HIGGINS, BRIAN (a Representative from New York)
Articles and editorials
Cheektowaga Icon Johnson Learning the Word ``Retire'', Thomas J. Dolan, Buffalo (NY) News, E47
Bills and resolutions cosponsored
Alcoholic beverages: observe anniversary of State-based regulation and recognize State officials, public health community, and industry members for creating a successful regulatory and distribution system (see H. Con. Res. 341), H4151 [19MY]
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: anniversary (see H. Res. 1088), H6408 [10JY]
Americans With Disabilities Act: restore intent and protections (see H.R. 3195), H5580 [18JN]
Amtrak: reauthorize (see H.R. 6003), H3402 [8MY]
Armed Forces: establish a program of educational assistance for members who have served after September 11, 2001 (see H.R. 5740), H2150 [9AP]
———mint coins in commemoration of the establishment of the U.S. Army and direct proceeds from sales of such coins to the establishment of the National Museum of the U.S. Army (see H.R. 5714), H10132 [26SE]
———recognize exceptional sacrifice of Army National Guard 69th Infantry Regiment in support of Global War on Terrorism (see H. Res. 991), H1222 [4MR]
———recognize service of members and support wounded warriors (see H. Res. 1020), H1220 [4MR]
Aviation: establish an appeal and redress process for individuals wrongly delayed or prohibited from boarding a flight (see H.R. 4179), H1539 [11MR]
Bankruptcy: improve protections for employees and retirees in business bankruptcies (see H.R. 3652), H1032 [25FE]
Black History Month: observance (see H. Res. 942), H479 [28JA]
BLM: establish the National Landscape Conservation System (see H.R. 2016), H1418 [6MR]
Border Patrol: impose requirements on searches of laptop computers and other similar devices (see H.R. 6702), H9085 [23SE]
Brumidi, Constantino: award Congressional Gold Medal (see H.R. 1609), H3108 [6MY]
Challenger (space shuttle): anniversary of crash (see H. Res. 943), H479 [28JA]
Charles L. Brieant, Jr., Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, White Plains, NY: designate (see H.R. 6340), H5796 [20JN]
Coast Guard: recognize heritage (see H. Res. 1382), H7307 [29JY]
Commodity Exchange Act: provide for regulation of energy derivatives (see H.R. 6341), H5796 [20JN]
Congo, Democratic Republic of the: condemn violence in eastern region and recognize threat such violence poses to the overall peace of the Great Lakes region (see H. Res. 795), H480 [28JA]
Cpl. John P. Sigsbee Post Office, Waterville, NY: designate (see H.R. 5975), H3108 [6MY]
Credit: provide for enhanced disclosure under an open end credit plan (see H.R. 5244), H5329 [11JN]
Daniel, Margaret Truman: tribute (see H. Con. Res. 292), H1032 [25FE]
Dept. of Education: establish the Honorable Stephanie Tubbs Jones Fire Suppression Demonstration Incentive Program to promote installation of fire sprinkler systems in student housing and dormitories (see H.R. 642), H8578 [22SE]
Dept. of Energy: suspend acquisition of petroleum for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (see H.R. 6022), H3778 [13MY]
———suspend filling of Strategic Petroleum Reserve for one year or until price of oil drops below a certain level in order to increase supply and reduce costs (see H.R. 5473), H3109 [6MY]
Dept. of HHS: conduct activities to rapidly advance treatments for spinal muscular atrophy, neuromuscular disease, and other pediatric diseases (see H.R. 3334), H10845 [19NO]
Dept. of Homeland Security: issue a rule on border security searches of electronic devices (see H.R. 6869), H10300 [27SE]
Dept. of HUD: make loans to States to acquire foreclosed housing and grants to States for related costs (see H.R. 5818), H2760 [24AP]
Dept. of Justice: extend authorization of the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program (see H.R. 6045), H3776 [13MY]
———making supplemental appropriations for Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (Byrne/JAG Grant Program) (see H.R. 5180), H1032 [25FE]
Dept. of the Interior: establish production incentive fee for lands leased for oil or natural gas on which production is not occurring and use fees for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects (see H.R. 6256), H6010 [24JN]
———evaluate significance of the 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse and study suitability and feasibility of inclusion as part of Women's Rights National Historical Park (see H.R. 3810), H480 [28JA]
Dept. of the Treasury: permit transfer of funds to restore the Highway Trust Fund (see H.R. 6532), H6726 [17JY]
Dept. of Transportation: establish a Flexibility Incentive Grant Pilot Program to provide incentives to States and counties to establish new sources of revenue for transit projects and services (see H.R. 1606), H4877 [3JN]
———prohibit Mexico-domiciled motor carriers from operating beyond the U.S.-Mexico border area unless expressly authorized by Congress (see H.R. 6630), H7790 [31JY]
Dept. of Veterans Affairs: provide a temporary increase in the maximum loan guaranty amount for guaranteed housing loans (see H.R. 5561), H3050 [5MY]
Diseases: increase Alzheimer's disease research funding and promote public awareness and risk reduction relative to Alzheimer's disease with particular emphasis in Hispanic populations (see H.R. 6203), H5043 [5JN]
———provide for research with respect to various forms of muscular dystrophy (see H.R. 5265), H5408 [12JN]
