[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 123 (Monday, July 30, 2007)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D1083-D1088]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page D1083]]




                        House of Representatives


Chamber Action
Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced: 9 public bills, H.R. 3220-
3221, 3223-3229; 2 private bills, H.R. 3230-3231; and 5 resolutions, 
H.J. Res. 47, and H. Res. 584-587, were introduced. 
                                               Pages H8833-34, H9052-53
Additional Cosponsors:
  Pages H8834-35, H9053-54
Reports Filed: A report was filed on Friday, July 27th as follows:
  H.R. 23, to amend title 46, United States Code, to provide benefits 
to certain individuals who served in the United States merchant marine 
(including the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service) 
during World War II, with amendments (H. Rept. 110-269, Pt. 1).
  Reports were filed today as follows:
  H.R. 2722, to restructure the Coast Guard Integrated Deepwater 
Program, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-270);
  H.R. 673, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to take lands in 
Yuma County, Arizona, into trust as part of the reservation of the 
Cocopah Indian Tribe, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-271);
  H.R. 1696, to amend the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama and 
Coushatta Indian Tribes of Texas Restoration Act to allow the Ysleta 
del Sur Pueblo tribe to determine blood quantum requirement for 
membership in that Tribe (H. Rept. 110-272);
  H.R. 2120, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to proclaim as 
reservation for the benefit of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa 
Indians a parcel of land now held in trust by the United States for 
that Indian tribe, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-273);
  H.R. 2863, to authorize the Coquille Indian Tribe of the State of 
Oregon to convey land and interests in land owned by the Tribe, with an 
amendment (H. Rept. 110-274);
  H.R. 2952, to authorize the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Indians of the 
State of Michigan to convey land and interests in land owned by the 
Tribe, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-275);
  S. 375, to waive application of the Indian Self-Determination and 
Education Assistance Act to a specific parcel of real property 
transferred by the United States to 2 Indian tribes in the State of 
Oregon (H. Rept. 110-276);
  H.R. 2347, to authorize State and local governments to direct 
divestiture from, and prevent investment in, companies with investments 
of $20,000,000 or more in Iran's energy sector, with an amendment (H. 
Rept. 110-277, Pt. 1);
  H. Con. Res. 140, recognizing the low presence of minorities in the 
financial services industry and minorities and women in upper level 
positions of management, and expressing the sense of the Congress that 
active measures should be taken to increase the demographic diversity 
of the financial services industry, with an amendment (H. Rept. 110-
278, Pt. 1); and
  H.R. 3222, making appropriations for the Department of Defense for 
the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008 (H. Rept. 110-279). 
                                                  Pages H8833, H9051-52
Speaker: Read a letter from the Speaker wherein she appointed 
Representative Hinojosa to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. 
                                                             Page H8823
Recess: The House recessed at 10:32 a.m. and reconvened at noon. 
                                                             Page H8823
Creating the Office of Chief Financial Officer of the Government of the 
Virgin Islands: The House agreed by unanimous consent to H.R. 2107, to 
create the Office of Chief Financial Officer of the Government of the 
Virgin Islands, after discharging from committee.
  Pages H8824-25
Cocopah Lands Act: The House agreed by unanimous consent to H.R. 673, 
amended, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to take lands in Yuma 
County, Arizona, into trust as part of the reservation of the Cocopah 
Indian Tribe.
  Pages H8825-26
Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To direct the Secretary of 
the Interior to take lands in Yuma County, Arizona, into trust as part 
of the reservation of the Cocopah Tribe of Arizona, and for other 
purposes.''.
  Page H8826
Amending the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama and Coushatta Indian 
Tribes of Texas Restoration Act: The House agreed by unanimous consent 
to H.R. 1696, to amend the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama and 
Coushatta Indian Tribes of Texas Restoration Act to allow the Ysleta 
del Sur Pueblo tribe to determine blood quantum requirement for 
membership in that Tribe.
  Page H8826
Directing the Secretary of the Interior to proclaim as reservation for 
the benefit of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians a parcel 
of land now held in trust by the United States for that Indian tribe: 
The House agreed by unanimous consent to H.R. 2120, amended, to direct 
the Secretary of the Interior to proclaim as reservation for

