PICKERING, CHARLES W. ``CHIP'' (a Representative from Mississippi)

Amendments

Depts. of Transportation, the Treasury, and HUD, the Judiciary, District of Columbia, and independent agencies: making appropriations (H.R. 3058), H5532 [30JN]

Appointments

Bipartisan Committee To Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina (House, Select), H8233 [21SE]

Conferee: H.R. 3, Transportation Equity Act—A Legacy for Users, H4136 [26MY]

———H.R. 6, Energy Policy Act, H5809 [14JY]

President's Export Council, H8646 [3OC]

Articles and editorials

Decatur Telephone Marks 60 Years, Kenneth Billings, Newton (MS) Record, E2567 [17DE]

Bills and resolutions cosponsored

Abortion: ensure that women seeking an abortion are fully informed relative to pain experienced by the unborn child (see H.R. 356), H195 [25JA]

America's Blood Centers (organization): tribute (see H. Res. 220), H4656 [16JN]

Armed Forces: increase death gratuity (see H.R. 292), H141 [20JA]

———increase death gratuity and other survivors' benefits (see H.R. 377), H6328 [21JY]

———prevent the sale of abusive insurance and investment products to military personnel (see H.R. 458), H584 [10FE]

———restore health care coverage to retired members of the uniformed services (see H.R. 602), H1371 [10MR]

———revise age and service requirements for receipt of military retired pay for non-regular service and improve health care for reservists and their families by making TRICARE benefits permanent (see H.R. 558), H4896 [21JN]

———tribute to dedication and commitment of employers of the members of the National Guard and other Reserve components who have been mobilized during the Global War on Terrorism (see H. Res. 302), H4142 [26MY]

Bankruptcy: amend laws (see H.R. 685), H798 [17FE]

Birds: conduct a pilot program under which States may issue electronic Federal migratory bird hunting stamps (see H.R. 1494), H1844 [6AP]

———promote conservation of migratory waterfowl and offset or prevent the loss of wetlands and other habitat essential to the preservation of such waterfowl (see H.R. 4315), H12051 [16DE]

Braille, Louis: mint commemorative coins (see H.R. 2872), H11110 [6DE]

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: tribute for demonstration project to assess quality of care of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy (see H. Res. 261), H2978 [4MY]

CERCLA: provide that manure is not considered a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant (see H.R. 4341), H10501 [16NO]

Children and youth: establish a grant program to provide follow-up treatment for children identified with a vision disorder (see H.R. 2328), H10157 [10NO]

———establish certain requirements relative to provision of services to minors by certain family planning projects (see H.R. 3011), H8648 [3OC]

Colleges and universities: disclosure of fire safety standards and measures with respect to campus buildings (see H.R. 2637), H4802 [20JN]

Courts: clarify jurisdiction of Federal courts over certain cases and controversies involving the Pledge of Allegiance (see H.R. 2389), H3434 [17MY]

———ensure judicial decisions on the meaning of U.S. laws are not based on foreign judgments, laws, or pronouncements unless they inform an understanding of the original meaning of the laws (see H. Res. 97), H630 [15FE]

———limit Federal court jurisdiction over questions under the Defense of Marriage Act (see H.R. 1100), H5603 [30JN]

Crime: combat unlawful commercial sex activities by targeting demand, prohibit operation of sex tours, and protect children and assist State and local law enforcement relative to such activities (see H.R. 2012), H5963 [18JY]

———prohibit taking minors across State lines to avoid State laws requiring parental notification of abortions (see H.R. 748), H581 [10FE]

Cuba: facilitate sale of U.S. agricultural products (see H.R. 719), H1696 [17MR]

Dept. of Agriculture: designate a disaster liaison to assist State and local employees with responding to a federally declared disaster area (see H.R. 3969), H8732 [6OC]

Dept. of Defense: continue exercise of statutory authority to support activities of the Boy Scouts (see H. Con. Res. 6), H142 [20JA]

———require notice of exceptions to certain requirements to procure items made in the U.S. (see H.R. 1239), H4802 [20JN]

Dept. of Education: permit waiver of consecutive service requirements of loan forgiveness program for teachers whose employment is interrupted by Hurricane Katrina (see H.R. 3788), H8087 [15SE]

———provide authority to waive reallocation rules in Campus-Based Aid programs and extend reallocation deadline for institutions of higher education affected by a natural disaster (see H.R. 3863), H8340 [22SE]

