United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006
Senior Nutrition Act of 2006 - Amends the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 to make a person who is at least 60 years old eligible for the commodity supplemental food program if such person: (1) is eligible for the food stamp program; or (2) has a household income that is not more than 185 percent of federal poverty income guidelines. Authorizes appropriations to carry out such program and prohibits using such funds to reimburse the Commodity Credit Corporation for commodities donated to such program.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2006
Designates September 20, 2006, as National Attention Deficit Disorder Awareness Day. Recognizes Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as a major public health concern. Encourages Americans to find out more about ADHD, support ADHD mental health services, and seek treatment and support. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the government has a responsibility to: (1) raise awareness about ADHD; and (2) consider ways to improve mental health services for children and adults with ADHD.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2006
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 950 Missouri Avenue in East St. Louis, Illinois, as the "Katherine Dunham Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2006
Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Act of 2006 - Authorizes the Secretary of State to establish an Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Program to facilitate undergraduate study abroad for academic credit. States that the Program shall consist of: (1) undergraduate fellowships (Lincoln Fellowships); and (2) grants to institutions of higher education (Lincoln Institutional Leverage Grants).
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2006
Pool and Spa Safety Act - Establishes swimming pool and spa safety requirements. Authorizes state and local governments to enforce such requirements. Subjects violators to the same penalties that would apply for violations of related state and local laws. Requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to establish recommended minimum state law standards for swimming pools and spas with respect to: (1) enclosure of the pool or spa by barriers to entry that will prevent small children from gaining unsupervised and unfettered access; and (2) systems designed to prevent entrapment of children by drains. Directs CPSC to require that: (1) any outdoor swimming pool or spa is enclosed by an appropriate fence or other barrier; and (2) any swimming pool or spa with a main drain is equipped with at least one anti-entrapment device. Directs CPSC to require, at a minimum, one or more of the following: a safety vacuum release system; a suction-limiting vent system; a gravity drainage system; an automatic pump shut-off system; or a device or system that disables the drain. Requires the CPSC to establish: (1) a state swimming pool safety grant program to provide assistance to states in hiring and training state and local government employees in implementing and enforcing state swimming pool standards, educating the public, and administering safety programs; and (2) an education program to inform the public of methods to prevent drownings and entrapment in swimming pools and spas.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2006
Protecting Children's Health in Schools Act of 2006 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (State Children's Health Insurance) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to establish requirements for providing and receiving reimbursement for school-based health care for children, including children with special needs, and the related administrative and transportation costs covered under Medicaid. Includes health care provided through Medicaid managed care organizations. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Education, acting jointly, to develop and implement a uniform methodology for claims under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2006
Fuel Economy Reform Act - Amends federal transportation law to: (1) revise the definition of automobile to require including all automobiles up to 10,000 pounds (currently, not all automobiles up to 10,000 pounds are required to be included in the definition); and (2) continue applying the current minimum corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards for non-passenger and passenger automobiles to automobiles manufactured through model year 2011, but, for passenger automobiles, adds an increase of four percent per year in such standard for model years 2009 through 2011. Requires an average fuel economy standard of 27.5 miles per gallon for all automobiles manufactured by all manufacturers for model year 2012, with an increase of four percent in the average fuel economy from the level for the prior model year for model year 2013 and beyond. Requires the average fuel economy standard in a model year for a manufacturer's domestic and foreign fleetwide passenger automobiles under calculation of average fuel economy provisions to be at least 92% of the average fuel economy projected by the Secretary for the combined domestic and foreign fleets manufactured by all manufacturers in that model year. Permits lower fuel economy standards if the minimum standards: (1) are technologically unachievable; (2) materially reduce auto safety; or (3) are not cost effective. Allows, with a specified exception, the selling of credits between manufacturers. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) terminate the limitation on the number of new qualified hybrid and advanced lean burn technology vehicles eligible for the alternative motor vehicle credit; and (2) allow an advanced technology motor vehicles manufacturing credit.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2006
