United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2009
Commends public servants for their outstanding contributions to the nation during Public Service Recognition Week and throughout the year. Honors government employees who have given their lives in service to their country. Encourages efforts to promote public service careers.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2009
Congratulates Camp Dudley YMCA of Westport, New York, on its 125th anniversary. Recognizes its current staff, campers, and alumni for their contributions to their community.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2009
Witness Security and Protection Grant Program Act of 2009 - Directs the Attorney General to make competitive grants to state, tribal, and local prosecutors to establish or maintain programs to protect or provide assistance to witnesses in cases involving homicide, a serious or violent felony, or a serious drug offense. Directs: (1) the U.S. Marshals Service to provide technical assistance to recipients of grants under this Act; (2) such recipients to submit reports to the Attorney General evaluating witness protection programs; and (3) the Attorney General to develop best practice models to assists states and other entities in addressing witness safety, witness relocation, financial and housing assistance for witnesses, and other necessary assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2009
Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act of 2009 or EARLY Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to conduct a national evidence-based education campaign: (1) to increase public awareness regarding the threats posed by breast cancer to young women, including the particular risks faced by certain ethnic and cultural groups; and (2) focusing on awareness of risk factors and achieving early detection through community-centered informational forums, public service advertisements, and media campaigns. Directs the Secretary to award grants to entities to establish national multimedia campaigns that: (1) will encourage young women to be aware of their personal risk factors, strategies for increasing early detection and self awareness, evidence based preventative lifestyle changes, and other appropriate breast cancer early detection and risk reduction strategies; (2) will encourage young women of specific higher-risk populations to talk to their medical practitioners about those risks and methods for appropriate screening and surveillance; and (3) may include advertising through specified media. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director, to: (1) establish an advisory committee to assist in creating and conducting the public education campaign; (2) conduct an education campaign to increase awareness among health care professionals; and (3) conduct prevention research. Directs the Secretary to award grants to organizations and institutions to provide to young women diagnosed with breast cancer substantive assistance and health information from credible sources on: (1) education and counseling regarding fertility preservation; (2) social, emotional, psychosocial, financial, lifestyle, and caregiver support; (3) familial risk factors; and (4) risk reduction strategies to reduce recurrence or metastasis.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2009
Acknowledges the importance of assistance dogs in helping combat-wounded veterans live happier and more independent lives. Applauds the work of the Tower of Hope in providing such dogs to such veterans. Expresses gratitude and support to volunteers and donors who offer time and funds to such program. Encourages the public to support wounded veterans by volunteering or donating to help train assistance dogs. Calls for the vigorous promotion of the benefits of assistance animals. Supports creation of a Tower of Hope Day in honor of wounded veterans and their service dogs, the work of the Tower of Hope, and the many generous donors.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2009
Establishes the U.S. Office for Native Hawaiian Affairs (Office) within the Office of the Secretary of the Interior. Requires the Attorney General to designate a Department of Justice official to assist the Office in the implementation and protection of the rights of Native Hawaiians and their political, legal, and trust relationship with the United States. Establishes the Native Hawaiian Interagency Task Force to: (1) coordinate federal policies or actions that may significantly or uniquely affect Native Hawaiian resources, rights, or lands; (2) assure that each federal agency develops a policy on consultation with Native Hawaiians; and (3) assure the participation of such agencies in the development of an annual report on the Task Force. Establishes a process for development of a membership roll for organizing a Native Hawaiian Interim Governing Council and for election of a Native Hawaiian government. Recognizes the right of the Native Hawaiian people to adopt organic governing documents. Extends federal recognition to the government as the representative governing body of the Native Hawaiian people upon election of officers and certification by the Secretary. Permits the United States, upon federal recognition of the Native Hawaiian government, to enter into an agreement with the state of Hawaii and such government regarding the transfer of lands, resources, and assets dedicated to Native Hawaiian use. Prohibits the Native Hawaiian governing entity and Native Hawaiians from conducting gaming activities as a matter of claimed inherent authority or under any federal law, regardless of where the gaming is located.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2009
