Rep. Davis, Jack [R-IL-4]

An amendment to authorize an additional $30 million over fiscal years 1989, 1990, and 1991 for the offices of the United States Attorneys.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to strike the bill's provisions establishing a national training center for federal, state, and local prison personnel who conduct drug rehabilitation programs.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to require that any foreign bases on the closure list must be closed or realigned prior to any domestic bases being closed or realigned.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to add eight ex-officio members to the Commission on Base Closings, comprised of the Chairmen and ranking minority members of the authorizing and appropriating committees of the House and Senate.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to insert new text which provides for a $300,000 limit on damages resulting from noneconomic claims.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to provide that in cases where the President determines that neutral shipping requires the protection of the Armed Forces of the United States, the President shall if practicable cause the commercial cargo requiring protection to be transported in vessels documented under the laws of the United States which were never registered under the laws of a foreign country.

United States · United States Congress

An amendment to express the sense of the Congress that the Nicaraguan democratic resistance can only seek military assistance from the United States if the President withdraws U.S. recognition of the Sandinista government of Nicaragua and recognizes the Nicaraguan democratic resistance as the legitimate government of Nicaragua.

United States · United States Congress

A resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration should submit to Congress a plan outlining immediate and long-term solutions to the air traffic problems at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois.

United States · United States Congress · 21 October 1988

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Federal Aviation Administration should transmit to the Congress by a specified date a timetable for immediate and long-term actions to meet its own standards regarding air traffic controller staffing and air traffic control operations at O'Hare International Airport (Chicago, Illinois).

Veterans Entrepreneurship Promotion Act of 1988

United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1988

Veterans Entrepreneurship Promotion Act of 1988 - Title I: Findings, Purposes, and Definitions - Sets forth congressional findings and purposes with respect to small businesses owned and controlled by veterans. Amends the Small Business Act to add veteran-related definitions used in this Act. Title II: Procurement Assistance - Amends the Small Business Act to include small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans as a discrete group with respect to which the head of each Federal agency must establish goals for participation in procurement contracts. Requires annual reports to the Congress on the extent of participation by such businesses in agency procurement contracts. Includes veteran-owned businesses as a targeted group for purposes of Government contracts and subcontracts. Directs Federal agencies, in their procurement activities, to engage in affirmative action to identify and solicit offers from small businesses owned and controlled by veterans, by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, and by veterans with service-connected disabilities. Title III: National Veterans Business Council - Establishes the National Veterans' Business Council to review the status of veteran-owned businesses nationwide and to develop detailed multiyear plans in connection with both private and public sector actions to assist and promote such businesses. Requires annual reporting to both the President and the Congress. Title IV: Statistical Data - Directs: (1) the Bureau of Labor Statistics to include in its census reports on veterans businesses specified information on sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations; (2) the Bureau of the Census to include in its Business Census data the number of corporations that are 51 percent or more owned by veterans; (3) the Small Business Administration's Office of the Chief Counsel for Advocacy to report on the most cost-effective and accurate ways to gather and present the statistics required in these census reports; and (4) Federal agencies to report to the Office of Federal Procurement Policy the number of first-time contract recipients that are small businesses owned and controlled by veterans, by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, and by veterans with service-connected disabilities. Requires the President's annual Report on Small Business and Competition to include in separate detail information relevant to small businesses owned and controlled by veterans, by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, and by veterans with service-connected disabilities.

A bill to designate the Federal Building and United States Courthouse located at 301 West Main Street in Benton, Illinois, as the "Kenneth J. Gray Federal Building and United States Courthouse".

United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1988

Designates the Federal Building and United States Courthouse at 301 West Main Street, Benton, Illinois, as the Kenneth J. Gray Federal Building and United States Courthouse.

Truth in Legislating Resolution

United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1988

Truth in Legislating Resolution - Amends rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require each report or joint explanatory statement accompanying each bill or joint resolution to contain: (1) an identification of each provision which benefits only ten or fewer beneficiaries; (2) the name of each beneficiary; (3) the name of the Member who sponsored such provision and an identification of each such provision requested by a Federal agency or Federal officer; and (4) an estimate by the Congressional Budget Office or the Joint Committee on Taxation of the costs or loss in revenues resulting from such provision.

