United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1991
Prohibits all U.S. military and economic assistance for Turkey until the President certifies to the Congress that negotiations have achieved significant progress toward establishing a constitutional democracy in Cyprus and that the Turkish Government: (1) has withdrawn all Turkish military forces, in excess of those permitted by the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee, and all illegal Turkish colonists from Cyprus; (2) has returned the area of Famagusta/Varosha to the Government of Cyprus; (3) has returned the five Americans abducted by the Turkish invasion forces in 1974 and the 1,614 Greek Cypriots who have been missing since the Turkish invasion; and (4) is in compliance with the United Nations Charter and specified United Nations resolutions, the North Atlantic Treaty, and the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 1991
Urges the President to renew the Voluntary Restraint Agreement with Japan and Taiwan for an additional five years in order to continue to protect national security and ensure industrial competitiveness.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1991
Expresses the sense of the Senate that any agreement regarding proposed changes to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) must: (1) achieve the elimination or reduction of foreign agricultural export subsidies; (2) achieve new and expanded foreign markets for U.S. farm products; (3) ensure European Community actions do not limit U.S. agricultural exports to it; (4) not limit the U.S. ability under the GATT to eliminate unfair trade barriers; and (5) achieve an agreement governing sanitary and phytosanitary regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1991
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the U.S. Government should support the right of the people of Soviet-occupied Moldavia (a.k.a. Moldova) to freedom and independence and should issue a statement to that effect.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1991
Congratulates President Levon Ter-Petrosian for becoming the first democratically elected president of the independent Republic of Armenia. Commends the Armenian people for successfully executing Armenia's first free, fair, and democratic presidential election. Encourages them to continue their course towards democracy and free-market economics. Urges the President of the United States to: (1) recognize Armenia's declaration of independence; (2) extend full diplomatic recognition to the independent Republic of Armenia; and (3) support its application to join international organizations, including the United Nations and the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1991
Authorizes the Air Force Association to establish a commemorative work on Federal land in the District of Columbia and its environs to honor the men and women who have served in the U.S. Air Force.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1991
Health Equity and Access Improvement Act of 1991 - Title I: Tax Incentives for Health Care Access - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a tax credit of up to $600 for an individual ($1,200 for a family) for qualified health expenses. Provides that in the case of a taxpayer whose adjusted gross income exceeds $10,000 ($20,000 for a family) the credit shall be reduced by an amount equal to ten percent of the excess. Permits a tax deduction, for both itemizers and nonitemizers, for the cost of health insurance premiums for which no other compensation is received. Provides an employer health insurance credit for small businesses equal to 25 percent of the qualified health care costs of the employer in the first year the employer offers health coverage to employees and which is then reduced five percentage points annually. Raises from 25 percent to 100 percent the deduction allowed to self-employed individuals for health insurance premiums and makes the deduction permanent. Provides a credit for a qualified primary health services provider who practices in a rural health professional shortage area. Sets forth a formula for determining such credit. Excludes from gross income any payment made on behalf of a taxpayer by the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. Permits a physician in a rural health professional shortage area to expense up to $25,000 worth of rural health care property. Provides that interest on student loan payments by medical professionals practicing in rural areas shall not be treated as personal interest and will therefore qualify as a tax deduction. Title II: Health Care Reform Provisions - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to request the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to develop a model health care insurance benefits plan that shall contain standards that entities offering health care insurance policies should meet with respect to the benefits and coverage provided under such policies and report on such standards to the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to develop such a plan if the NAIC fails to develop such a plan or if the NAIC plan does not meet specified requirements. Sets forth such requirements. Requires the Secretary, taking into account recommendations of the Managed Care Advisory Committee, to develop recommended standards that insurers offering managed care plans should meet with respect to the benefits, coverage, and delivery systems provided under such plans. Establishes the Managed Care Advisory Committee. Provides that, in the case of a managed care plan meeting recommended standards, specified provision of State law will be preempted and will not be enforced against the managed care plan with respect to an insurer offering such plan. Permits a qualified small employer purchasing group, upon application to and approval by the Secretary, to enter into contracts with carriers to provide health insurance coverage to eligible employees. Establishes standards which health care insurers must meet in a contract with a small business. Requires such insurers, among other things, to: (1) provide coverage and benefits consistent with the model health care insurance benefits plan; (2) meet specified registration and disclosure requirements; (3) not exclude from coverage any eligible employee; (4) not extend beyond six months any limitation on any preexisting