[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 118 (Monday, July 23, 2007)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D1026-D1030]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                        House of Representatives


Chamber Action
Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 18 public bills, H.R. 3122-
3136; 1 private bill, H.R. 3137; and 3 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 189; 
and H. Res. 563-564 were introduced.
  Page H8292
Additional Cosponsors:
  Pages H8292-93
Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows:
  H.R. 31, to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study 
and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to 
participate in the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District Wildomar 
Service Area Recycled Water Distribution Facilities and Alberhill 
Wastewater Treatment and Reclamation Facility Projects (H. Rept. 110-
243);
  H.R. 50, to reauthorize the African Elephant Conservation Act and the 
Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994, with an amendment (H. 
Rept. 110-244);
  H.R. 465, to reauthorize the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997, 
with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-245);

[[Page D1027]]


  H.R. 716, to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study 
and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to 
participate in the Santa Rosa Urban Water Reuse Plan, with an amendment 
(H. Rept. 110-246);
  H.R. 761, to authorize the Secretary of Interior to convey to The 
Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor 
Center Foundation, Inc. certain Federal land associated with the Lewis 
and Clark National Historic Trail in Nebraska, to be used as an 
historical interpretive site along the trail, with an amendment (H. 
Rept. 110-247);
  H.R. 1239, to amend the National Underground Railroad Network to 
Freedom Act of 1998 to provide additional staff and oversight of funds 
to carry out the Act, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-248);
  H.R. 1285, to provide for the conveyance of a parcel of National 
Forest System land in Kittitas County, Washington, to facilitate the 
construction of a new fire and rescue station, with an amendment (H. 
Rept. 110-249);
  H.R. 1388, to amend the National Trails System Act to designate the 
Star-Spangled Banner Trail in the States of Maryland and Virginia and 
the District of Columbia as a National Historic Trail, with an 
amendment (H. Rept. 110-250);
  H.R. 1503, to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study 
and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to 
participate in the Avra/Black Wash Reclamation and Riparian Restoration 
Project, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-251);
  H.R. 1526, to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study 
and Facilities Act to authorize the Bay Area Regional Water Recycling 
Program, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-252);
  H.R. 2400, to direct the Administrator of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration to establish an integrated Federal ocean and 
coastal mapping plan for the Great Lakes and coastal state waters, the 
territorial sea, the exclusive economic zone, and the Continental Shelf 
of the United States, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-253, Pt. 1);
  H.R. 176, to authorize assistance to the countries of the Caribbean 
to fund educational development and exchange programs, with an 
amendment (H. Rept. 110-254);
  H. Res. 562, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3093) 
making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, and 
Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 
2008 (H. Rept. 110-255);
  H.R. 2419, to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs 
through fiscal year 2012 (H. Rept. 110-256, Pt. 1); and
  H.R. 2844, to promote United States emergency and nonemergency food 
and other assistance programs to promote United States agricultural 
export programs (H. Rept. 110-257, Pt. 1).
PagesH 8291-92
Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed 
Representative McNerney to act as Speaker Pro Tempore for today. 
                                                             Page H8189
Recess: The House recessed at 10:38 a.m. and reconvened at noon. 
                                                             Page H8190
Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the 
following measures:
  Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail Act: H.R. 1388, amended, 
to amend the National Trails System Act to designate the Star-Spangled 
Banner Trail in the States of Maryland and Virginia and the District of 
Columbia as a National Historic Trail;
  Pages H8191-93
  Authorizing the Secretary of Interior to convey to The Missouri River 
Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center Foundation, 
Inc. certain Federal land associated with the Lewis and Clark National 
Historic Trail in Nebraska: H.R. 761, amended, to authorize the 
Secretary of Interior to convey to The Missouri River Basin Lewis and 
Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center Foundation, Inc. certain 
Federal land associated with the Lewis and Clark National Historic 
Trail in Nebraska, to be used as an historical interpretive site along 
the trail;
  Pages H8193-94
  Snoqualmie Pass Land Conveyance Act: H.R. 1285, amended, to provide 
for the conveyance of a parcel of National Forest System land in 
Kittitas County, Washington, to facilitate the construction of a new 
fire and rescue station;
  Pages H8194-95
  Santa Rosa Urban Water Reuse Plan Act: H.R. 716, amended, to amend 
the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to 
authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the Santa 
Rosa Urban Water Reuse Plan;
  Page H8195
  Avra/Black Wash Reclamation and Riparian Restoration Project: H.R. 
1503, amended, to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater 
Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to 
participate in the Avra/Black Wash Reclamation and Riparian Restoration 
Project;
  Pages H8195-96
  Bay Area Regional Water Recycling Program Authorization Act of 2007: 
H.R. 1526, amended, to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater 
Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Bay Area Regional Water 
Recycling Program;
  Pages H8196-97