A bill to repeal the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988.

United States · United States Congress · 5 October 1988

Repeals the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988.

Elementary School Improvement Project Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1988

Elementary School Improvement Project Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to make demonstration grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) to conduct programs designed to reduce the student-to-teacher ratio in the primary grades of elementary schools. Requires each LEA that receives such a grant to establish and maintain in schools under its jurisdiction an average student-to-teacher ratio of not more than 15 students per teacher, and a maximum ratio of not more than 18 students per teacher. Applies such ratios to: (1) the first grades of such schools for each year for which the grant is received; (2) the second grades for the second and third years of the grant; and (3) the third grades for the third year of the grant. Sets forth selection criteria, application requirements, and payment procedures for such grants. Sets the Federal share of the cost of activities caried out under such a grant at: (1) 90 percent for the first year; (2) 70 percent for the second year; and (3) 50 percent for the third year. Allows the non-Federal share to be in cash or in kind. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 and succeeding fiscal years to carry out this Act.

A concurrent resolution concerning the policy of the United States regarding the use of chemical weapons.

United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1988

Declares that the use of chemical weapons is an offense against the law of nations. Declares that the Congress supports the President in his efforts to: (1) establish an international conference to end the use of chemical weapons; and (2) engage the Soviet Union in a bilateral initiative to eliminate the future use of such weapons. Encourages the President to use multilateral and unilateral methods to enforce a ban on the use of such weapons. Urges the President to direct the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations to present a resolution to the United Nations Security Council which: (1) condemns the use of chemical weapons; (2) acknowledges the damaging effect of such weapons on non-combatants; and (3) affirms that use of such weapons is a violation of human rights. Declares that the use of such weapons should be considered a terrorist act and that the Secretary of State should consider such use by any country in determining such country to be a terrorist country.

A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act and other provisions of law to delay for 1 year the effective dates of the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988 and to establish a Bipartisan Commission to Review the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act.

United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1988

Title I: One-Year Delay in Implementation of Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988 - Delays the implementation of the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988 for one year. Title II: Bipartisan Commission to Review the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act - Establishes the Commission to Review the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act to study: (1) the effect implementation of such Act will have on Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) beneficiaries who currently have supplementary coverage; (2) how the Act's benefits compare with the benefits provided by supplementary coverage; (3) the access Medicare beneficiaries who do not have supplementary or Medicaid (title XIX of the Social Security Act) coverage have to necessary health services; (4) the feasibility and likely cost of implementing the Act's drug benefits; and (5) the benefits and financing mechanisms which Medicare beneficiaries prefer. Directs the Commission to report its findings and recommendations to the Congress within six months of this Act's enactment.

Steel Import Stabilization Extension Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1988

Steel Import Stabilization Extension Act - Amends the Steel Import Stabilization Act to extend such Act for a five year period.

Smoke-Free Hospitals Act of 1988

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1988

Smoke-Free Hospitals Act of 1988 - Amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act to exclude a hospital from participation in the Medicare (title XVIII of the Act) or Medicaid (title XIX of the Act) program unless it prohibits the sale and smoking of tobacco products within its building or on its grounds. Excepts smoking permitted for research purposes.

Through the Eyes of the Child Act of 1988

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988

Through the Eyes of the Child Act of 1988 - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require that State courts award custody to a child's primary caretaker and award child support equal to 17 percent of the noncustodial parent's gross income to a parent having custody of one child, 25 percent to a parent having custody of two children, and 33 percent to a parent having custody of three children. Furnishes an incentive payment to States which have in effect a law requiring that the primary caretaker be awarded custody of a child. Repeals the requirement that States establish guidelines for child support awards. Requires employers to withhold amounts owed as child support from the wages of an absent parent regardless of whether the absent parent is or is not in arrears. Requires an employer to notify the court which issued a child support order of any change in an absent parent's wages or other compensation.

A bill to establish a clearinghouse of juvenile justice in the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988

Requires the Administrator of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency to establish a clearinghouse on juvenile justice in the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Requires the Administrator to: (1) accept from public and nonprofit private agencies information regarding criminal gangs whose members include juveniles; and (2) make such information available without charge to other such agencies and at a reasonable cost to any other entity. Authorizes appropriations.

