United States · United States Congress · 8 December 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that, in celebration of the millennium of the Christianization of Kievan-Rus', the Soviet Union should: (1) comply with its international obligations and allow Christians to practice their faith without harassment; (2) grant a general amnesty for all Christians who have been imprisoned because of their religious beliefs; (3) allow religious believers to practice their faith freely; (4) permit unlimited publication, distribution, and importation of religious materials; and (5) allow closed churches to reopen, new churches to be built, and theological seminaries to open or expand.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1987
Includes service of at least one year but less than two years in the Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II as creditable service for purposes of civil service retirement. (Current law provides for individuals with two or more years of service.) Requires affected individuals to: (1) file appropriate written application to the Office of Personnel Management within 14 months of enactment of this Act; and (2) make required deposits to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund with respect to service in the Corps.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1987
Dwight David Eisenhower Commemorative Coin Act of 1987 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than a specified number of one dollar silver coins in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Dwight David Eisenhower. Sets forth certain features of such coins and provides for their design, issuance, and sale. Terminates the minting of the coins after December 31, 1990. Requires the Secretary to deposit in the Treasury all surcharges received from the sale of the coins, to be used to reduce the national debt.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1987
Directs the Secretary of Commerce to adjust census figures as necessary so that illegal aliens shall not be counted for purposes of the apportionment of Representatives in the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1987
Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to establish a fine of not more than $50,000, or imprisonment for up to five years, or both, as criminal penalties for any person who knowingly and without authority tampers with a smoke detection device of an aircraft used for air transportation.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1987
Designates the week of May 2 through May 8, 1988, as National Drinking Water Week to enhance awareness of drinking water issues and recognition of the difference that drinking water makes to health, safety, and quality of life.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 1987
Department of Veterans Affairs Act - Redesignates the Veterans Administration (VA) as the Department of Veterans Affairs (the Department), an executive department within the executive branch of the Government. Provides that the Department shall be headed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Designates as other principal officers of the Department the Deputy Secretary, the Chief Medical Director, and the Chief Benefits Director. Provides for the temporary continuation of service of the current Administrator, Deputy Administrator, Chief Medical Director, and Chief Benefits Director of Veterans Affairs. Establishes within the Department eight Assistant Secretaries, each of whom shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to perform such functions as the Secretary may prescribe. Directs the Secretary to assign to one such Assistant Secretary all functions regarding the National Cemetery System and the State cemetery grant program. Outlines functions which the Secretary shall assign to the Assistant Secretaries. Provides for the temporary continuation of the performance of such functions by present personnel until such functions are assigned to an individual appointed as Assistant Secretary under this Act. Redesignates the current VA's Department of Medicine and Surgery as the Veterans Health Services Administration of the Department. Redesignates the VA's current Department of Veterans Benefits as the Veterans Benefits Administration of the Department, whose primary function shall be to administer nonmedical programs which provide assistance to veterans, their dependents, and their survivors. Establishes within the Department the Office of the General Counsel. Redesignates the current Office of Inspector General of the VA as the Office of Inspector General of the Department. Provides that any references to departments or positions under the current VA system shall be considered to be references to such departments and positions of the Department as modified under this Act. Provides continuing effect of all legal documents, suits, actions, and property and resources of the current VA. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, after appropriate congressional consultation, to prepare and submit to the Congress proposed legislation containing technical and conforming amendments to reflect the changes made under this Act. Requires such legislation to be submitted no later than six months after the enactment of this Act. Provides that any spending authority of the Department is subject to available amounts as provided in appropriation Acts.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1987
United States Coinage Reform Act of 1987 - Requires that one dollar coins be gold colored, be at least 90% copper, and be fabricated in the United States from natural deposits located in the United States. Redesigns the obverse side of the dollar coin to symbolize the 500th anniversary of the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to place such coins into circulation within 18 months and to cease production of one dollar notes within 18 months after the first of such coins are placed in circulation. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study and report to the Congress on the advisability of phasing out production of the one-cent and 50-cent coins and of rounding cash sales to the nearest five cents.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1987
Designates a segment of the Appalachian development highway system known as Corridor V (within Alabama State boundaries) as the Robert E. (Bob) Jones, Jr. Highway.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1987