[[Page D1084]]

the benefit of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians a parcel 
of land now held in trust by the United States for that Indian tribe. 
                                                         Pages H8826-27
Authorizing the Coquille Indian Tribe of the State of Oregon to convey 
land and interests in land owned by the Tribe: The House agreed by 
unanimous consent to H.R. 2863, amended, to authorize the Coquille 
Indian Tribe of the State of Oregon to convey land and interests in 
land owned by the Tribe.
  Page H8827
Authorizing the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Indians of the State of 
Michigan to convey land and interests in land owned by the Tribe: The 
House agreed by unanimous consent to H.R. 2952, amended, to authorize 
the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Indians of the State of Michigan to 
convey land and interests in land owned by the Tribe.
  Pages H8827-28
Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians Land Transfer Act of 2007: The 
House agreed by unanimous consent to H.R. 2963, to transfer certain 
land in Riverside County, California, and San Diego County, California, 
from the Bureau of Land Management to the United States to be held in 
trust for the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians, after 
discharging from committee.
  Pages H8828-29
Waiving application of the Indian Self-Determination and Education 
Assistance Act to a specific parcel of real property transferred by the 
United States to 2 Indian tribes in the State of Oregon: The House 
agreed by unanimous consent to S. 375, to waive application of the 
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to a specific 
parcel of real property transferred by the United States to 2 Indian 
tribes in the State of Oregon, after discharging from committee--
clearing the measure for the President.
  Page H8829
Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District Wastewater and Recycled Water 
Facilities Act of 2007: The House agreed by unanimous consent to 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. 
                                                         Pages H8829-30
Recognizing Virginia's James River as ``America's Founding River'': The 
House agreed by unanimous consent to H. Res. 16, to recognize 
Virginia's James River as ``America's Founding River'', after 
discharging from committee.
  Page H8830
Amending chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, to make individuals 
employed by the Roosevelt Campobello International Park Commission 
eligible to obtain Federal health insurance: The House agreed by 
unanimous consent to S. 1099, to amend chapter 89 of title 5, United 
States Code, to make individuals employed by the Roosevelt Campobello 
International Park Commission eligible to obtain Federal health 
insurance, after discharging from committee--clearing the measure for 
the President.
  Pages H8830-31
Honoring the 50th anniversary of Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens: The House 
agreed by unanimous consent to H. Con. Res. 143, amended, to honor the 
50th anniversary of Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, after discharging from 
committee.
  Pages H8837-38
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Honoring National Historic 
Landmarks.''.
Page H8838
Master Sergeant Sean Michael Thomas Post Office Designation Act: The 
House agreed by unanimous consent to H.R. 2765, to designate the 
facility of the United States Postal Service located at 44 North Main 
Street in Hughesville, Pennsylvania, as the ``Master Sergeant Sean 
Michael Thomas Post Office'', after discharging from committee. 
                                                             Page H8838
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a National 
Youth Sports Week should be established: The House agreed by unanimous 
consent to H. Res. 442, to express the sense of the House of 
Representatives that a National Youth Sports Week should be 
established, after discharging from committee.
  Page H8838
Commending Craig Biggio of the Houston Astros: The House agreed by 
unanimous consent to H. Res. 501, to commend Craig Biggio of the 
Houston Astros for reaching 3,000 base hits as a Major League Baseball 
player and for his outstanding service to baseball and the Houston, 
Texas, region, after discharging from committee.
  Pages H8838-39
Dolph S. Briscoe, Jr., Post Office Building Designation Act: The House 
agreed by unanimous consent to H.R. 2688, to designate the facility of 
the United States Postal Service located at 103 South Getty Street in 
Uvalde, Texas, as the ``Dolph S. Briscoe, Jr., Post Office Building'', 
after discharging from committee.
  Page H8839
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read ``To designate the facility 
of the United States Postal Service located at 103 South Getty Street 
in Uvalde, Texas, as the `Dolph Briscoe, Jr., Post Office Building'.'' 
                                                             Page H8839
Acknowledging the progress made and yet to be made to rebuild the Gulf 
Coast region after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: The House agreed by