A bill to direct the Secretary of Education to make grants to State educational agencies for demonstration programs on early childhood family education, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988

Directs the Secretary of Education to make payments to State educational agencies for demonstration grants for early childhood family education programs conducted by eligible local educational agencies. Sets forth a formula for allotment of such payments to States on the basis of population. Sets forth minimum and maximum numbers of such demonstration grants to be awarded in each State. Sets forth maximum limits on grant amounts. Sets forth criteria for eligibility for: (1) State educational agencies for payments; and (2) local educational agencies for demonstration grants. Authorizes appropriations for such demonstration grants program. Directs the Secretary to make a grant to each of 20 eligible local educational agencies for early childhood family education programs in public schools within such agencies in the greatest need. Sets forth factors which the Secretary must consider in determining whether a school is in greatest need. Sets forth application requirements. Authorizes appropriations for such grants for school districts in greatest need. Directs the Secretary to disseminate to State and local educational agencies information on: (1) The Parents and Teachers Program: The National Center, sponsored by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; and (2) the Minnesota Early Childhood Education Project, sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Education. Authorizes appropriations for dissemination of such information. Defines "early childhood family education program" to mean a program consisting of not less than two multi-hour sessions per month, during which parents of children three years old or younger meet at either a private home or a central location and receive instruction in effective parent-child interaction from a trained parent-educator and participate in organized discussion with other such parents.

A bill to make grants to private nonprofit community-based organizations to prevent and reduce the participation of juveniles in the activities of gangs that commit crimes.

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988

Authorizes the Administrator of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to make grants to private community-based organizations for activities for prevention or reduction of the participation of juveniles in the activities of gangs that commit crimes. Sets forth eligibility and application requirements. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 to carry out this Act.

Family Support Centers Act of 1988

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988

Family Support Centers Act of 1988 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible organizations to improve the quality and availability of health, family, and preschool services for families with one or more children under age 13. Sets forth eligibility requirements for organizations. Requires that such organizations be located in or in a reasonable proximity to a high risk area, i.e. an area with a significantly high rate of: (1) infant mortality; (2) teenage pregnancy; or (3) high school dropouts. Requires organizations receiving grants to offer at least five of the following services at locations convenient to the local community (for example, in a housing project, a community center, or a building occupied by a religious organization): (1) prenatal and postnatal care; (2) nutritional lunches; (3) on-site nurse practitioner services; (4) family drop-in center; (5) Head Start program; (6) parenting education services;(7) drug abuse prevention services; (8) family-based child care services; (9) center-based child care services; (10) after-school care for children under age 13; and (11) other services which the Secretary shall specify in regulations. Directs the Secretary to give primary consideration, in selecting grantees, to the location or locations at which the organization provides services to the local community. Sets limitations on: (1) the total monetary amount of all such grants; (2) the maximum percentage of project start-up costs which may be covered; and (3) the maximum amount per grantee. Authorizes appropriations for such grants for FY 1989.

A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish Federal financial assistance for parental choice open enrollment programs in public schools.

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988

Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to establish a grants program for parental choice open enrollment in public schools. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make such program grants to local educational agencies (LEAs). Prohibits any LEA from being eligible to participate in such program unless it agrees to permit: (1) elementary and secondary school students to enroll in public schools in the school district without regard to school attendance zones; and (2) such students and their families to decide which school the student will attend in that school district. Allows such grants to be used for: (1) increasing school attendance and student achievement; (2) increasing accountability for success of the educational program in schools; (3) increasing parental involvement and public interest in schools; (4) establishing and operating distinctive schools with new and innovative approaches to education, including increasing flexibility and autonomy at the school level; and (5) providing a wider range of choices of educational courses of instruction to educationally and economically disadvantaged children. Requires that at least 50 percent of a grant be used to carry out the parental choice program. Sets forth individual LEA application requirements for such grants. Permits LEA consortia to apply for such grants to develop and conduct interdistrict, regional, or statewide parental choice programs. Limits the amount of each grant, but authorizes the Secretary to waive such limitation in the case of an LEA serving a very large number of students or a consortium of LEAs serving large school districts or in other special circumstances. Limits the duration of such grants to a five-year period. Allows any LEA with a parental choice program in operation during the year for which assistance is sought to apply for a grant to expand such program. Allows any LEA receiving a magnet schools program grant, under the ESEA or the Education for Economic Security Act, to apply for a parental choice program grant if the LEA provides assurances that such funds will be used for additional activities to strengthen the educational program of its schools. Directs the Secretary, by October 1, 1992, to: (1) provide for an independent evaluation of assisted programs to determine the effectiveness of parental choice programs; and (2) report to the Congress on such evaluation results. Requires that such evaluation be made available for all possible dissemination. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 to carry out this Act.