condition and, with respect to such limitation, apply it only to preexisting conditions which manifested themselves or for which medical care was sought during the three months preceding coverage; (5) guarantee renewability of the contract at the employer's election, unless the contract is terminated for cause; and (6) establish premiums that meet specified standards. Title III: Medical Liability Reform - Sets forth provisions concerning settlement offers in medical malpractice cases. Establishes an Alternative Dispute Resolution Board of Advisers to make recommendations to the Secretary concerning the establishment of a model voluntary alternative dispute resolution program for medical malpractice cases. Sets caps on the payment of future losses, non-economic damages, and attorneys' fees. Prohibits joint liability in a civil action for non-economic damages. Establishes a statute of limitations for a medical malpractice civil action. Requires each State to: (1) allocate its medical licensing fees to the State agency responsible for licensing and disciplinary actions; (2) require that at least 25 percent of a disciplinary board's membership shall be from the general public; (3) have in effect a Statewide risk management program; and (4) establish a health care disciplinary trust fund consisting of all punitive damage awards resulting from medical malpractice and medical product civil actions. Protects a health care producer of a drug or device from punitive damages if the drug or device was subject to approval or premarket approval under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary to make a grant to an entity representing recipients of assistance at migrant and community health centers to develop a business plan and establish a nationwide risk retention group as provided for in the Liability Risk Retention Act of 1986. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Public Health Provisions - Amends the Social Security Act to add a new title, Title XXI: BASICARE. Authorizes appropriations under title XXI for the purpose of providing basic health care benefits to low-income uninsured individuals who are not eligible for Medicaid (title XIX of the Social Security Act) coverage. Requires a State, in order to receive funding under title XXI, to submit and have approved by the Secretary a BasiCare assistance plan. Sets forth plan requirements. Requires, for BasiCare eligibility, that: (1) family income be below 200 percent of the poverty line; (2) an individual not be eligible for Medicaid; and (3) an individual not be otherwise covered under a health plan by the individual's employer. Permits the imposition of deductibles, copayments, and premiums if income is between 100 to 200 percent of the poverty line. Establishes the Federal Medical Waiver Demonstration Board to review applications submitted by States to conduct health care-related demonstration projects. Requires the Board to develop at least three different model health care delivery plans. Permits the Board, upon approval of a State's demonstration project, to waive the following provisions of Federal law: (1) the Public Health Service Act; (2) title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act; (3) titles XIX (Medicaid) and XXI (BASICARE) of the Social Security Act; (4) all health care programs administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and (5) the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. Title V: Medically Underserved Areas - Authorizes appropriations for the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program and the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. Directs the Secretary to establish and administer a program to provide allotments to States to enable such States to provide grants for the creation or enhancement of community based primary health care entities that provide services to pregnant women and children up to age three. Requires grant recipients to substantially target populations of pregnant women and children who: (1) lack health care coverage or ability to pay for health care services; or (2) reside in medically underserved or health professional shortage areas. Directs the Secretary to award grants to federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and other entities submitting applications for the purpose of providing access to services for medically underserved populations or in high impact areas not currently served by a FQHC. Limits the expenditure of funds awarded an FQHC to the provision of those services provided under the Medicaid program and any unreimbursed costs of providing services under the community based primary health care grant program. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to award competitive grants to eligible entities to enable such entities to develop and implement a plan for mental health outreach programs in rural areas. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary, in awarding grants under the Public Health Service Act relating to the research, teaching, and training activities of health personnel educational entities, to give priority to those entities that have a high permanent rate for placing graduates in settings serving residents of medically underserved communities and that otherwise demonstrate a commitment to serving such communities. Directs the Secretary to award grants to health professions institutions to expand training programs that are targeted at those individuals desiring to practice in or serve the needs of medically underserved communities. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to award grants to eligible regional consortia to enhance and expand coordination among various health professions programs, particularly in medically underserved rural areas. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants, under the area health education center provisions of the Act, to rural communities to enable such communities to provide stipends to physicians, nurses, or other health professional trainees to encourage such individuals to continue to provide health care services in such rural communities. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to award competitive grants to eligible entities to enable such entities to facilitate the development of networks among rural and urban health care providers to preserve and share health care resources and enhance the quality and availability of health care in rural areas. