United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1992
Condemns the persecution of Cuban poet Maria Elena Cruz Varela for the peaceful expression of her political views. Calls on the Government of Cuba to: (1) immediately release Varela and end its repression of Criterio Alternativo and other dissident and human rights groups; and (2) permit a national debate among all Cubans to facilitate the peaceful search for economic and political transformation which has broad-based support among the Cuban people.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1992
Authorizes the Coalition for a National Memorial to Mahatma Gandhi to establish a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia or its environs to honor Mahatma Gandhi. Prohibits the United States from paying any expense of establishing the memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1992
Foreign Language Satellite Training Center Act of 1992 - Directs the President to establish a branch training facility (the Center) of the Foreign Service Institute, in which Spanish language and area studies training will be offered to foreign service officers, U.S. Government employees, and others to be determined by the President. Requires the Center also to provide Spanish language training programs to State and local workers and volunteers who provide important services to the Spanish-speaking community. Requires the Center to be located in one of the boroughs of the City of New York in a community where U.S. census data reveals a high concentration of Spanish-speaking residents. Sets minimum funding requirements and a deadline for operations to begin at such facility. Requires the Center to make maximum efforts to provide employment opportunities for residents of the surrounding community. Requires Center employees, to the extent practicable, to be residents in or near the community where the Center is located. Requires the Center to try to provide community outreach and education programs. Requires the President to submit a report to the Congress evaluating the Center.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1992
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie in recognition of his accomplishments as a musician. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the sale of bronze duplicates of the medal.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1992
Handgun Control Act of 1992 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit a person who is not a licensee under the code (licensee) from: (1) importing, transferring, transporting, or manufacturing a handgun; or (2) owning or possessing a handgun after 180 days following the enactment of this Act. Makes exceptions with respect to: (1) the importation or manufacture of a handgun for, or the transfer or transportation of a handgun (other than for purposes of surrendering the handgun) to, the United States, any State, or political subdivision thereof, or the possession of a handgun in the course of such activity; (2) the conduct of the United States, any State, or political subdivision; (3) the possession or ownership of a handgun by an entity licensed under the code; (4) the possession of a handgun on the premises of a licensed pistol club by a person authorized by the club to possess the handgun; (5) the possession or transportation of a handgun by an employee of a licensed guard service while lawfully engaged in providing services within the scope of such employment; (6) the possession, ownership, or transfer to a licensee of a handgun by an individual during the 180-day period beginning on the date the chief law enforcement officer of the place of residence of the individual has issued a written statement that the individual requires access to a handgun because of a threat to the life, or of any member of the household, of the transferee; (7) the possession or transportation of a handgun which is in a locked container and is not loaded, by any person while transporting the handgun for the purpose of surrendering it to law enforcement authorities, or the surrender of the handgun to such authorities; or (8) a handgun which was manufactured before 1890 which the Secretary of the Treasury determines is unserviceable, not restorable to firing condition, and intended for use as a curio, museum piece, or collector's item. Prohibits a licensee from transferring a handgun to a person who is not a licensee unless: (1) the person is licensed under the code; (2) at the time of the transfer, the person presents to the licensee the person's license; and (3) the transfer occurs on the premises covered by the license. Makes exceptions with respect to: (1) the importation of a handgun for, or the transfer or transportation of a handgun (other than for purposes of surrendering the handgun) to, the United States, any State, or political subdivision, or the possession of a handgun in the course of such activity; (2) the transfer of a handgun to a transferee who has presented to the transferor a written statement, issued by the chief law enforcement officer of the place of residence of the transferee during the ten-day period ending on the date of the most recent proposal of the transfer by the transferee, which states that the transferee requires access to a handgun because of a threat to the life, or of any member of the household, of the transferee; (3) the surrender to law enforcement authorities of a handgun which is in a locked container and is not loaded; or (4) the possession or transportation of a handgun by any person while transporting the handgun for the purpose of surrendering it to law enforcement authorities or the surrender of the handgun to such authorities. Sets forth application requirements and procedures with respect to pistol clubs and guard services, criteria for application approval, and provision for review of action by the Secretary and for judicial review. Requires licensees, licensed pistol clubs, and licensed guard services to maintain records with respect to handguns and permit the Secretary access to such records. Specifies that: (1) a person issued a license shall post and keep such license available for inspection of the premises covered by the license; and (2) while in possession of a handgun, a licensee shall carry a copy of the license, and a director, officer, or employee of a licensed guard service shall carry a copy of the license and a document attesting to such relationship with the service. Requires a person who loses, or from whom is stolen, a handgun, to report the loss or theft to the Secretary by the end of the business day in which the loss or theft is discovered. Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act and for false statements or representations with respect to the information required to be kept in the records of a person licensed, or in applying for a license, under the code. Provides for the seizure and forfeiture of any handgun involved in a violation of Federal law punishable by imprisonment. Extends the National Firearms Act to seizures and forfeitures under this Act. Bars a person from engaging in the business of manufacturing firearms or ammunition for purposes of sale or distribution if the person is not a licensed dealer. Directs the Secretary to pay to any qualified person who surrenders a handgun to a law enforcement agency the fair market value of the handgun.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1992
Filipino Veterans' Equity Act of 1992 - Amends the Immigration Act of 1990 to extend the naturalization application deadline for certain Filipino veterans of World War II. States that military service records authenticated by the Government of the Philippines shall be accepted to certify qualifying military service. Permits the naturalization examination and oath to be given in the Philippines. Grants special immigrant status for spouses and sons and daughters of such veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1992
Urges the President to assist the United Nations (UN) in intensifying measures to address the plight of refugees and displaced persons from the former Yugoslav republics, especially Bosnia-Herzegovina, including: (1) the expansion of existing efforts by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in the former Yugoslav republics to expedite assistance to refugees and displaced persons for the duration of the crisis; (2) immediate provision of emergency shelter, foodstuffs, sanitation facilities, and medical care to refugees and displaced persons from Bosnia-Herzegovina; (3) expansion of the registration process for all refugees and displaced persons in order to determine the magnitude and nature of refugee flows, with reliance on the assistance of appropriate agencies of the Federal Government as necessary; (4) a general accounting of persons missing, captured, injured, or killed in hostilities, in coordination with concerned governments, the International Committee on Red Cross, and other groups which may have relevant information; and (5) a determination of the places of origin of each refugee and displaced person, and inventories of abandoned property, to assist in the eventual process of repatriation and compensation. Urges the President to seek international agreement on: (1) reaffirming the right of all refugees to return to their former residences and to receive appropriate compensation; (2) to the extent consistent with international law, authorizing the use of seized assets of the former Yugoslav Government to assist the international relief effort; and (3) declaring null and void any documents signed under duress which transfer property of members of one ethnic group to members or organizations of another ethnic group.