Dept. of HHS: establish programs to address the shortage of medical laboratory personnel (see H.R. 1175), H5603 [30JN]

Dept. of HUD: authorize financial assistance under the Community Development Block Grant Program for communities affected by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita (see H.R. 4431), H11034 [18NO]

———establish a homesteading initiative that offers low-income families displaced from their residences due to Hurricane Katrina the opportunity to purchase a home (see H.R. 4514), H11503 [13DE]

Dept. of the Navy: redesignate as the Dept. of the Navy and Marine Corps (see H.R. 34), H847 [1MR]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: establish Parkinson's Disease Research Education and Clinical Centers in the Veterans Health Administration (see H.R. 2959), H4721 [17JN]

———repeal the offset from surviving spouse annuities under the military Survivor Benefit Plan for amounts paid as dependency and indemnity compensation (see H.R. 808), H6107 [19JY]

Developing countries: make access to safe water and sanitation a specific policy objective of U.S. foreign assistance programs (see H.R. 1973), H9362 [27OC]

Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act: provide for reimbursement of certain for-profit hospitals (see H.R. 3714), H11036 [18NO]

Disasters: establish special rules relative to certain disaster assistance provided for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita (see H.R. 4438), H11109 [6DE]

———improve ability of Depts. of Agriculture and the Interior to promptly implement recovery treatments in response to catastrophic events affecting forest lands (see H.R. 4200), H9554 [2NO]

Diseases: address fertility issues facing cancer survivors (see H. Con. Res. 174), H8986 [19OC]

———support goal of eliminating suffering and death due to cancer (see H. Con. Res. 210), H9044 [20OC]

District of Columbia: restore right to keep and bear arms (see H.R. 1288), H4187 [7JN]

Drugs: establish electronic systems in each State for practitioner monitoring of the dispensing of certain controlled substances (see H.R. 1132), H2550 [26AP]

———respond to the illegal production, distribution, and use of methamphetamines (see H.R. 3889), H10227 [15NO]

Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act: make permanent enhanced educational savings provisions for qualified tuition programs (see H.R. 2386), H4723 [17JN]

———make repeal of estate taxes permanent (see H.R. 8), H942 [2MR]

Endangered Species Act: provide greater results conserving and recovering listed species (see H.R. 3824), H8389 [27SE]

English language: reaffirm as official language of U.S., establish uniform English language rule for naturalization, and avoid misconstructions of English language texts of U.S. laws (see H.R. 997), H4985 [22JN]

Families and domestic relations: require certain family planning projects and programs provide pamphlets containing adoption center contact information (see H.R. 69), H4896 [21JN]

FDA: provide for uniform food safety warning notification requirements (see H.R. 4167), H9361 [27OC]

———withdraw approved application for the drug known as RU-486 and review process by which the FDA approved such drug (see H.R. 1079), H981 [3MR]

Federal employees: provide a real estate stock index investment option under the Thrift Savings Plan (see H.R. 1578), H12050 [16DE]

———provide assistant U.S. attorneys the same retirement benefits as are afforded to Federal law enforcement officers (see H.R. 3183), H7565 [28JY]

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act: amend relative to medical device user fees (see H.R. 3423), H6431 [25JY]

Federal Youth Development Council: establish to improve the administration and coordination of Federal youth programs (see H.R. 856), H7743 [7SE]

Financial institutions: provide an exemption from certain requirements under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (see H.R. 2387), H4144 [26MY]

Firearms: permit States to provide reciprocal treatment for carrying of certain concealed firearms by nonresidents (see H.R. 1243), H5435 (see H.R. 1243), H5479 [29JN]

———prohibit lawsuits against weapons manufacturers, distributors, dealers, or importers (see H.R. 800), H627 [15FE]

———protect and enforce the right to obtain and use firearms for security, self-defense, and other legitimate purposes (see H.R. 47), H4896 [21JN]

Flag—U.S.: constitutional amendment to prohibit desecration (see H.J. Res. 10), H413 [8FE]

GSA: provide a site for construction of a national health museum (see H.R. 3630), H10145 [9NO]

Health: improve access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system (see H.R. 5), H6936 [27JY]

———improve patient safety and reduce incidence of medical errors (see H.R. 3205), H6432 [25JY]