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to award competitive grants to eligible entities to enable such entities to develop and administer cooperatives in rural areas that will establish an effective case management and reimbursement system designed to support the economic viability of essential public or private health services, facilities, health care systems, and health care resources in such rural areas. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the: (1) Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 to authorize appropriations for the Rural Health Care Transition Grant Program; and (2) Medicare program to authorize appropriations for the Essential Access Community Hospital Program. Title VI: Incentives to Encourage Preventive Services - Provides a tax credit for qualified preventive services of up to $250. Includes on a list of preventive services: (1) cancer screening tests; (2) childhood immunizations; (3) mammograms; (4) pap tests for uterine cancer; and (5) other specified examinations and tests. Authorizes appropriations, under the Public Health Service Act, for grants for preventive health service programs for the provision, without charge, of immunizations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1991
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to report to appropriate congressional committees regarding Department of Agriculture lamb price and supply reporting services, including recommendations for an information gathering system reflective of the lamb industry's market structure.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1991
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should confer diplomatic recognition upon, and establish diplomatic relations with, the sovereign states of Croatia, Slovenia, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Bosnia-Hercegovina.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Byelorussia (a.k.a. Belarus), Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan (a.k.a. Kirghizia), Moldavia (a.k.a. Moldova), Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan should accept and implement all commitments on human rights, fundamental freedoms, and humanitarian cooperation contained in the Helsinki Final Act, the Charter of Paris for a New Europe, or any other document of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe; and (2) the President should convey to the leaders of these republics that respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms is a vital element in achieving genuine security and cooperation in Europe and should keep the Congress informed of the status of human rights and fundamental freedoms in each of these republics.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 1991
Expresses the sense of the Senate that, unless the authorities and military forces conducting military operations against the Republic of Croatia immediately comply with the terms of the ceasefires previously negotiated by the European Community, United States policy should be to: (1) recognize the Republics of Slovenia and Croatia as independent states; (2) freeze all assets in the United States in which the Republic of Serbia has any interest and break off all commerce or any form of assistance or cooperation between the United States and Serbia; (3) offer humanitarian assistance to Croatia; (4) place Serbia on notice that continued military action will cause the United States to place this issue on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council as an international act of aggression and call for sanctions; and (5) require of Croatian authorities a clear commitment to protect the rights of Serbs living within Croatia and demand a formal commitment on their part to accept international inspection and, if necessary, arbitration to protect those rights.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1991
Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to accept title to any non-federally-owned lands located within five miles of the exterior boundaries of the South Dakota portion of the Sioux Ranger District of Custer National Forest in exchange for national forest lands in such Forest.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1991
Better Access to Affordable Health Care Act of 1991 - Title I: Improvements in Health Insurance Affordability for Small Employers - Amends the Internal Revenue code to raise from 25 to 100 percent the deduction for self-employed individuals for health insurance premiums and makes the deduction permanent. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to make grants to up to 15 States for the establishment and operation of small employer health insurance purchasing programs. Permits grant funds to be used to finance administrative costs associated with developing and operating a group purchasing program for small employers. Authorizes appropriations. Requires a report to the Congress from the Secretary concerning the feasibility of establishing a requirement that health insurers must make available plans providing that payments to providers be made using Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) payment rules. Title II: Improvements in Health Insurance for Small Employers - Amends the Social Security Act to add a new title, Title XXI: Standards for Small Employer Health Insurance and Certification of Managed Care Plans. Directs the Secretary to request the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to develop model standards and regulations concerning requirements for health insurance plans for small employers. Requires such plans to provide for: (1) guaranteed eligibility; (2) guaranteed availability; and (3) guaranteed renewability. Prohibits: (1) an insurer from refusing to renew or terminate a plan, except for nonpayment of premiums, fraud, or failure to maintain minimum participation rates; and (2) for certain services, discrimination based on health status. Sets limits controlling the variation of premium charges permitted among all small employers insured by an insurer. Requires the full disclosure of an insurer's rating practices. Requires a health insurance plan for small employers to offer: (1) both a standard and basic benefit package; and (2) a managed care option, if the insurer also offers such an option to other employers. Provides, under both the standard and basic package, for coverage of: (1) inpatient and outpatient hospital care; (2) inpatient and outpatient physician services; (3) diagnostic tests; and (4) preventive services. Provides, in addition, under the standard plan: (1) for the coverage of certain mental health care; (2) that, except as specified, there will be no limits on the amount, scope, or duration of benefits, and (3) for specified limits on deductibles, copayment, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket expenses. Provides under the basic plan that: (1) premiums, deductibles, copayments, or other cost-sharing may be imposed, but does not specify in what amounts; and (2) there shall be an out-of-pocket limit, but does not specify such limit. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose an excise tax of 25 percent of gross premiums on the issuer of any health insurance plan to a small employer, if the plan does not meet the requirements of title XXI. Sets forth study and reporting requirements. Title III: Improvements in Portability of Private Health Insurance - Imposes an excise tax of $100 per day, with respect to a covered individual, on a group health plan for its failure to provide coverage for a preexisting condition, subject to stated exceptions. Title IV: Health Care Cost Containment - Establishes a Health Care Cost Commission which shall report annually to the President and the Congress on national health care costs. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, under title XXI of the Social Security Act, to establish a process for the certification of managed care plans and utilization review programs. Sets forth requirements for certification. Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Administrator of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research to develop outcomes research and practice parameters for mental health services, including at least the diagnosis and treatment of childhood attention deficit syndrome disorders and manic depression. Amends Part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act to authorize appropriations for research outcomes of health care services and procedures. Title V: Medicare Prevention Benefits - Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to establish frequency and payment limits for screening for fecal-occult blood tests and screening flexible sigmoidoscopies. Amends Medicare part C (Miscellaneous Provisions) to provide coverage for tetanus-diphtheria boosters and their administration. Provides Medicare coverage for well-child services, which include routine office visits, immunizations, laboratory tests, and preventive dental care. Expands the coverage of a screening mammography to provide for one such screening annually for all covered women over age 49. Directs the Secretary to establish and provide for a series of ongoing demonstration projects which provide coverage for specified preventive services, including: (1) glaucoma screening; (2) cholesterol screening; (3) osteoporosis screening and treatment; (4) screening services for pregnant women; (5) assessments for individuals beginning at age 65 or 75; and (5) other appropriate services. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1991
Dropout Prevention Technical Correction Amendment of 1991 - Amends Federal law relating to impact aid to restore provisions for the Secretary of Education to make certain preliminary payments to local education agencies. (Such provisions were eliminated by the National Dropout Prevention Act of 1991, P.L. 102-103).
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1991
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the United States Trade Representative should take action under the Trade Act of 1974 to compensate for any trade losses caused by the European Community's (EC) failure to adopt by October 31, 1991, a new oilseeds regime that conforms with the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) panel oilseed ruling; and (2) such actions should remain in effect until the EC's oilseed regime conforms with its GATT obligations.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 1991
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit the use of claim sampling to deny claims or recover overpayments under Medicare except when fraud has been determined, in which case claim sampling may be used for the purpose of assessing civil monetary penalties.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1991
Extends nondiscriminatory treatment (most-favored-nation treatment) to the products of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to remove their products from the column two duty rate. Terminates application of a specified provision under the Trade Act of 1974 denying such treatment to them. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should take action to provide preferential treatment to such countries' products under the Generalized System of Preferences of the Trade Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1991
Urges the President to call upon the President of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to begin a prompt withdrawal of Soviet armed forces from the Baltic States and to undertake discussion with the Governments of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia to facilitate such withdrawal.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1991
White House Commemorative Coin Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) issue up to 500,000 silver one-dollar coins to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone of the White House; and (2) obtain silver for such coins from stockpiles established under the Strategic and Critical Mineral Stock Piling Act. Specifies that: (1) all amounts received from the sale of coins issued under this Act shall be deposited in the coinage profit fund; and (2) the Secretary shall pay amounts from a ten-dollar surcharge per coin into the White House Endowment Fund. Directs the Secretary to take such actions as necessary to ensure that the minting and issuance of such coins do not result in any net cost to the Government. Bars the issuance of such coins unless the Secretary has received full payment or adequate security for payment. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1991