National Women's History Museum Act of 2009 - Directs the Administrator of General Services (GSA) to convey to the National Women's History Museum, Inc. (the Museum) the northern part of specified property in the District of Columbia, which the Administrator and the Museum deem appropriate for a museum facility. Grants the Administrator the authority to convey the southern part of such property to the Museum. Requires the Administrator to enter into an agreement with the Museum for the conveyance. Permits separate conveyance of the northern and southern parts. Requires the northern part to be dedicated for use as a site for a national women's history museum for a 99-year period and allows the southern part to be used for any purposes permitted by applicable laws and regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2009
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat the cost of private umbilical cord blood banking services as a medical care expense for purposes of the tax deduction for medical expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2009
Recognizes the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts in Hawai`i. Praises the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts Pacific Province for its good works educating the youth of this country, serving the people of Hawai`i, California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New Mexico, and pursuing educational, social, and economic equality.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2009
Breast Cancer Patient Protect Act of 2009 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to require a group health plan that provides medical and surgical benefits to ensure that inpatient (and in the case of a lumpectomy, outpatient) coverage and radiation therapy are provided for breast cancer treatment. Prohibits such a plan from: (1) restricting benefits for any hospital length of stay to less than 48 hours in connection with a mastectomy or breast conserving surgery or 24 hours in connection with a lymph node dissection, insofar as the attending physician, in consultation with the patient, determines such stay to be medically necessary; or (2) requiring that a provider obtain authorization from the plan or issuer for prescribing any such length of stay. Requires such a plan or issuer to: (1) provide notice to each participant and beneficiary regarding the coverage required under this Act; and (2) ensure that coverage is provided for secondary consultations. Prohibits a group health plan from taking specified actions to avoid the requirements of this Act. Applies such requirements to health insurance issuers offering coverage in the individual market. Allows a health insurance issuer that provides individual health insurance coverage to nonrenew or discontinue an individual's coverage based on the intentional concealment of material facts regarding a health condition related to the condition for which coverage is being claimed.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2009
Veterans Transitional Assistance Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish in the Department of Defense (DOD) the Office of Technical Assistance to carry out the Secretary's responsibilities of establishing and operating a wounded warrior resource (support) center, as required under the Wounded Warrior Act. Requires the Office, upon the discharge or release of a member of the Armed Forces, to transmit the member's service record and contact information to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs who shall in turn contact and provide such person necessary information to apply for any benefits to which the person may be entitled through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2009
Allows an individual to elect to receive retired pay for non-regular (reserve) service upon retirement for service performed in an active reserve status after attaining eligibility for regular retirement, as long as the individual successfully completes at least two years of active reserve status service. Allows the Secretary of the military department concerned to reduce the two-year active reserve status requirement in certain cases. Requires the recomputation of reserve retired pay and, if appropriate, the adjustment of the retired grade of reserve retirees to reflect the successful completion of at least two years of post-retirement service in an active reserve status.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2009
Coastal State Renewable Energy Promotion Act - Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to authorize grants to eligible coastal states to support voluntary state efforts to initiate and complete surveys of portions of coastal state waters and federal waters adjacent to a state's coastal zone to identify potential areas suitable or unsuitable for the exploration, development, and production of renewable (wind, wave, current, tidal, or ocean thermal) energy that are consistent with the enforceable policies of coastal management plans. Requires that survey results be made available to the public. Requires suitable areas to be given priority consideration by federal agencies for the siting, licensing, leasing, or permitting of renewable energy facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2009
Establishes the Green Bank as a federally owned independent corporation with a 20-year charter. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to issue Green Bonds to acquire the Bank's capital stock. Requires the Bank to establish a program to provide, on a competitive basis, loans, loan guarantees, debt securitization, insurance, portfolio insurance, and other forms of financing support or risk management for qualifying clean energy or energy efficiency projects. Sets forth requirements for the provision of financial support from the Bank. Requires the Bank to assess reasonable fees on its activities to cover its costs and expenses, provided the Bank operates as a not-for-profit. Gives the Bank immunity from impairment, limitations, or restrictions by or under laws and administrative or other action. Authorizes the Bank to conduct its business without regard to state law relating to incorporation. Exempts the Bank from all state or local taxation except real property taxation. Requires the Chief Executive Officer of the Bank to set forth spending safeguards, including: (1) deobligating financial support to entities that demonstrate an insufficient level of performance or wasteful or fraudulent spending; and (2) creating a publicly available online database with information about financing support or risk management.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2009