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unanimous consent to H. Res. 551, to acknowledge the progress made and 
yet to be made to rebuild the Gulf Coast region after Hurricanes 
Katrina and Rita, after discharging from committee.
  Page H8839-40
Honoring the 2007 NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs: The House agreed by 
unanimous consent to H. Res. 490, to honor the 2007 NBA Champion San 
Antonio Spurs, after discharging from committee.
  Page H8840
Congratulating the Detroit Tigers for winning the 2006 American League 
Pennant: The House agreed by unanimous consent to H. Res. 488, to 
congratulate the Detroit Tigers for winning the 2006 American League 
Pennant and for bringing the City of Detroit and the State of Michigan 
their first trip to the World Series in 22 years, after discharging 
from committee.
  Pages H8840-41
Frank G. Lumpkin, Jr., Post Office Building Designation Act: The House 
agreed by unanimous consent to H.R. 2309, to designate the facility of 
the United States Postal Service located at 3916 Milgen Road in 
Columbus, Georgia, as the ``Frank G. Lumpkin, Jr., Post Office 
Building'', after discharging from committee.
  Page H8841
Congratulating the National Hockey League Champions, the Anaheim Ducks, 
on their victory in the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals: The House agreed by 
unanimous consent to H. Res. 471, to congratulate the National Hockey 
League Champions, the Anaheim Ducks, on their victory in the 2007 
Stanley Cup Finals, after discharging from committee.
  Page H8841
Private First Class Shane R. Austin Post Office Designation Act: The 
House agreed by unanimous consent to H.R. 3034, to designate the 
facility of the United States Postal Service located at 127 South Elm 
Street in Gardner, Kansas, as the ``Private First Class Shane R. Austin 
Post Office'', after discharging from committee.
  Page H8842
Buck Owens Post Office Designation Act: The House agreed by unanimous 
consent to H.R. 1384, to designate the facility of the United States 
Postal Service located at 118 Minner Street in Bakersfield, California, 
as the ``Buck Owens Post Office'', after discharging from committee. 
                                                         Pages H8842-43
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To designate the facility 
of the United States Postal Service located at 118 Minner Avenue in 
Bakersfield, California, as the `Buck Owens Post Office'.''. 
                                                             Page H8843
Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the 
following measures:
  Expressing the sense of Congress regarding high level visits to the 
United States by democratically-elected officials of Taiwan: H. Con. 
Res. 136, amended, to express the sense of Congress regarding high 
level visits to the United States by democratically-elected officials 
of Taiwan;
  Pages H8868-70
  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the 
Government of Japan should formally acknowledge, apologize, and accept 
historical responsibility in a clear and unequivocal manner for its 
Imperial Armed Force's coercion of young women into sexual slavery: H. 
Res. 121, amended, to express the sense of the House of Representatives 
that the Government of Japan should formally acknowledge, apologize, 
and accept historical responsibility in a clear and unequivocal manner 
for its Imperial Armed Force's coercion of young women into sexual 
slavery, known to the world as ``comfort women'', during its colonial 
and wartime occupation of Asia and the Pacific Islands from the 1930s 
through the duration of World War II;
  Pages H8870-76
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Expressing the sense of 
the House of Representatives that the Government of Japan should 
formally acknowledge, apologize, and accept historical responsibility 
in a clear and unequivocal manner for its Imperial Armed Forces' 
coercion of young women into sexual slavery, known to the world as 
`comfort women', during its colonial and wartime occupation of Asia and 
the Pacific Islands from the 1930s through the duration of World War 
II.''.
Page H8876
  Urging the Government of Canada to end the commercial seal hunt: H. 
Res. 427, to urge the Government of Canada to end the commercial seal 
hunt;
  Pages H8876-77
  Condemning the attack on the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos 
Aires, Argentina, in July 1994: H. Con. Res. 188, amended, to condemn 
the attack on the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, 
Argentina, in July 1994;
  Pages H8877-80
  Congratulating the Oregon State University Beavers baseball team for 
winning the 2007 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I 
College World Series: H. Res. 515, to congratulate the Oregon State 
University Beavers baseball team for winning the 2007 National 
Collegiate Athletic Association Division I College World Series; 
                                                         Pages H8880-81
  Congratulating the men's volleyball team of the University of 
California, Irvine, for winning the 2007 NCAA Division I Men's 
Volleyball National Championship: H. Res. 511, to congratulate the 
men's volleyball team of the University of California,