Medicare Physician Payment Reform Implementation Act of 1991 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to increase the conversion factor for physicians' services for each of the years after 1993 through 1996 by one-fourth of the percentage by which the conversion factor may have been decreased due to an adjustment for asymmetry in 1992; (2) prohibit the Secretary, in determining the conversion factor for 1992, from assuming that changes in the volume and intensity of physician services in response to the implementation of the new payment system for such services would increase the estimated aggregate physician expenditures by more than one percent; (3) make any reduction to the conversion factor due to assumed volume and intensity changes equally applicable to the adjusted historical payment base; (4) permit separate payment to physicians for interpretation of electrocardiograms (EKGs) provided during office vists; (5) direct the Secretary to: (a) establish separate fee schedule amounts for the interpretation of EKGs; (b) adjust the relative values in the fee schedule for physician visits to reflect separate payments for EKG interpretation; (c) establish EKG practice guidelines for dissemination to physicians along with other educational information relating to EKG use; (d) develop a profile for EKG use by physicians; and (e) study EKG utilization and costs for a report to the Congress; and (6) make the new payment system for physicians nonapplicable to services furnished on or after January 1, 1992, by a physician who was in his or her first, second, or third year of practice in 1991 and to whom the payment rules under the new system did not apply in that year. Prohibits the Secretary from issuing final regulations before July 1, 1993, which change the methodology for determining: (1) the amount of time that may be billed for anesthesia services; and (2) the amount paid for drugs and biologicals furnished incident to physicians' services. Requires the Director of the Office of Technology Assessment to conduct a study and report to the Congress on whether payments for anesthesia services should be based on a particular unit of time according to the medical procedure with respect to which the service is furnished. Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct a study and report to the Congress with respect to payment for drugs and biologicals furnished incident to physicians' services and payment for multiple surgical procedures; and (2) provide for pilot projects for developing Medicare volume performance standards other than at the national level. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the pilot projects.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1991
Provides, unless specified conditions are met relating to Serbia's armed conflict with the other ethnic peoples of Yugoslavia, for the: (1) restriction of U.S. assistance to Serbia or any part of Yugoslavia controlled by it; (2) suspension of U.S. air travel to and from such locations; (3) suspension of multinational assistance; and (4) imposition of a U.S. trade embargo.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1991
Breast Cancer Screening Safety Act of 1991 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require certification in order for a facility to perform or interpret mammograms, inspect equipment, perform needle localizations or other procedures using mammography equipment, or conduct quality assurance oversight related to mammography. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue and renew certificates for up to two years. Allows the Secretary to approve a private nonprofit organization to be an accreditation body which meets certain requirements, including inspecting facilities. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish standards for facilities to assure the safety and accuracy of mammography; (2) specify organizations eligible to certify individuals to perform radiological procedures; (3) specify boards eligible to certify individuals to interpret screening mammograms; (4) establish standards regarding the qualifications for individuals to interpret screening mammograms; and (5) specify boards eligible to certify individuals to inspect screening mammography equipment and oversee quality assurance practices. Directs the Secretary to conduct annual announced and unannounced inspections of certified facilities. Provides for: (1) intermediate sanctions for certain violations; (2) suspension, revocation, and limitation of certificates; and (3) injunctions. Requires fees for certificate issuance and renewal, and for inspections, sufficient to cover costs. Requires annual publication of a list of facilities convicted of fraud and abuse, false billings, or kickbacks, facilities that have had certificates revoked, suspended, or limited, and facilities that have been the subject of a sanction or other similar matters. Allows the Secretary to exempt facilities in a State or locality with more stringent requirements from compliance with this Act. Directs the Secretary to: (1) make grants for research on new methods of establishing a Mammography Registry; and (2) based on the research, establish the Registry. Authorizes grants to enhance the capacity of health personnel in the area of breast cancer mortality prevention. Allows grant funds to be used to establish a breast cancer mortality prevention regional training center and develop a training curriculum. Authorizes appropriations. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require that screening mammographies paid for under Medicare be performed by a facility: (1) certified under this Act; and (2) in compliance with specified provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1991
National Air and Space Museum Expansion Site Selection Act of 1991 - Establishes the National Air and Space Museum Expansion Site Advisory Panel to conduct a national competition for the evaluation of possible expansion sites for the National Air and Space Museum. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution to select the site after considering the recommendation of the Panel. Terminates the Panel 30 days after such selection. Requires the General Accounting Office to review and evaluate the selection by the Board of Regents and report to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1991
