Digital Television Transition Consumer Relief Act of 2008
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2008
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend temporarily the duty on digital-to-analog converter boxes.
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6,110 records where Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2008
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend temporarily the duty on digital-to-analog converter boxes.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2008
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 · 10 March 2008
Entitles federal employees who satisfy age and service requirements for immediate or early retirement under the Federal Employees' Retirement System or the Foreign Service Pension System and who are separated from service or transferred to a position not subject to either of those retirement systems to a lump-sum payment for 15% of the amount of their accumulated sick leave exceeding 500 hours. Prohibits such a payment from exceeding $10,000. Excludes hours of sick leave that are creditable in the computation of any other compensation or benefit.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2008
Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act, or the GIVE Act - Amends the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (NSCA) and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (DVSA) to revise the programs under such Acts and reauthorize appropriations for such programs through FY2012. Revises under NSCA: (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 a new Learn and Serve program, Innovative Service-Learning Programs and Research, providing matching grants to: (1) provide community service-learning opportunities to elementary and secondary, college, and graduate students, including summer of service programs; and (2) research and evaluate service-learning. Includes among eligible AmeriCorps programs: (1) an E-corp program increasing community access to technology; (2) a program engaging citizens in public safety, health, and emergency preparedness services; (3) a youth mentoring program; (4) a program to reduce recidivism by re-engaging court-involved youth; and (5) the Education Awards Only program. Establishes an AmeriCorp pilot grant program for state-approved, member-selected, national service positions. Increases National Service educational awards for AmeriCorps, NCCC, and Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) participants. 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. Establishes an Office of Outreach and Recruitment in the Corporation for National and Community Service (Corporation). Requires the Corporation to plan pilot service programs to better utilize and serve veterans and displaced workers. Authorizes the Corporation to provide grants to innovative and model service programs that include service programs for disadvantaged youth. Eliminates federal funding for the Points of Light Foundation. Establishes a new Energy Conservation Corps program awarding: (1) matching grants to states for projects providing youth and young adults with career training in support of energy conservation, infrastructure and transportation improvement, and emergency operations; (2) competitive grants for school-based green Learn and Serve programs; and (3) competitive grants to National Senior Service Corps (Senior Corps) programs involving seniors in energy efficient housing, infrastructure rehabilitation, and environmental and energy conservation education projects. 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 100,000 by 2012. 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. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Corporation should try to: (1) coordinate its service programs so that senior citizens and their grandchildren can share volunteer opportunities and/or be assigned to the same geographic area; and (2) work with the National Endowment for the Humanities to provide opportunities for young service participants to collect oral histories from senior citizens.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2008
Recognizes Chi-Chi Rodriguez for his successes in the sport of golf, for his exemplary conduct as a private citizen, for a life devoted to service to others, and for his service as a role model.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2008
Recognizes the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Congressional Club. Acknowledges the contribution of political spouses to public life in America and around the world through the Congressional Club for the past 100 years. Honors the Club's past and present membership. Encourages all Americans to strive for greater friendship, civility, and generosity in order to heighten public service, elevate the culture, and enrich humanity, to seek out opportunities to give financially, and to volunteer to assist charitable organizations in their own communities.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2008
Extends congratulations to the people of Greece as they celebrate the 187th anniversary of Greece's independence. Notes the important role that Greece has played in the wider European region and in the community of nations since gaining its independence.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2008
Peace Corps Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Amends the Peace Corps Act to: (1) authorize appropriations through FY2012; and (2) increase the readjustment allowance for returning Peace Corps volunteers.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2008
States that the House of Representatives: (1) makes a stronger commitment to reducing maternal mortality both at home and abroad through greater financial investment and participation in global initiatives; and (2) recognizes maternal health as a human right.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2008
Supports the designation of a national day of remembrance for Harriet Ross Tubman.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2008
Recognizes the importance of the National School Breakfast Program and its overall positive effect on the lives of low-income children and families, as well as its effect on helping to improve a child's overall classroom performance. Expresses the support of the House of Representatives for states that have successfully implemented school breakfast programs in order to improve the test scores and grades of their participating students. Encourages states to: (1) strengthen their school breakfast programs by improving student access; (2) promote improvements in the nutritional quality of breakfasts served; and (3) inform students and parents of healthy nutritional and lifestyle choices.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2008
Establishes within the House of Representatives an independent House Ethics Commission. Amends Rule XI (Procedures of Committees and Unfinished Business) of the Rules of the House to revise the duties of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct to conform with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2008
Recognizes the importance of manufactured housing to homeownership in the United States. Supports the goals and ideals of National Homeownership Month (June) and Manufactured Housing Week (June 15-21).