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 1992
Amends the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-164) to increase the number of weeks for which emergency unemployment compensation is payable.
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 1992
Calls on the President to enter into and report to the Congress on discussions with the Government of the People's Republic of China on the formation of a United States-China Bilateral Human Rights Commission. Requires the Commission to: (1) monitor compliance with multilateral and bilateral agreements and commitments in the area of human rights; (2) conduct a regular and systematic exchange of views on human rights matters; (3) serve as a vehicle for the resolution of cases of individuals imprisoned or discriminated against for political or religious belief, nationality, race, or sex; and (4) report periodically to the two governments on its activities.
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 1992
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Government of Iraq is committing massive human rights violations against its civilian population and obstructing international humanitarian relief efforts in its country, and these actions constitute flagrant violations of Security Council Resolution 688; (2) the President should seek the adoption of a Security Council resolution under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations authorizing appropriate actions to compel the Government of Iraq to comply with such resolution; (3) at the 47th session of the United Nations General Assembly, the President should support the recommendation of the Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights that a team of human rights monitors be sent to Iraq to investigate alleged violations of human rights and to remain in Iraq until the human rights situation improves drastically; and (4) the President should seek the adoption of a United Nations Security Council resolution authorizing the placement of human rights monitors in Iraq consistent with the recommendation of the Special Rapporteur.
United States · United States Congress · 10 August 1992
Congratulates the citizens of Israel on concluding fair and open democratic elections. Welcomes Prime Minister Rabin to the United States. Applauds his statements and actions encouraging active participation in the search for peace. Calls upon all parties in the region to actively and seriously engage in the peace process.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1992
Commends: (1) the many heroic individuals who acted at great risk to save Jews from death during the Holocaust; and (2) the Jewish Foundation for Christian Rescuers for its work in recognizing, honoring, and encouraging the people of the world to show the altruism and moral courage of such heroic individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1992
Condemns the killing and destruction by the political factions in Somalia. Urges such factions to abide by the United Nations (UN) ceasefire and to allow the deployment of security forces to protect humanitarian relief deliveries and workers. Commends the efforts of UN Secretary-General Boutrous Ghali and his Special Envoy to Somalia, Ambassador Sahnoun. Pays tribute to the actions of relief agencies working in Somalia. Recognizes the July 27, 1992, statement of the President urging the UN to deploy a sufficient number of security forces to permit relief supplies to move into and within Somalia, and committing funds for such an effort. Calls upon: (1) the international community to immediately expand its relief efforts in Somalia; and (2) the President to work with the UN Security Council to deploy security forces immediately to assure that humanitarian relief gets to those most in need.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1992
Khmer Rouge Prosecution Act - Establishes an Office of Cambodian Genocide Investigation within the Department of State to: (1) investigate crimes against humanity committed by Khmer Rouge leaders between 1975 and 1979; (2) provide the people of Cambodia with access to evidence held as a result of such investigation; (3) submit relevant data to a Cambodian national tribunal or an international penal tribunal that may be convened to hear and judge the genocidal acts committed by the Khmer Rouge; and (4) develop the U.S. proposal for the establishment of an international criminal tribunal for the prosecution of those accused of genocide in Cambodia. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the President to report to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee every six months on: (1) the activities of the Office and new facts learned about Khmer Rouge practices; and (2) the steps taken by the President to promote human rights, support efforts to bring to justice the leadership of the Khmer Rouge, and to prevent the recurrence of human rights abuses through actions that are unrelated to United Nations activities in Cambodia and are consistent with the Cambodian political settlement agreement signed in October 1991. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the military and political leadership of the Khmer Rouge have engaged in terrorist activities, are leaders of a totalitarian communist party, and have engaged in genocide; and (2) the presence of any Khmer Rouge leader in the United States would have adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1992
Children's Initiative - Family Preservation Act of 1992 - States that titles I through V of this Act may be cited as the Family Preservation Act of 1992 - Title I: Child Welfare Services - Amends part B (Child Welfare Services) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to create a capped entitlement program to provide child welfare services designed to strengthen and preserve families. Provides for allotments, reallotments, and payments to States of entitlement funds. Requires use of part of such funds to develop or expand specialized child welfare service programs for families in crisis due to substance abuse. Requires uses of remaining funds to develop or expand certain family and child service programs. Repeals provisions for incentive payments to States which maintain a foster care inventory, information system, and case review system; but requires States to provide such protections and other services designed to keep families together or reunify them, or to place children for adoption, with a legal guardian, or in some other planned, permanent living arrangement. Requires States to submit the following types of reports on child welfare services and expenditures: (1) pre-expenditure reports; (2) post-expenditure reports; and (3) comparative financial contributions reports. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to transmit to specified congressional committees annual summaries of the information in such comparative financial contributions reports. Requires such information to be made available to the public. Reserves entitlement funds for grants to State court systems to assess and improve procedures in child welfare cases in carrying out parts B and E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of SSA title IV. Sets forth application requirements and formulas for determining the amount of such grants for FY 1994 through 1998. Directs the HHS Secretary to submit interim and final reports to the Congress on the information obtained from assessments conducted with such grants and the impact of such grant program on State court procedures and functions. Requires each State to compile periodically a detailed directory of programs designed to keep families together or reunify them or place children permanently, identifying which of such programs provides specialized child welfare services to families in crisis due to substance abuse. Requires States to report on measures taken to comply with the Indian Child Welfare Act. Title II: Foster Care And Adoption Assistance - Amends SSA title IV to add a new part C, Comprehensive Service Projects to grant States flexibility and resources to develop comprehensive and coordinated services designed to: (1) preserve and strengthen families with children at risk of placement outside their homes; (2) reunite children with their families expeditiously if an out-of-home placement is found to be necessary; and (3) place children in adoptive homes or other permanent arrangements in a timely fashion if reunification with their families is not appropriate. Permits any State to apply to the HHS Secretary for permission to: (1) conduct a comprehensive service project in a selected area or areas; and (2) suspend certain child welfare services and foster care and adoption assistance requirements with respect to State activities in such area or areas during the project. Sets forth application requirements and administrative provisions for such projects. Prohibits the HHS Secretary from requiring as a condition of approval of a project application: (1) the State to select any