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United States · Official source
1,816 records where Rep. Watkins, Wes [R-OK-3] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1984
Designates the Federal Building in McAlester, Oklahoma, as the Carl Albert Federal Building.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1984
Designates the week of October 14 through October 21, 1984, as National Housing Week.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1984
Designates July 9, 1984, as African Refugees Relief Day.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1984
Authorizes and requests the President to designate August 28, 1984, as a national day of recognition of Father Junipero Serra.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1984
Designates the week beginning February 17, 1985, as a time to recognize the contributions of volunteers who give their time to become Big Brothers and Big Sisters to youths in need of adult companionship.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1984
1984 White House Conference on International Trade Act - Declares that it is the policy of the Congress that the Federal Government should develop and implement a policy for expanding the participation of the United States in international trade. Authorizes the President to call a White House Conference on International Trade in order to develop recommendations for further research and action in international trade. Requires the Conference to bring together representatives of Federal, State, and local governments, professional and lay people, and academics. Requires a final report of the Conference, which shall include a statement of comprehensive national policy on international trade, to be submitted to the President within 180 days after the Conference adjourns. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 1984
Designates July 17, 1984, as Spanish-American War Veterans Day.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1984
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that current tax incentives for renewable energy sources should be extended.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1984
Designates the week beginning on September 9, 1984, as National Community Leadership Week.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1984
American Passbook Savings Act of 1984 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income up to $5,000 ($10,000 for joint returns) of the interest earned on a passbook savings account.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1984
Designates July 10, 1984, as Food for Peace Day.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1984
Federal Food Irradiation Development and Control Act of 1984 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to delete "sources of radiation" from the definition of "food additive". Defines "food irradiation treatment" as a food process. Applies specified food additive regulatory provisions to food irradiation treatments. Declares it to be the express intent of Congress to require national uniformity in the regulation of food irradiation treatment. Prohibits States or their political subdivisions from establishing food irradiation requirements different from, or in addition to, Federal requirements. Authorizes permanent appropriations to carry out the byproducts beneficial uses portion of the Department of Energy (DOE) defense nuclear waste management program. Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to state that DOE may lease at fair market rates nuclear byproduct material for commercial food irradiation purposes. Establishes within the Department of Agriculture the Joint Operating Commission for Food Irradiation Treatment. Includes within such Commission's functions: (1) research and information exchange coordination; (2) encouragement of private enterprise in the development of food irradiation treatment; and (3) an annual report to Congress. Authorizes permanent appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1984
Designates the week of November 11 through November 17, 1984, as Women in Agriculture Week.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1984
Designates July 20, 1984, as Space Exploration Day.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1984
Designates the week of May 13 through May 19, 1984, as Smokey Bear Week.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1984
Designates August 21, 1984, as Hawaii Statehood Silver Jubilee Day.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1984
Amends the Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to provide that small natural gas-fired electric generators shall be treated as small power production facilities under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1984
Rural Housing Assistance Act of 1984 - Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish procedures to ensure that: (1) 40 percent of the dwelling units financed with Federal rural housing assistance are made available only to very low-income families or persons each fiscal year; and (2) the provision of such assistance to other families and persons is not delayed because of such percentage requirement. Repeals a requirement that at least 30 percent of the dwelling units financed with such assistance in each State be made available only to very low-income persons.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1984
County Revenue Enhancement Act of 1984 - Amends specified Federal laws to provide that the Secretary of the Treasury shall pay an additional 25 percent of revenues received from each national forest to the State in which it is located. Authorizes the appropriate State legislature to expend such funds for any public purpose, including the public schools and roads of the counties in which such national forest is located. Repeals a requirement of Federal law that ten percent of all moneys received from the national forests shall be made available for road and trail maintenance within the national forests in States in which such proceeds were derived. Amends Federal law to replace the use of the calendar year with the use of a fiscal year. Increases from 25 percent to 50 percent the payments which the Secretary of Agriculture must make to counties out of net revenues received from the use of the land.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1984