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2008
United States-Republic of Korea Defense Cooperation Improvement Act of 2008 - Amends the Arms Export Control Act to include the Republic of Korea among those countries given preferential consideration with respect to certain: (1) arms export presidential certification and legislative review requirements; and (2) military training reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2008
A Child Is Missing Alert and Recovery Center Act - Directs the Attorney General to make annual grants to the A Child Is Missing Alert and Recovery Center to assist federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in recovering missing children.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2008
Job Investment and Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 - Makes supplemental appropriations for FY2008 to the Employment and Training Administration of the Department of Labor for summer youth employment activities.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2008
Encourages: (1) Americans to use their rebate checks to invest in renewable energy and energy-efficient products and services in order to save money, stimulate the economy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and (2) retailers and service providers to offer promotions for such investments.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2008
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 11001 Dunklin Drive in St. Louis, Missouri, as the "William 'Bill' Clay Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2008
Honors the contributions of school social workers to the success of students in schools. Encourages the observation of School Social Work Week.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2008
Provides that, if the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) determined under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act without regard to this Act for a state for FY2008 is less than the FMAP as so determined for FY2007, the FY2007 FMAP shall be substituted for the FMAP for the third and fourth calendar quarters of FY2008, before the application of this Act. Provides that, if the FMAP determined without regard to this Act for a state for FY2009 is less than the FMAP as so determined for FY2008, the FY2008 FMAP shall be substituted for the FMAP for the first, second, and third calendar quarters of FY2009, before the application of this Act. Provides that, for each eligible state for the third and fourth calendar quarters of FY2008, and for the first, second, and third calendar quarters of FY2009, the FMAP shall be increased by 2.95 percentage points. Provides for an increase in the cap on Medicaid payments to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. Declares that, only for FMAP computation purposes, any significant disproportionate employer pension or insurance fund contribution shall be disregarded in computing the per capita income of a state, but not in computing the per capita income for the continental United States (and Alaska) and Hawaii.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2008
Business Activity Tax Simplification Act of 2008- Expands the federal prohibition against state taxation of interstate commerce to: (1) include taxation of out-of-state transactions involving all forms of property, including intangible personal property and services (currently, only sales of tangible personal property are protected); and (2) prohibit state taxation of an out-of-state entity unless such entity has a physical presence in the taxing state. Sets forth criteria for determining that a person has a physical presence in a state.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2008
Congratulates the National Football League champion New York Giants for winning Super Bowl XLII and completing one of the most impressive seasons in professional sports history.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2008
Congratulates the City of Inglewood, California, on its 100th anniversary.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2008
Expresses the need for a comprehensive diplomatic initiative led by the United States, the Republic of Iraq, and the international community to ensure the establishment of a cohesive government in Iraq. Expresses condolences to the number of Iraqis who have been killed, displaced, or wounded. Recognizes that the U.S. government owes a debt of gratitude to the men and women who have served in Iraq and who now deserve comprehensive rehabilitation and assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2008
Removing Impediments to Students Education Act or the RISE Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to repeal a provision which makes persons convicted of drug offenses ineligible to receive federal student financial assistance for specified periods.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2008
Congratulates Lee Myung-Bak on his election to the presidency of the Republic of Korea and wishes him well during his transition and on his inauguration on February 25, 2008.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2008
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that a National Teacher Day should be established to honor and celebrate teachers.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2008
Calls for recognition of Earl Lloyd for breaking the color barrier and becoming the first African-American to play in the National Basketball Association League 58 years ago.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2008
Securing Success for Veterans on Campus Act of 2008 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to award three-year grants to institutions of higher education to develop model programs that require each grantee to establish a campus Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success that provides a single point of contact for the coordination of comprehensive support services for students who are veterans. Requires the Secretary to develop an evaluation and accountability plan for measuring the effect such programs have on veterans' success in postsecondary education.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2008
Recognizes the significance of Black History Month as an important time to recognize the contributions of African-Americans in the nation's history. Encourages the continued celebration of this month to provide an opportunity for all peoples of the United States to learn more about the past and to better understand the experiences that have shaped the nation. Recognizes that the ethnic and racial diversity of the United States enriches and strengthens the nation.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2008
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the emergency communications services provided by the American Red Cross are vital for providing communication between military service members and their families during emergencies or other important events.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 2008
Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Amends the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 to authorize appropriations for DNA analysis grant programs under such Act through FY2014.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 2008
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to permit certain athletes admitted as nonimmigrants to renew their period of authorized admission in five-year increments. (Current law permits a single five-year renewal of admission.)