[[Page D1086]]

Irvine, for winning the 2007 NCAA Division I Men's Volleyball National 
Championship;
  Pages H8881-82
  Reauthorizing the Underground Railroad Educational and Cultural 
Program: H.R. 2707, amended, to reauthorize the Underground Railroad 
Educational and Cultural Program;
  Pages H8882-84
  Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 
2007: H.R. 23, amended, to amend title 46, United States Code, to 
provide benefits to certain individuals who served in the United States 
merchant marine (including the Army Transport Service and the Naval 
Transport Service) during World War II;
  Pages H8884-87
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To amend title 38, United 
States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish 
the Merchant Mariner Equity Compensation Fund to provide benefits to 
certain individuals who served in the United States merchant marine 
(including the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service) 
during World War II.''.
Page H8887
  Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2007: H.R. 1315, amended, to 
amend title 38, United States Code, to provide specially adaptive 
housing assistance to certain disabled members of the Armed Forces 
residing temporarily in housing owned by a family member; 
                                                         Pages H8887-92
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To amend title 38, United 
States Code, to make certain improvements in the benefits provided to 
veterans under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 
and for other purposes.''.
Page H8892
  Veterans' Health Care Improvement Act of 2007: H.R. 2874, amended, to 
amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the 
provision of health care to veterans;
  Pages H8892-97
  Amending title 38, United States Code, to prohibit the collection of 
copayments for all hospice care furnished by the Department of Veterans 
Affairs: H.R. 2623, amended, to amend title 38, United States Code, to 
prohibit the collection of copayments for all hospice care furnished by 
the Department of Veterans Affairs;
  Pages H8897-98
  Authorizing the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a competitive 
grant program for the Puget Sound area to provide comprehensive 
conservation planning to address water quality: H.R. 3184, to authorize 
the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a competitive grant program 
for the Puget Sound area to provide comprehensive conservation planning 
to address water quality;
  Pages H8898-99
  Providing for an additional temporary extension of programs under the 
Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 
through December 15, 2007: H.R. 3206, to provide for an additional 
temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the 
Small Business Investment Act of 1958 through December 15, 2007; 
                                                      Pages H8899-S8900
  Improving the use of a grant of a parcel of land to the State of 
Idaho for use as an agricultural college: H.R. 3006, to improve the use 
of a grant of a parcel of land to the State of Idaho for use as an 
agricultural college;
  Pages H8912-13
  U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq 
Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007: S. 1716, to amend the U.S. 
Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery and Iraq 
Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007, to strike a requirement 
relating to forage producers--clearing the measure for the President; 
                                                         Pages H8913-14
  Extending the designation of Liberia under section 244 of the 
Immigration and Nationality Act so that Liberians can continue to be 
eligible for temporary protected status under that section: H.R. 3123, 
to extend the designation of Liberia under section 244 of the 
Immigration and Nationality Act so that Liberians can continue to be 
eligible for temporary protected status under that section; 
                                                         Pages H8914-17
  Granting the consent and approval of Congress to an interstate forest 
fire protection compact: S. 975, to grant the consent and approval of 
Congress to an interstate forest fire protection compact--clearing the 
measure for the President;
  Pages H8917-19
  Small Public Housing Authority Act: H.R. 3067, amended, to amend the 
United States Housing Act of 1937 to exempt small public housing 
agencies from the requirement of preparing an annual public housing 
agency plan;
  Pages H8919-20
  NASA and JPL 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act: H.R. 2750, 
amended, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in 
commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Jet Propulsion 
Laboratory, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 402 yeas with none voting 
``nay'', Roll No. 758;
  Pages H8920-25, H8937-38
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To require the Secretary 
of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the 50th anniversary 
of the establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration.''.
Pages H8937-38
  Supporting the goals and ideals of ``National Purple Heart 
Recognition Day'': S. Con. Res. 27,