———provide for uterine fibroid research and education (see H.R. 3034), H6936 [27JY]

———strengthen programs for stroke education, prevention, and treatment (see H.R. 898), H792 [17FE]

Health care professionals: provide for education and training of allied health professionals in exchange for a service commitment at a facility with critical shortages of allied health professionals (see H.R. 215), H5741 [12JY]

Hurricanes: accelerate reemployment and employment of individuals affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita by establishing grants to eligible entities to provide worker recovery accounts to eligible individuals (see H.R. 3976), H8732 [6OC]

———ease the provision of services to individuals affected by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita (see H.R. 3975), H8732 [6OC]

———express condolences to victims of Hurricane Katrina, commend resiliency of the people of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, and commit to relief, recovery, and rebuilding efforts (see H. Res. 425), H7742 [7SE]

———provide vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities affected by Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita (see H.R. 3864), H8389 [27SE]

Immigration: revise certain requirements for H-2B employers and require submission of information on H-2B nonimmigrants (see H.R. 793), H4802 [20JN]

———strengthen enforcement of immigration laws and enhance border security (see H.R. 4437), H11504 [13DE]

Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers: provide for continued oversight of the Internet domain name system and ensure physical location within the U.S. (see H. Con. Res. 268), H9103 [25OC]

Iran: hold current regime accountable for its threatening behavior and support a transition to democracy (see H.R. 282), H524 [9FE]

Japan: impose retaliatory economic measures if U.S. beef imports do not resume immediately (see H. Res. 137), H984 [3MR]

Law enforcement: make improvements to the national sex offender registration program (see H.R. 3132), H7565 [28JY]

Law enforcement officers: adjust percentage differentials payable to Federal law enforcement officers in certain high-cost areas (see H.R. 556), H848 [1MR]

Medicaid: include podiatrists as physicians for purposes of covering physicians services (see H.R. 699), H11220 [7DE]

Medicare: coverage of marriage and family therapist services (see H.R. 1447), H5435 (see H.R. 1447), H5480 [29JN]

———coverage of respiratory therapists under home health service plans (see H.R. 964), H7564 [28JY]

———coverage of screening ultrasound for abdominal aortic aneurysms (see H.R. 827), H5603 [30JN]

———ensure access to durable medical equipment (see H.R. 3559), H10910 [17NO]

———establish a floor for physician payment rates (see H.R. 4078), H9641 [3NO]

———improve access to services in rural hospitals and critical access hospitals (see H.R. 2350), H3261 [12MY]

———improve benefits for beneficiaries with kidney disease (see H.R. 1298), H8388 [27SE]

———improve patient access to, and utilization of, the colorectal cancer screening benefit (see H.R. 1632), H2100 [14AP]

———make a technical correction in the definition of outpatient speech-language pathology services (see H.R. 3795), H8087 [15SE]

———pay ambulance suppliers the full costs of providing such services (see H.R. 2014), H2737 [28AP]

———preserve beneficiary access to community cancer care (see H.R. 4098), H12290 [18DE]

———provide access to audiologists (see H.R. 415), H5741 [12JY]

———repeal outpatient rehabilitation therapy caps (see H.R. 916), H3894 [24MY]

Mental health: establish State grant program to end practice of parents giving custody of emotionally disturbed children to State agencies to obtain mental health services (see H.R. 823), H5435 (see H.R. 823), H5479 [29JN]

Merchant marine industry: provide a monthly monetary benefit to certain individuals who served in the U.S. merchant marine during World War II (see H.R. 23), H4896 [21JN]

National Flood Insurance Program: strengthen, encourage participation, and provide certain owners of properties not located in flood hazard zones a one-time opportunity to purchase coverage (see H.R. 3922), H8810 [7OC]

National Guard Youth Challenge Program: increase maximum Federal share of costs for State programs (see H.R. 669), H412 [8FE]

National Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week: support goals and ideals (see H. Con. Res. 178), H4486 [14JN]

National security: improve security for driver's licenses and identity documents, amend immigration laws to prevent entry of terrorists, and ensure completion of certain border barriers (see H.R. 418), H354 [2FE]

Native Americans: clarify rights of Indians and tribes on Indian lands under the National Labor Relations Act (see H.R. 16), H412 [8FE]