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2008
Expresses support for: (1) the goals and ideals of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day; (2) full and equitable funding for the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act of 2006; (3) development of a national AIDS plan to reduce new HIV infections; (4) appropriate funding for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment; (5) the strengthening of stable African-American communities; (6) reducing the impact of incarceration as a driver of new HIV infections within the African-American community; (7) HIV prevention education programs to promote the early identification of HIV through voluntary routine testing and to connect those in need to treatment as early as possible; (8) reducing the number of HIV infections in the African-American community resulting from injection drug use; and (9) efforts to link those infected with HIV to accessible care and treatment options. Applauds the codification of the Minority AIDS Initiative within the reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2008
Prohibits issuance of a letter of offer respecting a specified proposed sale of defense articles and services to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2007
Josh Miller Helping Everyone Access Responsive Treatment in Schools Act of 2007, or the Josh Miller HEARTS Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to award matching grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) to: (1) purchase automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for use in their schools; and/or (2) provide training to meet the requirement that at least five adult employees or volunteers at each school with an AED successfully complete training in its use and in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Requires LEA grant applicants also to demonstrate that: (1) the AEDs are integrated into the schools' medical emergency response procedures; and (2) emergency services personnel are notified of their locations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2007
Recognizes the need to pursue research into the causes, treatment, and a cure for primary lateral sclerosis. Commends: (1) hospitals, community clinics, educational institutes, and other organizations that are working to increase awareness of, and conducting research for methods to help patients suffering from, the disorder; and (2) the Spastic Paraplegia Foundation for its efforts to educate, support, and provide hope for individuals who suffer from the disorder, while funding research to help find a cure. Expresses support for the designation of a Hardy Brown Primary Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2007
Commemorates the courage of the Haitian soldiers who fought for American independence in the Siege of Savannah and for Haiti's independence and renunciation of slavery.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2007
Supports the designation of a "Gospel Music Heritage Month" to recognize the great contributions to American culture that have derived from the rich heritage of gospel music and its artists.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2007
Expresses the need for a comprehensive diplomatic initiative led by the United States, the Republic of Iraq, and the international community to ensure the establishment of a cohesive government in Iraq. Expresses condolences to the number of Iraqis who have been killed, displaced, or wounded. Recognizes that the U.S. government owes a debt of gratitude to the men and women who have served in Iraq and who now deserve comprehensive rehabilitation and assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2007
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 88-40 164th Street in Jamaica, New York, as the "Clarence L. Irving, Sr., Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 2007
Working American Competitiveness Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayers to elect to exclude from gross income, without limitation, earned income (i.e., income for services performed) from sources within a foreign country.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2007
Code Talkers Recognition Act of 2007 - Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the award of gold medals to Native American code talkers of specified Indian tribes. Defines "code talker" as a Native American who served in the Armed Forces during a foreign conflict and who participated in military communications using a native language. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and Indian tribes, to identify code talkers eligible for a gold medal.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2007
Drug Sentencing Reform and Cocaine Kingpin Trafficking Act of 2007 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to increase the amount of a controlled substance or mixture containing a cocaine base (i.e., crack cocaine) required for the imposition of mandatory minimum prison terms for crack cocaine trafficking to eliminate the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine. Eliminates the five-year mandatory minimum prison term for first-time possession of crack cocaine. Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and amend, if appropriate, its sentencing guidelines for trafficking in a controlled substance to reflect the use of a dangerous weapon or violence in such crime and the culpability and the role of the defendant in such crime, taking into account certain aggravating and mitigating factors. Directs the Attorney General to make grants to improve drug treatment to offenders in prisons, jails, and juvenile facilities. Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to establish demonstration programs to reduce the use of alcohol and other drugs by substance abusers while incarcerated and until the completion of parole or court supervision. Increases monetary penalties for drug trafficking and for the importation and exportation of controlled substances. Authorizes appropriations to the Departments of Justice, the Treasury, and Homeland Security for FY2008-FY2009 for the prosecution of, and for supporting the prosecution of, high-level drug offenses.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2007
