United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2004
Notes with deep sorrow and solemn mourning the death of Ronald Wilson Reagan, the 40th President of the United States. Extends the Senate's heartfelt sympathy to the wife and family of President Reagan. Commends the former President for his presidency and its many accomplishments. Calls on all the people of the United States to reflect on the former President's record during this national period of remembrance.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2004
Provides for a recess or an adjournment of the Senate from June 9, 2004, until June 14, 2004, and an adjournment of the House of Representatives from June 9, 2004, until June 14, 2004.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2004
Provides that when the Senate recesses or adjourns on each day of June 7 through 11 it do so as a further mark of respect in memory of the late Ronald Wilson Reagan (the 40th President of the United States).
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2004
Permits the use of the rotunda of the Capitol from June 9 until June 11, 2004, for the lying in state of the remains of the late Ronald Wilson Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, in recognition of his long and distinguished service.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 2004
Provides for the appointment of Eli Broad as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, to fill the vacancy resulting from the death of Barber B. Conable, Jr.
United States · United States Congress · 2 June 2004
Expresses the Senate's eternal appreciation for veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who fought to protect the United States and to preserve freedom and the U.S. way of life during World War II. Honors the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice and gave their lives during that global conflict. Commends the 108 former members and six current members of the Senate who are veterans of World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2004
Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation of a congressional gold medal to Michael Ellis DeBakey, M.D. (who performed the first successful coronary bypass, pioneered the field of telemedicine, was elected the first President of Baylor College of Medicine, and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction and the National Medal of Science) in recognition of his many outstanding contributions to the Nation.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2004
Expresses the grateful thanks of the Nation to the more than 16 million individuals who served in the Army, Army Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine in World War II and to the millions of Americans on the home front who contributed to the war effort. Recognizes the dedication of the National World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on May 29, 2004, as an occasion to acknowledge and pay tribute to those members of the Armed Forces who served in World War II, who are known collectively as the Greatest Generation.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2004
Commends all Americans serving nobly abroad. Condemns the despicable acts at Abu Ghraib prison and joins with the President in expressing apology for the humiliation suffered by the prisoners in Iraq and their families. Urges: (1) the Government of the United States to take appropriate measures to ensure that such acts do not occur in the future; and (2) that all individuals responsible for such acts be held accountable. Expresses the belief that the appropriate Senate committees and the President should conduct a full investigation of the abuses alleged to have occurred at Abu Ghraib.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 2004
Authorizes the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, acting jointly, to provide to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency the documents subpoenaed by the Committee regarding the potential use of banned performance-enhancing drugs by U.S. Olympic sport athletes.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2004
Working Family Tax Relief Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the scheduled reductions in: (1) the amount of the child tax credit for taxable years 2005 through 2009 (maintains the current $1,000 credit amount for all taxable years after 2004); (2) the basic standard deduction for married taxpayers filing joint returns and surviving spouses for taxable years 2005 through 2008; and (3) the increased upper limit threshold amounts for qualifying married individuals filing joint returns for the 15 and ten percent income tax brackets. Allows an inflation adjustment to such threshold amounts for taxable years beginning after 2003 based on the difference from the Consumer Price Index for 2002. Exempts from the general terminating date (December 31, 2010) under the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 provisions relating to: (1) the increased upper limit amounts for the ten and 15 percent tax bracket for married taxpayers filing joint returns and surviving spouses; (2) the increase in the child tax credit; (3) the increased standard deduction for married taxpayers filing joint returns; and (4) the earned income tax credit. Extends the increased amounts of the exemption from the alternative minimum tax for individual taxpayers through 2005.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2004
Authorizes the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the Committee on Governmental Affairs, acting jointly, to provide to law enforcement and regulatory entities and officials records of the Subcommittee's investigation into the credit counseling industry.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2004
Acknowledges and commends charter schools and their students, parents, teachers, and administrators across the United States for their ongoing contributions to education and improving and strengthening our public school system. Supports the fifth annual National Charter Schools Week. Declares the sense of the Senate that the President should issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to conduct appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities to demonstrate support for charter schools during this week long celebration in communities throughout the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 2004
Commends Thomas J. Lundregan for his exemplary service to the United States and the Nation and expresses deep appreciation and gratitude for his long, faithful, and outstanding service and extends very best wishes upon his retirement.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2004
