SIMMONS, ROB (a Representative from Connecticut)
Addresses
U.S.-Vietnam Relations—30 Years After the War, 10 Years After Normalization: Raymond F. Burghardt, U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, H5746-H5748 [14JY]
Amendments
Dept. of Homeland Security: making appropriations (H.R. 4567), H4172 [15JN], H4487 [17JN]
Intelligence services: authorizing appropriations (H.R. 4548), H4866 [23JN]
National security: reform the intelligence community and enhance terrorism prevention and prosecution, border security, and international cooperation and coordination (H.R. 10), H8843 [7OC]
Appointments
Conferee: H.R. 2443, Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act, H2716 [6MY]
———H.R. 4200, Dept. of Defense appropriations for military activities and prescribing personnel strengths, H7701 [28SE]
Articles and editorials
Program Aims To Foster U.S.-Vietnam Catholic Ties, Thomas C. Fox, National Catholic Reporter (publication), H5748 [14JY]
Up in the Air With Orville, Tom Simmons, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Pilot (publication), E209
Bills and resolutions cosponsored
Agriculture: ensure an abundant and affordable supply of fruits and vegetables and other specialty crops by enhancing competitiveness of U.S.-grown specialty crops (see H.R. 3242), H6899 [8SE]
———establish regional dairy marketing areas to stabilize the price of milk and support the income of dairy producers (see H.R. 4597), H4286 [16JN]
Animal Welfare Act: strengthen enforcement of animal fighting provisions (see H.R. 1532), H89 [21JA]
Armed Forces: express concern over the well-being of members and call on the Dept. of Defense to see that deployed military personnel have the best force protection equipment available (see H. Con. Res. 391), H1322 [18MR]
———increase death gratuity (see H.R. 5055), H6997 [9SE]
———increase rates of educational assistance for members of the Selected Reserve (see H.R. 4188), H2728 [6MY]
———rectify deficiencies in military postal system to ensure that members overseas can receive and send mail in a timely manner, including election ballots, in time for 2004 elections (see H. Res. 608), H2550 [4MY]
———restore health care coverage to retired members of the uniformed services (see H.R. 3474), H927 [9MR]
Birds: mint coins celebrating recovery and restoration of the American bald eagle and noting the importance of the designation of the American bald eagle as an endangered species (see H.R. 4116), H3441 (see H.R. 4116), H3541 [20MY]
Boston Red Sox (baseball team): tribute (see H. Res. 854), H9745 [16NO]
Children and youth: access of disadvantaged children to dental services (see H.R. 4622), H4580 [18JN]
———ensure access to food and nutrition assistance, improve children's nutritional health, and simplify and restore integrity of child nutrition programs (see H.R. 3873), H752 [2MR]
———establish a grant program to provide comprehensive eye examinations (see H.R. 2173), H5402 [8JY]
———prevent disruption of the education of children who change residence based on the military service of their parents (see H.R. 3779), H2019 [1AP]
———provide assistance for orphans and other vulnerable children in developing countries (see H.R. 4061), H2484 [28AP]
Civil liberties: prohibit transfer of personal information to any person outside the U.S. without notice and consent (see H.R. 4366), H7575 [23SE]
Climate: conduct scientific research on abrupt climate change, establish a market-driven system of greenhouse gas tradeable allowances, ensure benefits to consumers from such trading, and reduce dependence upon foreign oil (see H.R. 4067), H1739 [30MR]
Colleges and universities: permit States to determine residency standards for higher education purposes and cancel removal and adjust status of certain long-term resident alien students (see H.R. 1684), H3605 [1JN]
Computers: prohibit distribution of peer-to-peer file trading software in interstate commerce (see H.R. 2885), H5402 [8JY]
Contraceptives: require equitable coverage of drugs, devices, and services under health insurance plans (see H.R. 2727), H4391 (see H.R. 2727), H4507 [17JN]
Crime: protect children from criminal recidivists (see H.R. 4150), H4928 (see H.R. 4150), H5072 [24JN]
———provide Federal assistance to States and local jurisdictions to prosecute hate crimes (see H.R. 4204), H2371 [22AP]
———provide penalties for trafficking in counterfeit marks (see H.R. 4358), H5471 [9JY]