area or areas in which to conduct the project; or (2) the project to comply with any requirements not specified in the project authorization. Sets forth those requirements with which such a project must comply. Provides for determining the expenses for which a State might properly seek reimbursement, for purposes of calculating such grant amount. Authorizes the HHS Secretary to increase such grant amount, to the extent appropriate, by taking specified factors into account. Sets forth requirements for notification to States of grant amounts, and for grant payments in equal quarterly installments. Prohibits a State from carrying out such a project in a manner that impairs the entitlement of any child to: (1) the foster care benefits he or she would have receive if the HHS Secretary had approved the State plan and had not authorized the State to conduct such a project; or (2) any other benefit to which the child is legally entitled. Deems a State to have in effect an approved foster care and adoption assistance plan during the period in which it conducts such a project for purposes of State plan requirements under part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) (AFDC) of SSA title IV. Requires States to report annually on project funds expended to the HHS Secretary and the Advisory Commission on Children and Families. Provides for administrative remedies for unsuccessful projects. Provides for project termination. Makes abandoned children entering foster care eligible for foster care maintenance payments. Makes the adoptive parents of any such child with respect to whom foster care maintenance payments may be made eligible for adoption assistance payments. Makes technical revisions to the foster care maintenance payments program and the adoption assistance program to expand the removal from home requirement to include removal from legal custody. Provides for retroactive application of such new requirement under the adoption assistance program. Makes children whose adoption has been set aside by a court eligible for foster care maintenance payments. Makes the adoptive parents of any such child with respect to whom foster care maintenance payments may be made eligible for adoption assistance payments. Establishes a respite care program for foster parents with children who have special needs. Limits the expenses eligible for reimbursement under such program. Expands the definition of children with special needs, for purposes of the adoption assistance program, to include: (1) those children for whom information is known and available about their genetic or social history indicating a high risk of medical conditions or physical, mental, or emotional handicaps which makes it reasonable to conclude that they cannot be placed for adoption without providing part E adoption assistance or Medicaid (SSA title XIX) medical assistance; and (2) those children that have been adopted, that were under the care and responsibility of the State agency responsible for administering the State's part E programs immediately before adoption, and that have a mental, physical, or emotional handicap that either existed before the adoption but was not diagnosed until afterwards, or first manifests itself after the adoption but is congenital or was caused beforehand. Extends to relatives (as well as foster parents) who are prospective adoptive parents, and with whom the child has significant emotional ties while in their care, the exception to the requirement that an effort be made to place special needs children with appropriate adoptive parents without providing adoption or Medicaid assistance. Requires each State to submit to the HHS Secretary the factors and conditions it uses to identify children with special needs for purposes of the adoption assistance program, and any modifications to such factors and conditions. Directs the HHS Secretary to establish an Advisory Committee on Foster Care Placement to study and report to the Secretary and the Congress on the implementation of specified requirements, under State plans for foster care and adoption assistance, that reasonable efforts be made: (1) before placement of a child in a foster home, to prevent or eliminate the need for removal of the child from the child's home; and (2) to make it possible for the child to return to the child's home. Provides Federal coverage of 90 percent of State costs in developing and installing certain statewide mechanized data collection and information retrieval systems. Covers 50 percent of State costs for operation of such systems. Provides that all State expenditures for development, installation, and operation of such systems shall be treated as necessary for proper and efficient administration of the State plan, without regard to whether the systems may be used with respect to foster or adoptive children other than those on behalf of whom payments may be made for foster care maintenance or adoption assistance. Reduces, after three years, from 90 to 50 percent the Federal matching payment for development and installation of such systems. Defers a deadline for implementation of automated systems until one year after certain regulations are promulgated. Directs the Secretary to establish a work group to advise on planning and implementation of the system to be used for collection of data relating to adoption and foster care in the United States. Requires the State plan to provide for: (1) a triennial review of the amounts paid as foster care maintenance payments and adoption assistance to assure their continuing appropriateness; and (2) a report to the HHS Secretary on the results. Sets forth requirements concerning dispositional hearings to determine the final status of a foster child. Revises the time frame for judicial determinations on voluntary placements. Sets forth case plan requirements for placement of children in out-of-State foster care. Requires annual review, with the child present, of the status of children in out-of-State foster care placements. Requires States to collect data on the numbers of children in out-of-State foster care placements. Requires a State, in order to receive payments for expenditures after FY 1994 for foster care maintenance payments made with respect to children placed in foster care outside the State, to conduct and submit a study to the HHS Secretary, by the end of such fiscal year, identifying the number and common characteristics of such children and the reasons why they were not placed in foster care in the State. Provides for the treatment of assets of youth participating in the independent living program. Eliminates the ceilings on Federal foster care payments to States and the State's authority to transfer unused foster care funds to child welfare services programs. Directs the HHS Secretary to: (1) establish an advisory committee; and (2) issue final regulations for training of staff of agencies responsible for administering foster care and adoption assistance programs, and for training of foster care and adoptive parents. Directs the Secretary annually to publish information, on a State-by-State basis, on expenditures for, and the operation of, the Child Welfare Services program, the Foster Care and Adoption Assistance program, and Comprehensive Service Projects. Amends SSA title IV to add a new part G, Child Welfare Review System. Directs the HHS Secretary to establish such system to: (1) review each State child welfare program to assess whether the requirements of the Act are being carried out; (2) impose financial penalties in cases of substantial failure to comply; and (3) provide technical assistance to any such program. Sets forth provisions relating to effects of noncompliance, suspension and rescission of financial penalties, and administrative and judicial review. Requires that all State child welfare programs be reviewed at least once by the end of FY 1997. Prohibits the Secretary from reducing or withholding any payment, or seeking any repayment from any State under part B or E, by reason of a determination made in connection with specified reviews or audits for certain periods. Prohibits suspension of payments with respect to any claim for reimbursement 30 days after the HHS Secretary receives the quarterly statement of expenditures that contains the report of the claim. Provides that within ten months after the Secretary takes any action to suspend payment with respect to such a claim, the Secretary shall: (1) determine the allowability of the claim; or (2) if unable to make such a determination, make payment with respect to the claim, subject to a later determination of allowability. Title III: Social Services Block Grant - Amends SSA title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) to authorize increased appropriations for title XX programs. Provides for the allocation to tribal organizations of program funds otherwise allotted to the State in which the Indians represented by such an organization reside. Title IV: Research, Demonstration, and Evaluation Activities - Amends part