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to permit any producer participating in the milk diversion program to sell to a member of a 4-H club or of the Future Farmers of America a single dairy cow for use as a membership project.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1984
Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to eliminate the requirement that a certain portion of the dwelling units financed with Federal rural housing assistance be available only for very low-income families or persons.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1984
Designates May 25, 1984, as Missing Children Day.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1984
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the week of May 27 through June 2, 1984, as National Animal Health Week.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1984
Fair Trade in Steel Act of 1984 - Declares that it is the policy of Congress that access to the U.S. market for foreign-produced carbon, alloy, and specialty steel mill products should be on an equitable basis to safeguard national security, insure orderly trade in steel mill products, reduce unfair trade in steel mill products, and alleviate U.S. balance-of-payments problems. Expresses the intent of Congress to: (1) expand the economic viability of the U.S. steel industry and the jobs of its workers; (2) prevent the further decline of the domestic steel industry; and (3) temper the economic hardships resulting from unemployment in steel industry communities by encouraging reinvestment in existing steelmaking facilities. Limits annual imports of specified steel mill product categories to specified percentages of the apparent domestic supply which are based on adjusted average import penetration levels for each such product category for the years 1979, 1980, and 1981. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to allocate global product limitations among foreign countries, groups of countries, or areas. Sets forth guidelines for making such allocations. Requires the Secretary to make an annual determination of the expected apparent domestic supply in each steel mill product category. Requires the Secretary to revise such determination periodically during the year. Directs the Secretary to determine, within 90 days after the effective date of this Act, whether the steel industry companies have plans to use substantially all of the cash flow from the steel sector for reinvestment in and the modernization of the steel sector. Prohibits the import restrictions from taking effect until the Secretary determines that the steel companies have such plans. Directs the Secretary to monitor steel sector investments made and announced by the steel industry and to consult with steel industry representatives and employees in the course of such monitoring. Directs the Secretary to determine annually whether steel companies are using substantially all the cash flow from the steel sector for reinvestment in and modernization of the steel sector. Directs the Secretary to modify or suspend the relevant import restrictions if the Secretary determines that substantially less than all the cash flow from the steel sector is being used for such reinvestment and modernization and that the level of investment is not demonstrably justified by adverse financial conditions within the industry. Directs the Secretary to publish: (1) each annual determination and its rationale; and (2) the total amount of cash flow from the steel sector and the total amount used for reinvestment in and modernization of the steel sector. Requires the steel companies to provide the Secretary with the information necessary for making such determinations. Directs the Secretary to examine the supply and demand situation in the United States for a specified steel product category if requested by affected steel consumers. Sets forth criteria to be used in determining short supply. Directs the Secretary to monitor imports of fabricated steel mill products. Sets forth the method of investigating whether imports of fabricated steel products are rendering ineffective or materially interfering with the objectives of this Act. Limits the quantity of iron ore that may be entered from all sources during any calendar year after the effective date of this Act. Directs the Secretary to allocate global iron ore limitations among foreign countries, groups of countries or areas. Sets forth guidelines for making such allocation. Directs the Secretary, in making such allocations, to attempt first to accommodate the requirements of individual steel mills which have been traditionally dependent on ocean sourced foreign iron ore and the requirements of contractual obligations incurred before January 1, 1984. Authorizes the Secretary to waive the import restrictions on iron ore if necessary to meet the needs of such individual steel mills. Provides for the enforcement and implementation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1984
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the month of May 1984 as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1984
Designates the week of May 7 through May 13, 1984, as National Photo Week.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1984
