United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1988
Supports the continuation of settled natonal policy that unequivocal violations of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty by the Soviet Union, such as the radar at Krasnoyarsk, must be corrected before the conclusion of any future agreement on strategic arms. Urges the President to work with the Congress to develop appropriate response options to such violations.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1988
Chemical Warfare Control Act - Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to set forth as U.S. policy the use of export controls to curtail transfers of material and technology used in producing chemical weapons. Requires the President to prepare a list of materials and technology which would assist a country's chemical warfare capability. Prohibits the export of such materials and technology to Iran, Iraq, Libya, or Syria or, at the President's discretion and upon notification to the Congress, to additional countries. Authorizes the President to waive such prohibition upon determining that an export will not assist a country's chemical warfare capability. Authorizes the exclusion of any country from such prohibition beginning 30 days after the President submits the name of such country to the Congress. Requires the President, no later than 90 days after enactment of this Act and every 180 days thereafter, to submit to specified House and Senate members and committees a report on: (1) the efforts by Iran, Libya, and Syria to acquire the materials to produce chemical weapons; and (2) the present and future capability of such countries to produce such weapons. Requires the report to: (1) assess whether Communist-bloc countries have aided such countries in acquiring such materials; (2) list companies in non-Communist countries which have exported items on the President's list to such countries; and (3) provide credible information that any non-Communist country has aided such countries. Directs the President to apply sanctions to any foreign person who exports any item on the list to any such country. Requires that such sanctions prohibit: (1) contracting with and procuring products and services from a sanctioned person by the U.S. Government; and (2) importing products produced by such person into the United States. Declares that the President shall not apply sanctions in the case of procurement of defense articles and services if: (1) the articles and services are under existing contracts; (2) the President determines that the person to whom sanctions would apply is the sole supplier of essential defense articles or services; or (3) the President determines that such articles or services are essential to national security. Prohibits the application of sanctions to: (1) contracts entered into before the President notifies the Congress of the intention to impose sanctions; (2) spare parts; (3) component parts; (4) routine servicing and maintenance of products; or (5) information and technology.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1988
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to the family of Brigadier General Herbert Wassom in recognition of the dedicated public service of General Wassom. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the sale of bronze duplicates of the medal.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1988
Authorizes the President, on behalf of the Congress, to present a gold medal to the family of the late Arnold Raphel, the U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan, in recognition of his dedicated public service. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the sale of bronze duplicates of the medal.
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 1988
Health Waste Anti-Dumping Act of 1988 - Amends the Federal criminal code to establish criminal penalties for knowingly and without lawful authority dumping any health care facility waste: (1) upon the high seas or any waters within the admiralty and maritime jurisdiction of the United States; or (2) in any other place within the United States if interstate or foreign commerce is affected. Provides for forfeiture of property of violators. Includes wastes of veterinary services and laboratory services under the prohibition.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1988
New Jersey-New York Medical Waste Tracking Act of 1988 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a demonstration program, within nine months of this Act's enactment, to track, by the use of a manifest system, medical waste generated and disposed of in New York and New Jersey. Makes such program applicable to generators of medical waste, and owners and operators of facilities for the treatment, storage, transport, and disposal of medical waste. Requires such parties to permit access to and provide copies of all records relating to such wastes to any designated EPA representative. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Provides that this Act does not preclude any State or locality from imposing more stringent requirements for the control or monitoring of medical waste or affect any other authorities or requirements of the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Requires the EPA to report to the Congress, within three years of this Act's enactment, on the progress and success of the demonstration program. Authorizes appropriations for such program for FY 1989 through 1991. Directs the EPA to report to the Congress on medical waste treatment and disposal methods currently being employed by New York and New Jersey.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1988
Designates September 13, 1989, as Uncle Sam Day in honor of Samuel Wilson of the city of Troy, New York, on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the city. (Samuel Wilson was the progenitor of the national symbol, Uncle Sam.)