———strengthen prohibitions against animal fighting (see H.R. 4264), H8039 [4OC]
Dept. of Defense: carry out a program to provide a support system for members of the Armed Forces who incur severe disabilities (see H.R. 5057), H7575 [23SE]
Dept. of Energy: improve funding mechanism for the Civilian Radioactive Waste Management Program (see H.R. 3429), H37 [20JA]
Dept. of HHS: reauthorize Children's Hospitals Graduate Medical Education Payment Program (see H.R. 4578), H6756 [7SE]
Dept. of HUD: insure zero-downpayment mortgages for one-unit residences (see H.R. 3755), H4287 [16JN]
Dept. of the Treasury: extend Terrorism Risk Insurance Program (see H.R. 4634), H5909 [15JY]
Diseases: enhance research, training, and health information dissemination on urologic diseases (see H.R. 1002), H4287 [16JN]
———fund breakthroughs in Alzheimer's disease research while providing more help to caregivers and increasing public education about prevention (see H.R. 4595), H7234 [15SE]
Domestic violence: research health impact and prevention and provide training and Federal coverage for health care professionals to identify and treat families experiencing family violence (see H.R. 1267), H1593 [25MR]
Education: establish or expand prekindergarten early learning programs (see H.R. 4497), H3780 [3JN]
———increase student loan forgiveness to highly-qualified teachers in mathematics, science, and special education, and for reading specialists (see H.R. 4410), H3437 (see H.R. 4410), H3537 [20MY]
———provide access and assistance to increase college attendance and completion by part-time students (see H.R. 3968), H5331 [7JY]
———provide funding for student loan repayment for public attorneys (see H.R. 2198), H3605 [1JN]
———recognize contributions of military-impacted schools, teachers, adminstration, and staff for their role in the education of military children (see H. Res. 598), H2374 [22AP]
———reduce certain special allowance payments and provide additional teacher loan forgiveness on Federal student loans (see H.R. 5186), H8409 [6OC]
EPA: authorize use of funds for nonpoint source management programs for projects and activities relative to development and implementation of phase II of storm water program (see H.R. 3528), H304 [3FE]
FCC: disapprove ruling on media ownership rules (see H.J. Res. 72), H516 [11FE]
———provide for punishment of certain profane broadcasts (see H.R. 3687), H5331 [7JY]
Federal employees: amend the definition of a law enforcement officer to include certain positions relative to retirement benefits (see H.R. 2442), H1643 [29MR]
———clarify disclosures of information protected from prohibited personnel practices and require a statement of nondisclosure policies (see H.R. 3281), H2200 [20AP]
Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act: reauthorize Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (see H.R. 4107), H2728 [6MY]
Federal firefighters: establish presumptive disability benefits for certain diseases and disabilities (see H.R. 1101), H7138 [14SE]
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act: establish requirements to allow sale of prescription drugs over the Internet (see H.R. 3880), H2266 [21AP]
Federal Water Pollution Control Act: reauthorize programs to improve the quality of coastal recreation waters (see H.R. 4922), H6701 [22JY]
Financial institutions: ease credit union regulatory burdens, advance credit union efforts to promote economic growth, and modernize credit union capital standards (see H.R. 3579), H927 [9MR]
Firefighters: expand definition of firefighter to include apprentices and trainees, regardless of age or duty limitations (see H.R. 4472), H4766 [22JN]
Food: require foods containing known allergens to bear labeling that states that fact and the names of the allergens (see H.R. 3684), H2266 [21AP]
Foreign aid: make protection of women and children who are affected by a complex humanitarian emergency a priority (see H.R. 2536), H3230 [18MY]
Foreign countries: human rights violations against homosexuals, bisexuals, and transgendered individuals (see H. Con. Res. 330), H2374 [22AP]
Girl Scouts: anniversary (see H. Res. 560), H2550 [4MY]
Green Chemistry Research and Development Program: implement (see H.R. 3970), H1370 [23MR]
Hazardous substances: require engine coolant and antifreeze to contain a bittering agent so as to render it unpalatable (see H.R. 1563), H9745 [16NO]