Reaffirms steadfast support for Israel. Supports Israel's right of self-defense and its right to take appropriate action to deter aggression by terrorist groups and their state sponsors. Urges the President to continue to fully support Israel in exercising its right of self-defense in Lebanon and Gaza. Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Israeli soldiers held captive by Hezbollah or Hamas. Condemns the governments of Iran and Syria for their continued support for Hezbollah and Hamas and holds these governments responsible for the acts of aggression carried out by Hezbollah and Hamas against Israel. Condemns Hamas and Hezbollah for exploiting civilian populations as shields and locating their military activities in civilian areas. Urges the President to use all available political and diplomatic means, including sanctions, to persuade the governments of Syria and Iran to end their support of Hezbollah and Hamas. Calls on the government of Lebanon to do everything in its power to free the kidnapped Israeli soldiers held in Lebanon and to fulfill its responsibility under U.N. Security Council Resolution 1559 to disband and disarm Hezbollah. Calls on the Security Council to: (1) condemn these unprovoked acts; and (2) demand compliance with Resolution 1559, which requires that Hezbollah and other militias be disbanded and disarmed and that all foreign forces leave Lebanon. Urges all sides to protect innocent civilian life and infrastructure and strongly supports the use of all diplomatic means to free the captured Israeli soldiers. Recognizes that thousands of American nationals reside peacefully in Lebanon and that those American nationals in Lebanon concerned for their safety should receive full U.S. government assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2006
Commends the efforts of former Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick in Darfur and the contributions of White House Policy Advisor Michael Gerson, Ambassador Cindy Courville, and Ambassador Michael Ranneberger. Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the United States needs an individual of Ambassadorial rank and high stature to devote exclusive attention to Darfur and related issues concerning peace and stability in Sudan; (2) such individual should formulate and coordinate policy, lead negotiations, engage with parties to the conflict to monitor their compliance with the May 2006 Darfur Peace Agreement, gather donor resources, and ensure that this crisis remains a top U.S. government priority; and (3) the President should appoint a Presidential Special Envoy for Sudan with the rank of Ambassador and should provide not less than $250,000 to support the Presidential Special Envoy.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2006
International Child Marriage Prevention and Assistance Act of 2006 - Requires the Secretary of State to develop a comprehensive strategy to reduce the incidences of child marriage around the world by further integrating this issue into U.S. development efforts. Requires the Secretary to submit reports to Congress on such strategy and on child marriage and U.S. assistance programs that address it. Authorizes the President to provide assistance for programs to reduce the incidences of child marriage and promote the empowerment of girls, including support for the treatment and reduction of fistula in countries with high rates of such surgery. Requires the Secretary to work through the U.S. Agency for International Development and other agencies of the Department of State and in conjunction with other relevant agencies as part of their ongoing research and data collection activities concerning child marriage. Requires the Secretary to include in the Department of State's Annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices a section for each country where child marriage is prevalent, outlining the status of the practice.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2006
HIV Prevention for Youth Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that sexually active young people who live in a country where HIV infection is spreading through the general population, rather than being confined to specific populations should be: (1) considered at high risk of contracting HIV infection; and (2) provided with the knowledge, skill-building programs, and tools to protect themselves from HIV infection. Amends the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003 to define "abstinence-until-marriage programs" as programs that place the highest priority on encouraging unmarried individuals to abstain from sexual activity, which if practiced 100% correctly and consistently is the only certain way to protect against exposure to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. (Such programs include information on the health benefits of delayed sexual debut in reducing HIV transmission and may be used to support approaches that promote skill-building strategies for practicing abstinence.) Reserves at least 33% of the Act's appropriations for FY2006-FY2008 for prevention of the sexual transmission of HIV (currently, for HIV/AIDS prevention). Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to include within the activities for which HIV/AIDS assistance is available preventive intervention education for sexually active young people who live in a country experiencing a generalized HIV epidemic. Defines " generalized epidemic" as a country where: (1) HIV infection is spreading through the general population, rather than being confined to specific populations, such as sex workers and their clients, injecting drug users, and men who have sex with men; and (2) the HIV infection rate among people between the ages of 15 and 49 exceeds 1%.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2006
Prisoner Opportunity, Work, and Education Requirement Act or the POWER Act - Amends the Crime Control Act of 1990 to require federal prison inmates to: (1) work for not less than 50 hours weekly; and (2) engage in job training and educational and life skills preparation study. Requires Federal Prison Industries (a government corporation) to employ inmates in manufacturing activities by subcontracting with private sector contractors. Requires inmate wages earned in a 50-hour work week program to be used for the costs of incarceration, victim restitution, inmate expenses, and related state and local prisoner programs. Repeals certain provisions restricting the funding of, and purchase of products from, Federal Prison Industries. Directs the Attorney General to establish the Foreign Labor Substitute Panel to review pilot projects by U.S. companies for the manufacture of goods by federal convicts that would otherwise be manufactured by foreign labor. Revises federal criminal code provisions to restate the mission, operating objectives, performance standards, and other requirements for Federal Prison Industries. Requires the Comptroller General to provide for annual independent evaluations of the operations of Federal Prison Industries and to report to Congress on such evaluations (currently, the Board of Directors of Federal Prison Industries is required to report to Congress).