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should: (1) recognize Ukraine's independence and take steps toward the establishment of full diplomatic relations with Ukraine should the December 1, 1991, referendum confirm the Ukrainian parliament's independence declaration; and (2) use U.S. assistance, trade, and other programs to support the Government of Ukraine and encourage the further development of democracy and a free-market.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1991
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey to the Black Hills Workshop and Training Center, Inc., of Rapid City, South Dakota, certain surplus real property located in the Black Hills National Forest.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1991
United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1991 - Title I: United States Policy - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the following should be U.S. policy with respect to the U.S. relationship with Hong Kong: (1) the United States should seek to establish direct bilateral ties with Hong Kong in economic, shipping, communications, tourism, cultural, sport, and other matters to the extent that Hong Kong is allowed to exercise autonomy in these fields under the 1984 Joint Declaration of the Governments of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and China on the question of Hong Kong; (2) the United States should seek to maintain after July 1, 1997, with the authorization of the Chinese Government, the U.S. Consulate-General in Hong Kong and other U.S. official and semi-official organizations; (3) the United States should invite Hong Kong to maintain, after such date, its official and semi-official missions in the United States and to open other missions in those fields in which it is permitted to exercise autonomy under the Joint Declaration; (4) the United States should seek to reach agreements with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Administrative Region) in such fields, particularly with respect to reduction or abolishment of visa restrictions hindering U.S. nationals seeking to work in Hong Kong and covering Hong Kong residents seeking to work in the United States; (5) the United States should recognize passports and travel documents issued by the Administrative Region; and (6) the Chinese Government's exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong should not affect treatment of Hong Kong residents who apply for visas to visit the United States. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the following should be U.S. policy with respect to participation by Hong Kong in multilateral organizations: (1) the United States should support Hong Kong's participation in multilateral organizations open to non-states which are concerned with those matters in which Hong Kong is permitted to exercise autonomy under the Joint Declaration; (2) the United States should continue to fulfill its obligations to Hong Kong under international agreements, so long as Hong Kong reciprocates; (3) the United States should support Hong Kong's application to join all multilateral international conferences, agreements, and organizations; and (4) the United States should support Hong Kong's continued participation after July 1, 1997, under the name Hong Kong, China, in all such conferences, agreements, and organizations. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the following should be U.S. policy with respect to commerce between the United States and Hong Kong: (1) the United States should seek to maintain and expand economic and trade relations with Hong Kong and should continue to treat Hong Kong as a separate territory in economic and trade matters (even after July 1, 1997); (2) the United States should continue to negotiate directly with Hong Kong to conclude bilateral economic agreements (even after July 1, 1997); (3) the United States should continue to consider Hong Kong for most-favored-nation trade status and to recognize certificates of origin for manufactured goods issued by the Administrative Region; (4) the United States should continue to allow the U.S. dollar to be freely exchanged with the Hong Kong dollar and U.S. businesses should continue to operate in Hong Kong; (5) the United States should continue to support Hong Kong's access to sensitive technologies; (6) the United States should encourage Hong Kong to continue to develop a framework which provides protection for intellectual property rights; and (7) the United States should negotiate a bilateral investment treaty with Hong Kong. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the following should be U.S. policy with respect to transportation from Hong Kong: (1) the United States should continue to recognize ships and airplanes registered in Hong Kong and negotiate air service agreements directly with Hong Kong; (2) the United States should continue to recognize ships registered by Hong Kong after July 1, 1997, and U.S. commercial ships should remain free to port in Hong Kong; (3) the United States should recognize licenses issued by the Administrative Region to Hong Kong airlines; (4) the United States should recognize permits issued by the Administrative Region to U.S. airlines for specified services; (5) the United States should negotiate with the Administrative Region to renew or amend all air service agreements existing on June 30, 1997, and to conclude new air service agreements affecting all flights to, from, or through China; and (6) the United States should negotiate with the Administrative Region about arrangements to implement international aviation agreements. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the following should be U.S. policy with respect to cultural and educational exchanges with Hong Kong: (1) the United States should seek to maintain and expand U.S.-Hong Kong relations and exchanges in culture, education, science, and academic research; (2) the Administrative Region should be accorded individual status as a full partner in the Fulbright Program; and (3) the Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress should seek to expand educational and informational ties with the Legislative Council of Hong Kong. Title II: The Status of Hong Kong in United States Law - Continues to treat Hong Kong as a separate territory under U.S. law after July 1, 1997. Approves the continuation in force of all treaties entered into by the United States and Hong Kong before such date. Title III: Reporting Provisions - Directs the Secretary to submit to the Speaker of the House and the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee: (1) a report on the degree to which the Joint Declaration is being implemented; and (2) a separate subreport (with respect to country reports) on Hong Kong.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1991