[[Page D1087]]

to support the goals and ideals of ``National Purple Heart Recognition 
Day'';
  Pages H8925-27
  Recognizing the 75th anniversary of the Military Order of the Purple 
Heart and commending recipients of the Purple Heart for their 
courageous demonstrations of gallantry and heroism on behalf of the 
United States: H. Con. Res. 49, amended, to recognize the 75th 
anniversary of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and commending 
recipients of the Purple Heart for their courageous demonstrations of 
gallantry and heroism on behalf of the United States;
  Pages H8927-28
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``Recognizing the 75th 
anniversary of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and commending 
recipients of the Purple Heart for their courage and sacrifice on 
behalf of the United States.''.
Page H8928
  Honoring and expressing gratitude to the 1st Battalion of the 133rd 
Infantry (``Ironman Battalion'') of the Iowa National Guard: H. Res. 
568, to honor and express gratitude to the 1st Battalion of the 133rd 
Infantry (``Ironman Battalion'') of the Iowa National Guard; and 
                                                         Pages H8928-30
  Ronald H. Brown United States Mission to the United Nations Building 
Designation Act: H.R. 735, to designate the Federal building under 
construction at 799 First Avenue in New York, New York, as the ``Ronald 
H. Brown United States Mission to the United Nations Building''. 
                                                         Pages H8935-37
Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2007: The House began consideration of H.R. 
2831, to amend title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age 
Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans With 
Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to clarify 
that a discriminatory compensation decision or other practice that is 
unlawful under such Acts occurs each time compensation is paid pursuant 
to the discriminatory compensation decision or other practice. Further 
consideration is expected to resume Tuesday, July 31st. 
                                                         Pages H8940-50
  Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute 
recommended by the Committee on Education and Labor now printed in the 
bill shall be considered as adopted.
Page H8941
  H. Res. 579, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was 
agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 215 yeas to 187 nays, Roll No. 762, 
after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 
215 yeas to 190 nays, Roll No. 761.
Pages H8905-12, H8939-40
Eightmile Wild and Scenic River Act: The House began consideration of 
H.R. 986, to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate certain 
segments of the Eightmile River in the State of Connecticut as 
components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Further 
consideration is expected to resume Tuesday, July 31st. 
                                                         Pages H8950-57
  Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute 
recommended by the Committee on Natural Resources now printed in the 
bill, modified by the amendment printed in H. Rept. 110-264, shall be 
considered as adopted.
Page H8951
  H. Res. 580, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was 
agreed to by a yea-and-nay vote of 222 yeas to 184 nays, Roll No. 760, 
after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea-and-nay vote of 
216 yeas to 188 nays, Roll No. 759.
Pages H8900-05, H8938-39
Suspensions--Proceedings Postponed: The House debated the following 
measures under suspension of the rules. Further proceedings were 
postponed until Tuesday, July 31st:
  Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007: H.R. 180, amended, 
to require the identification of companies that conduct business 
operations in Sudan and to prohibit United States Government contracts 
with such companies;
  Pages H8843-55
  Iran Sanctions Enabling Act of 2007: H.R. 2347, amended, to authorize 
State and local governments to direct divestiture from, and prevent 
investment in, companies with investments of $20,000,000 or more in 
Iran's energy sector;
  Pages H8855-61
  Shirley A. Chisholm United States-Caribbean Educational Exchange Act 
of 2007: H.R. 176, amended, to authorize assistance to the countries of 
the Caribbean to fund educational development and exchange programs; 
                                                         Pages H8861-66
  Amending the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to expand and clarify the 
entities against which sanctions may be imposed: H.R. 957, amended, to 
amend the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to expand and clarify the entities 
against which sanctions may be imposed; and
  Pages H8866-68
  Integrated Deepwater Program Reform Act: H.R. 2722, amended, to 
restructure the Coast Guard Integrated Deepwater Program. 
                                                         Pages H8930-35
Amendments: Amendments ordered printed pursuant to the rule appear on 
pages H8835-36 and H9054.
Quorum Calls--Votes: Five yea-and-nay votes developed during the 
proceedings of today and appear on pages H8937, H8938, H8938-39, H8939, 
and H8939-40. There were no quorum calls.

[[Page D1088]]

Adjournment: The House met at 10:30 a.m. and adjourned at 11:59 p.m.