Congratulates the people of the Republic of Lithuania on the 1000th anniversary of Lithuania. Commends the government of Lithuania for its success in implementing political, social, and economic reforms. Recognizes the close relationship between the U.S. government and the government of Lithuania.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2009
Global Security Priorities Resolution - Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the President should continue negotiations with other countries and unilateral initiatives to achieve nuclear arms reductions, and agree to the verifiable reduction of deployed U.S. and Russian nuclear weapons; (2) the Cooperative Threat Reduction (Nunn-Lugar) Program should be extended to requesting third countries; and (3) funds saved through nuclear arms reductions should be used for cooperative threat reduction and to alleviate problems affecting children and families that can contribute to support for international terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2009
Meth Mouth Prevention and Community Recovery Act - Requires the Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention to make grants to enable public and private nonprofit entities to determine whether educating youth about meth mouth (oral decay that is commonly associated with methamphetamine use) is an effective strategy for preventing or reducing methamphetamine use. Reserves a portion of appropriated funds for Indian tribes and tribal organizations. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to expand and intensify the clinical research, health services research, and public health research on associations between substance use disorders, oral health, and the provision of dental care. Requires the Secretary to study the effect methamphetamine use has on the demand for, and provision of, dental care. Directs the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to support training and offer technical assistance to ensure that dentists and allied dental personnel are prepared to: (1) recognize signs of alcohol or drug addiction; (2) discuss the nature of substance abuse as it relates to their area of expertise; (3) understand how certain dental therapies can affect the relapse potential of substance dependent patients; and (4) help those affected by a substance use disorder find appropriate treatment for their conditions. Authorizes the Administrator to collaborate with professional accrediting bodies to develop and support substance abuse training courses for oral health professionals.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2009
Expresses support for the designation of, and the goals and ideals of, National Nutrition Month. Encourages: (1) local communities to raise awareness surrounding nutritional health; and (2) awareness about diseases and death caused by lack of nutrition. Recognizes health care professionals, such as registered dietitians, who spread the knowledge and importance of nutrition each day.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2009
Honor the Written Intent of our Soldier Heroes Act or Honor the WISH Act - Includes, as a person authorized to direct disposition of the remains of a member of the Armed Forces who dies while on active duty, the person identified by the decedent on the record of emergency data maintained by the Secretary of the military department concerned as the Person Authorized to Direct Disposition, regardless of the relationship of the designee to the decedent.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2009
Includes participation in clean-up operations at Eniwetok Atoll as a radiation-risk activity for purposes of laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2009
Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a nonrefundable income tax credit of up to $500 for the purchase of a qualified hearing aid for an individual who is either: (1) age 55 or older; or (2) is claimed as a dependent of the taxpayer. Denies such tax credit to any taxpayer whose modified adjusted gross income exceeds $200,000.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2009
Public Lands Service Corps Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 to rename the Public Lands Corps as the Public Lands Service Corps. Permits Corps participants to work in the National Marine Sanctuary System, coral reefs, and other coastal, estuarine, and marine habitats, and other lands and facilities administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Requires the: (1) establishment of offices within the Department of the Interior, Forest Service, and NOAA for the coordination of Corps activities; and (2) designation of a Corps coordinator for each agency within the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture, and Commerce that administers eligible service lands. Requires the Corps to consist of individuals between the ages of 16 and 25 who are enrolled as participants for a period of not more than two years. (Current law does not specify any time period for enrollment.) Requires a recruitment program and training program for Corps members. Describes the types of natural and cultural resources conservation projects that may be carried out by the Corps or any qualified youth or conservation corps on eligible service lands. Sets forth requirements regarding the use of Corps members to provide certain visitor and interpretation services. Authorizes the Secretaries to: (1) establish residential conservation centers; (2) provide temporary housing for the Corps and residential conservation centers; (3) as an appropriate natural and cultural resources conservation project, direct Corps participants to aid in the construction of residential conservation center facilities, including housing; (4) seek the assistance of the Secretary of Energy in identifying and using green building technologies and modular housing designs that may be adapted for such facilities; and (5) recruit mentors for Corps participants. Authorizes individual placements of consulting interns with federal land, coastal, and ocean management agencies to carry out management analysis. Requires the issuance of management guidelines for programs of the Corps.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2009