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2006
Condemns: (1) the July 2004 murder of U.S. journalist Paul Klebnikov in Moscow; and (2) the murders of other members of the media in the Russian Federation. Commends the Office of the Russian Prosecutor General for its continuing investigation of Mr. Klebnikov's murder. Urges the government of Russia to: (1) continue its inquiries into Mr. Klebnikov's murder, and to bring the responsible parties to justice; (2) accept offers of investigatory assistance from the United States and other concerned governments; (3) assist journalists who have started independent inquiries into Mr. Klebnikov's death, to the extent that such assistance conforms with Russian privacy safeguards and laws; and (4) take action to protect the independence and freedom of the media of Russia and of visiting members of the media.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2006
Amends the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 to delay from July 1, 2006, until January 31, 2007, the effective date of the amendments made by such Act requiring documentation evidencing citizenship or nationality as a condition for receipt of medical assistance under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2006
Nurse Education, Expansion, and Development Act of 2006 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to award a grant to each eligible school of nursing to increase the number of nursing faculty and students. Requires such schools to formulate and implement a plan to accomplish at least two of specified goals, which include: (1) establishing or significantly expanding an accelerated baccalaureate degree nursing program designed to graduate new nurses in 12 to 18 months; (2) establishing cooperative interdisciplinary training between schools of nursing and other specified health related fields; (3) increasing admissions, enrollment, and retention of qualified individuals who are financially disadvantaged; (4) increasing enrollment of minority and diverse student populations; (5) increasing enrollment of new graduate baccalaureate nursing students in graduate programs that educate nurse faculty members; (6) developing post-baccalaureate residency programs to prepare nurses for practice in specialty areas where nursing shortages are more severe; and (7) increasing integration of geriatric content into the core curriculum. Requires the Comptroller General to study ways to increase participation in the nurse faculty profession and to submit a report to Congress that includes: (1) a discussion of the master's degree and doctoral degree programs that are successful in placing graduates as faculty in schools of nursing; and (2) an examination of compensation disparities throughout the nursing profession and between higher education instructional faculty generally and higher education instructional nursing faculty.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2006
Appropriates funds for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for FY2006 for general operating expenses, specifically to improve the security for personal data of veterans held by the VA and to provide remedial assistance to veterans and other persons who have had personal data stolen from the VA.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2006
Student Debt Relief Act of 2006 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to increase yearly maximum Pell grant amounts. Authorizes and appropriates specified additional annual funding for such grants if discretionary appropriations for such year are sufficient to fund a specified maximum Pell grant award of $4,050. Requires the Secretary of Education to provide institutions of higher education Student Aid Reward Payments for participating in the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) or Direct Loan (DL) program most cost-effective for taxpayers. Cuts interest rates under the FFEL and DL programs. Allows students to consolidate loans under the FFEL program while still in school. Reduces DL origination fees. Eliminates exceptional performer status for lenders, servicers, and guaranty agencies, which rewards such entities for high due diligence in FFEL collection. Imposes certain requirements regarding federal fund supplementation and lender trustees on schools which act as FFEL lenders. Sets limits on funds available for administrative expenses under the FFEL and DL programs for FY2007-FY2012. Directs the Secretary to forgive the balance due on DLs and direct consolidation loans by individuals who have been public sector employees for 10 years and have made 120 income contingent payments on such loans. Defers FFEL principal and Perkins loan principal and interest repayments when borrowers are suffering economic hardship, redefined to include borrowers whose full-time earnings do not exceed 150% of the poverty line. Defers student loan repayments to the extent they would exceed 15% of the amount a borrower's adjusted gross income exceeds the poverty line. Includes such deferral periods in calculating the maximum period an income contingent repayment plan may be in effect for a non-defaulting borrower. Increases consolidation loan lender fees. Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the deduction for higher education expenses and make it permanent. Establishes a tax credit for student loan interest payments.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2006
Restitution for Victims of Crime Act of 2006 - Amends the federal criminal code relating to restitution for victims of crime to: (1) require courts to enter an order for immediate restitution at the sentencing of a convict; (2) allow prosecutors to obtain from the U.S. Probation Office, without a court order, financial information about a convict who owes restitution; (3) require identifying information about convicts to be included in restitution orders of more than $100; (4) allow crime victims reimbursement of attorney fees incurred in seeking restitution; (5) require courts to issue protective orders for preservation of assets available to satisfy restitution claims; (6) provide for prejudgment remedies to protect assets available to satisfy restitution claims; and (7) provide for orders of restitution for victims of certain environmental crimes at the sentencing of a convict.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2006