Requires U.S. coins to be redesigned, at the discretion of the Secretary of the Treasury, over the next six years. Requires the reverse side of the first coin redesigned to commemorate the bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution for a two-year period. Requires that any profits from the sale of uncirculated and proof sets of U.S. coins be deposited in the Treasury and used solely to reduce the national debt.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1987
Defense Contractor Profits Review Act - States as a policy of the Congress that firms contracting with the Federal Government to provide goods and services for the national defense should receive a reasonable profit, and that such goods and services should be procured in an economical and effective manner. States as a purpose of this Act to provide the Federal Government with the information needed to determine the reasonableness of defense contractor profits. Amends Federal defense procurement provisions to outline action to be taken by the head of a defense agency if it is determined that a defense contractor has made excessive profits. Requires such agency head to first give such defense contractor 45 days to respond before making a determination that such contractor made excessive profits. Requires any defense contractor covered under this Act, no later than 120 days after the end of such contractor's annual financial reporting period, to provide the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) with a profits information report. Requires such profits information report to include specified information and also to distinguish between such contractor's business with the Federal Government and such contractor's other business. Requires the DCAA to review each such report in order to determine if any contractor has made excessive profits. States that the head of an agency and the DCAA shall have access to all information of a defense contractor that is required in order to make such determinations. Requires the confidentiality of any such information received. Authorizes review of such information by the Comptroller General, as well as access to any such information. Directs the head of an agency to require that compliance with such information disclosure provisions is a condition of each contract entered into between such agency and a defense contractor. Requires the head of the agency, at least once every three years, to conduct a study of profits made by defense contractors under contracts made with such agency, including a comparison of the profits made by such contractor from defense agencies as compared to profits made by such contractor from other businesses. Directs the head of the agency, no later than December 31 annually, to report to the President, the Congress, and the Comptroller General concerning any such profit studies. Directs the head of the agency to prescribe regulations to carry out this Act. Defines terms as used under this Act, and requires such regulations to be prescribed no later than 120 days after the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1987
Amerasian Homecoming Act - Provides for the admission as an immigrant into the United States (for two years beginning 90 days after enactment of this Act) of an alien residing in Vietnam who: (1) was born in Vietnam after January 1, 1962, and before January 1, 1976, and whose father was a U.S. citizen; or (2) is the spouse, child, or mother, or has acted as the next of kin (with specified limitations) of such an alien. Requires on-site consular interviews in making such determinations. Provides for an eight-month period of visa validity. Provides, with regard to such aliens, for: (1) the waiver of specified exclusionary grounds under the Immigration and Nationality Act; and (2) specified (refugee) assistance under such Act. Directs the Attorney General, in cooperation with the Secretary of State, to submit program reports to the Congress annually for three years.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1987
Anti-Tree Spiking Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide criminal penalties for: (1) spiking timber; (2) teaching another to spike timber knowing that such technique will be unlawfully employed; or (3) traveling in interstate or foreign commerce (or using any facility of interstate or foreign commerce) to organize or participate in a violation of this Act. Authorizes the Attorney General to pay for information concerning violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1987
Airline Passenger Protection Act of 1987 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to add a new "Title XVII: Airline Passenger Protection." Requires the Secretary of Transportation (the Secretary to publish monthly reports regarding: (1) late flight arrivals; (2) a listing of the top 500 aviation markets; (3) lost and damaged baggage; (4) the percentage of cancelled flights; (5) the percentage of passengers bumped; (6) missed connections at hubs; and (7) the number of passenger complaints filed with the Department of Transportation. Mandates that: (1) such reports be made available to the public by any air carrier controlled ticket agent; (2) toll-free telephone numbers be established by air carriers and the Secretary for handling passenger complaints; and (3) that such telephone numbers accompany airline ticket purchases. Requires the Secretary to establish a telephone number system which provides airline passengers with comparative air carrier service information. Prohibits: (1) airline ticket sales unless the purchaser receives written notification regarding the air carrier's policy concerning cancellations and amenities; and (2) economically motivated flight cancellations. Requires air transportation advertisements to state whether availability is limited and whether restrictions apply. Prescribes guidelines for the air transportation of airline ticket holders if the issuing air carrier has become a bankrupt debtor since the ticket purchase. Sets forth time limits for: (1) processing lost or damaged baggage; and (2) purchase price refunds for certain airline tickets. Prohibits an air carrier from making available to a ticket agent certain computerized reservation system information on flight schedules and fares of twor or more carriers if the order in which the schedules appear is determined according to a specified format. Requires the Secretary to revise existing airline consumer complaint procedures of the Department of Transportation. Terminates this Act ten years after the date of enactment. Establishes civil penalties for violations including: (1) late performance reports; (2) false or misleading performance reports; or (3) economically-motivated flight cancellations.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1987