Health: conduct vaccine awareness campaign, ensure sufficient vaccine supply, prepare for pandemic or epidemic, and encourage vaccine production capacity relative to influenza (see H.R. 3758), H9745 [16NO]
———expand access to preventive health care services and education programs that reduce unintended pregnancy, infection with sexually transmitted disease, and number of abortions (see H.R. 4192), H2265 [21AP]
———provide for embryonic stem cell research (see H.R. 4682), H5909 [15JY]
———provide prostate cancer patients with meaningful access to information on treatment options (see H. Con. Res. 405), H3720 [2JN]
Homeless: establish a grant program to provide supportive services in permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless individuals (see H.R. 4866), H6127 [20JY]
———establish grant program to address the goal of ending chronic homelessness (see H.R. 4057), H1739 [30MR]
Hospitals: provide emergency contraceptives to women who are survivors of sexual assault (see H.R. 2527), H37 [20JA]
Housing: expand homeownership in States having high housing costs (see H.R. 4110), H5536 [12JY]
———facilitate self-help housing homeownership opportunities (see H.R. 4363), H3821 [8JN]
———restore increased maximum limits for FHA-insured mortgages for multifamily housing projects to cover increased costs to install solar energy system or residential energy conservation measures (see H.R. 3724), H89 [21JA]
Immigration: adjust status of certain foreign agricultural workers, reform H-2A worker program, provide a stable, legal agricultural workforce, and extend basic legal protections and better working conditions to more workers (see H.R. 3142), H245 [28JA]
———eliminate the ``specialized knowledge'' basis for obtaining nonimmigrant status as an intracompany transferee, and impose an annual numerical limitation on nonimmigrant visas for such transferees (see H.R. 4415), H5984 [19JY]
———increase the number of aliens receiving certain nonimmigrant status and require submissions of information by the Dept. of Homeland Security (see H.R. 4052), H1643 [29MR]
———treatment of unaccompanied alien children (see H.R. 3361), H3781 [3JN]
———waive numerical limitation on certain nonimmigrants if a petitioning employer employed such a nonimmigrant during a certain period (see H.R. 4041), H1592 [25MR]
Individuals With Disabilities Education Act: authorizing appropriations (see H.R. 3802), H514 [11FE]
Intelligence services: reform the intelligence community and the intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the U.S. Government (see H.R. 5150), H7736 [28SE]
Interstate commerce: prohibit transport of horses for the purpose of slaughter or horse flesh for human consumption (see H.R. 857), H434 [10FE]
Investments: provide a corporate responsibility investment option under the Thrift Savings Plan (see H.R. 4140), H2152 [2AP]
Iran: urge compliance with International Atomic Energy Agency resolutions on nuclear weapons program and call for international cooperation with such compliance (see H. Con. Res. 332), H1117 [16MR]
Israel: support construction of security fence and condemn U.N. General Assembly for requesting the International Court of Justice to rule on legality of the security fence (see H. Con. Res. 371), H707 [1MR]
King, Martin Luther, Jr., and Coretta Scott: award Congressional Gold Medal (see H.R. 2680), H8168 [5OC]
Korean War: revise requirements for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Combat Medical Badge relative to certain service in Korea (see H.R. 4039), H1592 [25MR]
Laos: address urgent need for freedom, democratic reform, and international monitoring of elections, human rights, and religious liberty (see H. Res. 402), H128 [27JA]
Law enforcement officers: ensure accountability, guarantee due process, establish standards for internal investigations and hearings, and require enactment of relevant State laws (see H.R. 2967), H7735 [28SE]
Life Insurance Awareness Month: support goals and ideals (see H. Con. Res. 461), H4765 [22JN]
Marshall, John: mint coins in commemoration (see H.R. 2768), H434 [10FE]
Medicaid: include podiatrists as physicians for purposes of covering physicians services (see H.R. 2959), H2728 [6MY]
———permit additional States to enter into long-term care partnerships in order to promote the use of long-term care insurance (see H.R. 1406), H8408 [6OC]