A bill to provide financial assistance to States to carry out demonstration projects to provide character education to juveniles confined in juvenile detention facilities.

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988

Authorizes the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to make grants to States for demonstration projects to provide character education to juveniles who are confined in juvenile detention facilities as a result of being delinquent. Provides that such grants may be made to eligible States to carry out, directly or by contract, at least ten demonstration projects. Sets forth eligibility and application requirements. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 to carry out this Act.

A bill to establish a program of demonstration grants to State educational agencies for purposes of conducting school-based management projects.

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988

Directs the Secretary of Education to make five-year grants to not more than ten State educational agencies to conduct school-based management projects in one or more local educational agencies in the State. Requires each such project to be designed to result in strengthening opportunity and capacity for school-based management. Sets the amount of each grant for each year of the grant period. Sets forth requirements for applications and selection of grant recipients. Requires such projects to include: (1) increased responsibility and decision-making for teachers; (2) increased staff support for teachers; (3) greater differentiation of teachers' roles and responsibilities; (4) variation in school leadership structures; (5) greater autonomy at the school level with respect to budgeting and resource allocation; and (6) greater accountability for teachers and schools with respect to student performance. Allows grant funds to be used to: (1) support increased operating costs at the schools involved (for the first two years of the project); (2) underwrite development and technical assistance; (3) document and describe the process of transition to school-based management; (4) evaluate the results of transition; and (5) disseminate nationally information on new models in school management. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act for FY 1989 through 1993.

Family Preservation Act of 1988

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988

Family Preservation Act of 1988 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to eligible organizations to establish family preservation programs to provide assistance to families in order to prevent the placement of children under 18 years old in foster care. Sets forth eligibility requirements for applicant organizations. Requires all of the following assistance to be offered under such programs: (1) clothing, cleaning and housing locator services, family counseling services, services designed to improve communication skills; and (2) referrals to other organizations and State agencies. Directs the Secretary to: (1) give preference to applicants located in areas with the highest percentages of children in foster care; and (2) ensure that grants are made to eligible applicants in locations which reflect a diversity of geographical areas. Directs the Secretary to make such grants as follows: (1) ten grants in a specified amount to eligible applicants in ten different geographical areas for training and technical assistance in development of programs to provide families such goods and services in order to prevent placement of children in foster care; and (2) implementation grants to such ten grantees, in specified total and single maximum amounts. Directs the Secretary to enter into a contract with a selected organization for a study and report on the effectiveness of programs receiving such grants. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 for such grants and such study.

A bill to provide a financial incentive to States to provide services to, and intensive supervision of, juveniles who are released after having been found to have committed acts in violation of State law that would have been crimes under such law if committed by adults.

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988

Directs the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to make grants to eligible States that contain geographical areas in which a large number of juveniles participate in activities of gangs that commit crimes. Sets forth eligibility criteria, including the existence of a State law that provides for the treatment for alcohol and drug abuse, counseling, employment, and supervision of each juvenile who is released after having been found to have committed an act that would have been a crime under State law if committed by an adult. Authorizes appropriations.