A (General Provisions) of SSA title XI to require the Director of the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) to establish an Advisory Commission on Children and Families. Requires the Commission to collect and assess specified types of information in order to identify cost-effective approaches to protect and enhance the physical, mental, emotional, and financial well-being of children and their families. Directs OTA to report annually to the Congress on the Commission and its assessment. Requires the Commission to conduct, through contracts with independent research organizations, the following research and evaluation projects: (1) the evaluation of child welfare service programs, including intensive family preservation programs; (2) foster care evaluations; (3) longitudinal child welfare data bases, and studies of child welfare population dynamics; and (4) comprehensive service projects evaluations. Requires the Commission to study child separation guidelines. Directs the HHS Secretary to conduct the following research and evaluations: (1) a study (under contract with an independent research organization) to assess the prevalence and nature of risks to the safety of employees of child welfare systems; and (2) a three-year study (under contract with an organization with demonstrated appropriate experience) to examine methodologies for measuring the workloads of providers of child welfare services and community mental health services. Directs the HHS Secretary to make grants to States or localities for child welfare demonstration projects concerning abandoned child permanent placement. Directs the HHS Secretary to authorize eligible institutions to conduct demonstration projects to train eligible individuals to deliver culturally sensitive and bilingual child welfare services in U.S. areas that border on Mexico. Directs the HHS Secretary to make grants to eligible institutions to conduct projects to train eligible institutions to deliver culturally sensitive and bilingual welfare services in urban centers which have a high proportion of historically unserved or underserved populations. Authorizes the HHS Secretary to make grants to State or local government agencies to conduct demonstration projects designed to: (1) develop and implement innovative recruitment or retention strategies for trained staff in public and private nonprofit agencies working with children and adolescents at risk of being placed in foster care; and (2) test the effect of joint training programs for the staff of child welfare, mental health, and juvenile justice agencies, and for judicial personnel and judges. Authorizes the HHS Secretary to conduct demonstration projects designed to test the feasibility of eliminating income and resource requirements respecting foster care and adoption assistance payments. Directs the HHS Secretary to provide technical assistance to States for: (1) interpreting and implementing parts B, C, and E; (2) disseminating information on innovative child welfare agencies; (3) correcting problems identified through Federal audits and reviews and carrying out corrective action plans under part E; (4) implementing the foster care and adoption data collection system; and (5) addressing other matters identified by the HHS Secretary. Title V: Miscellaneous Human Resources Amendments - Amends the AFDC program to give States the option of using retrospective budgeting without monthly reporting under AFDC. Increases the amount of stepparent income disregarded under AFDC. Amends the Family Support Act of 1988 to extend demonstration projects for evaluating model procedures for reviewing child support awards. Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989 and the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 to make technical corrections relating to human resource and income security provisions. Title VI: Childhood Hunger Relief - Mickey Leland Childhood Hunger Relief Act - Subtitle A: Ensuring Adequate Food Assistance - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to remove the excess shelter deduction cap for purposes of food stamp program eligibility. (Sets forth transitional caps through 1996.) Eliminates food stamp reductions for households reapplying for program reinstatement within 30 days. Excludes 100 percent (currently only a specified portion) of third party payments for transitional housing for the homeless from consideration as program income. Increases funding for the nutrition assistance program in Puerto Rico. Excludes general assistance vendor payments from consideration as program income. Excludes the income of high school students from consideration as program income. (Current law excludes income until a student's eighteenth birthday.) Subtitle B: Promoting Self-Sufficiency - Excludes from consideration as program income: (1) the first $50 a month received as child support; and (2) child support payments to non-household members. Increases annually the fair market value limit of vehicles that program recipients may own. Subtitle C: Simplifying the Provision of Food Assistance - Permits related adults living in the same household to apply for separate program benefits under specified conditions. Repeals provisions authorizing benefit reductions due to insufficient funding. Subtitle D: Commodity Distribution to Needy Families - Amends the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to provide for increased allotments in FY 1993 for commodity purchases under the emergency food assistance program. Subtitle E: Implementation and Effective Dates - Sets forth the effective dates for provisions of this title. Title VII: Funding - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a surtax on individuals with incomes over $1,000,000.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1992
Supports the planting of 500 redwood trees from California on the northwest coast of Spain in commemoration of the quincentenary of the voyage of Christopher Columbus to the New World. Designates such trees as a gift to the people of Spain made in the name of the people of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 1992
Congratulates Fidel Ramos on his election to the Presidency of the Philippines. Commends the people of the Philippines for institutionalizing democratic government in their country by supporting peaceful and constitutional elections. Urges the President of the United States to support continued economic and political reform by the new Philippine Government.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1992
Excludes from the determination of income, for purposes of the payment of pension by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, any future increases made by the State of New York in the monthly amount paid to blind and totally disabled veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1992
Denounces the sexual misconduct that occurred at the annual Navy Tailhook Association symposium in September 1991. Calls on the Secretary of Defense to ensure that the ongoing Department of Defense investigation of such misconduct is full and uncompromising. Urges the Secretary of the Navy to recommend and initiate full disciplinary procedures against any culpable individuals. Recognizes the importance of equality of opportunity for women and men in the armed forces to achieving mutual respect between the sexes. Urges the Secretary of Defense to make available to female military personnel the same opportunities available to male personnel, to the extent consistent with the protection and security of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1992
World University Games Commemorative Coin Act - Authorizes the minting and issuance of five dollar gold coins and one dollar silver coins (at no net cost to the Government) to commemorate American participation in the World University Games. Requires that all surcharges from the sale of such coins be paid to the Greater Buffalo Athletic Corporation to support amateur athletic programs, erect facilities for the use of such athletes, and to underwrite the cost of sponsoring the World University Games.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1992