Palestinians: provide that Hamas and other terrorist organizations should not participate in elections held by the Palestinian Authority (see H. Res. 575), H11655 [14DE]

Philadelphia Coalition: tribute (see H. Res. 362), H5914 [14JY]

Political campaigns: repeal disclosure requirement for certain electioneering communication disbursements and prohibit making such disbursements by corporations and labor organizations (see H.R. 689), H4896 [21JN]

Pornography: support vigorous enforcement of Federal obscenity laws (see H. Con. Res. 52), H523 [9FE]

Power resources: enhance energy conservation, research, and development and provide for security and diversity in the energy supply (see H.R. 1640), H2100 [14AP]

———provide disaster assistance for the repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of a privately-owned power transmission facility damaged or destroyed by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita (see H.R. 4391), H11033 [18NO]

Public welfare programs: provide assistance to families affected by Hurricane Katrina through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (see H.R. 3672), H7741 [7SE]

Science: prohibit the cloning of humans (see H.R. 1357), H1690 [17MR]

Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act: reauthorize (see H.R. 517), H3262 [12MY]

Sigma Chi Fraternity: anniversary (see H. Con. Res. 163), H3768 [23MY]

Social Security: repeal Government pension offset and windfall elimination provisions (see H.R. 147), H797 [17FE]

SouthEast Crescent Authority: establish (see H.R. 20), H4722 [17JN]

Space policy: mint coins in commemoration of the anniversaries of NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (see H.R. 68), H196 [25JA]

Taxation: allow a deduction for premiums on mortgage insurance (see H.R. 3098), H9277 [26OC]

———allow deduction for qualified timber gains (see H.R. 3883), H11036 [18NO]

———allow victims of Presidentially-declared disasters to withdraw funds from retirement plans without penalty (see H.R. 3741), H7860 [13SE]

———modify the rehabilitation credit and the low-income housing credit (see H.R. 659), H1847 [6AP]

———permanently extend research credit, adjust the alternative incremental credit rates, and provide an alternative simplified credit for qualified research expenses (see H.R. 1736), H4985 [22JN]

———provide collegiate housing and infrastructure grants (see H.R. 1548), H2649 [27AP]

———provide for deductibility of medical expenses by individuals (see H.R. 4625), H12290 [18DE]

———provide incentives for charitable contributions by individuals and businesses (see H.R. 3908), H8386 [27SE]

———provide tax benefits for the Gulf Opportunity Zone and certain areas affected by Hurricane Rita (see H.R. 4155), H9361 [27OC]

———repeal estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes (see H.R. 64), H286 [1FE]

———repeal excise tax on telephone use and other communications services (see H.R. 1898), H4188 [7JN]

———treatment of automatic fire sprinkler systems (see H.R. 1131), H5914 [14JY]

———treatment of beer (see H.R. 1306), H4656 [16JN]

Telecommunications: increase penalties for violations by television and radio broadcasters of the prohibitions against transmission of obscene, indecent, and profane material (see H.R. 310), H413 [8FE]

———promote and enhance public safety and encourage rapid deployment of IP-enabled voice services for emergency response networks (see H.R. 2418), H4144 [26MY]

Telephones: facilitate nationwide availability of 2-1-1 telephone service for information and referral on health and human services (see H.R. 896), H8342 [22SE]

Television: provide for the efficacy of television ratings services (see H.R. 3298), H5913 [14JY]

Thad Cochran Southern Horticultural Laboratory Site, Poplarville, MS: designate (see H.R. 231), H78 [4JA]

Trucking industry: postpone enforcement of new rules governing rest periods for truck drivers using sleeper berths (see H.R. 3943), H9103 [25OC]

U.S. Boxing Commission: establish (see H.R. 468), H284 [1FE]

Universal Service Administration Co.: exempt from Antideficiency Act accounting rules to improve administration of, and prevent increases in, contributions to the Universal Service Fund (see H.R. 2533), H8810 [7OC]

Uzbekistan: urge protection of rights, observance of treaty obligations, and clarification of charges relative to arrest and detention of Sanjar Umarov (see H. Res. 545), H10503 [16NO]

Veterans: change effective date for paid-up coverage under the Survivor Benefit Plan (see H.R. 968), H795 [17FE]

———expand eligibility for concurrent receipt of military retired pay or combat-related compensation with service-connected disability benefits and eliminate phase-in period for such benefits (see H.R. 303), H4802 [20JN]