Bootstrap Schools Act of 1988

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988

Bootstrap Schools Act of 1988 - Directs the Secretary of Education to make grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible local educational agencies (LEAs) to enhance the quality of education provided at elementary and secondary schools through establishing bootstrap school programs. Makes an LEA eligible for such a grant if it submits an application and serves a qualified area, i.e. any area of the State in which the percentage of the population whose annual gross income does not exceed the poverty line is twice the percentage of the State population. Sets forth requirements for contents of applications. Requires that special consideration be given to applications which describe a program to: (1) serve areas in which at least 60 percent of the population has an annual gross income that does not exceed the poverty line; and (2) improve academic standards and performance at schools through measures such as: (1) open enrollment; (2) school-based management of curricula, class size, and funds; (3) professionalization of teachers, as determined by the Secretary; (4) alternative certification of teachers; (5) reduction of the number of nonteaching personnel; and (6) merit pay for teachers. Requires each LEA recipient to use the grant only for: (1) planning and outreach activities directly related to expanding and enhancing academic programs and services offered at such schools; (2) acquisition of teaching materials, books, and equipment for educational programs (including computers); and (3) teacher compensation. Requires that such use be directly related to increasing the knowledge of students attending elementary and secondary schools, under the LEA's jurisdiction, in mathematics, science, history, English, foreign languages, art, or music or to improving their vocation skills. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 for such grants.

A bill to direct the Secretary of Education to make grants for character education programs.

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988

Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to make grants to local educational agencies for character education programs. Requires local educational agencies to certify to the Secretary that the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag is a part of the daily program of each elementary and secondary school under their control and direction, in order to be eligible for such grants. Sets forth application requirements. Directs the Secretary to disseminate information on successful character education and development programs to State and local educational agencies, community-based organizations, and other interested individuals and organizations. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act.

Public Housing Family Stability Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988

Public Housing Family Stability Act - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937, as amended by the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987, to direct public housing agencies to set maximum monthly rents for their tenants.

Family Impact Statement Act of 1988

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988

Family Impact Statement Act of 1988 - Requires congressional committees to prepare family impact statements to accompany each report of a bill or joint resolution that would affect families in the United States. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require the Congressional Budget Office to assist congressional committees in the preparation of such statements at the request of the committee. Requires each Executive agency to: (1) utilize a systematic, interdisciplinary approach that ensures the integrated use of the economic and social sciences in planning and decisionmaking that may affect families; (2) identify and develop methods and procedures that will ensure that such agency gives appropriate consideration to any potential effect of proposed actions, decisions, and activities of such agency on families; and (3) include a family impact statement in every recommendation or report on a proposal for legislation or other major Federal action which significantly affects families. Requires each Executive agency to report to the President, the Speaker of the House, and the President pro tempore of the Senate on a review of how its statutory authorities, rules, policies, or procedures affect families in the United States.

A bill to provide a financial incentive to States to confine juveniles who commit unlawful violent acts, to require juveniles who commit certain nonviolent unlawful acts to perform community service, and to require all such juveniles to pay restitution to their victims.

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988

Directs the Attorney General of the United States to make a grant to each State that has in effect a law requiring that any juvenile who is found to have committed an act that would have been a crime under State law if committed by an adult: (1) serve a term of confinement in a State correctional facility if such act was violent in nature; (2) perform community service if such act was nonviolent; and (3) pay restitution to the victim. Authorizes appropriations.

A bill to provide a financial incentive to States to require juveniles who commit unlawful acts to pay restitution to their victims, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988

Directs the Attorney General of the United States to make a grant to each State that has in effect a law: (1) requiring that any juvenile who is found to have committed an act that would have been a crime under State law if committed by an adult to pay restitution to the victim; and (2) authorizing the courts of such State to require the parents of such juvenile to be jointly liable with such juvenile. Authorizes appropriations.

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a credit against income tax for the expenses of adopting a child with special needs.

United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1988

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a nonrefundable credit of 20 percent of qualified adoption expenses paid or incurred by the taxpayer in connection with the legal adoption of a child with special needs. Limits the amount of the credit to $600.