Antarctic Environmental Protection Protocol Act of 1992 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, to appoint a U.S. officer or employee as the U.S. representative to the Committee for Environmental Protection (Committee) under the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (Treaty) (done at Madrid in October 1991). Makes it unlawful for any person to: (1) conduct an activity within Antarctica in a manner inconsistent with the Protocol; (2) engage in, provide assistance to, or knowingly finance any Antarctica mineral resource activity; (3) introduce any prohibited product within Antarctica (defined as polychlorinated biphenyls, nonsterile soils, polystyrene or similar packaging, pesticides, and other products designated by the Secretary); (4) conduct open burning, maintain a landfill at a U.S. coastal facility, or maintain an incinerator after December 31, 1994; (5) bring any dog into Antarctica; (6) use leaded fuel at a U.S. facility within Antarctica or in any vessel or aircraft subject to U.S. jurisdiction; (7) engage in specified activities without a permit; (8) violate any terms of this Act; (9) ship, sell, purchase, import, export, or have control of any native bird, mammal, or plant, or mineral resource which the person knows was taken in violation of this Act; (10) refuse to permit any authorized U.S. employee to board a U.S. vessel subject to U.S. jurisdiction for conducting any search or inspection in connection with enforcement; or (11) interfere with any search or resist a lawful arrest or detention or interfere with such an arrest or detention. Waives the prohibition on activities conducted without a permit under emergency circumstances to prevent the loss of human life. Makes it unlawful for any vessel subject to U.S. jurisdiction to discharge into Antarctic waters any: (1) oil, noxious liquid substance, chemical, or any substance in quantities determined to be harmful; or (2) plastic, garbage, or food waste, except that food waste may be disposed of not less than 12 nautical miles from the nearest land or ice shelf after it has been passed through a comminutor or grinder. Applies such prohibitions to a vessel owned or operated by the United States when engaged in noncommercial service within Antarctica. Prohibits the following activities in Antarctica, except in accordance with a permit: (1) construction or decommissioning of any U.S. facility, building, or airfield within Antarctica; (2) the conduct of an expedition of more than ten persons to, from, or within Antarctica; (3) the operation of U.S. facilities within Antarctica conducted with support provided by the Director of the National Science Foundation; (4) taking within Antarctica any native mammal, bird, or plant in such quantities that their local distribution or abundance would be adversely affected; (5) taking within Antarctica any specially protected species; (6) introducing any animal or plant not indigenous to Antarctica; (7) entering any specially protected area; or (8) operating an incinerator prior to December 31, 1994. Authorizes the Secretary to issue general permits for any category of research activity if the activities are similar in nature and will cause no more than a minor environmental impact when performed cumulatively. Establishes a specific procedure for permit applications requesting authority to undertake actions with respect to: (1) native marine mammals covered by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972; (2) endangered or threatened species; (3) native birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act; (4) the discharge of any untreated sewage into Antarctic waters; or (5) the discharge of any substance which is regulated under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973. Prohibits the issuance of a permit unless there is sufficient information to assess possible environmental impacts and if required, an environmental impact statement (EIS) has been prepared and circulated to Treaty parties and to the Committee. Provides that permits which authorize any taking may only be issued for providing specimens for scientific study or institutions or for the unavoidable consequences of scientific research activities and shall ensure that only small numbers are taken, the variety of the species and balance of the ecological systems are maintained, and the taking is required to further a bona fide scientific purpose. Authorizes permits for takings of specially protected species to be issued only if: (1) there is a compelling scientific purpose which does not involve unnecessary duplication of research; (2) the actions authorized will not jeopardize any existing natural ecological systems or the survival or recovery of the species; and (3) nonlethal techniques are used. Requires permits which authorize the introduction of any nonindigenous animal or plant to be issued only for animals and plants to be used in a laboratory and requires the removal of such plants or animals from Antarctica prior to the expiration of the permit. Authorizes the issuance of a permit that allows the entry into any specially protected area only if: (1) there is a compelling scientific purpose for the entry; and (2) the actions will not jeopardize the natural ecological system and are in accordance with the management plan. Provides that permits that authorize the construction of a U.S. facility, building, or airfield within Antarctica may be issued only if there is a compelling scientific or logistical purpose that cannot be met by an existing facility, building, or airfield. Requires permits which authorize the construction or operation of incinerators prior to 1995, or the disposal of sewage or garbage within Antarctica, to minimize the environmental impact. Requires permits that authorize the discharge of material from a U.S. vessel to contain terms consistent with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973. Permits judicial review of permit issuance decisions. Authorizes permit modification, suspension, or revocation. Provides for permit application fees. Applies the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to activities of Federal agencies in Antarctica. Requires Federal agencies planning to conduct activities in Antarctica to determine whether such activities will have more than a minor or transitory impact on the environment. Authorizes such activities if the agency monitors them to assess and verify the minor or transitory impact. Directs Federal agencies, if activities will have more than a minor or transitory environmental impact, to prepare an EIS. Requires the preparation of an EIS for the issuance of a permit for the construction or decommissioning of any U.S. facility, building, or airfield. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary, to issue regulations establishing procedures for the environmental assessment of nongovernmental activities in Antarctica. Provides for review of an EIS by the Treaty parties and the Committee prior to permission for an activity to proceed. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary, to establish a plan for monitoring activities within Antarctica that have more than a minor or transitory environmental impact. Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary, to conduct a program for monitoring the health of the waters of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean as part of a global ocean observing system. Directs the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to develop requirements for contingency plans for responses to incidents with adverse environmental impacts in Antarctica. Requires the President to circulate to all Treaty parties all inspection and compliance reports and all actions taken to ensure compliance with the Protocol and to bring to the attention of the other parties all known incidents of noncompliance with the Protocol by the nationals of those parties. Prescribes civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Sets forth enforcement procedures and establishes authorities for searches and seizures and forfeitures. Gives the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary, primary responsibility for implementing the Protocol. Requires the Director to continue to support basic research investigations of the Antarctic environment in order to understand globally important processes. Repeals the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 and the Antarctic Protection Act of 1990. Sets forth procedures with respect to acceptance of amendments to the Protocol. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the prohibition on Antarctic mineral resource activities should remain in effect permanently or indefinitely. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1992