Declares it is U.S. policy that the European Community's Third Country Meat Directive is an unfair nontariff trade barrier and that it is in the public interest to remove barriers to exports of U.S. meat products. Directs the President to prohibit the importation of all European Community meat products.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1991
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise the definition of "leased employee" for pension plan purposes to require: (1) a contract for such services pursuant to which payments are made, directly or indirectly, by the recipient to the leasing organization; (2) the leased employee to perform at least 1,000 hours during a plan year for the recipient; and (3) the leased employee to be under the control of the recipient. Allows a recipient to elect not to treat a leased employee as such an employee for a plan year if such employee performs services for less than 501 hours during such plan year. Provides an alternative safe harbor for organizations that are not principally formed to lease employees.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1991
Music Therapy for Older Americans Act - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to add music therapy to: (1) the lists of services for frail older individuals in their homes and services for older individuals, particularly those with the greatest economic and social need, designed to satisfy their special needs and improve their quality of life; (2) a list of supportive services for older individuals; and (3) the list of schools within colleges and universities in which training programs in the field of aging can be developed. Adds music, art, and dance therapy to the list of services under the definition of "preventive health services" and to the list of demonstration projects which will improve or expand supportive services or otherwise promote the well-being of older individuals. Requires the Commissioner of the Administration on Aging, in making contracts or entering into grants for such projects, to give special consideration to education, training, and information dissemination projects that assist older individuals through music therapy.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1991
Designates December 4, 1991, as Hawaii Remembrance Day, to recognize contributions provided by Federal civilian employees during the attack on Pearl Harbor and during World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1991
Declares that the Congress acknowledges and appreciates the commitment, devotion, and sacrifices of present and former military families. Designates November 25, 1991, as National Military Families Recognition Day.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1991
Glass Ceiling Act of 1991 - Establishes the Glass Ceiling Commission to conduct a study and prepare recommendations concerning: (1) eliminating artificial barriers to the advancement of women and minorities; and (2) increasing opportunities and developmental experiences of women and minorities to foster advancement of women and minorities to management and decisionmaking positions in business. Establishes the National Award for Diversity and Excellence in American Executive Management. Allows a recipient business to use the award in its advertising if the business agrees to help other U.S. businesses improve with respect to the promotion of opportunities and developmental experiences of women and minorities regarding management and decisionmaking positions. Authorizes appropriations. Terminates the Commission and the authority to make awards four years after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1991
Condemns: (1) the policies of violent aggression perpetuated by Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic, the Yugoslav army, and Serbian extremist guerrillas in Croatia; and (2) the repression against the Albanian population in the Province of Kosov. Declares that the deteriorating situation in Yugoslavia requires the United States to intensify efforts to resolve the crisis. Commends the European Community (EC) for its efforts to mediate the crisis. Urges: (1) the EC to fully include an Albanian representative from Kosov in the EC-sponsored peace conference; and (2) the Administration to base its policy toward the six republics and two provinces of Yugoslavia on the democratic principles enunciated by the Secretary of State on September 4, 1991, with respect to the Soviet Union, to press for the inclusion of an Albanian representative from Kosovo in the peace conference, and to raise the issue of Serbian Government-sponsored aggression against the Croatian Government, the citizens of the Republic of Croatia, and the Albanians in Kosovo at the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe meeting which convened in Moscow on September 10, 1991.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1991
Veterans Dignity in Health Care Act of 1991 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that any veteran who is furnished hospital, nursing home, or domiciliary care in a Department of Veterans Affairs (Department) facility shall be entitled to purchase and consume tobacco products there. Requires the Department to maintain, and veterans being treated to have access to: (1) a commissary or canteen for the purchase of such products; and (2) a suitable indoor area for consumption of the products.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1991
Small Post Office Retention Act of 1991 - Amends Federal law with respect to the closing of postal facilities to provide that a post office includes any facility which provides retail postal service in a community, without regard to the classification of such facility for other purposes or to the rank or title of the person in charge of such facility. Declares that the relocation of a post office from one point in a community to another point in the same community shall not be deemed a closing.
![Official portrait of Sen. Pressler, Larry [R-SD]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/p000513_200.jpg)