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1988
Declares it to be the policy of the United States to enhance its security and that of the democratic countries of Central America by assisting in the achievement of: (1) democracy in Nicaragua; (2) an end to Soviet, Cuban, and other Communist bloc military or security assistance to Nicaragua; (3) an end to Nicaraguan aggression and subversion against other countries in Central America; and (4) the reduction of the military and security forces of Nicaragua. Requires the President to report bimonthly to the Congress concerning: (1) Nicaraguan violations of certain Central American peace agreements; and (2) the receipt by Nicaragua of Soviet, Cuban, Communist bloc, and other foreign military or security assistance. Authorizes the President to transfer to the Agency for International Development from specified Department of Defense appropriations accounts a specified amount of funds to provide humanitarian assistance, civic action, and nonmilitary training to the Nicaraguan democratic resistance and to strengthen resistance human rights programs. Sets forth specific requirements for the transportation of such assistance, including the indemnification of leased aircraft and the provision of passive air defense equipment for such aircraft. Authorizes the President to transfer a specified amount of funds from Defense Department appropriations accounts to departments and agencies he may designate to be held in escrow to provide additional assistance (including lethal assistance) for the Nicaraguan democratic resistance. Prohibits making such funds available for such additional assistance unless the President certifies to the Congress that: (1) no definitive ceasefire is in place that was agreed to by the Government of Nicaragua and the Nicaraguan democratic resistance; (2) the failure to achieve such a ceasefire results from the lack of good faith efforts by the Government of Nicaragua to comply with certain Central American peace agreements; and (3) the Nicaraguan democratic resistance has engaged in good faith efforts to achieve such a ceasefire. Suspends any lethal assistance being provided after such a certification is made during any time an agreed ceasefire is in place in Nicaragua. Provides that the general authorities and limitations of specified Acts shall be deemed to have been met for the transfer and the use of funds as provided in this Act. Declares that the Congress encourages the President to submit proposals for bilateral and multilateral action to: (1) provide additional economic assistance to the democratic countries of Central America; (2) facilitate the ability of Central American economies to grow through the development of their infrastructure, expansion of exports, and the strengthening of increased investment opportunities; (3) provide a more realistic plan to assist Central American countries in managing their foreign debt; and (4) develop these initiatives in concert with Western Europe, Japan, and other democratic allies. Provides that if the Government of Nicaragua and the Nicaraguan democratic resistance sign a comprehensive final peace agreement: (1) the President shall terminate the trade embargo imposed against Nicaragua; and (2) a specified amount of funds shall be made available to provide assistance for the relocation and reintegration into Nicaraguan civil society of members of the Nicaraguan democratic resistance. Authorizes the President to provide additional economic incentives to Nicaragua if, after 180 days after such final agreement is signed, the President certifies to the Congress that the Government of Nicaragua is continuing to comply with that agreement. Specifies such economic incentives as: (1) designating Nicaragua as a beneficiary country for purposes of the Caribbean Economic Recovery Act; (2) designating Nicaragua as a beneficiary developing country for purposes of the generalized system of preferences; and (3) authorizing loan assistance to Nicaragua under the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1988
Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to prohibit the export of petroleum products (from Alaska and from the rest of the United States) that are domestically produced by oil refineries owned by non-U.S. citizens. Sets forth specified exceptions.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1988
Directs the American Battle Monuments Commission to restore, operate, and maintain the Pacific War Memorial and other historical and memorial sites on Corregidor in the Republic of the Philippines. Specifies that the Commission may do so only after an agreement has been entered into between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines. Requires the Commission to carry out the purposes of this Act with private funds, except to the extent funds were appropriated pursuant to authorizations under this Act. Authorizes the Commission to solicit private contributions. Establishes a fund in the Treasury for the deposit of such contributions. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1988
Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to prohibit any U.S. corporation or State from launching a satellite from a launch vehicle owned by a controlled country or by China.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1988
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the decision of the Attorney General to order the deportation of Joseph Patrick Doherty to the United Kingdom was politically motivated to appease the Government of the United Kingdom; and (2) Joseph Patrick Doherty should be released on bond during the review of his application for asylum and be granted asylum in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1988
Authorizes the Vietnam Women's Memorial Project, Inc., to construct a commemorative statue within the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to recognize and honor the women of the U.S. armed forces who served in the Vietnam war. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to select a site for the statue within the Memorial. Makes the design proposal subject to the approval of the Secretary, the National Planning Commission, and the Commission of Fine Arts. Prohibits the United States and the District of Columbia from paying any expense of constructing the statue. Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) it is fitting and appropriate that such a statue be constructed at the site of the Vietnam Memorial; (2) the Secretary and each of the Commissions should give consideration to the sense of Congress that such a statue should be constructed at that site; and (3) after the addition of such statue no further commemorative works should be added to the Memorial. Requires the Secretary and Administrator of General Services to prepare, transmit to the Congress, and update periodically a list and a description of those commemorative works which have been completed and are located in the District of Columbia and its environs. Prohibits any significant modification to any commemorative work located in the District of Columbia and its environs unless specifically authorized by the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1988