Defense Consultant Registration and Reform Act of 1988

United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1988

Defense Consultant Registration and Reform Act of 1988 - Prohibits defense agencies from awarding a contract for advisory and assistance services to any consultant unless: (1) such consultant complies with the registration requirements of this Act; and (2) the contracting officer has reviewed the registration information and determined that such consultant does not have a conflict of interest that could be prejudicial to the United States. Prohibits defense agencies from awarding a contract to any person submitting a bid to such agencies unless such person certifies that each consultant that has assisted in the preparation of such bid has complied with the registration requirements of this Act. Requires each consultant who has submitted a bid or who has been retained in connection with the preparation of a bid for a Department of Defense (DOD) contract to register with the DOD Office of Standards of Conduct. Requires such consultants to update the registered information upon submitting a bid or being retained for the preparation of a bid for another DOD contract. Sets forth the information to be included in the registration. Directs the DOD Inspector General to monitor the compliance of consultants with the registration requirements of this Act and to report annually to the House and Senate Committees on Armed Services on the extent of such compliance. Provides that any consultant who intentionally fails to comply with such registration requirements shall be subject to suspension and debarment proceedings. Provides that this Act shall not apply to contracts which, as determined by the Secretary of Defense, involve: (1) sensitive foreign intelligence or counterintelligence activities; (2) sensitive law enforcement investigations; or (3) special access programs.

A joint resolution designating October 5, 1988, as "Raoul Wallenberg Day".

United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1988

Designates October 5, 1988, as Raoul Wallenberg Recognition Day.

A joint resolution to designate October 30, 1988 as "Fire Safety at Home Day - Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery".

United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1988

Designates October 30, 1988, as Fire Safety at Home Day: Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery.

Veterans' Judicial Review Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1988

Veterans' Judicial Review Act - Directs the Attorney General, when requested by the Administrator of Veterans Affairs, to provide the Administrator with advice or opinions with regard to any question of law arising under the Constitution or under any law other than a law providing benefits for veterans and their survivors and dependents. Directs the Administrator to ensure that VA rulemaking and judicial review comply with relevant provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act. Provides for judicial review of VA decisions. Revises provisions relating to the payment by the Administrator of fees to attorneys handling veterans' benefits claims. Revises provisions relating to the establishment and jurisdiction of the Board of Veterans' Appeals. Renames such body the Court of Veterans Appeals. Provides the Court with exclusive jurisdiction to consider all questions involving benefits under laws administered by the VA. Outlines procedural provisions for the Court with respect to: (1) the fee for filing a petition; (2) representation of parties and fee agreements; (3) rules of practice, procedure, and evidence; (4) the administration of oaths and procurement of testimony; (5) the filing of notice of disagreement and appeal; (6) witness fees; (7) hearings; (8) decisions; (9) availability of proceedings; and (10) the publication of reports. Outlines further administrative provisions with respect to: (1) employees and expenditures of the Court; and (2) certain fees associated with proceedings brought before the Court. Outlines provisions for the determination of the date when a decision of the Court becomes final, with a different date determined if the decision of the Court: (1) is not appealed; (2) is appealed to a Federal court, but is affirmed or dismissed by such court; or (3) is modified or reversed by the Supreme Court, or a rehearing is ordered. Provides procedural guidelines for review of a decision of the Court by the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit involved, providing that such Federal court shall have exclusive jurisdiction to review and decide any challenge to the validity of any statute or regulation or any interpretation thereof brought under these provisions and to interpret constitutional and statutory provisions. Provides that the judgment of such court shall be final, except that it may be subject to review by the Supreme Court upon certiorari. Prohibits the Court of Appeals from reviewing the facts of the appeal or the application of any law or regulation to those facts unless there is presented a constitutional issue. Provides general adjudicative authority of the VA with respect to claims made by veterans for benefits, including the following authority: (1) the right to reopen claims; (2) the right to obtain independent medical opinions; and (3) burden-of-proof standards. Authorizes the transfer of personnel and assets of the current Board of Veterans' Appeals to the Court of Veterans Appeals. Transfers any unexpended funds and any matters currently before the Board which have not been determined before the effective date of this Act. Provides for the appointment of the Chief Judge to the Court. Outlines provisions for the appointment of the remaining judges to such Court. Provides that persons who file a notice of disagreement with the VA with respect to a claims-benefit matter after the date of enactment of this Act are entitled to have the matter resolved subject to the provisions of the amendments made by this Act.

A bill to amend title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to require as a condition of eligibility to receive funds under parts D and E that States certify that individuals who are convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to imprisonment for life without possibility of parole are not granted any unescorted release from imprisonment.

United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1988

Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to require applications of States and local governments for block and discretionary grants under such Act to include a certification that individuals who are convicted of first degree murder under the law of the State and sentenced under such law to imprisonment for life without possibility of parole are not granted any unescorted release from imprisonment.