[[Page D1028]]

  Oregon Water Resources Management Act of 2007: H.R. 495, to update 
the management of Oregon water resources;
  Pages H8197-99
  Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act: H.R. 2400, amended, to 
direct the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration to establish an integrated Federal ocean and coastal 
mapping plan for the Great Lakes and coastal state waters, the 
territorial sea, the exclusive economic zone, and the Continental Shelf 
of the United States;
  Pages H8199-H8201
  Multinational Species Conservation Funds Reauthorization Act of 2007: 
H.R. 50, amended, to reauthorize the African Elephant Conservation Act 
and the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994; 
                                                       Pages H8201-02 H
  Asian Elephant Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2007: H.R. 465, 
amended, to reauthorize the Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997; 
                                                         Pages H8202-03
  National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Reauthorization Act 
of 2007: H.R. 1239, amended, to amend the National Underground Railroad 
Network to Freedom Act of 1998 to provide additional staff and 
oversight of funds to carry out the Act;
  Pages H8203-04
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To amend the National 
Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act of 1998 to authorize 
additional funding to carry out the Act, and for other purposes.''. 
                                                             Page H8204
  Overseas Private Investment Corporation Reauthorization Act of 2007: 
H.R. 2798, amended, to reauthorize the programs of the Overseas Private 
Investment Corporation;
  Pages H8204-10
  Commending Idaho on winning the bid to host the 2009 Special Olympics 
World Winter Games: H. Res. 380, to commend Idaho on winning the bid to 
host the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games;
  Pages H8210-11
  Expressing the sense of the Congress that the United States should 
address the ongoing problem of untouchability in India: H. Con. Res. 
139, amended, to express the sense of the Congress that the United 
States should address the ongoing problem of untouchability in India; 
                                                         Pages H8211-13
  Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the 1932 Winter Olympic Games in 
Lake Placid, New York: H. Res. 521, to celebrate the 75th Anniversary 
of the 1932 Winter Olympic Games in Lake Placid, New York; 
                                                         Pages H8213-14
  Approving the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese 
Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003: H.J. Res. 44, amended, to approve 
the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and 
Democracy Act of 2003;
  Pages H8214-16
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Approving the renewal of 
import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act 
of 2003, and for other purposes.''.
Page H8216
  Congratulating the University of Wyoming Cowgirls for winning the 
Women's National Invitational Tournament for the first time and for 
their most successful season in school history: H. Res. 384, to 
congratulate the University of Wyoming Cowgirls for winning the Women's 
National Invitational Tournament for the first time and for their most 
successful season in school history;
  Pages H8216-17
  Recognizing the 20th anniversary of the McKinney-Vento Homeless 
Assistance Act and the impact it has made on homelessness and 
endeavoring to continue working to eliminate homelessness in the United 
States: H. Res. 561, to recognize the 20th anniversary of the McKinney-
Vento Homeless Assistance Act and the impact it has made on 
homelessness and endeavoring to continue working to eliminate 
homelessness in the United States;
  Pages H8217-20
  Commending David Ray Ritcheson, a survivor of one of the most 
horrific hate crimes in the history of Texas, and recognizing his 
efforts in promoting Federal legislation to combat hate crimes: H. Res. 
535, to commend David Ray Ritcheson, a survivor of one of the most 
horrific hate crimes in the history of Texas, and to recognize his 
efforts in promoting Federal legislation to combat hate crimes; 
                                                         Pages H8220-26
  Agreed by unanimous consent that the House vacate the ordering of the 
yeas and nays on agreeing to H. Res. 535 to the end that the Chair put 
the question de novo.
Page H8253
  Expressing the sense of Congress that courts with fiduciary 
responsibility for a child of a deceased member of the Armed Forces who 
receives a death gratuity payment under section 1477 of title 10, 
United States Code, should take into consideration the expression of 
clear intent of the member regarding the distribution of funds on 
behalf of the child: H. Con. Res. 175, to express the sense of Congress 
that courts with fiduciary responsibility for a child of a deceased 
member of the Armed Forces who receives a death gratuity payment under 
section 1477 of title 10, United States Code, should take into 
consideration the expression of clear intent of the member regarding 
the distribution of funds on behalf of the child;
  Pages H8226-28

[[Page D1029]]