International Dolphin Conservation Act of 1992 - Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to authorize entering into international agreements establishing a global moratorium, for at least five years, prohibiting harvesting tuna using purse seine nets deployed on or to encircle dolphins or other marine mammals. Allows moratorium termination with respect to the United States before the year 2000 only if the Secretary of Commerce so recommends and the Congress approves. Specifies elements to be contained in such agreements, including requirements for: (1) research regarding tuna fishing methods; (2) review of research proposals by a competent regional organization; (3) the conduct of research by dedicated vessels, approved and observed by a component regional organization; (4) specified limits on the number of research sets and the total annual dolphin mortality; (5) establishment by the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission of a panel to report on limit compliance and an Advisory Board to guide research; (6) fair funding mechanisms for the research; (7) use of the proceeds from harvested tuna for the research; and (8) limiting use of U.S. funds to research on fishing methods not involving setting nets on dolphins. Requires review of all research proposals by the Marine Mammal Commission. Requires the Secretary, in certain circumstances, to recommend to the Congress whether the moratorium should be terminated. Prohibits a ban on the importation of yellowfin tuna or yellowfin tuna products from a country which implements the moratorium and meets other requirements. Mandates such a ban regarding countries which do not implement the moratorium and the other requirements. Mandates, a specified period after the tuna ban, a ban on the importation of all fish and fish products, except shrimp and shrimp products, from a country that still fails to implement all the requirements. Imposes additional restrictions on the general permit issued to the American Tunaboat Association, including: (1) limiting total dolphin mortalities; (2) prohibiting deploying purse seine nets on or encircling dolphin schools including certain types of dolphin; and (3) terminating the permit on a specified date. Declares that an international agreement under this Act shall not supersede any provisions of the Act requiring a permit. Makes unlawful certain acts, including: (1) selling, purchasing, or transporting in the United States any tuna or tuna product that is not dolphin safe; (2) purposefully setting a purse seine net on or to encircle any marine mammal; or (3) prohibiting, resisting, or interfering with inspections. Imposes civil and criminal penalties and subjects vessels, cargo, and fish to forfeiture for violations. Defines dolphin safe to mean: (1) not harvested using driftnets; and (2) depending on where harvested, either dolphin safe under specified provisions of the Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act or certified as not harvested using purse seine nets set on or encircling dolphins. Authorizes appropriations to carry out provisions mandating inclusion in the agreements of research programs. Amends the Tuna Conventions Act of 1950 to require that, of the U.S. representatives on the International Commission for the Scientific Investigation of Tuna and the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission, at least one be chosen from a national conservation, environmental, or animal welfare nongovernmental organization. Requires that the members of a related advisory committee be selected, in addition to other sources, from such an organization. Amends the South Pacific Tuna Act of 1988 to authorize appropriations to carry out a specified Treaty on Fisheries Between the Governments of Certain Pacific Island States and the Government of the United States of America and to carry out the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1992
Foreign Aid Reform Act of 1992 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to declare that economic support assistance should be provided principally through commodity import programs, project assistance, sector programs, or the provision of U.S. goods and services. Permits such assistance to be provided to a foreign government as a cash transfer only pursuant to an agreement requiring the recipient government to spend the cash transfer to purchase U.S. goods and services to the extent that the recipient government purchases goods and services not produced in that country. Exempts from this Act any recipient government that: (1) receives less than $25,000,000 cash transfer assistance for a fiscal year; or (2) as of April 1, 1989, was receiving such assistance and has an agreement with the United States under which it agrees to spend an amount equal to the amount of the cash transfer on U.S. goods and services, to carry 50 percent of all bulk shipments of U.S. grain on privately-owned U.S.-flag commercial vessels, to purchase U.S. grain at levels comparable to those purchased in prior years, and to comply with such requirements in any fiscal year in which it receives such assistance. Authorizes the President to waive the requirements of this Act if it is in the national interest to do so.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1992
International Refugee Protection Act of 1992 - States that: (1) the Congress affirms that U.S. obligations under certain international refugee agreements have applied to U.S. actions with respect to persons outside U.S. territorial boundaries; and (2) the United States shall refrain from the involuntary return of refugees to their home country from boundaries outside the United States or from the territorial waters of such home country, with specified exceptions.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1992
Declares that the Congress acknowledges and appreciates the commitment, devotion, and sacrifices of present and former military families. Designates November 23, 1992, as National Military Families Recognition Day.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1992
Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 - Sets forth U.S. policy with respect to Cuba. Declares that the President should encourage countries that conduct trade with Cuba to restrict their trade and credit regulations with Cuba in a manner consistent with this Act. Authorizes the President to impose the following sanctions against countries that provide assistance to Cuba: (1) ineligibility for assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or the Arms Export Control Act; (2) a prohibition on agreements with the United States for the establishment of free trade areas; and (3) ineligibility for forgiveness or reduction of debt owed to the U.S. Government. Terminates such sanctions if the President reports to the Congress that Cuba has met conditions established under this Act concerning democracy, human rights, and a free market economy. Prohibits restrictions on the export to Cuba of medicines, subject to specified conditions and inspection requirements. Permits telecommunications services between the United States and Cuba. Requires the U.S. Postal Service to provide direct mail service to and from Cuba. Authorizes the President to provide assistance to promote nonviolent democratic change in Cuba. Prohibits the issuance of licenses for certain transactions between U.S.-controlled firms in third countries and Cuba. Bars domestic concerns from receiving a tax deduction for the portion of the deductible expenses of such concerns which are allocated or apportioned to income derived from Cuba. Prohibits vessels which enter Cuba to engage in trade from loading or unloading any freight in the United States within 180 days after departure from Cuba. Prohibits: (1) vessels carrying goods or passengers to or from Cuba or carrying goods in which a Cuban national has an interest from entering a U.S. port, except as authorized by the Secretary of the Treasury; and (2) specified commodities authorized to be exported under a general license from being exported under such a license to any such vessels. Directs the President to establish strict limits on remittances to Cuba by U.S. persons for purposes of financing the travel of Cubans to the United States to assure that such remittances are not used by the Cuban Government as a means of gaining access to U.S. currency. Declares that food, medicine, and medical supplies for humanitarian purposes should be made available to Cuba under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 if the President certifies to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the Government of Cuba: (1) has made a commitment to hold free and fair elections for a new government within six months and is proceeding to implement that decision; (2) has made a commitment to respect and is respecting human rights and basic democratic freedoms; and (3) is not providing weapons or funds to any group in any other country that seeks the violent overthrow of the government of such country. Waives sanctions against Cuba under this Act if the President reports to the Congress that Cuba: (1) has held free and fair elections conducted under internationally recognized observers; (2) has permitted opposition parties ample time to campaign for such elections and has permitted full access to the media to all candidates; (3) is showing respect for basic civil liberties and human rights; (4) is moving toward establishing a free market economic system; and (5) has committed itself to constitutional change that would ensure regular free and fair elections. Requires the President, if he makes such report, to take the following actions with respect to a freely-elected Cuban Government: (1) encourage the admission of such government to international organizations and financial institutions; (2) provide emergency relief during Cuba's transition to a viable economic system; (3) take steps to end the U.S. trade embargo of Cuba; and (4) enter into negotiations for a trade agreement with Cuba. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to exercise the authorities of the Trading With the Enemy Act in enforcing this Act. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Trading With the Enemy Act to authorize the Secretary to impose a civil penalty on violators of such Act. Provides for forfeiture of any property or vessel that is the subject of a violation. Requires the Department of the Treasury to establish a branch of the Office of Foreign Assets Control in Miami, Florida.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1992