A joint resolution designating October 15, 1988, as "National Fire Fighters Day".

United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1988

Designates October 15, 1988, as National Fire Fighters Day.

A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of the Congress that the President or the Congress should abrogate the Panama Canal Treaties of 1977 and the Neutrality Treaty and the Congress should repeal the Panama Canal Act of 1979.

United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1988

States the sense of the Congress that the President or the Congress should immediately abrogate the Panama Canal Treaties of 1977 and the Treaty Concerning the Permanent Neutrality and Operation of the Panama Canal and that the Congress should repeal the Panama Canal Act of 1979.

A bill to amend the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish Federal motor vehicle safety standards to require that each schoolbus be equipped so as to provide the driver with an unobstructed view of the area under the front of the schoolbus, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 8 August 1988

Amends the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish certain Federal motor vehicle safety standards requiring that each school bus be equipped to provide the driver with a clear, unobstructed view of the ground area in front of the front tires, and directly under the front bumper. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on the number of school buses manufactured before April 1, 1977, that are being used as school buses as of the date of such report.

A concurrent resolution commemorating the 130th anniversary of the Lincoln-Douglas debate and the rededication of the Lincoln-Douglas debate site.

United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1988

Declares that the Congress joins the city of Freeport, Illinois, in commemorating the 130th anniversary of the Lincoln-Douglas debate and the rededication of the debate site.

A joint resolution designating July 27, 1989, as "National Korean War Veterans Recognition Day".

United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1988

Designates July 27, 1989, as National Korean War Veterans Recognition Day and expresses the gratitude of the Congress and the Nation for the contributions made by the Korean War veterans.

A resolution requiring that the pledge of allegiance to the United States flag be rendered in the Hall of the House at the start of each legislative day.

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1988

Amends rule XXIV and rule I of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require the rendering of the Pledge of Allegiance in the House at the start of each legislative day.

A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for the tolling of delimiting periods for receipt of veterans' educational benefits in the case of certain veterans with an alcohol or drug dependence or abuse condition.

United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1988

Amends Federal veterans' benefits provisions to provide for the tolling of the ten-year delimiting period for educational and rehabilitative assistance to veterans when an alcohol or drug dependence or abuse condition exists and the veteran is under recognized treatment for such condition. Outlines limits to the extension of such delimiting period. Makes similar extensions of such tolling period for alcohol or drug dependence or abuse conditions recognized and treated in connection with the following programs: (1) rehabilitation for veterans with service-connected disabilities; (2) educational assistance for post-Vietnam era veterans; (3) educational assistance for Vietnam-era veterans; and (4) educational assistance for veterans' survivors and dependents. Outlines limits to the extension of the delimiting period in each case.

A joint resolution designating the week beginning March 7, 1989, as "Deaf Awareness Week".

United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1988

Designates the week beginning March 7, 1989, as Deaf Awareness Week.

A joint resolution designating October 16 through 22, 1988, as "National Poetry Week".

United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1988

Designates the week of October 16 through October 22, 1988, as National Poetry Week.

A concurrent resolution calling for the full participation of American industry in the provision of telecommunications equipment and services.

United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1988

Resolves that the Congress should implement policies under which: (1) the Bell operating companies would be permitted to provide information services, conduct research, design and market software, and design, manufacture, and market telecommunications equipment and customer premises equipment; and (2) statutory safeguards would ensure that these Bell activities would not harm telephone service customers or competition in the information services or manufacturing industries and would prevent cross subsidies between regulated and unregulated service offerings.

A resolution condemning the Government of Nicaragua's anti-democratic actions, calling for compliance with the Esquipulas II and Sapoa Accords, and urging both sides to the Nicaraguan conflict to return to negotiations.

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1988

Condemns human rights suppressions and civil liberties violations by the Nicaraguan Government. Declares that the expulsion from Nicaragua of U.S. diplomatic representatives is intolerable. Calls on Nicaragua to implement true democratic reforms in keeping with the Esquipulas II and Sapoa accords and to comply with international standards concerning the treatment of political prisoners. Urges Central American leaders to convene and assess the conditions in Nicaragua. Urges both parties to the Nicaraguan conflict to abide by the ceasefire and resume peace negotiations.