———permit States the option to provide coverage for low-income individuals infected with HIV (see H.R. 3859), H699 [26FE]
———provide families of disabled children with the opportunity to purchase coverage (see H.R. 1811), H3230 [18MY]
———provide public access to quality medical imaging procedures and radiation therapy procedures (see H.R. 1214), H1011 [10MR]
Medicare: impose minimum nurse staffing in participating hospitals (see H.R. 3656), H6706 [22JY]
———preserve access to cancer care (see H.R. 5144), H9746 [16NO]
———provide access to audiologists (see H.R. 2821), H7138 [14SE]
———repeal reduction in payment for certain items of durable medical equipment (see H.R. 4491), H7575 [23SE]
Music and dance: designate the square dance as the national folk dance of the U.S. (see H.R. 645), H36 [20JA]
NASA: tribute to Hubble Space Telescope for extraordinary contributions to scientific research and education and reconsideration of future service missions (see H. Res. 550), H2266 [21AP]
National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the U.S.: implement recommendations (see H.R. 5040), H6996 [9SE]
National Guard Challenge Program: rename and revise matching funds requirements for participating States (see H.R. 4217), H2484 [28AP]
National Labor History Month: designate (see H. Con. Res. 452), H4286 [16JN]
National Manufacturing Week: support goals (see H. Res. 516), H701 [26FE]
National Military Appreciation Month: designate (see H. Con. Res. 328), H1484 [24MR]
National School Lunch Act: phase out reduced price lunches and breakfasts by phasing in an increase in the income eligibility guidelines for free lunches and breakfasts (see H.R. 3441), H831 [3MR]
Native Americans: provide grants to local governments to assist in the participation of certain decisions related to Indian groups and Indian tribes (see H.R. 3838), H632 [25FE]
New England Patriots (football team): tribute (see H. Res. 512), H303 [3FE]
No Child Left Behind Act: improve (see H.R. 4434), H8859 [7OC]
Postal Service: reform postal laws (see H.R. 4341), H7443 [22SE]
Public safety officers: collective bargaining rights for public safety officers employed by States or local governments (see H.R. 814), H1230 [17MR]
Radio: preserve local radio broadcast emergency and other services and require the FCC to conduct rulemaking for that purpose (see H.R. 4026), H2374 [22AP]
Reagan, Ronald: redesign the ten dollar bill in commemoration (see H.R. 4528), H4287 [16JN]
Rotary International: issue commemorative stamp to honor centennial anniversary and efforts to eradicate polio (see H. Con. Res. 375), H3873 [9JN]
Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act: include bullying and harassment prevention programs (see H.R. 4776), H6900 [8SE]
SBA: modify the women's business center program (see H.R. 4853), H6557 [21JY]
Schools: direct certain coeducational elementary and secondary schools to make information available on equality in athletic programs (see H.R. 4994), H6704 [22JY]
Senior citizens: promote elder justice (see H.R. 2490), H6997 [9SE]
Social Security: choice of benefit payment method relative to computation rule application to workers attaining age 65 in or after 1982 (see H.R. 97), H3016 [13MY]
———improve benefit computation formula for certain workers affected by changes in benefit computation rules (see H.R. 63), H2815 [11MY]
———repeal the windfall elimination provision and protect the retirement of public servants (see H.R. 4391), H3441 (see H.R. 4391), H3541 [20MY]
Space policy: mint coins in commemoration of the anniversaries of NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (see H.R. 4881), H6555 [21JY]
Taiwan Relations Act: reaffirm U.S. commitment (see H. Con. Res. 462), H5471 [9JY]
Taxation: allow a refundable credit for certain Medicare premiums (see H.R. 66), H2815 [11MY]
———allow deduction equal to fair market value for charitable contributions of literary, musical, artistic, or scholarly compositions created by the donor (see H.R. 806), H3719 [2JN]
———allow seniors with Social Security and pension income to file income tax form 1040S without regard to amount of interest or taxable income (see H.R. 4109), H2266 [21AP]
———encourage businesses to establish hazardous waste remediation reserves (see H.R. 3892), H1594 [25MR]