Amends rule XV of the Rules of the House of Representatives to allow the Speaker of the House to reduce the period of time in which certain rollcall votes may be taken by electronic device.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1987
Home Equity Loan Consumer Protection Act of 1987 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to impose additional disclosure requirements for any open end credit plan secured by a consumer's dwelling. Specifies the information to be disclosed as information regarding annual interest rates, finance charge conditions, fees, changes in variable interest rates, and a statement that in the event of any default the consumer risks loss of the dwelling. Imposes additional disclosure requirements for advertisements of open end credit plans secured by consumers' dwellings. Requires such advertisements to disclose a statement of any minimum or fixed amount which could be imposed, periodic rates expressed as annual percentage rates, and any other term which the Federal Reserve Board may by regulation require. Prohibits the use of advertisements for any home equity loan which refer to such loan as "free money" or as a "loan at prime." Requires the Federal Reserve Board to develop and prepare a pamphlet for distribution to consumers which contains: (1) a general description of open end credit plans secured by consumer dwellings and the terms and conditions on which such loans are generally extended; and (2) a discussion of the potential advantages and disadvantages of such plans.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1987
Tropical Forest Protection Act of 1987 - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct a review of the appropriate literature to determine which tropical forests and wetlands are likely to be unsuitable for agriculture and could, with assistance from multilateral development banks and public and private donors, be established as reserves for scientific research, tourism, indigenous people, and nonconsumptive uses and to analyze the likelihood that conserving tropical forests and wetlands can be achieved without such assistance. Authorizes the Secretary to consult with other U.S. officials, agencies, and appropriate nongovernmental organizations in conducting such review and analysis. Requires the Secretary to make determinations concerning the maximizing of in-country support for protection and management of tropical forests and wetlands. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress concerning such review, analysis, and determinations. Requires the Secretary to instruct the U.S. Executive Director of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) to initiate discussions and make proposals to the executive directors and management of the World Bank. Specifies that such proposals shall include: (1) a three-year pilot environmental structural adjustment lending program; and (2) a three year pilot exchange program whereby any country with outstanding debts held by the Bank may establish long-term conservation easements to protect tropical forests and wetlands in exchange for the World Bank suspending or rescheduling such debts. Requires the U.S. Executive Director to prepare annual reports while such three-year pilot programs are in effect and a final report describing the results of the programs. Requires the dissemination of such results to all multilateral development banks and all private lending institutions with outstanding loans to tropical nations in order to provide such banks with information about exchanges of debt for conservation easements as an alternative to forgiveness of any such debt. Requires the Secretary to conduct an analysis of the programs and policies of the International Monetary Fund to assess the potential for adapting the pilot programs of the World Bank to the operation of the Fund. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress concerning such study and analysis.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1987
Designates October 15, 1987, as National Safety Belt Use Day. Authorizes and requests the President to issue a proclamation calling on the people to wear safety belts and have their children use child safety seats, and encouraging public safety and law enforcement agencies to promote these devices.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1987
Title I: Temporary Extension of Public Debt Limit - Increases the public debt limit (until September 30, 1987) to $2,358,000,000,000. Title II: Budget Process Reform - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to increase the permissible maximum deficit amounts for FY 1987 through 1990. Extends for one year the expiration date of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Title III: Economic Summit - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President, together with the bipartisan leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives, should convene a domestic economic summit conference to address the dangerous economic situation which is created by large deficits and the ineffectual budget process. Directs the conference to report its recommendations for solutions to budgetary issues and budget process reforms to the Congress and the President.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1987
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Federal excise taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel should not be increased as a means of reducing the Federal deficit.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1987
Flight Service Station Operation Act of 1987 - Amends the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982 to prohibit the Secretary of Transportation from closing or reducing flight service station operation hours unless substitute service will be provided by an automated flight service station with specified equipment. Requires the Secretary to reopen flight service stations that were closed during a specified time period.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 1987