Targeted Relief Disclosure Resolution of 1988 - Amends rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require each report accompanying each bill or joint resolution of a public character reported by the Committee on Ways and Means to identify: (1) each provision which is intended to provide special benefits with respect to five or fewer taxpayers, transactions, events, items of property, projects, or issuances of bonds; (2) each beneficiary of such provision; (3) the Member of Congress who sponsored the inclusion of each such beneficiary; and (4) an estimate by the Joint Committee on Taxation of the loss in revenues resulting from such provision with respect to each such beneficiary for the fiscal year for which such loss in revenues first occurs and each of the five fiscal years thereafter.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1988
Directs the President to issue a proclamation each year calling on all churches, synagogues, schools, community centers, and other public buildings in the United States to toll their bells for one minute beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Memorial Day in remembrance of the men and women who died defending our Nation and freedom.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1988
Foreign Aid Insurance Act of 1988 - Requires each executive agency or military department responsible for economic or military assistance to foreign countries to take such actions as may be necessary to ensure that U.S. insurance companies have a fair and open competitive opportunity to provide insurance whenever such insurance is necessary or proper in connection with Government-assisted supplies or activities. Specifies that such actions shall include: (1) including in any contract or solicitation for procurement of such supplies or activities a clause requiring that U.S. insurance companies have a competitive opportunity; (2) certifying to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) that all necessary and practicable actions have been taken to provide U.S. insurance companies with competitive opportunities. Provides that if the USTR determines that any foreign government or country discriminates against U.S. insurance companies in connection with U.S. economic or military assistance, insurance for such activities may be provided only: (1) by U.S. insurance companies; or (2) by insurance companies of foreign countries which have entered into agreements concerning nondiscriminatory treatment of U.S. insurance companies or which have provided assurance of such nondiscriminatory treatment. Provides exceptions to such requirements if: (1) no insurance was reasonably available from a U.S. insurance company; or (2) the USTR certifies to the Congress that negotiations concerning discriminatory treatment of U.S. insurance companies are in progress. Requires the USTR to review the actions of each executive agency and military department required by this Act and to include a report concerning such actions in the USTR's required annual report to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1988
Protests Soviet human rights violations, especially its restrictive emigration regulations. Calls upon: (1) the Soviet Union to release all prisoners of conscience; and (2) the President to stress at the upcoming summit meeting in Moscow the inherent link between respect for human rights and the achievement of lasting peace.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1988
Designates the period of July 25 through July 31, 1988, as National Week of Recognition and Remembrance for Those Who Served in the Korean War. Authorizes and requests the President to urge that the American flag be flown at half staff on July 27, 1988, in honor of those Americans who died as a result of their service in Korea.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 1988
Expresses U.S. policy that Nicaragua should undertake specified reforms, such as reinstating due process and fair trials, ending torture, conducting free elections, allowing an uncensored free press, ensuring the right to strike and to publish for unions, allowing the Catholic Church to reopen its offices, and ending the forced relocation of Indians and Creoles. Urges all countries in Central America to continue to work toward achieving the democratic principles and processes specified in the August 7, 1987, Central American peace accord.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1988
Designates specified land as the Manassas National Battlefield Addition. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to acquire land within the boundaries of the Addition and to administer such lands as part of the Manassas National Battlefield Park, Virginia. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1988
Protests Soviet human rights violations, especially the restrictive emigration regulations. Calls upon the President to use the upcoming summit meeting in Moscow to stress the inherent link between respect for human rights and the achievement of lasting peace.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1988
Afghan Peace and Reconstruction Resolution - Urges the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees to immediately develop a plan to assist the Afghans on their return to their homeland. Calls upon: (1) the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of State to urge multilateral development banks and international organizations to contribute $300,000,000 over five years for the relief, reconstruction, and economic recovery of Afghanistan; and (2) the Secretary of State to urge certain nations to make a combined contribution of $450,000,000 for such purposes. Expresses the sense of the Congress that U.S. assistance to the Afghan resistance should not be cut off until the President is confident that all Soviet troops have been withdrawn from Afghanistan and that Soviet assistance to the current Afghan Government has ceased. Expresses the sense of the Congress that if the President determines that all such Soviet military assistance has been terminated, U.S. military support for the resistance is no longer necessary, and an acceptable government is in power, the President should request that the Congress provide $250,000,000 in assistance over five years for the relief, reconstruction, and economic recovery of Afghanistan.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1988