Drug Overdose Reduction Act - Requires the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to award grants or cooperative agreements to enable public health agencies or community-based organizations to reduce deaths occurring from overdoses of drugs or controlled substances, including by: (1) providing training on the effective response to individuals who have overdosed; or (2) providing overdose prevention, recognition, treatment, or response to individuals in need of such services. Requires the Director to: (1) annually compile and publish data on the deaths occurring from overdoses of drugs or controlled substances for the preceding year; and (2) develop a plan to reduce the number of such deaths.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2006
Dietary Supplement and Nonprescription Drug Consumer Protection Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require a manufacturer, packer, or distributor whose name appears on the label of a nonprescription drug or dietary supplement marketed in the United States to: (1) submit to the Secretary of Health and Human Services within 15 business days any report received of a serious adverse event associated with such drug or supplement when used in the United States; (2) submit within 15 business days any related medical information that is received within one year of the initial report; (3) maintain records related to each report for six years; and (4) permit inspection of such records. Requires the Secretary to develop systems to ensure that duplicate reports of a serious adverse event are consolidated into a single report. Allows the Secretary to establish an exemption from such reporting that would have no adverse effect on public health. Prohibits any state or local government from establishing or continuing any requirement related to a mandatory system for adverse event reports for nonprescription drugs or dietary supplements that is not identical to this Act. Prohibits the responsible person from: (1) refusing to permit access to any required record; or (2) failing to establish or maintain any record, or make any report, required under this Act. Deems a nonprescription drug or dietary supplement that is marketed in the United States to be misbranded, unless its label includes an address or phone number for the reporting of a serious adverse event.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2006
Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act - Amends federal transportation law to revise corporate average fuel economy standards (CAFE Standards) for automobiles to exclude light trucks (currently, only passenger automobiles are excluded) from such standards. Prescribes graduated increased average fuel economy standards for passenger automobiles and light trucks beginning in model year 2009 in order to achieve a combined average fuel economy standard of at least 35 miles per gallon (or such other number of miles per gallon as the Secretary may prescribe) beginning in model year 2017. Prohibits such regulations from making any distinction between passenger automobiles and light trucks by not later than model year 2011 (effectively eliminating the SUV loophole). Sets forth minimum CAFE standards for domestic and foreign passenger automobiles manufactured in a model year prior to enactment of this Act. Prescribes maximum CAFE standards for: (1) work trucks manufactured beginning in model year 2011; and (2) light trucks manufactured beginning in model year 2009. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue a motor vehicle safety standard to reduce vehicle incompatibility and agressivity between passenger vehicles and non-passenger vehicles. Revises federal test procedures used to determine fuel economy values for labeling purposes to require such process to take into consideration certain current factors like speed limits, acceleration rates, and driving patterns for passenger automobiles by model year 2015. Requires passenger automobiles and light trucks be equipped with fuel economy indicators and devices beginning with model year 2013. Establishes a CAFE credit trading program to allow manufacturers whose automobiles exceed CAFE standards to earn credits to be sold to manufacturers whose automobiles fail to achieve such standards. Revises fuel economy labeling requirements to require labels attached to passenger automobiles and light trucks to also include greenhouse gas and other emissions consequences information.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2006
Iran Intelligence Oversight Act - Requires the Director of National Intelligence, within 90 days after the enactment of this Act, to submit to Congress an updated National Intelligence Estimate on Iran. Directs, within the same time frame: (1) the President to report on the objectives of U.S. policy on Iran, as well as the strategy for achieving such objectives; and (2) the Director to report on the process for vetting and clearing statements of Administration officials that are drawn from or rely upon intelligence.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2006
Rural Equity Payment Index Reform Extension Act of 2006 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend permanently the floor (at 1.00) on the Medicare work geographic adjustment under the fee schedule for physicians' services. (The Secretary of Health and Human Services is required, after calculating the work geographic index for payment for physicians' services furnished on or after January 1, 2004, to increase the work geographic index to 1.00 for any locality for which the calculated index is less than 1.00.)