Congratulates the Army Reserve on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the enactment of its original authorizing law on April 23, 1908. Recognizes and commends the Army Reserve for the service of its past and present citizen-soldiers whose personal courage, contributions, and sacrifices have helped preserve the freedom and advance the national security and homeland defense of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2007
Congratulates the 200th Anniversary of the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. Recognizes the school for training local, state, and world leaders and its outstanding work in the community.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2007
Underage Drinking Prevention Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) understanding which programs are effective in reducing underage drinking will maximize scarce federal resources and help confront underage drinking in a more effective, cost-efficient manner; (2) the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration should explore ways to expand and improve evaluation efforts; and (3) federal agencies should strive to evaluate all federally funded underage drinking programs and modify programs as needed to reach maximum effectiveness. Requires the Director of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Programs to award grants to states and local governments to implement and evaluate enforcement and public education programs aimed at reducing the provision of alcohol by social sources to underage drinkers as part of the Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Program. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, as Chair of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking, to: (1) work with members of that Committee to improve federal data collection by ensuring that federally funded surveys related to underage drinking collect and report data in a consistent manner; and (2) establish a federal data improvement committee. Requires the Secretary of Education to: (1) award grants on a competitive basis to local educational agencies to develop and implement innovative and effective programs to increase parental awareness and involvement in reducing underage drinking in elementary and secondary schools; and (2) identify existing, effective, national programs that increase parent-child interaction to prevent underage drinking and disseminate that information to such agencies for replication at the local level.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2007
Welcomes the recommendations contained in the March 2007 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) report "Crime, Violence, and Development: Trends, Costs, and Policy Options in the Caribbean." Urges the United States, other drug-consuming countries, and the Caribbean countries to increase counter-narcotics efforts in the Caribbean region.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2007
Amends title VI (Flexibility and Accountability) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to create a new Part D: Promoting Youth Financial Literacy. Allows the Secretary of Education to provide grants to states to: (1) assist local educational agencies and public schools provide financial education programs to students in kindergarten through grade 12; and (2) implement financial education professional development programs for teachers and administrators. Requires a specified amount of the grant funds to be awarded competitively each fiscal year, with the remainder provided to each state on the basis of its share of students in kindergarten through grade 12. Directs the Secretary to make a grant to or contract with an institution of higher education or nonprofit organization that has substantial financial education experience to establish and operate a national clearinghouse of instructional materials and information on model financial education programs and best practices. Amends title V of the ESEA to direct the Secretary to set aside 2% of the funds appropriated for the Fund for the Improvement of Education program each fiscal year for financial literacy activities under such program.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2007
Honors the citizens of the Pacific Northwest for their courage in facing the storm and efforts in helping their neighbors in a time of great need. Honors the National Weather Service, state and local police officers, fire fighters, local rescue personnel, other first responders, and amateur radio operators for their efforts in the face of the severe storm. Extends the thoughts and prayers of the U.S. House of Representatives to those whose lives have been devastated, and who have lost their housing, transportation, communications, water, heat, or electricity. Extends its profound and deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those who perished.