and Recon-
naissance Platoon of the 394th Infantry Regiment, 99th Infantry 
Division, for acts of valor performed by such individuals engaged in 
combat operations in Lanzerath, Belgium, during the Battle of the 
Bulge, but the awarding of any such medal is within the sole 
discretion of the President. 
Approved December 14, 1979. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 96-470 (Comm. on Armed Services). 
SENATE REPORT No. 96-422 (Comm. on Armed Services). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 125 (1979): 
Oct. 15, considered and passed House. 
Nov. 30, considered and passed Senate.
A bill to fix the annual rates of pay for the Architect of the Capitol and the Assistant Architect of the Capitol.
PL 96-146 (H.R.4732), enacted 12/14/1979

93 STAT. 1086 
PUBLIC LAW 96-146—DEC. 14, 1979 
Dec. 14, 1979 
[H.R. 4732] 
Architect of the 
Capitol and 
Assistant 
Architect of the 
Capitol, basic 
pay increeise. 
40 u s e 162a. 
40 u s e 166b. 
Effective date. 
40 u s e 162a 
note. 
Public Law 96-146 
96th Congress 
An Act 
To fix the annual rates of pay for the Architect of the Capitol and the Assistant 
Architect of the Capitol. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, That notwithstand-
ing any other provision of law— 
(1) the compensation of the Architect of the Capitol shall be at 
an annual rate which is equal to the annual rate of basic pay 
payable for positions at level III of the Executive Schedule under 
section 5314 of title 5, United States Code, and 
(2) the compensation of the Assistant Architect of the Capitol 
shall be at an annual rate which is equal to the annual rate of 
basic pay payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule under 
section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, 
SEC. 2. The provisions of this Act shall take effect on the first day of 
the first applicable pay period commencing on or after the date of the 
enactment of this Act. 
Approved December 14, 1979. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 96-349 (Comm. on Post Office and Civil Service). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 125 (1979): 
Sept. 10, considered and passed House. 
Dec. 3, considered and peissed Senate.
A bill to authorize the apportionment of funds for the Interstate System, to amend section 103(e)(4) of title 23, United States Code, and for other purposes.
PL 96-144 (H.R.5871), enacted 12/13/1979

93 STAT. 1084 
PUBLIC LAW 96-144—DEC. 13, 1979 
Public Law 96-144 
96th Congress 
Dec. 13, 1979 
[H.R. 5871] 
Interstate 
highway system, 
appropriation 
authorization. 
23 u s e 104 note. 
23 u s e 101 note. 
23 u s e 103 note. 
An Act 
To authorize the apportionment of funds for the Interstate System, to amend section 
103(e)(4) of title 23, United States Code, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled. That the Secretary 
of Transportation shall apportion for the fiscal year ending Septem-
ber 30,1981, and the fiscal year ending September 30,1982, the sums 
authorized to be appropriated for such fiscal years by section IOSQD) of 
the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, as amended, for expenditure on 
the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, using the 
apportionment factors contained in revised table 5 of Committee 
Print 96-15 of the Committee on Public Works and Transportation of 
the House of Representatives. 
SEC. 2. Section 103(e)(4) of title 23, United States Code, is amended 
by adding at the end thereof the following new sentence: "After 
September 30, 1979, the Secretary shall not withdraw his approval 
under this paragraph of anv route or portion thereof on the Interstate 
System open to traffic before the date of the proposed withdrawal. 
Any withdrawal of approval of any such route or portion thereof 
before September 30, 1979, is hereby determined to be authorized by 
this paragraph.". 
SEC. 3. Notwithstanding the amendment made to section 103(e)(4) 
of title 23, United States Code, by the preceding section, in the case 
where the Secretary has withdrawn his approval of a route or portion 
thereof on the Interstate System under such section between June 20, 
1979, and June 30,1979, both dates inclusive, the sum available to the 
Secretary of Transportation to incur obligations for projects substi-
tuted for such withdrawn route or portion thereof shall be a sum 
equal to the Federal share of the cost to complete the withdrawn 
route or portion thereof, as that cost is included in the 1975 Interstate 
System cost estimate, as approved by Congress, subject to increase or 
decrease as determined by the Secretary based on changes in the 
construction costs of the withdrawn route or portion thereof as of the 
date of approval of each substitute project under section 103(e)(4) of 
title 23, United States Code. 
Approved December 13, 1979. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 96-620 (Comm. on Public Works and Transportation). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 125 (1979): 
Nov. 15, considered and passed House. 
Nov. 29, considered and passed Senate.
A joint resolution to authorize and request the President to issue a proclamation designating December 18, 1979, "National Unity Day".
PL 96-147 (H.J.Res.458), enacted 12/16/1979