———exempt low-income senior citizens from the communications excise tax and other fees collected for costs associated with universal and toll service (see H.R. 5225), H8407 [6OC]
———expand incentives for construction and renovation of public schools (see H.R. 930), H2266 [21AP]
———expand incentives for education (see H.R. 3412), H5331 [7JY]
———increase child tax credit (see H.R. 4359), H3015 [13MY]
———limit increase in the number of individuals affected by, and call for future repeal of, the alternative minimum tax (see H.R. 4131), H2484 [28AP]
———permanently extend certain income tax rate brackets (see H.R. 4275), H2656 [5MY]
———permanently extend the increased standard deduction and certain income tax rate bracket expansions for married taxpayers filing joint returns (see H.R. 4181), H2264 [21AP]
———provide for use of redevelopment bonds for environmental remediation (see H.R. 3891), H1594 [25MR]
———treatment of damages and back pay received on account of, and expenses incurred in asserting any claim of employment discrimination (see H.R. 1155), H2549 [4MY]
———treatment of lifetime income payments from annuities and similiar payment of life insurance proceeds at dates later than death (see H.R. 4849), H6128 [20JY]
———treatment of lifetime income payments from annuities and similiar payments of life insurance proceeds at dates later than death (see H.R. 4849), H6128 [20JY]
Telecommunications: increase penalties for violations by television and radio broadcasters of the prohibitions against transmission of obscene, indecent, and profane language (see H.R. 3717), H304 [3FE]
U.S. Air Force Academy: anniversary (see H. Con. Res. 386), H1116 [16MR]
Ukrainian American Veterans, Inc.: grant Federal charter (see H.R. 1615), H575 [24FE]
Unemployment: provide for a temporary enhanced unemployment benefits program (see H.R. 3270), H37 [20JA]
Veterans: increase maximum amount of available home loan guaranty (see H.R. 4065), H2728 [6MY]
———increase maximum amount of home loan guarantees available to veterans (see H.R. 1735), H2549 [4MY]
———increase the minimum Survivor Benefit Plan basic annuity for certain surviving spouses and provide for a one-year open season under that plan (see H.R. 3763), H391 [4FE]
———recognize military service of certain Philippine nationals during World War II and allow receipt of Dept. of Veterans Affairs benefits (see H.R. 677), H5908 [15JY]
Workforce Investment Act: establish a Personal Reemployment Accounts grant program to assist Americans in returning to work (see H.R. 4444), H3606 [1JN]
World War II: anniversary of Allied landing at Normandy on D-Day (see H.J. Res. 93), H2488 [29AP]
———tribute to Tuskegee Airmen (see H. Con. Res. 417), H2727 [6MY]
Bills and resolutions introduced
Dept. of Veterans Affairs: authorize entrance into certain major medical facility leases and the transfer of real property subject to certain limitations (see H.R. 4768), H5330 [7JY]
———establish a pilot program to improve recruitment and retention of nurses (see H.R. 4231), H2482 [28AP]
Jean, Majan: relief (see H.R. 4862), H5983 [19JY]
Long Island Sound Stewardship Initiative: establish (see H.R. 4876), H6127 [20JY]
National POW/MIA Recognition Day: observance (see H. Res. 771), H7137 [14SE]
Native Americans: provide uniform criteria for the administrative acknowledgment and recognition of Indian tribes (see H.R. 4213), H2372 [22AP]
No Child Left Behind Act: improve (see H.R. 4464), H3439 (see H.R. 4464), H3539 [20MY]
Taxation: extend alternative minimum tax relief and index such relief for inflation (see H.R. 4227), H2482 [28AP]
University of Connecticut: tribute to men's and women's basketball teams (see H. Res. 599), H2199 [20AP]
Vietnamese Conflict: commend the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office, the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, and Vietnam for efforts to achieve full accounting of U.S. Armed Forces personnel (see H. Con. Res. 485), H6705 [22JY]
Designated Speaker pro tempore
House of Representatives, H39 [21JA]
Letters
Inclusion of high priority and significant national regional projects under State minimum guarantee funding provisions: Mitt Romney, Governor of Massachusetts, and John Baldacci, Governor of Maine, H2073 [2AP]
Vietnam Human Rights Act: Terence Anderson, American Chamber of Commerce in Hanoi, H5748 [14JY]
Lists
Dept. of Veterans Affairs major medical facility leases, E1315