Amends the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to include the Territory of Guam among the affected areas for which health claims relating to atmospheric nuclear testing are allowed. Sets forth periods of required presence during testing periods for persons in Guam filing leukemia or specified disease claims. Authorizes assistance for residents of Guam not otherwise covered, to be determined on a case-by-case basis by the National Cancer Institute. Makes covered individuals eligible for the costs of screening, follow-up referrals, work-up diagnosis, and disease-specific treatment. Directs the Health Resources and Services Administration to conduct an education program about the health risks of fallout exposure from the U.S. nuclear-weapons testing.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2009
Supports the goals of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Encourages all road users to be more aware of motorcycles and motorcyclists' safety. Encourages all motorcycle riders receive appropriate training and practice safe riding skills.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2009
Bullying and Gang Reduction for Improved Education Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to add bullying and gang prevention to the violence and drug abuse prevention activities currently supported under the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities program. Provides that, in addition to fostering a safe and drug-free learning environment, such program should facilitate healthy, physically active lifestyles. Makes local park and recreation agencies eligible for funding under the program's mentoring programs for children.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2009
Revises TRICARE (a Department of Defense [DOD] managed health care program) to authorize treatment of autism spectrum disorders, if a health care professional determines that such treatment is medically necessary.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2009
Electronic Waste Research and Development Act - Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to award multiyear grants to consortia to conduct research to create innovative and practical approaches to reduce the volume and manage the environmental impacts of electronic waste and to contribute to the professional development of scientists, engineers, and technicians in the fields of electronic device manufacturing, design, refurbishing, and recycling. Sets forth the ways in which research results shall be disseminated to the public. Requires the National Academy of Sciences to report to Congress on: (1) opportunities for and barriers to reducing the volume of electronic waste and making electronic devises safer and more environmentally friendly; (2) the risks posed by disposal of electronic waste; and (3) the current status of research and training programs to promote the environmental design of electronic devices to reduce electronic waste. Requires the Administrator to award grants to institutions of higher education to develop curricula that incorporates the principles of environmental design into the development of electronic devices: (1) for the training of engineers and students; and (2) to support the continuing education of professionals in the electronic device manufacturing, design, refurbishing, or recycling industries. Requires such grants to be used for activities that enhance the ability of an institution to broaden the engineering or professional continuing education curriculum to include environmental engineering design principles and consideration of product life cycles related to electronic devices and the reduction of electronic waste. Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to establish an initiative to develop a comprehensive physical property database for environmentally friendly alternative materials for use in electronic devices. Requires the Director to develop a strategic plan to establish priorities and physical property characterization requirements for the database.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2009
Recognizes the 65th anniversary of the Allied amphibious landing on D-Day, June 6, 1944, at Normandy, France, during World War II. Expresses gratitude and appreciation to the members of the U.S. Armed Forces who participated in the D-day operations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2009
Expresses support for efforts to: (1) lower the rate of infant mortality in the United States; and (2) correct the racial disparities in prenatal care to lower that rate.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2009
Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act of 2009 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to deny an application for a new animal drug that is a critical antimicrobial animal drug unless the applicant demonstrates that there is a reasonably certainty of no harm to human health due to the development of antimicrobial resistance attributable to the nontherapeutic use of the drug. Defines "critical antimicrobial animal drug" as a drug intended for use in food-producing animals that contains specified antibiotics or other drugs used in humans to treat or prevent disease or infection caused by microorganisms. Requires the Secretary to withdraw approval of a nontherapeutic use of such drugs in food-producing animals two years after the date of enactment of this Act unless certain safety requirements are met. Directs specified congressional committees to hold hearings on the implementation of such a withdrawal of approval.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2009