Petroleum Marketing Practices Act Amendments of 1984 - Amends the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act to: (1) redefine the term "failure"; and (2) define the terms "constructive termination" and "similar motor fuel marketing operations." Defines "constructive termination" to mean: (1) the failure by the franchisor to supply the franchisee with motor fuel in an amount equal to the minimum specified in the franchise agreement; (2) the failure by the franchisor to make motor fuel available to the franchisee such minimum amount at a price which enables the franchisee to compete with similar motor fuel marketing operations of the franchisor; or (3) any adjustment in the quantity of fuel a franchisee is required or entitled to receive unless the franchisor can show that either the adjustment is applied equally to all franchisees and marketing operations of the franchisor within the relevant geographic area, or, if it is a downward adjustment, the franchisor can show that it is reasonable. Prohibits a motor fuel franchisor from constructively terminating a franchise. Requires a franchisor, in certain circumstances prior to terminating a franchise, to make a bona fide reasonable offer to transfer the franchise to the franchisee. Permits nonrenewal of a franchise relationship if the franchisor and franchisee cannot agree to changes or additions to the provisions of the franchise which are fair and reasonable. Prohibits nonrenewal because of the failure of the franchisor and franchisee to agree to changes or additions to the provisions of the franchise which relate to materially altering, adding to, or replacing the marketing premises. Permits nonrenewal, in a situation where renewal is presently permitted, when it would be uneconomical to the franchisor despite any reasonable changes acceptable to the franchisee, only if the franchisor demonstrates that the nonrenewal is not being made with the intent of avoiding competition with the franchisee. Requires a franchisor to notify a franchisee, 90 days prior to the franchisor's final opportunity to exercise an option to buy or to continue leasing the land where the franchise is located, of the name, address, and phone number of the owner or holder of the underlying lease. Provides that if a franchisee enters into an agreement with the owner or lessor to maintain possession of the premises, then the franchise agreement may continue, at the option of the franchisee. Requires any franchisor who competes with its own franchisees to supply motor fuel to its franchisees at a price and on terms which reasonably enable the franchisee to compete with the franchisor. States that the burden of proof is on the franchisor to show lack of competition. Revises the definition of "trial franchise." Permits a franchisee to maintain a civil action against a franchisor if the franchisor constructively terminates the franchise. States that the death, retirement, or disability of a franchisee shall not be grounds for termination or nonrenewal of the franchise if, prior the franchisee's death, retirement, or disability, the franchisee provides the franchisor with a succession plan. Permits termination or nonrenewal if: (1) the franchisor notifies the franchisee in writing, within 30 days of receipt of the plan, of the franchisor's rejection of the plan; (2) the rejection notice includes reasons for the rejection; and (3) the rejection is reasonable. Provides a franchisee with the right to sell or otherwise transfer the franchise subject to the approval of the franchisor. Prohibits approval from being withheld unreasonably.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1984
Rural Development Reorganization Act of 1984 - Title I: Reorganization Within Department of Agriculture - Amends Federal law to rename the Department of Agriculture the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Retitles the Secretary of Agriculture the Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. Establishes the Rural Development Administration within such Department. Renames the Farmers Home Administration the Farm Administration. Makes conforming administrative changes. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out the provisions of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, except for specified loan provisions, through the Rural Development Administration. States that titles V and VI of the Rural Development Act of 1972 shall be carried out through the Rural Development Administration. Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to expand the number of designated assistance areas from 225 to 450. Transfers certain conservation loan programs from the Farmers Home Administration to the Soil Conservation Service. Makes conforming amendments to specified agricultural and rural affairs acts. Title II: Administration of Federal Rural Housing and Community Development Programs - Transfers to the Rural Development Administration current FmHA loan programs for: (1) business and industry; (2) community facilities; (3) water and waste disposal (including grant authority); and (4) rural development and planning, excluding farm production. Transfers to the new Farm Administration current FmHA single-family housing loan programs. Makes conforming amendments to the Housing Act of 1949. Provides for farm ownership assistance to be carried out through such Administration. Makes conforming amendments to the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act and the Federal Financing Bank Act of 1973. Title III: Administrative Provisions - Sets forth administrative provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1984
Declares that it is the sense of Congress that the Federal bank regulatory agencies, when examining bank loans to independent oil and gas producers experiencing financial difficulties, should require their examiners to consider other specified factors in addition to cash flow as long as high interest rates and high cost of production continue to impair the abilities of such borrowers to meet loan repayment schedules.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1984
Authorizes the President, on behalf of Congress, to present to Elie Wiesel a gold medal in recognition of his humanitarian efforts and outstanding contributions to world literature and human rights. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to provide for the public sale of bronze duplicates of such medal.
United States · United States Congress · 29 February 1984
Designates the week beginning November 11, 1984, as National Women Veterans Recognition Week.