Every Fifth Child Appropriations Act - Appropriates funds to carry out the special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children (WIC program) authorized in specified provisions of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. Declares that, in order to achieve full funding for the program, there should be specified amounts appropriated in certain fiscal years. Appropriates funds to carry out the Head Start programs authorized in specified provisions of the Head Start Act. Declares that, in order to achieve full funding for the programs, there should be specified amounts appropriated in certain fiscal years. Appropriates funds to carry out the Job Corps program authorized in specified provisions of the Job Training Partnership Act. Declares that, in order to establish a minimum number of additional centers, serve a minimum additional number of youths, and achieve full funding for the program, there should be specified amounts appropriated in certain fiscal years.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1992
Condemns human rights abuses in Burma (Myanmar) and urges Burmese authorities to: (1) lift martial law and restrictions on freedom of speech and expression; (2) release persons confined for the peaceful expression of their political opinions; and (3) commit to the transition to a freely elected government. Welcomes the efforts of governments in the region to provide asylum for Burmese refugees and displaced persons and urges that no Burmese asylum-seeker be returned to Burma under current conditions. Commends the Government of Bangladesh for providing assistance to refugees and urges increased levels of U.S. refugee assistance to Bangladesh. Urges the Government of Bangladesh to work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to ensure against repatriation until the conditions for safe and secure return are in place. Urges the Burmese authorities to provide assurances that the repression that prompted the refugee exodus has ended and to permit the United Nations High Commissioner to monitor the return of refugees. Urges the Chinese Government to end all military transfers to Burma. Commends the President for implementing an arms embargo against Burma and urges him to seek a mandatory international arms embargo on Burma.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 1992
States it shall be U.S. policy that: (1) President Aristide should be reinstated as President of Haiti; (2) the United States will coordinate with the Organization of American States to implement the Haitian trade embargo; and (3) humanitarian assistance to Haitians will be extended and their forced repatriation will cease. Provides for temporary protected status for certain Haitian nationals. Directs the President to: (1) notify Haiti of U.S. intentions to terminate the migrant interdiction agreement between the two countries; and (2) expand processing facilities for Haitians seeking U.S. protection. Excludes from U.S. entry certain Haitians who directly or indirectly assisted the overthrow of President Aristide or who participated in terrorist acts against the Haitian people.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1992
Tax Extension Act of 1992 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend from August 1, 1992, until August 1, 1993, the provisions governing the allocation of research and experimental expenditures for purposes of determining sources of income. Extends the following provisions from June 30, 1992, until December 31, 1993: (1) the tax credit for increasing research activities; (2) the targeted jobs credit; (3) the authority to issue qualified mortgage bonds and qualified mortgage credit certificates; (4) the authority to issue qualified small issue bonds to finance manufacturing facilities and farm property; (5) employer-provided educational assistance; (6) the tax exclusion for employer-provided group legal services plans; (7) the energy investment credit for solar and geothermal property; (8) the credit for clinical testing expenses for certain drugs for rare diseases or conditions; and (9) health insurance costs of self-employed individuals. Extends the low-income housing credit until December 31, 1993 with modifications. Expands the ten-year anti-churning rule waiver to certain projects substantially assisted, financed, or operated under the National Housing Act. Allows units occupied by certain full-time students to qualify for such credit. Authorizes the Treasury Department to waive penalties for certain de minimis errors and recertifications. Provides that certain community service facilities in projects in qualified census tracts are included in eligible basis as functionally related and subordinate facilities. Allows certain building owners to elect to use apartment size or family size in determining the credit's gross rent limitation. Provides for the tax treatment of resale price control and subsidy lien programs under mortgage revenue bond provisions. Repeals the tax preference for the appreciated property charitable deduction during 1992 and 1993. Requires a report by the Secretary of the Treasury to certain congressional committees on an advance valuation procedure.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1992
National Triad Program Act - Requires the Director of the National Institute of Justice to conduct a national assessment of: (1) the nature and extent of crimes against the elderly; (2) the needs of law enforcement, health, and social service organziations, in working to prevent, identify, investigate, and provide assistance to victims of such crimes; and (3) promising strategies to respond effectively to those challenges. Specifies that such assessment shall address: (1) the analysis and synthesis of data from a range of sources; (2) the problems of elderly who are living alone or in high crime areas and who are abused and neglected, and the fear of victimization; (3) the identification of strategies and techniques tht have been shown to be effective or which show promise; (4) the analysis of the factors that enhance or inhibit development of a coordinated response by law enforcement, health care, and social service providers; and (5) the research agenda needed to develop a comprehensive understanding of the problems of crimes against the elderly. Requires the Director to disseminate the results of such assessment. Authorizes the Director to make awards to coalitions of local law enforcement agencies, victim service providers, and organizations representing the elderly for pilot programs and field tests of promising strategies and models for forging partnerships for crime prevention and service provision. Specifies that pilot programs funded under this Act may include existing general service coalitions of law enforcement, victim service, and elder advocate organizations that wish to use additional funds to work at a particular problem in their community or to target a particular geographic area in need of intensive services. Authorizes the Director to make awards to: (1) coalitions of national law enforcement, victim service, and elder advocate organizations for training and technical assistance in implementing pilot programs; (2) research organizations to investigate the types of elder victimization shown by the assessment to present particularly critical problems or to be emerging crimes about which little is known, to evaluate the effectiveness of selected pilot programs, and to conduct research and development identified as being critical; and (3) public service advertising coalitions to increase public awareness of, and promote ideas or programs to prevent, crimes against the elderly. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1992
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the recent confiscation of materials from the Beijing bureau of the Washington Post and interrogation of the bureau chief for the New York Times and other foreign correspondents is in violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and (2) the President should urge the Chinese Government to allow greater press freedom to foreign and domestic journalists.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1992
Prohibits a member of the armed forces or person seeking to become a member from being discriminated against by the armed forces on the basis of sexual orientation.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1992