National Home Energy Savings Revolving Fund Act - Establishes within the Department of Energy (DOE) the National Home Energy Savings Revolving Fund to provide funds to local governments for use in making loans to homeowners for the costs of conducting a qualified home energy audit and implementing, acquiring, and installing certified energy savings improvements. Requires the Secretary of Energy to establish procedures and techniques for home energy audits that: (1) establish priorities for selection of energy savings improvements based on their cost-effectiveness, payback period, and contribution to energy savings; (2) measure the energy requirement of individual dwellings and the rate of return of the total energy savings investment in a dwelling; and (3) account for interaction among energy savings measures. Sets forth requirements concerning loan eligibility and repayment. Limits the total loan amount to a single homeowner to $10,000.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2009
Caring for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) the Committee on Care of Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury to continually assess VHA capability to meet the treatment and rehabilitation needs of veterans with traumatic brain injury.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2009
Congenital Heart Futures Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in collaboration with appropriate congenital heart disease patient organizations and professional organizations, to conduct, support, and promote a comprehensive public education campaign to increase awareness regarding congenital heart disease, including the need for lifelong treatment. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) award a grant to one entity to enhance and expand infrastructure to track the epidemiology of congenital heart disease and to organize such information into a comprehensive National Congenital Heart Disease Registry with the purpose of facilitating research into the types of health services patients use and identifying possible areas for educational outreach and prevention; and (2) establish an Advisory Committee on Congenital Heart Disease. Authorizes the Director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to expand, intensify, and coordinate research and related activities of the Institute regarding congenital heart disease.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2009
United States Cadet Nurse Corps Equity Act - Deems service of a person as a member of the United States Cadet Nurse Corps between July 1, 1943, and December 15, 1945 (qualified service), to be active military service for purposes of all laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Requires: (1) the Secretary of Defense to issue an honorable discharge to each person whose qualified service warrants one; and (2) the discharge to be issued before the end of the one-year period beginning on the enactment of this Act. Prohibits benefits from being paid to persons as a result of such enactment for any period before the enactment date.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2009
Supports the goals and ideals of a decade of action for global road safety with a global target to reduce by 50% the predicted increase in global road deaths between 2010 and 2020. Urges the Obama Administration to take a leadership role at the First Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Moscow and for the United States to work with other nations to achieve the goals and ideals of a decade of action for road safety.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2009
Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Act of 2009 - Requires the United States Postal Service to issue and sell, at a premium, a Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp. Requires proceeds from the sale of such stamp to be: (1) transferred to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to help fund the operations supported by the Multinational Species Conservation Funds; and (2) divided equally among the African Elephant Conservation Fund, the Asian Elephant Conservation Fund, the Great Ape Conservation Fund, the Marine Turtle Conservation Fund, and the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund. Prohibits such proceeds from being taken into account in any decision relating to the level of appropriations or other federal funding to be furnished to the USFWS or such Funds. Requires the stamp to: (1) be made available to the public for at least five years; and (2) depict images of flagship multinational species.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2009
Servicemembers Access to Justice Act of 2009 - Waives a state's sovereign immunity with respect to the enforcement of uniformed services members' employment or reemployment rights or benefits under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA). Makes unenforceable agreements between an employer and employee requiring arbitration of disputes arising under USERRA. Provides exceptions. Requires the validity and enforceability of such an agreement to be determined by a court (as opposed to the arbitrator). Provides increased liquidated damages, and authorizes punitive damages, against state or private employer violations of USERRA. Provides a right to a jury trial in such cases. Requires (under current law, authorizes) the award of attorney fees in actions to enforce USERRA. Defines "successor in interest" for USERRA purposes. Prohibits wage discrimination against members covered under USERRA. Requires (under current law, authorizes) a court to use equitable relief, including injunctions and restraining orders when appropriate, for USERRA violations. Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to require federal procurement contracts to include a notice that the contractor may have USERRA obligations. Requires a Comptroller General study on the effectiveness of federal education and outreach programs on employer obligations under USERRA.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2009