Technology Competitiveness Act of 1987 - Title I: National Institutes of Technology and Advanced Technology Board - Renames the National Bureau of Standards of the Department of Commerce as the National Institutes of Technology (the Institutes). Directs the President to afford the Advanced Technology Board (established by this Act) an opportunity to make recommendations with respect to the appointment of the Director. Provides that the Director shall serve for a term of six years unless sooner removed by the President. Establishes within the Institutes the National Engineering Institute, the National Measurement Institute, the Computer Sciences and Technology Institute, and the Materials Science and Engineering Institute. Authorizes the Institutes to carry out specified functions and activities of the Secretary of Commerce. Establishes in the Institutes an Advanced Technology Foundation. Sets forth Foundation functions, including sponsoring programs of applied research and related activities to lay the groundwork for the development and use by U.S. industry of advanced and innovative manufacturing and process technologies. Requires the Director to: (1) assure that the advice of the Advanced Technology Board is considered routinely in carrying out the responsibilities of the Institutes; (2) assure that Institutes programs are focused on improving the U.S. competitive position; and (3) avoid providing undue advantage to specific companies. Requires the Director to submit to specified congressional committees an initial organization plan for the Institutes. Sets forth requirements for such plan and its revision. Establishes within the Institutes an Advanced Technology Board to review and make recommendations regarding general policy for the Institutes, their organization, their budgets, and their programs. Requires the Board to report annually to the President and the Congress. (Repeals authority for a visiting committee.) Directs the Secretary of Commerce, as part of the FY 1989 budget submission for the Institutes, to submit to specified congressional committees a plan to supplement existing activities with an evaluation of the technological and economic feasibility of inventions which are not energy-related. Requires the Director to consult with various agencies and organizations on how they might cooperate with the expanded inventions evaluation program. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 for this title other than for functions and activities of the Institutes. Title II: Office of Extension Services - Federal Industrial Extension Act of 1987 - Establishes within the Institutes an Office of Extension Services for Industrial Competitiveness to support, advise, and assist State Industrial Extension Services by: (1) giving information about Federal research and development; (2) helping increase technology transfer by applying lessons learned in other programs; (3) acting as a single point of contact; and (4) making its technical expertise available. Establishes within the Institutes a three-year Extension Service for Industrial Competitiveness Grant Program (the Program) to demonstrate methods by which the Federal Government can best help States establish, support, improve, and expand State Industrial Extension Services. Limits Program participants to not more than 15 States (or regional consortia of States). Makes annual grants available for FY 1988 through 1990. Requires that such funds be used to expand the number of businesses served or the amount and quality of services provided by the State's Industrial Extension Service. Requires that participating States provide at least 20 percent of the costs of the Program. Authorizes States to provide Program services directly or through institutions of higher education or other nonprofit organizations. Permits the charging of fees. Requires such States to report annually to the Director. Requires the Director to report to the Congress at the close of FY 1990 on the operation of the Program. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1990 to carry out this title. Title III: Reports on Superconductors - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to enter into contracts with the National Academies of Engineering and Sciences for a thorough review of all major policy issues regarding U.S. applications of recent research advances in superconductors. Directs the review panel, within 18 months after the eactment of this Act, to report to the President and the Congress on methods of enhancing the research, development, and implementation of improved superconductor technologies in all major applications. Sets forth the scope of such review. Title IV: Clearinghouse for State and Local Initiatives on Productivity, Technology, and Innovation - Competitiveness Enhancement Act of 1987 - Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to establish in the Office of Productivity, Technology, and Innovation a clearinghouse for State and Local Initiatives on Productivity, Technology, and Innovation to serve as a central repository of information on: (1) initiatives by State and local governments to enhance the competitiveness of American business and industry through the stimulation of productivity, technology, and innovation; and (2) Federal efforts to assist State and local governments to enhance competitiveness. Sets forth Clearinghouse responsibilities. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to report annually on such State and local initiatives, including recommendations on the appropriate Federal role. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 and succeeding fiscal years to carry out this title. Title V: Semiconductor Research and Development - National Advisory Committee on Semiconductor Research and Development Act of 1987 - Establishes in the executive branch an independent advisory body to be known as the National Advisory Committee on Semiconductors. Sets forth Committee functions, including monitoring the competitiveness of U.S. semiconductor technology, developing strategies, and making recommendations to enhance such competitiveness. Requires the Committee to report annually to the President and the Congress. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1990. Title VI: Miscellaneous and Conforming Provisions - Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to revise the extent to which a Federal agency may retain royalties or other income as a result of invention management services performed for another Federal agency or laboratory. Revises the formula for determining that portion of each Federal agency's laboratory budget which is to be transferred to the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1987
Urges the administration to continue to reject efforts by Canadian negotiators to: (1) have the U.S. cabotage trades, including the transport of energy resources, opened to Canadian vessels; and (2) eliminate the ad valorem duty on vessel repairs performed in Canadian shipyards.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1987