United States · United States Congress · 29 February 1984
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the week beginning on November 18, 1984, as National Family Week.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1984
Designates the month of June 1984 as Veterans' Preference Month.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1984
Designates the month of September 1984 as National Sewing Month.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 1984
Directs the President to: (1) secure from the Indochina nations a full accounting of Americans captured or missing as a result of the Vietnam conflict; and (2) work for the release of captive Americans and the return of the remains of those American servicemen and civilians who died in Southeast Asia. Requires the President to submit two reports to Congress on American POW/MIAs in Southeast Asia.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1984
Title I: General Provisions - Sets forth congressional findings and definitions related to this Act. Title II: Department of International Trade and Industry - Part A: Establishment - Establishes an independent Department of International Trade and Industry which shall be administered by a Secretary of International Trade and Industry. Requires that the Secretary shall be the U.S. Trade Representative. Sets forth the functions of the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to be: (1) Chairman of the Board of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation; (2) Chairman pro tempore of the interagency organization established pursuant to the Trade Expansion Act of 1962; (3) a member of the National Security Council; and (4) Deputy Chairman of the National Advisory Council on International Monetary and Financial Policies. Directs the Secretary to consult with the Secretary of Agriculture on all matters which potentially involve international trade in agricultural products. Requires that the Secretary shall be chairman and the Secretary of Agriculture shall be Vice Chairman of any negotiation that includes discussion of international trade in agricultural products. Authorizes the Secretary, except where expressly prohibited by law, to assign the responsibility for conducting an international trade negotiation to the head of another Federal agency if the subject matter of the negotiation is related to the functions of that agency. Requires the President, if the provisions of a regulation, executive order, or executive agreement may have a significant impact on the international economic competitiveness of significant domestic product and service industries, to submit a statement to specified congressional committees describing the likely impact of such provisions. Requires such statement to be submitted at least 60 days before the regulation, order, or agreement will take effect. Authorizes the President to waive the impact statements if, in order to serve the national interest or deal with an emergency situation, the regulation, order, or agreement must take effect immediately. Requires that the report of a bill or resolution which contains provisions that would have a significant impact on the international economic competitiveness of significant domestic product and service industries shall contain a statement describing the likely impact of such provisions. Authorizes the Secretary to establish regional trade centers throughout the United States in order to increase exports of U.S. goods and services. Part B: Offices and Administrations - Establishes in the Office of the Secretary the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Establishes within the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative the Deputy U.S. Trade Representative and the Deputy U.S. Trade Representative for Agriculture. Establishes within the Department: (1) the United States Travel and Tourism Administration; (2) the Administration for Productivity and Technology (composed of the Patent and Trademark Office, the National Bureau of Standards, and Office of Telecommunications and Information, and the National Technical Information Service); (3) the Office of Small Business Trade Assistance, which shall provide small businesses with information concerning import relief and assistance in preparing petitions and applications for import relief; (4) the Office of Competitive Analysis, which shall provide information and analysis for the Secretary, the Department, and the Congress with respect to trade policy, trade negotiating strategy, and other policies affecting the competitiveness of domestic industries. Requires the Office of Competitive Analysis to report annually to Congress on economic and technological developments affecting the competitive position of U.S. industry. Directs the Secretary to convene an industry sector competitiveness council for specified industry sectors to assess actual or potential dislocation, challenge, or opportunity for the industry involved and to formulate recommendations for business, government, and labor. Part C: Officers - Establishes in the Department a Deputy Secretary of International Trade and Industry who, among other things, shall be Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Establishes within the Department four Under Secretaries of International Trade and Industry, including an Under Secretary for Travel and Tourism and an Under Secretary for Agriculture. Establishes within the Department an Administrator for Productivity and Technology who shall administer the Administration for Productivity and Technology. Establishes within the Department nine Assistant Secretaries including an Assistant Secretary for Patents and Trademarks and an Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information. Establishes within the Department a General Counsel and an Inspector General. Lists other officers within the Department. Part D: Transfers to the Department - Transfers to the Secretary all functions of the U.S. Trade Representative and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Transfers to the Secretary, except for functions transferred by title III, IV, and V: (1) all functions of the Secretary of Commerce; (2) all functions of the Department of Commerce; and (3) all functions of specified officers within the Department of Commerce. Part E: Administrative Provisions - Sets forth provisions dealing with: (1) personnel issues; (2) the power of the Secretary to delegate functions; (3) the succession of officers within the Department; (4) the authority of the Secretary