Scott Campbell, Stephanie Roper, Wendy Preston, Louarna Gillis, and Nila Lynn Crime Victims' Rights Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to provide that a crime victim has the following rights: (1) to be reasonably protected from the accused; (2) to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of any public proceeding involving the crime or of any release or escape of the accused and to not be excluded from any such proceeding; (3) to be reasonably heard at any public proceeding involving release, plea, or sentencing; (4) to confer with the attorney for the Government in the case; (5) to full and timely restitution as provided in law; (6) to proceedings free from unreasonable delay; and (7) to be treated with fairness and with respect for the victim's dignity and privacy. Directs: (1) the court to ensure that a victim is afforded these rights; (2) officers and employees of Federal agencies engaged in the detection, investigation, or prosecution of crime to make their best efforts to see that victims are notified of, and accorded, these rights; and (3) the Attorney General to promulgate regulations to enforce victims' rights and to ensure compliance by responsible officials with the obligations respecting crime victims. Amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to authorize the Director of the Office for Victims of Crime to make grants to: (1) develop, establish, and maintain programs for the enforcement of victims' rights; and (2) develop and implement state-of-the-art systems for notifying victims of important dates and developments relating to criminal proceedings. Requires: (1) the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to report annually on the number of times such victims' rights are asserted and the relief requested is denied; and (2) the Comptroller General to evaluate the effect of this Act on the treatment of victims.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2004
Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act of 2004 or FAIR Act of 2004 - Establishes within the Department of Labor the Office of Asbestos Disease Compensation, to be headed by an Administrator responsible for processing claims for compensation for asbestos-related injuries and managing the Asbestos Injury Claims Resolution Fund (Fund) (established within such Office). Authorizes the Administrator to establish a Medical Advisory Committee. Requires the Administrator to: (1) establish an Advisory Committee on Asbestos Disease Compensation; (2) establish a comprehensive asbestos claimant assistance program that includes legal assistance; and (3) appoint physicians to claim-specific Physicians Panels. Establishes: (1) procedures for handling claims of asbestos-related disease and injury; (2) medical evidence auditing and review procedures and applicable medical criteria; and (3) award amounts and payment methods. Imposes a general four-year statute of limitations for filing claims, with special provisions for pending claims and multiple injuries. Allows certain asymptomatic claimants to receive medical monitoring reimbursement. Specifies the funding allocation for asbestos defendants required to pay into the Fund. Establishes the Asbestos Insurers Commission to determine Fund payment obligations of insurers up to a specified aggregate amount. Vests exclusive jurisdiction to review: (1) final determinations regarding fund obligations and actions for declaratory and injunctive relief under this Act in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia; and (2) award decisions in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the circuit in which the claimant resides. Amends the criminal code to prohibit and establish penalties for fraud and false information in connection with Fund claims. Amends the bankruptcy code to state that Fund contribution obligations are not subject to an automatic stay or dischargeable in bankruptcy. Requires remedies provided by this Act to be the exclusive remedy for asbestos claims. Addresses the effect of this Act on insurance and reinsurance contracts. Requires the sunset of specified provisions of this Act if the Administrator determines that the Fund has insufficient resources. Requires the Administrator to refer possible violations of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the Clean Air Act, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to specified officials for possible civil or criminal penalties. Requires the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review Federal sentencing guidelines to ensure that environmental crimes relating to asbestos are sufficiently punished. Prohibits discrimination in health insurance coverage against persons who participate in medical monitoring programs under this Act. Amends the TSCA to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate regulations prohibiting the manufacture, processing, or distribution in commerce of asbestos containing products, subject to specified exemptions.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2004
Authorizes the Senate Legal Counsel to represent certain named Senators, their employees, and any other Member, officer, or employee subpoenaed in the case of United States of America v. Elena Ruth Sassower, with respect to their testimony or documents relating to their official responsibilities.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2004
Constitutional Amendment - Federal Marriage Amendment - Declares that marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. Prohibits the Constitution or any State constitution from being construed to require that marital status or its legal incidents be conferred upon any union other than that of a man and a woman.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2004