National Commission on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Act - Establishes a National Commission on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome to study and make recommendations regarding: (1) national policy and priorities with respect to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) including research, testing for the AIDS virus, confidentiality of test results, treatment and care of AIDS sufferers, prevention of the transmission of AIDS, and education about AIDS; (2) the appropriate roles of Federal, State, and local governments, and of the private sector regarding such national policy and priorities; and (3) guidelines for the coordination of AIDS activities with international organizations. Directs the Commission to hold hearings and to submit interim and final reports to the President and to the Congress. Directs the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to assist the Commission by preparing: (1) a detailed compilation and synopsis of national and international medical research on AIDS; and (2) a detailed report on activities of the Veterans Administration relevant to the duties of the Commission. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988. Terminates the Commission 30 days after submission of its final report. Authorizes the President to extend the life of the Commission for a period not to exceed two years.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1987
Veal Calf Protection Act - Prohibits a person who raises a calf used for veal production from: (1) keeping the calf in an enclosure (other than for transportation or innoculation purposes) that prevents normal postural adjustments or physical contact with other calves; and (2) feeding a calf more than two weeks old food that does not meet standards prescribed by the Secretary of Agriculture. Makes it unlawful for a person to knowingly transport, sell, or purchase a calf subjected to these prohibited practices. Fixes a $5,000 per animal penalty with respect to violations. Directs the Secretary to issue rules with specified contents concerning calf food standards. Permits any person who suffers or would suffer injury as a result of violations under this Act to bring a civil action to either obtain injunctive relief or compel enforcement of this Act's provisions. Entitles a person bringing an action that results in imposition of a penalty to one-half of the penalty amount.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1987
Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to: (1) conduct a study of methods of screening persons and property to be carried in air transportation in order to detect dangerous weapons, explosives, and incendiary devices; and (2) report to the Congress on the study results.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1987
Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Act - States the findings of the Congress and declares the policy of the United States concerning chemical and biological weapons. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to issue such regulations, licenses, and orders as may be required to control the export of materials, equipment, and technology having significance for the manufacture or use of chemical and biological weapons. Makes subject to the penalties imposed by the Export Administration Act of 1979 any person who violates any regulation, license, or order issued by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary of State to assess the risk of the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons. Specifies particular matters to be considered by such assessment and specifies that such assessment shall give particular attention to the materials, equipment, and technology that have direct significance for the production and use of chemical and biological weapons. Requires the Secretary of State to submit to the Congress a biannual report describing the status of: (1) control of the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons; (2) efforts to prevent the spread of such weapons; and (3) programs to control the export of materials, equipment, and technology having direct significance for the production of chemical and biological weapons. Requires the Secretary of State to establish a Chemical Industry Advisory Group to provide advice to the Secretary concerning such assessment and such biannual report. Requires to Secretary of State to inform the appropriate committees of the Congress of developments of significance to the proliferation and control of chemical and biological weapons.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1987
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to transfer specified monkeys used in research at the Institute for Behavioral Research in Silver Spring, Marylands, to Primarily Primates, Inc., an animal sanctuary in San Antonio, Texas.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1987
Designates the week beginning November 15, 1987, as African American Education Week. Authorizes and requests the President to issue a proclamation calling upon: (1) the Department of Education and State and local governments to support activities observing such week; (2) schools and communities with African Americans to demonstrate their commitment to the education of African Americans; and (3) community organizations to intensify their support of academic excellence by African Americans.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1987
Requests and authorizes the President to conduct a White House conference on Child Abuse not earlier than September 1, 1989, and not later than September 30, 1991. Requires the conference to be planned and conducted under the direction of the Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect. Provides for the cooperation of Federal departments and agencies. Requires the final report of the Conference to include a statement of a comprehensive coherent national policy on children, youth, and families. Requires the Board and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit their recommendations following the report. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1987
Declares that the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam should: (1) immediately release all political prisoners; (2) fulfill its commitment to negotiate their humane resettlement abroad or to rejoin family members outside of Vietnam; and (3) immediately resume processing of family reunification cases under the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees' Orderly Departure Program.
![Official portrait of Rep. Valentine, Tim [D-NC-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/v000006_200.jpg)