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) a negotiated settlement to the conflict in the Persian Gulf is in the best interests of all nations; (2) the President should be commended for his efforts to achieve a negotiated settlement and for his judicious decisions to deploy and utilize U.S. armed forces to secure U.S. interests in the region; (3) the U.S. armed forces personnel involved in that area should be congratulated and medals or other decorations should be awarded; and (4) all Americans should join in saluting these individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1988
Retirement and Survivors' Annuities for Bankruptcy Judges and Magistrates Act of 1988 - Amends Federal law to establish a new retirement system for bankruptcy judges and magistrates with 15 or more years of service, or at least eight years of service, upon attaining age 65. Entitles a bankruptcy judge or magistrate who has served at least five years to disability retirement. Provides for cost-of-living adjustments in such retirement system. Requires each bankruptcy judge or magistrate who elects an annuity under this Act to notify the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts. Declares that such judge or magistrate shall not be entitled to an annuity under the civil service system. Declares this Act applicable to service on or after October 1, 1979. Provides for making payments which would otherwise be made to a bankruptcy judge or magistrate to another person to the extent provided for under the terms of any court order or court-approved property settlement agreement incident to any court decree of divorce, annulment, or legal separation. Provides for deducting amounts from the salary of a bankruptcy judge or magistrate who elects an annuity under this Act. Allows such persons to make deposits for prior service. Declares that a bankruptcy judge or magistrate who retires and thereafter practices law: (1) may not receive the benefit of any cost-of-living adjustment during the period in which such person practices law until reaching age 70; and (2) no annuity shall accrue or be paid for any such period until such person reaches age 70. Provides for the payment of the lump-sum credit of any bankruptcy judge or magistrate who leaves office prior to such person's eligibility to receive an annuity. Establishes the Judicial Officers' Retirement Fund for the payment of annuities, refunds, and other payments under this Act. Authorizes appropriations as necessary for the unfunded liability of the Fund. Establishes transition provisions for incumbent judges and magistrates. Provides survivors' annuities for bankruptcy judges, magistrates, and incumbents. Authorizes the recall of retired bankruptcy judges and magistrates into service.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1988
Amends the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 to declare that its requirements do not apply to: (1) motor vehicles used only for fire fighting purposes; and (2) motor vehicles used only for farming purposes and registered under the relevant State law as highway motor vehicles used for farming purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1988
Federal Law Enforcement Officers Death Penalty Act of 1988 - Amends the Federal criminal code to subject any person who is found guilty of the first degree murder of a Federal law enforcement officer, or certain other Federal officials or employees, to the penalty of death. Establishes procedures for the imposition of the death penalty in such cases. Provides that no person who was less than 18 years of age may be sentenced to death. Sets forth mitigating and aggravating factors to be considered by the jury in determining whether the death sentence will be imposed. Requires the Government to serve notice upon the defendant a reasonable time before trial or acceptance of a plea that it intends to seek the death penalty, as well as notice of the aggravating factors upon which it will rely. Provides that no presentence report shall be prepared in such cases. Requires a separate sentencing hearing before a jury or the court (upon motion by the defendant) when the defendant is convicted and the Government has filed notice that it intends to seek the death penalty. Allows the Government and the defendant to present any information relevant to a mitigating or aggravating factor without regard to the rules of evidence, but permits information to be excluded where its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of creating unfair prejudice, confusing the issues, or misleading the jury. Conditions imposition of the death penalty on a unanimous finding by the jury or, if there is no jury, the court, that: (1) the aggravating factors found to exist sufficiently outweigh any mitigating factor found to exist; or (2) in the absence of a mitigating factor, the aggravating factors alone are sufficient to justify a sentence of death. Requires the court to instruct the jury not to consider the race, color, national origin, creed, or sex of the defendant in its consideration of the death sentence. Directs the court to impose the death sentence upon a finding that such sentence is justified. Establishes procedures for appeal from a death sentence. Requires the court of appeals, upon consideration of the record and the information and procedures of the sentencing hearing, and any special finding, to affirm the decision if: (1) the sentence was not imposed under influence of passion, prejudice, or arbitrariness; and (2) the information supports the special finding of the existence of an aggravating factor. Requires the court to provide a written explanation of its determination. Establishes procedures for the implementation of the death sentence.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1988
Imposes a civil penalty upon any person who mails to any individual or group of individuals at their place of residence: (1) any unsolicited sexually oriented advertisement; or (2) any unsolicited obscene, lewd, lascivious, indecent, filthy, or vile article, matter, thing, device, or substance.
![Official portrait of Rep. Stratton, Samuel S. [D-NY-28]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000997_200.jpg)