PUBLIC LAW 96-147—DEC. 16, 1979 
93 STAT. 1087 
Public Law 96-147 
96th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
To authorize and request the President to issue a proclamation designating Decern- 
Dec. 16,1979 
ber 18,1979, "National Unity Day". 
[H.J. Res. 458] 
Whereas an Iranian mob has violated international law by illegsdly 
seizing the American Embassy in Tehran; and 
Whereas American flags prominently displayed on National Unity 
Day will s3nnbolize our unity and opposition to international ter-
rorism and blackmail; and 
Whereas a nationwide demonstration of public support for the hos-
tages is the only way to counter the student demonstrations that 
are being orchestrated in Tehran for television audiences around 
the world: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled. That December 18,1979, is National Unity 
designated as "National Unity Day", and the President of the United Day 
States is authored and requested to issue a proclamation calling S S ^ J S n . 
upon all United States citizens and organizations to observe that day 
by prominently displaying American flags. 
Approved December 16, 1979. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 125 (1979): 
Dec. 11, considered and passed House. 
Dec. 13, considered and passed Senate.
A bill to designate the building known as the Department of Labor Building in Washington, DC as the "Frances Perkins Department of Labor Building".
PL 96-141 (S.1655), enacted 12/12/1979

93 STAT. 1066 
PUBLIC LAW 96-141—DEC. 12, 1979 
Dec. 12, 1979 
[S. 1655] 
Frances Perkins 
Department of 
Labor Building, 
D.C. 
Designation. 
Public Law 96-141 
96th Congress 
An Act 
To designate the building known as the Department of Labor Building in 
Washington, District of Columbia, as the "Frances Perkins Department of 
Labor Building". 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled. That the building at 
200 Constitution Avenue, Northwest, in Washington, District of 
Columbia (commonly known as the Department of Labor Building) 
shall hereafter be known and designated as the "Frances Perkins 
Department of Labor Building". Any reference in a law, map, 
regulation, document, record, or other paper of the United States to 
that building shall be held to be a reference to the "Frances Perkins 
Department of Labor Building". 
Approved December 12, 1979. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 96-665 accompanying H.R. 5781 (Comm. on Public Works and 
Transportation). 
SENATE REPORT No. 96-388 (Comm. on Environment and Public Works). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 125 (1979): 
Nov. 1, considered and passed Senate. 
Dec. 3, H.R. 5871 considered and passed House; passage vacated and S. 1655 
passed in lieu.
A bill authorizing the President of the United States to present a gold medal to the American Red Cross.
PL 96-138 (H.R.4259), enacted 12/12/1979

PUBLIC LAW 96-138—DEC. 12, 1979 
93 STAT. 1063 
Public Law 96-138 
96th Congress 
An Act 
Authorizing the President of the United States to present a gold medal to the 
American Red Cross. 
Dec. 12, 1979 
[H.R. 4259] 
American Red 
Cross. 
Gold medal. 
Appropriation 
authorization. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, That (a) the Presi-
dent is authorized to present in the name of Congress, an appropriate 
gold medal to the American Red Cross, in recognition of its unselfish 
and humanitarian service to the people of the United States. For such 
purposes, the Secretary of the Treasury shall cause to be struck a gold 
medal with suitable emblems, device, and inscriptions to be deter-
mined by the Secretary. There are authorized to be appropriated not 
to exceed $15,000 after October 1, 1980, to carry out the purposes of 
this subsection. 
(b) The Secretary of the Treasury may cause duplicates in bronze Duplicates. 
of such medal to be coined and sold under such regulations as he may 
prescribe, at a price sufficient to cover the cost thereof, including 
labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, overhead expenses, and the 
gold medal, and the appropriation used for carrying out the provi-
sions of this Act shall be reimbursed out of the proceeds of such sale. 
(c) The medals provided for in this Act are national medals for 
the purpose of section 3551 of the Revised Statutes (31 U.S.C. 368). 
Approved December 12, 1979. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
SENATE REPORT No. 96-429 (Comm. on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 125 (1979): 
Oct. 15, considered and passed House. 
Dec. 4, considered and passed Senate.
An act to designate the Federal Building in Rochester, New York, the "Kenneth B. Keating Federal Building".
PL 96-140 (S.1535), enacted 12/12/1979

PUBLIC LAW 96-140—DEC. 12, 1979 
93 STAT. 1065 
Public Law 96-140 
96th Congress 
An Act 
To designate the Federal Building in Rochester, New York, the "Kenneth B. 
Dec. 12, 1979 _ 
Keating Federal Building". 
[S. 1535] 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled. That the Federal Kenneth B. 
Building at 100 State Street, Rochester, New York, shall hereafter be g^fidT/ ^N^Y"^^ 
known and designated as the "Kenneth B. Keating Federal Build- DesignS'ion. 
ing". Any reference in any law, map, regulation, document, record, or 
other paper of the United States to such building shall be deemed to 
be a reference to the "Kenneth B. Keating Federal Building". 
Approved December 12, 1979. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 96-664 accompanying H.R. 4845 (Comm. on Public Works and 
Transportation). 
SENATE REPORT No. 96-390 (Comm. on Environment and Public Works). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 125 (1979): 
Nov. 1, considered and passed Senate. 
Dec. 3, H.R. 4845 considered and passed House; passage vacated and S. 1535, 
amended, passed in lieu. 
Dec. 4, Senate concurred in House amendments.