[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 17, 2008)]
[Daily Digest]
[Pages D1108-D1112]
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. 6918-
6935; and 14 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 418-419; and H. Res. 1448-1459 
were introduced.
  Pages H8396-97
Additional Cosponsors:
  Pages H8397-98
Report Filed: A report was filed today as follows:
  H. Res. 1449, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6604) to 
amend the Commodity Exchange Act to bring greater transparency and 
accountability to commodity markets (H. Rept. 110-859). 
                                                         Pages H8495-96
Chaplain: The prayer was offered by the guest Chaplain, Rev. Danny 
Davis, Mount Hermon Baptist Church, Danville, Virginia.
  Page H8279
National Capital Security and Safety Act: The House passed H.R. 6842, 
to require the District of Columbia to revise its laws regarding the 
use and possession of firearms as necessary to comply with the 
requirements of the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of 
District of Columbia v. Heller,

[[Page D1109]]

in a manner that protects the security interests of the Federal 
government and the people who work in, reside in, or visit the District 
of Columbia and does not undermine the efforts of law enforcement, 
homeland security, and military officials to protect the Nation's 
capital from crime and terrorism, by a recorded vote of 266 yeas to 152 
nays with 1 voting ``present'', Roll No. 601. Consideration of the 
measure began on Tuesday, September 16th.
  Pages H8282-86
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To restore Second 
Amendment rights in the District of Columbia.''.
Page H8286
Accepted:
  Childers amendment in the nature of a substitute (printed in H. Rept. 
110-852) that was debated on Tuesday, September 16th that strikes all 
after the enacting clause and inserts a complete new text entitled 
``Second Amendment Enforcement Act'' (by a recorded vote of 260 ayes to 
160 noes with 1 voting ``present'', Roll No. 600).
Pages H8283-84
  H. Res. 1434, the rule providing for consideration of the bill, was 
agreed to on Tuesday, September 16th.
Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the 
following measures:
  ADA Amendments Act of 2008: S. 3406, to restore the intent and 
protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990--clearing 
the measure for the President;
  Pages H8286-98
  SSI Extension for Elderly and Disabled Refugees Act: Agreed to the 
Senate amendments to H.R. 2608, to amend section 402 of the Personal 
Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to 
provide, in fiscal years 2009 through 2011, extensions of supplemental 
security income for refugees, asylees, and certain other humanitarian 
immigrants, and to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to collect 
unemployment compensation debts resulting from fraud--clearing the 
measure for the President;
  Pages H8298-H8304
  Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 
2008: H.R. 6893, to amend parts B and E of title IV of the Social 
Security Act to connect and support relative caregivers, improve 
outcomes for children in foster care, provide for tribal foster care 
and adoption access, improve incentives for adoption;
  Pages H8304-19
  Amending title 49, United States Code, to expand passenger facility 
fee eligibility for certain noise compatibility projects: S. 996, to 
amend title 49, United States Code, to expand passenger facility fee 
eligibility for certain noise compatibility projects--clearing the 
measure for the President;
  Pages H8336-38
  Smithsonian Institution Facilities Authorization Act of 2008: H.R. 
6627, to authorize the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution 
to carry out certain construction projects;
  Pages H8350-51
  Expand and Preserve Home Ownership Through Counseling Act: H.R. 3019, 
amended, to establish an Office of Housing Counseling to carry out and 
coordinate the responsibilities of the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development regarding counseling on homeownership and rental housing 
issues, to make grants to entities for providing such counseling, and 
to launch a national housing counseling advertising campaign; 
                                                         Pages H8354-58
  Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act of 2008: H.R. 5772, 
amended, to amend section 811 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National 
Affordable Housing Act to improve the program under such section for 
supportive housing for persons with disabilities;
  Pages H8358-63
  National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers Reform Act of 
2008: H.R. 5611, amended, to reform the National Association of 
Registered Agents and Brokers;
  Pages H8363-68
  Civil Rights History Project Act of 2008: H.R. 998, amended, to 
direct the Librarian of Congress and the Secretary of the Smithsonian 
Institution to carry out a joint project at the Library of Congress and 
the National Museum of African American History and Culture to collect 
video and audio recordings of personal histories and testimonials of 
individuals who participated in the Civil Rights movement; 
                                                         Pages H8369-71
  Expressing the sense of Congress that the Department of Defense and 
the Federal Voting Assistance Program should take certain additional 
and timely measures to ensure that members of the Armed Forces and 
their dependents are provided with reasonable information on how to 
register to vote and vote in the 2008 general elections: H. Con. Res. 
388, amended, to express the sense of Congress that the Department of 
Defense and the Federal Voting Assistance Program should take certain 
additional and timely measures to ensure that members of the Armed 
Forces and their dependents are provided with reasonable information on 
how to register to vote and vote in the 2008 general elections; 
                                                         Pages H8371-73
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To express the sense of 
Congress that the Department of Defense and the Federal Voting 
Assistance Program should take certain additional and timely measures