  Amending the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 to 
modify a deadline relating to a certain election by Indian tribes: H.R. 
3095, to amend the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 
to modify a deadline relating to a certain election by Indian tribes; 
                                                         Pages H8228-30
  Campaign Expenditure Transparency Act: H.R. 2630, amended, to amend 
the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit authorized 
committees and leadership PACs of a candidate or an individual holding 
Federal office from making payments to the candidate's or individual's 
spouse and to require such committees and PACs to report on 
disbursements made to the immediate family members of the candidate or 
individual;
  Pages H8230-34
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To amend the Federal 
Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit certain political committees 
from compensating the spouse of the candidate for services provided to 
or on behalf of the committee, to require such committees to report on 
payments made to the spouse and the immediate family members of the 
candidate, and for other purposes.''.
Page H8234
  Federal Customer Service Enhancement Act: H.R. 404, amended, to 
require the establishment of customer service standards for Federal 
agencies, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 383 yeas with none voting 
``nay'', Roll No. 687;
  Page H8234-36 H8253-54
  Commemorating the 300th anniversary of the Town of New Milford, 
Connecticut: H. Res. 528, to Commemorate the 300th anniversary of the 
Town of New Milford, Connecticut;
  Pages H8236-37
  Mourning the passing of former First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson, and 
celebrating her life and contributions to the people of the United 
States: H. Res. 553, to mourn the passing of former First Lady, Lady 
Bird Johnson, and to celebrate her life and contributions to the people 
of the United States, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 381 yeas with none 
voting ``nay'', Roll No. 688; and
  Pages H8237-41, H8254-55
  Honoring the life and accomplishments of renowned artist Tom Lea on 
the 100th anniversary of his birth: H. Res. 519, to honor the life and 
accomplishments of renowned artist Tom Lea on the 100th anniversary of 
his birth, by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 384 yeas with none voting 
``nay'', Roll No. 689.
  Pages H8241-43, H8255
Recess: The House recessed at 6:05 p.m. and reconvened at 6:49 p.m. 
                                                             Page H8253
Suspension--Proceedings Postponed: The House debated the following 
measure under suspension of the rules. Further proceedings were 
postponed until Tuesday, July 24th:
  Commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Archdiocese of New York: 
H. Res. 345, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Archdiocese of 
New York.
  Pages H8243-45
Late Report: Agreed that the Committee on Agriculture have until 
midnight on July 23rd to file a report on H.R. 2419, to provide for the 
continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2012. 
                                                             Page H8257
Making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, and 
Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year 
ending September 30, 2008: The House began consideration of H.R. 3074, 
to make appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, and 
Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year 
ending September 30, 2008. Further consideration is expected to resume 
tomorrow, July 24th.
  Pages H8245-53, H8257-80
Withdrawn:
  Blumenauer amendment that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that 
would have increased funding, by offset, for Transportation Planning, 
Research, and Development by $6.2 million and
Pages H8261-64
  Smith (NJ) amendment that was offered and subsequently withdrawn that 
would have added a new section to the end of title I relating to the 
Surface Transportation Board of the Department of Transportation and 
the transportation of solid waste.
Pages H8277-79
Proceedings Postponed:
  Mica amendment that seeks to strike language relating to the 
rescission of funds under the Highway Trust Fund;
Pages H8264-70
  Bachmann amendment that seeks to increase funding, by offset, for 
Homeless Assistance Grants by $106 million;
Pages H8270-71
  Flake amendment that seeks to strike language relating to Operating 
Grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation;
Pages H8271-74
  Flake amendment that seeks to reduce funding for Capital and Debt 
Service Grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation by $425 
million; and
Pages H8274-77
  Chabot amendment that seeks to reduce funding for Public and Indian 
Housing by $330 million.
Page H8279
  H. Res. 558, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was 
agreed to by voice vote after agreeing to order the previous question 
by a yea-and-nay vote of 210 yeas to 179 noes, Roll No. 690. 
                                                         Pages H8255-56
Presidential Messages: Read a letter from the President wherein he 
notified the House that he

[[Page D1030]]

planned to undergo a routine medical procedure requiring sedation and 
determined to transfer temporarily his Constitutional powers and duties 
to the Vice President during the brief period of the procedure and 
recovery.
  Page H8190
  Read a letter from the President wherein he notified the House that, 
following his routine medical procedure requiring sedation, he was able 
to immediately resume the discharge of the Constitutional powers and 
duties of the office of the President of the United States. 
                                                             Page H8190
Senate Message: Message received from the Senate by the Clerk and 
subsequently presented to the House today appears on page H8190.
Amendments: Amendments ordered printed pursuant to the rule appear on 
pages H8294-96.
Quorum Calls--Votes: Four yea-and-nay votes developed during the 
proceedings of today and appear on pages H8254, H8254-55, H8255, H8256. 
There were no quorum calls.
Adjournment: The House met at 10:30 a.m. and adjourned at 11:41 p.m.