Teri Zenner Social Worker Safety Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to award grants to states to provide safety measures to social workers and other professionals working with violent, drug-using, or other at-risk populations. Authorizes such grants to be used to provide or support: (1) the procurement and installation of safety equipment, including communications systems to assist agencies in locating staff, and technical assistance and training for safety communications; (2) training exercises for self-defense and crisis management; (3) facility safety improvements; (4) provision of pepper spray for self-defense; (5) training in cultural competency and on strategies for de-escalating a situation that could turn volatile; (6) training to help workers who work with mentally ill communities and who need help coping; and (7) educational resources and materials to train staff on safety and awareness measures. Directs the Secretary to establish guidelines for assuring the cost-effectiveness and quality of the safety measures funded.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2009
Supports the rise of a peaceful China as a member of the global community. Condemns any action of the People's Republic of China (PRC) that could escalate tensions between our two countries, including the actions taken on March 8, 2009, relating to the USNS IMPECCABLE and the subsequent rejection of U.S. protests. Urges the President to raise this matter directly with the President of the PRC.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2009
Adds Parkinson's disease (manifested to a degree of disability of 10% or more) to the list of diseases presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by military service in Vietnam (and therefore compensable under veterans' disability compensation), notwithstanding that there is no evidence of the disease during the period of service, provided a veteran served between specified dates and was exposed to a herbicide used in military operations during that period.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2009
Wartime Treatment Study Act - Establishes the Commission on Wartime Treatment of European Americans to review U.S. government wartime treatment (from September 1, 1939, through December 31, 1948) of European Americans and European Latin Americans. Requires the Commission to review: (1) government actions with respect to European Americans and European Latin Americans pursuant to United States laws and directives, including the Alien Enemies Acts, Presidential Proclamations 2526, 2527, 2655, 2662, 2685, Executive Orders 9066 and 9095, and related directives pursuant to these and other pertinent laws, proclamations, or executive orders; (2) registration requirements, travel and property restrictions, internment, and forced abandonment of property; (3) participation by European Americans in the U.S. Armed Forces; and (4) appropriate remedies, including public education programs and the creation of a comprehensive online database by the National Archives and Records Administration of documents related to the government's wartime treatment of European Americans and European Latin Americans during World War II. Establishes the Commission on Wartime Treatment of Jewish Refugees to review the U.S. government's refusal to allow entry into the United States of Jewish and other refugees fleeing persecution or genocide in Europe. Directs the Commission to include reviews of: (1) the rationale for such refusal, its perceived benefit, and its impact on refugees; and (2) federal refugee policy concerning those fleeing persecution or genocide.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2009
Federal Land Assistance, Management and Enhancement Act or FLAME Act - Establishes in the Treasury the Federal Land Assistance, Management, and Enhancement Fund (Flame Fund). Requires amounts in the Flame Fund to be made available to the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture (the Secretaries) to pay the costs of catastrophic emergency wildland fire suppression activities that are separate from amounts annually appropriated for the predicted annual workload for such activities. Makes amounts in the Flame Fund available to the Secretaries only after such Secretaries issue a declaration that a wildland fire suppression activity is eligible for funding through the Fund. Directs such Secretaries to establish an accounting and reporting system for the Flame Fund. Requires such Secretaries to: (1) report annually to Congress on the use of the funds from the Flame Fund, together with recommendations to improve administrative control and oversight of the Fund; and (2) submit a report to Congress that contains a cohesive wildland fire management strategy, consistent with the recommendations of Comptroller General reports. Requires the Secretaries to conduct a review of wildfires for which expenses exceeding $10 million were incurred. Authorizes the Secretaries to make grants to fire-ready communities, as defined by this Act, to carry out activities to reduce risks from wildfires.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2009
Inclusive Home Design Act of 2009 - Requires, with exceptions, newly constructed, federally assisted single family houses and town houses to include at least one level that complies with the following accessibility features for persons with disabilities: (1) accessible entrance; (2) accessible interior doors; (3) accessible environmental controls; and (4) accessible habitable space and an accessible bathroom. Requires: (1) each applicant for federal financial assistance to submit compliance assurances to the relevant federal agency; and (2) each person who arranges for design or construction of a covered dwelling to submit architectural and construction plans for state or local approval. Prohibits federal financial assistance to a state or local government unit unless the recipient is taking certain enforcement actions with regard to covered dwellings. Permits: (1) private civil actions in a U.S. district court or state court for violations under this Act; and (2) the Attorney General to commence civil actions or intervene in civil actions under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2009