[[Page D1110]]

to ensure that members of the Armed Forces and their dependents and 
citizens living overseas are provided with reasonable information on 
how to register to vote and vote in the 2008 general elections.''. 
                                                             Page H8373
  Veteran Voting Support Act: H.R. 6625, amended, to require the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to permit facilities of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs to be designated as voter registration agencies; 
                                                         Pages H8373-75
  Expressing the sense of the Congress that the United States flag 
flown over the United States Capitol should be lowered to half-mast one 
day each month in honor of the brave men and women from the United 
States who have lost their lives in military conflicts: H. Con. Res. 
61, to express the sense of the Congress that the United States flag 
flown over the United States Capitol should be lowered to half-mast one 
day each month in honor of the brave men and women from the United 
States who have lost their lives in military conflicts; and 
                                                         Pages H8375-77
  Celebrating 75 years of effective State-based alcohol regulation and 
recognizing State lawmakers, regulators, law enforcement officers, the 
public health community and industry members for creating a workable, 
legal, and successful system of alcoholic beverage regulation, 
distribution, and sale: H. Con. Res. 415, to celebrate 75 years of 
effective State-based alcohol regulation and to recognize State 
lawmakers, regulators, law enforcement officers, the public health 
community and industry members for creating a workable, legal, and 
successful system of alcoholic beverage regulation, distribution, and 
sale.
  Pages H8377-79
Suspensions--Proceedings Resumed: The House agreed to suspend the rules 
and pass the following measures which were debated on Monday, September 
15th:
  Celebrating the 120-year partnership between the Government and State 
veterans homes: H. Res. 1335, to celebrate the 120-year partnership 
between the Government and State veterans homes, by a 
2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 411 yeas with none voting ``nay,'' Roll No. 
602;
  Pages H8351-52
  Lieutenant Colonel Clement C. Van Wagoner Department of Veterans 
Affairs Clinic Designation Act: S. 2339, to designate the Department of 
Veterans Affairs clinic in Alpena, Michigan, as the ``Lieutenant 
Colonel Clement C. Van Wagoner Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic,'' 
by a 2/3 yea-and-nay vote of 412 yeas with none voting ``nay,'' Roll 
No. 603; and
  Pages H8352-53
  Michael A. Marzano Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic 
Designation Act: H.R. 1594, to designate the Department of Veterans 
Affairs Outpatient Clinic in Hermitage, Pennsylvania, as the Michael A. 
Marzano Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic, by a 2/3 yea-
and-nay vote of 410 yeas with none voting ``nay,'' Roll No. 604. 
                                                             Page H8353
Authorizing and directing the Committee on the Judiciary to inquire 
whether the House should impeach G. Thomas Porteous, a judge of the 
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana: The 
House agreed to discharge from committee and agree to H. Res. 1448, to 
authorize and direct the Committee on the Judiciary to inquire whether 
the House should impeach G. Thomas Porteous, a judge of the United 
States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. 
                                                         Pages H8353-54
Suspensions--Proceedings Postponed: The House debated the following 
measures under suspension of the rules. Further proceedings were 
postponed:
  Supporting the goals and ideals of National Adoption Day and National 
Adoption Month: H. Res. 1432, to support the goals and ideals of 
National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month by promoting national 
awareness of adoption and the children in foster care awaiting 
families, to celebrate children and families involved in adoption, to 
recognize current programs and efforts designed to promote adoption, 
and to encourage people in the United States to seek improved safety, 
permanency, and well-being for all children;
  Pages H8319-24
  Jacob M. Lowell Post Office Building Designation Act: H.R. 6681, to 
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 
300 Vine Street in New Lenox, Illinois, as the ``Jacob M. Lowell Post 
Office Building'';
  Pages H8324-25
  Mayor William ``Bill'' Sandberg Post Office Building Designation Act: 
H.R. 6229, to designate the facility of the United States Postal 
Service located at 2523 7th Avenue East in North Saint Paul, Minnesota, 
as the ``Mayor William `Bill' Sandberg Post Office Building''; 
                                                         Pages H8325-28
  Army SPC Daniel Agami Post Office Building Designation Act: H.R. 
6338, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service 
located at 4233 West Hillsboro Boulevard in Coconut Creek, Florida, as 
the ``Army SPC Daniel Agami Post Office Building'';
  Pages H8328-29
  Mickey Mantle Post Office Building Designation Act: S. 171, to 
designate the facility of the

[[Page D1111]]