Closing the Health Care Gap Act of 2004 - Requires specified agencies to: (1) standardize health care quality measures across all Federal government programs; (2) standardize public reporting requirements; and (3) support data collection and reporting efforts in Federal and State agencies. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to improve access to health care for health care disparity populations and to support efforts to increase the enrollment and participation of eligible children in Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Provides for refundable tax credits to offset the cost of health insurance. Changes the name of the Office of Minority Health to the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities and changes the duties of the Office and its associated advisory committee to include health disparities as a problem to study and address. Provides grants to support: (1) health professions education for racial or ethnic minorities or health disparity populations; and (2) curricula development for cultural competency training. Requires the Director of the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities to: (1) develop and maintain an Internet clearinghouse to improve health care quality for individuals with specific cultural needs, limited English proficiency, or low functional health literacy; and (2) reduce or eliminate the duplication of efforts to translate materials. Authorizes grants or assistance for and establishes programs and projects to address: (1) the analysis of the causes and sources of health care disparities and strategies to reduce disparities; (2) disease management; (3) the effective measurement of disparities; (4) the analysis and collection of health disparity data; and (5) the recruitment of minority scientists or research professionals to the health disparity field.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2004
Designates the week of March 7 through 13, 2004 as National Patient Safety Awareness Week. Requests that the President issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe the week with appropriate programs and activities.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2004
Declares that the Senate: (1) expresses the outrage and shock of the people of the United States over the terrorist attacks that occurred in and around Madrid, Spain on March 11, 2004; (2) joins with President Bush in expressing its deepest condolences and pledges to remain shoulder to shoulder with the people of Spain in the war on terrorism; (3) expresses its strong solidarity with the people of Spain during their difficult hour, and its deep condolences to the families of the victims of these despicable terrorist attacks; (4) calls on all nations to join with the United States in condemning the monstrous attacks on the innocent people of Spain and in attempting to identify the perpetrators of the attacks and bring them to account; (5) expresses its readiness to consult with representatives of King Juan Carlos, President Jose Maria Aznar, the Spanish government, the Spanish Cortes, and other public authorities about joint efforts to combat terrorism more effectively; (6) commends the United States Embassy in Madrid for its prompt offers of assistance to the Government of Spain, and for its efforts to determine the welfare and whereabouts of United States citizens who may have been affected by the terrorist attacks; and (7) urges the executive branch to continue to provide all possible assistance to Spain in order to identify and bring to account the perpetrators of the terrorist attacks that occurred on March 11, 2004, in Madrid and of other terrorist attacks against the people of Spain.
United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2004
Closing the Health Care Gap Act of 2004 - Requires specified agencies to: (1) standardize health care quality measures across all Federal government programs; (2) standardize public reporting requirements; and (3) support data collection and reporting efforts in Federal and State agencies. Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to improve access to health care for health care disparity populations and to support efforts to increase the enrollment and participation of eligible children in Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Changes the name of the Office of Minority Health to the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities and changes the duties of the Office and its associated advisory committee to include health disparities as a problem to study and address. Provides grants to support: (1) health professions education for racial or ethnic minorities or health disparity populations; and (2) curricula development for cultural competency training. Requires the Director of the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities to: (1) develop and maintain an Internet clearinghouse to improve health care quality for individuals with specific cultural needs, limited English proficiency, or low functional health literacy; and (2) reduce or eliminate the duplication of efforts to translate materials. Authorizes grants or assistance for and establishes programs and projects to address: (1) the analysis of the causes and sources of health care disparities and strategies to reduce disparities; (2) disease management; (3) the effective measurement of disparities; (4) the analysis and collection of health disparity data; and (5) the recruitment of minority scientists or research professionals to the health disparity field.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2004
Authorizes the presiding officer of the Senate to suspend any Senate proceeding, including a rollcall vote or a quorum call, and declare a recess or adjournment of the Senate (subject to existing authorities or the call of the Chair) within the limits of the Constitution whenever the presiding officer has been notified of an imminent threat. Authorizes the majority and minority leaders or their designees, when the Senate is out of session, acting jointly and within the limits of the Constitution, to modify any order for the time or place of the convening of the Senate when, in their opinion, such action is warranted by intervening circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2004
Authorizes: (1) Resi Cooper, an employee in the office of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, to testify in the case of James McKoy v. North Fork Services/Joint Venture, except concerning matters for which a privilege should be asserted; and (2) the Senate Legal Counsel to repesent Ms. Cooper in connection with the case.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 2004
Authorizes: (1) Michelle A. Panos, or any other current or former employee of Senator Larry E. Craig, to testify and produce documents in the case of State of Idaho v. Joseph Daniel Hooper, except concerning matters for which a privilege should be asserted; and (2) the Senate Legal Counsel to represent the employees in the case.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2004
Authorizes the Senate Legal Counsel to represent certain named Senators, Senate employees, and any other Member, officer, or employee with respect to their testimony or document production in the case of United States of America v. Parviz Karim-Panahi, Crim. No. M-8374-03.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2004
Recognizes 2004 as the 50th anniversary of rock 'n' roll. Commemorates Sun Studio for recording the first rock 'n' roll record, "That's All Right." Expresses appreciation to Memphis for its contributions to America's music heritage.