to reorganize the Department; (5) the authority of the Secretary to issue rules and regulations; (6) the establishment of a working capital fund for the Department; (7) the transfer of funds; and (8) other administrative matters. Part F: Related Agencies - Amends the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to require that the interagency trade organization established pursuant to that Act shall be composed of the President, the Secretaries of International Trade and Industry, Agriculture, Defense, Labor, and Treasury and the heads of such other departments and agencies and such other officers as the President shall designate. Amends the Export- Import Bank Act of 1945 to require that the Deputy Secretary of International Trade and Industry shall serve as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require that the Secretary shall be the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and that the Director of the United States International Development Cooperation Agency shall be the Vice Chairman of such Board. Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to make the Secretary a member of the National Security Council. Amends the Bretton Woods Agreement Act to require the U.S. executive director of the International Monetary Fund to consult with the Secretary on matters under consideration by the Fund which relate to trade. Establishes within the Executive Office of the President a Council on International Trade, Economic, and Financial Policy to coordinate U.S. trade policies with U.S. international economic policies. Establishes within the Executive Office of the President an Advisor to the President for International Trade, Economic, and Financial Policy who shall be Executive Director of the Council and Executive Director of the interagency organization established pursuant to the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. Requires the Advisor to report to the President and the Congress every six months on actual and potential conflicts between U.S. international economic policies and U.S. trade policies. Part G: Conforming Provisions - Sets forth conforming amendments. Title III: Establishment of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as an Independent Agency - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Act of 1983 - Part A: Establishment of Administration - Establishes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as an independent agency. Requires the Administration to include specified officers, including an Administrator (appointed by the President) and a Deputy Administrator. Transfers the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the Department of Commerce to the Administration. Part B: Administrative Provisions - Sets forth administrative provisions. Requires the Administrator to report annually to the President on the activities of the Administration. Title IV: Establishment of the Bureau of the Census as an Independent Agency - Establishes the Bureau of the Census as an independent agency. Transfers the Bureau of the Census of the Department of Commerce to the Bureau. Sets forth the powers and duties of the Bureau of the Census. Directs the President to report to Congress, within 90 days of the effective date of this Act, on the coordination of statistical functions between the Bureau and the Department involved in carrying out certain statistical functions. Title V: Transfers to Other Federal Agencies - Part A: Minority Business Development Agency - Transfers the Minority Business Development Agency of the Department of Commerce to the Small Business Administration. Part B: Economic Development Administration - Transfers the Economic Development Administration of the Department of Commerce to the Department of Agriculture. Title VI: Transitional, Savings, and Conforming Provisions - Provides for transfers of other functions of the Secretary of Commerce which are not dealt with in earlier titles. Sets forth transitional, savings, and conforming provisions relating to changes made by this Act. Title VII: Miscellaneous - Sets forth the effective dates for provisions of this Act. Provides for interim appointments of certain officers. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1984
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act to reduce from $5,000 to $1,000 the limitation on a multicandidate political committee contribution to a candidate in a Federal election. Limits to $50,000 the aggregate sum which candidates for congressional office may accept from multicandidate political committees.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1984
Authorizes the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Incorporated to erect a National Law Enforcement Heroes Memorial on public grounds in the District of Columbia or its environs in honor and recognition of law enforcement officials in the United States who died in the line of duty. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Fund, to select with the approval of the Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission, a suitable site on public grounds for such memorial. Subjects the design and any plans for the memorial to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, the Commission of Fine Arts, and the National Capital Planning Commission. Declares that no moneys belonging to the United States or the District of Columbia shall be expended for the erection of such memorial other than expenses incurred in the process of site selection and approval of design and plans.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1984
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the month of January as National Eye Health Care Month.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1984
Requires the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to conduct a feasibility study of Federal water and related land resources development in certain areas of south-central Oklahoma. Directs the Secretary, upon completion of such study, to prepare a plan for the development of such resources. Directs the Secretary to prepare and submit to the Congress, within three years of the enactment of this Act, a report containing the results of such study, together with any recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1984