United States Postal Service located at 301 Commerce Street in 
Commerce, Oklahoma, as the ``Mickey Mantle Post Office Building''; 
                                                         Pages H8329-31
  CeeCee Ross Lyles Post Office Building Designation Act: H.R. 6772, to 
designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 
1717 Orange Avenue in Fort Pierce, Florida, as the ``CeeCee Ross Lyles 
Post Office Building'';
  Pages H8331-32
  Celebrating the 221st anniversary of the signing of the Constitution 
of the United States of America: H. Res. 1356, to celebrate the 221st 
anniversary of the signing of the Constitution of the United States of 
America;
  Pages H8332-36
  Recognizing North Platte, Nebraska, as ``Rail Town USA'': H. Con. 
Res. 408, to recognize North Platte, Nebraska, as ``Rail Town USA''; 
                                                         Pages H8338-41
  John F. Kennedy Center Reauthorization Act of 2008: Agree to the 
Senate amendment to H.R. 3986, to amend the John F. Kennedy Center Act 
to authorize appropriations for the John F. Kennedy Center for the 
Performing Arts;
  Pages H8341-43
  Great Lakes Legacy Reauthorization Act of 2008: H.R. 6460, amended, 
to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to provide for the 
remediation of sediment contamination in areas of concern; and 
                                                         Pages H8343-49
  Amending Public Law 108-331 to provide for the construction and 
related activities in support of the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging 
Telescope Array System (VERITAS) project in Arizona: S.J. Res. 35, to 
amend Public Law 108-331 to provide for the construction and related 
activities in support of the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope 
Array System (VERITAS) project in Arizona.
  Pages H8349-50
Order of Procedure: The House agreed by unanimous consent that the 
motions to suspend the rules relating to the following measures be 
considered as adopted in the form considered by the House on Monday, 
September 15th:
  Honoring Toby Keith's commitment to members of the Armed Forces: H. 
Res. 1255, to honor Toby Keith's commitment to members of the Armed 
Forces;
  Page H8368
  Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the University of Nebraska at 
Omaha and recognizing the partnership between the City of Omaha, its 
citizens, and the University to build a vibrant and dynamic community: 
H. Res. 1372, amended, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 
University of Nebraska at Omaha and to recognize the partnership 
between the City of Omaha, its citizens, and the University to build a 
vibrant and dynamic community;
  Page H8368
  Honoring the life and music of the late Isaac Hayes, a passionate 
humanitarian, whose music laid the foundation for many musical styles, 
including R&B, disco, and rap: H. Res. 1425, to honor the life and 
music of the late Isaac Hayes, a passionate humanitarian, whose music 
laid the foundation for many musical styles, including R&B, disco, and 
rap;
  Page H8368
  Recognizing the FBI on their 100th anniversary: H. Con. Res. 410, to 
recognize the FBI on their 100th anniversary;
  Page H8369
  School Safety Enhancements Act of 2008: H.R. 2352, amended, to 
enhance the safety of elementary schools, secondary schools, and 
institutions of higher education;
  Page H8369
  Tule River Tribe Water Development Act: H.R. 2535, to direct the 
Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study on the feasibility and 
suitability of constructing a storage reservoir, outlet works, and a 
delivery system for the Tule River Indian Tribe of California to 
provide a water supply for domestic, municipal, industrial, and 
agricultural purposes;
  Page H8369
  Jackson Gulch Rehabilitation Act of 2008: H.R. 3437, amended, to 
authorize the Secretary of the Interior to carry out the Jackson Gulch 
rehabilitation project in the State of Colorado;
  Page H8369
  Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation Water Rights 
Settlement Act: H.R. 5293, amended, to approve the settlement of the 
water rights claims of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley 
Reservation in Nevada and to require the Secretary of the Interior to 
carry out the settlement;
  Page H8369
  Authorizing the Secretary of Commerce to sell or exchange certain 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration property located in 
Norfolk, Virginia: H.R. 5350, amended, to authorize the Secretary of 
Commerce to sell or exchange certain National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration property located in Norfolk, Virginia;
  Page H8369
  Colonel Ola Lee Mize Veterans Clinic Designation Act: H.R. 5736, to 
designate the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in 
Gadsden, Alabama, as the Colonel Ola Lee Mize Veterans Clinic; 
                                                             Page H8369
  National Silver Alert Act: H.R. 6064, amended, to encourage, enhance, 
and integrate Silver Alert plans throughout the United States; 
                                                             Page H8369
  Agreed to amend the title so as to read: ``To encourage, enhance, and 
integrate Silver Alert plans

[[Page D1112]]

throughout the United States, to authorize grants for the assistance of 
organizations to find missing adults, and for other purposes.''. 
                                                             Page H8369
  Missing Alzheimer's Disease Patient Alert Program Reauthorization of 
2008: H.R. 6503, to amend the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement 
Act of 1994 to reauthorize the Missing Alzheimer's Disease Patient 
Alert Program; and
  Page H8369
  Extending the authority for the United States Supreme Court Police to 
protect court officials off the Supreme Court grounds: H.R. 6855, to 
extend the authority for the United States Supreme Court Police to 
protect court officials off the Supreme Court grounds.
  Page H8369
Senate Message: Message received from the Senate today appears on page 
H8331.
Senate Referrals: S. 3023 was held at the desk and S. Con. Res. 87 was 
referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
  Page H8394
Quorum Calls--Votes: Two yea-and-nay votes and three recorded votes 
developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H8284, 
H8285-86, H8351-52, H8352-53, and H8353. There were no quorum calls.
Adjournment: The House met at 10:00 a.m. and adjourned at 10:30 p.m.