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2006
Mom's Opportunity to Access Health, Education, Research, and Support for Postpartum Depression Act or the MOTHERS Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to: (1) states to provide to women who have recently given birth and their families, before such women leave their birthing centers, education concerning postpartum depression, postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, and postpartum psychosis and to screen new mothers for such postpartum conditions during their first year of postnatal checkup visits; and (2) public or nonprofit private entities to provide for the delivery of essential services to individuals with such postpartum conditions and their families. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and the heads of other federal agencies that administer federal health programs, to organize a series of national meetings that are designed to develop a research plan for postpartum depression and psychosis. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director, to expand and intensify research relating to postpartum conditions to carry out such plan.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2006
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should designate the week beginning September 10, 2006, as National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2006
Calls on the government of Iran to cease repressive activities aimed at the Iranian Baha'i community, and holds the government of Iran responsible for upholding the rights of its nationals, including the Baha'i community. Requests the President to: (1) call for the government of Iran to emancipate the Baha'i community by granting those rights guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights covenants; (2) emphasize that the United States regards the government of Iran's human rights practices as a significant factor in U.S.-Iran foreign policy; and (3) initiate a consistent dialogue with other governments and the European Union (EU) in order to persuade the government of Iran to rectify its human rights practices.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2006
Toxic Clean-up Polluter Pays Renewal Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code by reinstating until January 1, 2017, the Hazardous Substance Superfund financing rate and the corporate environmental income tax.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2006
Expresses the sense of Congress that it is the goal of the United States that by January 1, 2025, U.S. agricultural, forestry, and working land should provide from renewable resources not less than 25% of the total U.S. energy consumption and continue to produce safe, abundant, and affordable food, feed, and fiber.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2006
Directs the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection to liquidate or reliquidate certain entries of large newspaper printing presses and components thereof.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2006
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend temporarily the duty on certain decorative plates, sculptures, plaques, and architectural miniatures.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2006
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Resiliency Act of 2006 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary), acting through the Center for Mental Health Services, to provide for comprehensive state mental health plans that exclusively meet the mental health needs of children and adolescents. Requires the Secretary to provide for child and adolescent mental health early intervention and prevention services. Requires the Secretary of Education to: (1) provide for access to mental health and case management services in educational settings; and (2) develop guidelines that encourage schools to provide counseling and positive behavioral supports. Amends title V (Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant) of the Social Security Act to provide for appropriate mental health promotion and mental health services to at-risk mothers, grandmothers who are legal guardians, and their children. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary to: (1) establish a program to foster the ability of local case managers to work across the mental health, substance abuse, child welfare, education, and juvenile justice systems in a state; (2) provide for the development and implementation of three technical assistance centers to support full consumer and family participation in decision-making about mental health services for children and adolescents; (3) establish an interagency coordinating committee to develop policy across the federal government with respect to child and adolescent mental health; and (4) provide for the development of child and adolescent mental health services and support systems that address gaps in mental health service delivery.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2006
Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should: (1) urge the government of the Russian Federation to ensure full protection of freedoms for all religious communities and end the harassment of unregistered religious groups; (2) urge vigorous investigation and prosecution of criminal acts against registered and unregistered religious communities; (3) continue to raise concerns with the government of the Russian Federation over violations of religious freedom; (4) ensure that U.S. Embassy officials engage local officials throughout the Russian Federation and undertake outreach activities; (5) urge the government of the Russian Federation to invite representatives of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief to visit the Russian Federation and discuss issues relating to freedom of religion; and (6) urge the Council of Europe and other members of the G-8 to raise such issues with Russian officials in the context of the presidency of the council and membership in the G-8.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2006
Amends the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 to extend from three years to six years after enactment of that Act the maximum duration of any renewal under it of import restrictions on Burmese products. Approves the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Act. Deems this resolution a renewal resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2006