National Symposium on Missing Children Act of 1984 - Establishes a 15 member Commission on Missing Children to conduct an inquiry into the problem of missing children. Requires the Commission to hold a national symposium to bring together experts, professionals, and interested individuals to: (1) find solutions to prevent the disappearance of children and provide for the safe return of any missing children; (2) disseminate information and assistance to citizens, agencies, and the government; (3) make recommendations to the President and Congress for legislative changes; and (4) make recommendations for a program to coordinate and assist those concerned with missing children. Directs the Commission to submit a comprehensive report incorporating specific recommendations to the President and the Congress. Requires the Commission to terminate 18 months after its inception. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1984
Directs the President to designate the month of May 1984 as Older Americans Month.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1984
Declares that it is the sense of Congress that the Federal bank regulatory agencies should require their examiners to exercise caution and restraint in adversely classifying loans made to agricultural borrowers.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1984
Designates the week of September 30 through October 6, 1984, as National High-Tech Week.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1983
Authorizes the President, notwithstanding any time limitations, to award a medal of honor to a named individual for acts of valor performed as a naval officer during World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1983
Designates March 16 of each year as Freedom of Information Day.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 1983
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the news media should voluntarily refrain from projecting election results before the polls close; and (2) the news media and industry, trade and professional organizations should voluntarily adopt guidelines to assure that exit interview data is not used to project election results before the polls close.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 1983
Pays tribute to Chad Knutson and his parents for his decision to donate his organs at his death which made possible multiple transplant operations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1983
Amends the Federal criminal code to establish criteria for the imposition of the death penalty for Federal crimes. Requires the Government, for any offense punishable by death, to serve notice upon the defendant a reasonable time before trial or acceptance of a plea that it intends to seek the death penalty and the aggravating factors upon which it will rely. Requires a separate sentencing hearing before a jury, or the court upon motion by the defendant, when the defendant is found guilty or pleads guilty to an offense punishable by death. Allows the defendant and the Government to present any information relevant to sentencing, without regard to the rules of evidence, but permits information to be excluded where its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading the jury. Specifies mitigating factors which the defendant must establish by a preponderance of the information and aggravating factors which the Government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt. Includes as aggravating factors for homicide that the defendant: (1) has previously been convicted of another Federal or State offense; (2) created a grave risk of death to one or more persons in addition to the victim; (3) committed the offense in an especially heinous, cruel or depraved manner; or (4) committed the offense against a foreign official. Includes among the mitigating factors that the defendant was less than 18 years old at the time of the crime or that the defendant's mental capacity was significantly impaired. Directs the court, or the jury by unanimous vote, to impose the death penalty upon a finding that such sentence is justified based on consideration of both the aggravating and mitigating factors. 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 sentence. Establishes procedures for appeal from a death sentence. Requires the Court of Appeals, upon considering the record and the information and procedures of the sentencing hearing, to affirm the decision if: (1) the sentence was not imposed under influence of passion, prejudice, or arbitrariness; and (2) the information supports the finding of aggravating factors or the absence of mitigating factors. Requires the court to provide a written explanation of its determination. Provides for the death penalty for murders committed by prisoners in Federal correctional institutions. Amends the offense of kidnapping to impose the death penalty if the purpose of the offense is extortion and if death or serious bodily injury results to any person.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1983
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require a broadcast licensee to provide any person whose personal qualities are attacked during the presentation of views in a broadcast on a controversial issue of public importance with: (1) notification of the time, date, and identification of the broadcast; (2) a script or tape of the attack; and (3) an offer of a reasonable opportunity to respond over the licensee's facilities. Excludes from such requirement any attack: (1) on a foreign group or foreign public figure; (2) made by a legally qualified candidate for public office during the use of a broadcast station; (3) made by such a candidate on another such candidate; or (4) made on a bona fide news show. Requires any licensee which endorses or opposes any candidate in an editorial to transmit to the opposing candidates (in the case of an endorsing editorial) or to the candidate (in the case of an opposing editorial): (1) notification of the date and time of the editorial; (2) a script or tape of the editorial; and (3) an offer of a reasonable opportunity to respond over the licensee's facilities. Terminates the application of this Act on December 31, 1984. Suspends the personal attack rule and the political editorial rule of the Federal Communications Commission until after such date. Prohibits the Commission from repealing or modifying such rules after October 31, 1983, and before January 1, 1985. Voids any such action taken by the Commission after October 31, 1983, and before enactment of this Act. Allows the Commission to repeal or modify such rules beginning on January 1, 1985, provided that no repeal or modification shall become effective until 120 days of continuous session of Congress after it is published as final.