United States · United States Congress · 25 November 2003
Tenders the thanks of the Senate to the staff of the Office of the Legislative Counsel of the Senate and the Office of the Legislative Counsel of the House of Representatives for their outstanding work and dedication to Congress and the people of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 24 November 2003
Authorizes the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the Committee on Governmental Affairs, acting jointly, to provide to law enforcement and regulatory entities and officials, court-appointed officials, and other entities or individuals duly authorized by Federal, State, or foreign governments, records of the Subcommittee's investigation into the role of accountants, lawyers, and financial professionals in the tax shelter industry.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2003
Mourns with the people of Italy on their National Day of Mourning for the 19 Italian citizens killed in Iraq. Recognizes the sacrifices of the Italian people and the significant contributions that Italy continues to make towards stability and democracy around the world.
United States · United States Congress · 11 November 2003
Expresses the sense of the Senate that Veterans Day 2003 shall be commemorated with appropriate tributes to all veterans of the U.S. armed forces, especially to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2003
Authorizes the: (1) employees of Senator Wayne Allard's office from whom testimony or the production of documents may be required to testify and produce documents in the cases of State of Colorado v. Daniel Raphael Egger, Sarah Jane Geraldi, Jennifer Melissa Greenberg, Lisa Gale Kunkel, Bonnie Catherine McCormick, except concerning matters for which a privilege should be asserted; and (2) Senate Legal Counsel to represent Senator Allard and his staff in the cases.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 2003
Authorizes the Senate Legal Counsel to represent Senator John D. Rockefeller IV and Terri Giles in the subpoenas issued for their disposition testimony and document production in the case of Bell Aviation, Inc., et al v. Sino Swearingen Aircraft Co., L.P. et al., Cause No. 03-02532, pending in the District Court of Dallas County, Texas.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2003
Amends the John F. Kennedy Center Act to authorize appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008 to the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for: (1) maintenance, repair, and security; and (2) capital projects.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2003
Declares that the Federal Trade Commission is authorized under the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act to compile and implement a national do-not-call registry. Ratifies the do-not-call registry provision of the Telemarketing Sales Rule promulgated by the Federal Trade Commission, effective March 31, 2003.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2003
Authorizes the Senate Legal Counsel to represent all Members of the Senate, the Vice President, the President Pro Tem, the Secretary of the Senate, the Sergeant at Arms, and Congress, in the case of Josue Orta Rivera v. Congress of the United States of America, et al.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2003
Honors the life and accomplishments of Johnny Cash and his invaluable contributions to the Nation, Tennessee, and our musical heritage. Extends condolences to the Cash family on his death.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2003
Recognizes September 11 as both a day to remember those killed and a day for recommitment to our national purpose. Extends sympathies to the victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and their families and friends. Honors the heroic actions of first responders, law enforcement personnel, and others who aided the victims. Extends gratitude to the members of the armed forces who are defending the United States from future attack. Praises the people of the United States for donating time and money to support the victims and their families and friends. Expresses gratitude to the leaders and citizens of all nations who have assisted and continue to stand in solidarity with the United States against terrorism. Reaffirms that the Senate will honor the memory of those who lost their lives as a result of those attacks and will act to defend U.S. citizens in all future challenges.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2003
Commends the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) for its major contributions to the strengthening of democracy around the world, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of NED's establishment. Declares that Congress endeavors to continue to support NED's vital work.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2003
Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish, for a limited period of time: (1) a biodiesel fuels credit business credit; and (2) as a credit against the gasoline and diesel fuel excise tax, a credit equal to the sum of the alcohol fuel mixture credit plus the biodiesel mixture credit.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2003
Declares the sense of the Senate that: (1) the visit of the Dalai Lama to the United States in September 2003 is warmly welcomed; (2) the Dalai Lama should be recognized and congratulated for his consistent efforts to promote dialogue to peacefully resolve the Tibet issue and to increase the religious and cultural autonomy of the Tibetan people; and (3) all parties to the current discussions should be encouraged by the Government of the United States to deepen these contacts in order to achieve the aspirations of the people of Tibet for genuine autonomy and basic human rights.
![Official portrait of Sen. Frist, William H. [R-TN]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/f000439_200.jpg)