University of Connecticut men's basketball team and coaching staff, H2514 [4MY]
University of Connecticut women's basketball team and coaching staff, H2514 [4MY]
Remarks
Afghanistan: political reform, E1220
Armed Forces: establish separate campaign medals to recognize service by members in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (H.R. 3104), H1690, H1692 [30MR]
CIA: report on intelligence community progress in utilizing open source intelligence, H4866, H4867 [23JN]
Coast Guard: authorizing appropriations and amending various laws administered by the Coast Guard (H.R. 2443), conference report, H6474
———research and development funding, H4487, H4488 [17JN]
Colchester, CT: anniversary of Colchester Hayward Volunteer Fire Dept., E1560
Courts: authorize U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims to be at any location in Washington, DC, metropolitan area and support provision of Veterans Courthouse and Justice Center near the Pentagon (H.R. 3936), H9780 [17NO]
Dept. of Defense: authorizing appropriations for military activities and prescribing personnel strengths (H.R. 4200), H3278
Dept. of Homeland Security: making appropriations (H.R. 4567), H4487, H4488 [17JN]
Dept. of Veterans Affairs: authorize entrance into certain major medical facility leases and the transfer of real property subject to certain limitations (H.R. 4768), H7795 [29SE], E1315
———establish a pilot program to improve recruitment and retention of nurses (H.R. 4231), H7800, H7801, H7802 [29SE], E701
———simplify and improve pay provisions for physicians and dentists and authorize alternate work schedules and executive pay for nurses (S. 2484), H9787, H9790, H9792 [17NO]
Depts. of Labor, HHS, and Education, and related agencies: making appropriations (H.R. 5006), H6831
Depts. of Transportation and the Treasury, and independent agencies: making appropriations (H.R. 5025), H7201 [15SE]
Green Chemistry Research and Development Program: implement (H.R. 3970), H2207 [21AP]
Intelligence services: authorizing appropriations (H.R. 4548), H4850, H4866, H4867 [23JN]
———support for employees, H4850 [23JN]
Iraq: affirm value of liberation of the Iraqi people and commend service of the U.S. Armed Forces and Coalition forces on anniversary of Operation Iraqi Freedom (H. Res. 557), H1189
———condemn abuse of enemy POW by U.S. military personnel, investigate and take corrective action against those involved, and reaffirm support for those serving honorably in Iraq (H. Res. 627), H2683 [6MY]
IRS: prohibit use of funds to enter contracts with private collection companies to collect IRS debt, H7201 [15SE]
LIHEAP: funding, H6831
National Coast Guard Museum: establish, H6474
National Intelligence Director: collection, analysis, production, and dissemination of open source intelligence, H8843, H8847 [7OC]
National POW/MIA Recognition Day: observance (H. Res. 771), H7214, H7216 [15SE]
National security: reform the intelligence community and enhance terrorism prevention and prosecution, border security, and international cooperation and coordination (H.R. 10), H8841
Native Americans: provide uniform criteria for the administrative acknowledgment and recognition of Indian tribes (H.R. 4213), E636
No Child Left Behind Act: improve (H.R. 4464), E961
Pensions: change the 30-year treasury bond rate to a composite corporate rate (H.R. 3108), conference report, H2124 [2AP]
Reagan, Ronald: tribute (H. Res. 664), E1109
Ruhl, Arthur: relationship with Orville Wright and presence at first controlled, powered flight in Kitty Hawk, NC, E194
Servicemen's Readjustment Act: anniversary (H.J. Res. 91), H2768 [11MY]
Taxation: extend alternative minimum tax relief and index such relief for inflation (H.R. 4227), H2563 [5MY]
Transportation: Federal-aid highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs funding (H.R. 3550), H2073 [2AP]
———include high priority and significant national regional projects under State minimum guarantee funding provisions, H2073 [2AP]
U.S. Life-Saving Service: anniversary of life-saving stations on the Great Lakes (H. Res. 750), H9694 [16NO]
University of Connecticut: tribute to men's and women's basketball teams (H. Res. 599), H2511, H2514 [4MY]
Vietnam: promote freedom and democracy (H.R. 1587), H5746 [14JY]
Tributes
Garafalo, Sebastian, E81
Karzai, Hamid (President, Afghanistan), E1220
Miller, Robin Edmonds, E31
Rell, M. Jodi, E1298
Ryan, Patrick, H9792 [17NO]