White House Fellows Program: anniversary (see H. Con. Res. 269), H9043 [20OC]

World War II: recognize contributions of the Marine Corps and other units of the Armed Forces on the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima (see H. Res. 119), H797 [17FE]

Bills and resolutions introduced

Animals: establish a competitive grant program to build capacity in veterinary medical education and expand the workforce of veterinarians engaged in public health practice and biomedical research (see H.R. 2206), H3060 [9MY]

Courts: clarify jurisdiction of Federal courts over certain cases and controversies involving the Ten Commandments, Pledge of Allegiance, and the National Motto (see H.R. 4576), H12047 [16DE]

Disasters: provide temporary emergency assistance for primary residences damaged or destroyed by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita (see H.R. 4266), H10144 [9NO]

Health: provide for arthritis research and public health (see H.R. 583), H352 [2FE]

Medicaid: provide public access to quality medical imaging procedures and radiation therapy procedures (see H.R. 1426), H1693 [17MR]

———recognize importance of prospective payment system for federally qualified health centers (see H. Con. Res. 231), H7561 [28JY]

Radio: preserve local radio broadcast emergency and other services and require the FCC to conduct rulemaking for that purpose (see H.R. 998), H845 [1MR]

Shipping industry: suspend temporarily new shipper bonding privileges (see H.R. 1039), H940 [2MR]

Letters

District of Columbia individuals with disabilities parking law: Carol Schwartz, District of Columbia Council, H5533 [30JN]

———Lee Page, Paralyzed Veterans of America (organization), H5533 [30JN]

———Robert Bobb, District of Columbia Mayor's Office, H5533 [30JN]

U.S. Boxing Commission Act: Representative Barton, Committee on Energy and Commerce (House), H10350 [16NO]

———Representative Boehner, Committee on Education and the Workforce (House), H10350 [16NO]

Remarks

Decatur Telephone Co., Inc.: anniversary, E2567 [17DE]

Depts. of Transportation, the Treasury, and HUD, the Judiciary, District of Columbia, and independent agencies: making appropriations (H.R. 3058), H5533, H5534 [30JN]

District of Columbia: prohibit funding to enforce individuals with disabilities parking law, H5533, H5534 [30JN]

Health: provide for arthritis research and public health (H.R. 583), E156 [2FE]

Immigration: maintain existing asylum procedures, H552 [10FE]

Medicaid: provide public access to quality medical imaging procedures and radiation therapy procedures (H.R. 1426), E508 [17MR]

———recognize importance of prospective payment system for federally qualified health centers (H. Con. Res. 231), E1681 [29JY]

National security: improve security for driver's licenses and identity documents, amend immigration laws to prevent entry of terrorists, and ensure completion of certain border barriers (H.R. 418), H552 [10FE]

Norwood, Jerious: Cellular South (business) Conerly Award recipient, E2561 [17DE]

Petroleum: expedite construction of new refinery capacity in the U.S. and provide reliable and affordable energy (H.R. 3893), H8783 [7OC]

Power resources: enhance energy conservation, research, and development and provide for security and diversity in the energy supply (H.R. 6), conference report, H6958 [28JY]

Ronald Reagan (U.S.S.): tribute, E2562 [17DE]

U.S. Boxing Commission: establish (H.R. 1065), H10350 [16NO]

Votes: position on missed, H4272, H4273 [8JN], H11798 [15DE], E1496 [15JY], E1763 [6SE]

Weatherly, Charles E.: Mississippi State University Alumni Association National Alumnus of the Year award recipient, E492 [17MR]

Remarks in House relative to

Leave of absence: granted, H6376 [22JY], H7670 [6SE], H8084 [15SE]

Tributes

Alford, Earl, E1410 [30JN]

Branch, A. Deion, E834 [28AP], E1009 [19MY]

Correro, John, E2564 [17DE]

Davis, Julius Harper, E835 [28AP], E1014 [19MY]

Kountouris, Mike, E2563 [17DE]

Mallory, Lewis F., Jr., E2565 [17DE]

McGregor, Kermit, E489 [17MR]

Polk, Ron, E495 [17MR]

Scales, Samuel W., E836 [28AP], E1005 [18MY]

Scott, Louise Floyd, E485 [17MR]

Thomas, Jack H., Sr., E479 [17MR]