Honors and recognizes the contributions of veterans who served in Vietnam. Encourages the people of the United States to observe "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day" with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2009
Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act or the GIVE Act - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (NCSA) and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (DVSA) to revise the programs under such Acts and reauthorize appropriations for such programs through FY2014. Revises under NCSA: (1) the School-Based and Community-Based Service-Learning programs and Higher Education Innovative Programs for Community Service (Learn and Serve programs); (2) National Service Trust programs (AmeriCorps); (3) the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC); and (4) the Investment for Quality and Innovation program. Eliminates the current Community-Based Learn and Serve programs. Establishes two new Learn and Serve programs: (1) Campuses of Service, which provides funds to institutions of higher education to develop or disseminate exemplary service-learning programs that assist their students' pursuit of public service careers; and (2) Innovative Service-Learning Programs and Research, which funds community service-learning opportunities for elementary and secondary, college, and graduate students as well as research into service-learning. Includes among eligible AmeriCorps programs: (1) an Education Corps to address unmet educational needs; (2) a Healthy Futures Corps to address unmet health needs; (3) a Clean Energy Corps to address unmet environmental needs; and (4) a Veterans Corps to address the unmet needs of veterans and their families. Creates AmeriCorps Opportunity Corps programs that include certain existing programs and new programs to: (1) increase community access to technology; (2) engage citizens in public safety, health, and emergency preparedness services; (3) mentor youth; (4) reduce recidivism by re-engaging court-involved youth; and (5) support the needs of veterans or active duty service members and their families. Establishes an Education Awards Only program authorizing the Corporation for National and Community Service (Corporation) to provide fixed-amount grants to programs that have approved national service positions, but no AmeriCorps funding. Sets the National Service educational awards for full-time AmeriCorps, NCCC, and Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) participants at a level equal to the maximum available Pell Grant available to students under the Higher Education Act of 1965. Includes among needs to be met under the NCCC program, disaster relief, infrastructure improvement, environmental and energy conservation, and urban and rural development. Requires states to develop comprehensive plans for volunteer and paid service by Baby Boomers and older adults. Directs the Corporation to plan pilot programs to: (1) better target and serve displaced workers; and (2) establish a centralized electronic citizenship verification system which would allow the Corporation to share employment eligibility information with the Department of Education. Authorizes the Corporation to treat September 11th annually as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. Establishes within the Investment for Quality and Innovation program: (1) a ServeAmerica Fellowships program providing fellowships to individuals chosen by states to participate in service projects addressing certain areas of national need; (2) a Silver Scholarship Grant Program providing scholarships to individuals age 55 or older who complete at least 500 hours of service in a year in an area of national need; and (3) an Encore Fellowships program providing one-year fellowships to individuals age 55 or older who serve in areas of national need and receive training to transition to public service employment. Makes ServeAmerica fellows eligible for national service educational awards. Authorizes the Corporation to provide grants to innovative and model service programs, including those for disadvantaged youth, youth under age 17, and potential recidivists. Eliminates federal funding for the Points of Light Foundation. Revises under DVSA: (1) the VISTA program; and (2) the Senior Corps, including the Retired and Senior Volunteer program (RSVP), the Foster Grandparent program, and the Senior Companion program. Gives priority in VISTA participant selection to disadvantaged youth and retired adults of any profession. Authorizes new VISTA grant programs of national significance that provide poor and rural communities with: (1) services reintegrating formerly incarcerated individuals into society; (2) financial literacy and planning; (3) before-school and after-school services; (4) community economic development initiatives; (5) assistance to veterans and their families; and (6) health and wellness services. Eliminates the VISTA Literacy Corps, University Year for VISTA, and Literacy Challenge Grant programs. Raises the minimum and maximum stipend provided to VISTA participants. Prioritizes RSVP projects in specified areas. Makes anyone 55 years of age or older eligible as Senior Corps volunteers. Provides, under the Senior Corps demonstration program, incentive matching grants to Senior Corps programs that exceed specified performance measures, enroll most of their volunteers in outcome-based service programs, and increase their enrollment of Baby Boomer volunteers. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the number of AmeriCorps, VISTA, and NCCC participants should reach 250,000 by 2014. Congressional Commission on Civic Service Act - Establishes a Congressional Commission on Civic Service to provide recommendations to Congress on improving opportunities for individuals to volunteer or perform national service.
![Official portrait of Del. Bordallo, Madeleine Z. [D-GU-At Large]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b001245_200.jpg)