Federal Interoperable Communications and Safety Act of 2006 - Establishes in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) an Office of Emergency Communications, headed by the Under Secretary for Emergency Communications. Requires the Under Secretary to: (1) assist the Secretary of DHS in developing and implementing a program to enhance public safety interoperable communications at all levels of government; (2) administer DHS's responsibilities relating to the SAFECOM program; (3) provide technical assistance to state, regional, and local government officials; (4) coordinate the establishment of a national response capability for the deployment of backup communications services; and (5) help to establish an integrated national public alert and warning system. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary, to: (1) develop a National Emergency Communications Strategy to achieve interoperable emergency communications; (2) conduct periodic assessments of federal, state, and local government capabilities; (3) assess federal grants and standards programs managed by other federal agencies; (4) submit a plan to establish Regional Emergency Communications Working Groups; and (5) develop, manage, operate, and coordinate an integrated national public alert and warning system and develop an implementation plan. Establishes the Emergency Communications Preparedness Center to: (1) serve as the focal point for interagency efforts to address communications and as a clearinghouse for information on intergovernmental efforts to achieve nationwide interoperable emergency communications capabilities; (2) ensure cooperation among federal agencies; and (3) submit an annual assessment of federal efforts to implement the Strategy.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2006
NASA and JPL 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to mint and issue: (1) 50 dollar gold coins; and (2) one dollar silver coins emblematic of the 50 years of exemplary and unparalleled achievements of NASA and JPL. Directs each Federal agency and U.S. instrumentality that has in its possession any craft or any part of a craft that flew in space to: (1) retrieve any gold, silver, copper, and other metals that are appropriate for use in the production of any coins under this Act from such craft or part; and (2) deposit such metals with the Director of the United States Mint. Directs each federal agency and U.S. instrumentality that has or continues to conduct space-related missions to make efforts to secure and retrieve from privately-held craft flown in space such gold, silver, copper, and other metals that the Director determines are appropriate for use in the production of any coins under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell bonze duplicates of the $50 gold coins authorized under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2006
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the United States deplores the past and continuing violation of the human rights and religious freedoms of minority populations in Arab and Muslim countries throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and the Persian Gulf; and (2) with respect to Jews, Christians, and other displaced populations from countries in the region any comprehensive Middle East peace agreement must resolve all outstanding issues, including the legitimate rights of all Middle East refugees. Urges the President to instruct the U.S. Representative to the United Nations and all U.S. representatives in bilateral and multilateral fora that, when the United States considers resolutions that refer to Middle East refugees, the U.S. delegation should ensure that: (1) relevant text refers to multiple refugee populations that have been caused by the Arab-Israeli conflict; and (2) any explicit reference to the resolution of the Palestinian refugee issue is matched by a similar reference to the resolution of the issue of Jewish, Christian, and other refugees from Arab countries. Urges the President to make clear that the United States supports the position that, as an integral part of any comprehensive peace, the issue of refugees and the mass violations of human rights of minorities in Arab and Muslim countries throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and the Persian Gulf must be resolved in a manner that includes: (1) consideration of the legitimate rights of all refugees displaced from Arab countries; and (2) recognition of the losses incurred by Jews, Christians, and other minority groups as a result of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2006
Designates June 8, 2006, as the day of a National Vigil for Lost Promise. Encourages: (1) young people to choose to live a drug-free life; (2) people to work to stop drug abuse before it starts and remain vigilant against the far reaching loss of promise caused by deaths from drug abuse; and (3) U.S. citizens to remember on such day the lost promise of youth caused by drug abuse.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2006
Recognizes: (1) Ignacy Jan Paderewski's accomplishments as a musician, composer, statesman, and philanthropist and his invaluable efforts in forging close ties between Poland and the United States, on the 65th anniversary of his death; and (2) Poland as an ally and strong partner in the war against terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2006
Land Between the Rivers Southern Illinois National Heritage Area Act of 2006 - Establishes the Land Between the Rivers National Heritage Area in Illinois. Designates the Southern Illinois University Carbondale as the management entity for the Area.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2006
Declares that the Senate honors the life and legacy of the Honorable Lloyd Bentsen, a former member of the United States Senate. Extends its warmest sympathies to his family members and friends. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on May 23, 2006, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Bentsen.
![Official portrait of Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d000563_200.jpg)