Earth Summit Leadership Act of 1992 - Title I: Foundation for Sustainable Development - Establishes the Foundation for Sustainable Development to: (1) encourage the growth of development institutions indigenous to developing countries which respond to the needs of the poor and promote environmental protection and conservation of natural resources; (2) support efforts to increase the productivity of the poor; (3) support self-help activities at the local level to enlarge opportunities for community development; (4) support efforts at community-based, environmentally sustainable management of natural resources; (5) stimulate and assist the process of people participating in the processes that affect their lives; (6) replicate successful projects promoting sustainable and equitable development funded by specified foundations; and (7) disseminate insights gained in the Foundation's work to the American public and citizens in developing countries. Authorizes the Foundation to provide grant assistance to indigenous organizations in developing countries or entities working in partnership with such organizations to carry out it purposes. Limits the total amount of assistance for a single project. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Regional Development Foundations - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1969 to increase the authorization amount for the Inter-American Foundation for FY 1993 and to authorize appropriations for FY 1994. Amends the African Development Foundation Act to authorize appropriations for the African Development Foundation for FY 1993 and 1994. Makes available an additional amount of economic support fund assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 for Appropriate Technology International to enable it to emphasize large-scale replication of successful projects and partnerships with major development and financial institutions. Title III: Reduction in International Security Assistance - Places a ceiling on the total amount of international security assistance provided by the United States for FY 1993 and 1994. Expresses the sense of the Congress that international security assistance for FY 1995 and 1996 should be further reduced to promote global demilitarization and make available additional resources for sustainable development programs. Title IV: Multilateral Organizations - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to instruct the U.S. executive directors of specified multilateral development banks to promote the following actions: (1) to make available to the public information on physical, institutional, and economic details and the environmental, public health, and sociocultural impacts of proposed bank operations; (2) to ensure that poverty reduction becomes a higher priority, including increases for lending for health care and basic education to at least five percent of the bank's lending; (3) to ensure that all structural adjustment loans after July 1993 are presented with documentation on how such loans will affect incomes of the poor, the diversification of industrial and agricultural production, the delivery to low-income people of essential social and technical services, and the integrity of the natural resource base; (4) to ensure the development of sustainable energy systems by ensuring that all energy sector loans are based on end-use efficiency and renewable energy applications; (5) to establish a comprehensive water resource policy that will require a least-cost approach to planning for and investing in water resource development projects; and (6) to purchase commercial debt obligations of developing countries on the secondary market and forgive those debts in return for adoption of sustainable development policies. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should follow up U.S. participation in the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) by taking an active role during the General Assembly session to ensure full implementation of UNCED recommendations on institutional reform issues. Title V: Domestic Environmental Policies - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) all budgetary subsidies and tax advantages for unsustainable exploitation of natural resources should be eliminated as long as adequate provision is made to retrain displaced individuals and to assist poor people who are least able to bear the cost implied by such eliminations; (2) the director of the Office of Management and Budget should identify all current budgetary subsidies and tax advantages for the exploitation of nonrenewable energy, forest, and water resources and should estimate their cost to taxpayers as the basis for future congressional action to eliminate them; and (3) each Federal agency should conduct a survey of cost-effective renewable energy technologies which it could adopt for the conduct of its work and should begin conversion to those technologies as soon as possible. Directs the President to: (1) design a plan for reducing, by 2005, U.S. emissions of carbon dioxide to a level no greater than 80 percent of the 1990 level; and (2) formulate a national strategy for sustainable development.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1992
DeLauro-Lowey Water Pollution Control and Estuary Restoration Financing Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to extend the authorization of appropriations for the State water pollution control revolving fund program through FY 1999. Requires a specified percentage (increasing with each succeeding fiscal year) of such appropriations to be used by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to make capitalization grants for estuary plans to qualified States. Requires States to submit estimates of the need for assistance for implementing and monitoring such plans. Prohibits the submission of such estimates unless the estimates are approved by the appropriate management conference under the National Estuary Program. Makes States that fail to submit approved estimates ineligible for assistance. Directs States to establish separate Estuary Accounts in their water pollution control revolving funds, to be used for implementing approved estuary plans. Permits loans made with amounts in such Accounts to be for terms of up to 40 years or for the useful life of a facility constructed with the loan, whichever is less, if the borrower demonstrates financial hardship. Allows States to use interest earned on amounts in such Accounts to subsidize up to 90 percent of the principal portion of debt service of certain entities that are financially unable to carry out a necessary project for an estuary plan. Establishes a State matching requirement for deposits into Accounts. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants for the implementation of estuary conservation and management plans. Limits the Federal share to 75 percent of the total cost of implementation. Authorizes appropriations. Permits certain grants under the National Estuary Program to be used for interim actions adopted by management conferences to protect the water and sediment quality of estuaries. Extends the authorization of appropriations for management conferences, grants, conservation and management plans, and research under the National Estuary Program through FY 1999. Revises provisions concerning the purposes of management conferences. Directs the Administrator to issue a guidance document that establishes requirements for: (1) management conferences to follow in developing, implementing, and monitoring conservation and management plans; and (2) approving and implementing interim actions to protect water quality of estuaries for which plans are developed. Requires management conferences to be convened for periods of at least five years (currently, up to five years). Permits the extension of a conference for an additional five years if the affected Governors concur in the extension and the extension is necessary to meet requirements. Revises approval and implementation procedures for estuary conservation and management plans and establishes such procedures for interim actions.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1992
Urges the United States to: (1) hold the Government of Serbia accountable for the attacks on and occupation of the Republics of Bosnia-Hercegovina and Croatia, and for human rights abuses in Kosovo; (2) withhold diplomatic recognition of Serbia and Montenegro until Serbia ceases its aggression against such republics and halts the brutal repression of the Albanian people in Kosovo and the denial of the right to self-determination; and (3) actively encourage its allies to follow the same course.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1992
Congratulates the residents of Jerusalem and the peopole of Israel on the 25th anniversary of the reunification of that city. Urges that: (1) Jerusalem remain an undivided city in which the rights of every ethnic and religious group are protected; and (2) the President and Secretary of State issue an unequivocal statement in support of such principle.
![Official portrait of Rep. Solarz, Stephen J. [D-NY-13]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000673_200.jpg)