District of Columbia: restore right to keep and bear arms (see H.R. 6691), H7854 [8SE]
Economy: encourage recipients of rebate checks from the economic stimulus package to invest in renewable energy and energy-efficient products and services (see H. Res. 987), H2225 [10AP]
———encourage recipients of rebate checks from the economic stimulus package to purchase American-made goods and services from American-owned companies (see H. Res. 977), H2267 [14AP]
Education: improve early education (see H.R. 3289), H5408 [12JN]
———recognize achievements of high school valedictorians, promote importance of encouraging intellectual growth, and reward academic excellence of all high school students (see H. Res. 1229), H4831 [22MY]
EPA: provide grants for the revitalization of waterfront brownfields (see H.R. 5469), H994 [14FE]
Family and Medical Leave Act: clarify eligibility requirements relative to airline flight crews (see H.R. 2744), H871 [12FE]
Federal employees: establish certain protections for preference eligibles selected for involuntary geographic reassignment (see H.R. 728), H2553 [22AP]
———provide lump-sum payments to certain employees who retire with a substantial amount of unused sick leave (see H.R. 5573), H4322 [20MY]
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act: preserve ability to file State product liability lawsuits relative to defective medical devices (see H.R. 6381), H6173 [26JN]
Federal Labor-Management Partnership Council: establish (see H.R. 3892), H2553 [22AP]
Federal Water Pollution Control Act: remediate sediment contamination in areas of concern (see H.R. 6460), H7308 [29JY]
1st Lieutenant Louis Allen Post Office, Chester, NY: designate (see H.R. 5978), H3886 [14MY]
General Motors Corp.: anniversary (see H. Res. 1445), H8398 [17SE]
Geraldine Ferraro Post Office Building, Long Island City, NY: designate (see H.R. 7286), H10844 [19NO]
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact: grant congressional consent and approval (see H.R. 6577), H7057 [23JY]
Health: reduce adolescent pregnancy, HIV rates, and other sexually transmitted diseases (see H.R. 1653), H2266 [14AP]
Health care professionals: increase number of primary care physicians serving health professional shortage areas (see H.R. 410), H6229 [8JY]
History: mint coins in commemoration of the bicentennial of the writing of the ``Star Spangled Banner'' and the War of 1812 (see H.R. 2894), H1445 [10MR]
India: condemn terrorist attacks in Mumbai, urge Pakistan to investigate possible connection to groups based in Pakistan, and bolster U.S. counterterrorism cooperation with India (see H. Res. 1532), H10867 [9DE]
Inglewood, CA: anniversary (see H. Res. 962), H872 [12FE]
Iran: condemn persecution of Baha'is (see H. Res. 1008), H1540 [11MR]
———respond to threat posed to international peace, stability in the Middle East, and the vital national security interests of the U.S. by Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons and regional hegemony (see H. Con. Res. 362), H6010 [24JN]
Israel: recognize independence anniversary and reaffirm bonds of close friendship and cooperation with the U.S. (see H. Con. Res. 322), H2356 [15AP]
Kenneth Peter Zebrowski Post Office Building, New York, NY: designate (see H.R. 6199), H5865 [23JN]
Law enforcement: reform the ATF, modernize firearms laws and regulations, and protect the community from criminals (see H.R. 4900), H2266 [14AP]
Martin Van Buren National Historic Site: adjust boundary (see H.R. 3063), H4322 [20MY]
Medicaid: extend certain moratoria and impose additional moratoria on certain regulations (see H.R. 5613), H2071 [8AP]
———permit States the option to provide coverage for low-income individuals infected with HIV (see H.R. 3326), H7853 [8SE]
———provide a temporary increase of the Federal medical assistance percentage (see H.R. 5268), H2070 [8AP]
Medicare: delay and reform the competitive acquisition program for purchase of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (see H.R. 6252), H5865 [23JN]
———impose moratorium on use of recovery audit contractors under the Medicare Integrity Program (see H.R. 4105), H2659 [23AP]
Medicare/Medicaid: preserve access to health care (see H.R. 7241), H10828 [3OC]
———promote use of advance directives (see H.R. 5702), H2011 [3AP]
National Brain Cancer Awareness Month: establish (see H. Res. 424), H2012 [3AP]
National Brain Tumor Awareness Month: establish (see H. Res. 1124), H2659 [23AP]
National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month: support goals and ideals (see H. Con. Res. 299), H4833 [22MY]
National Internet Safety Month: support goals and ideals (see H. Res. 1260), H5214 [10JN]
National Letter Carriers Appreciation Day: establish (see H. Res. 49), H1155 [27FE]
National Missing Children's Day: observance (see H. Res. 1142), H2658 [23AP]
National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month: support goals and ideals (see H. Res. 369), H3187 [7MY]
National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month: support goals and ideals (see H. Res. 671), H8050 [11SE]
National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month: support goals and ideals (see H. Res. 1328), H10857 [20NO]
National Runaway Prevention Month: support goals and ideals (see H. Res. 1375), H8128 [15SE]
National STD Awareness Month: support goals and ideals (see H. Res. 1131), H2553 [22AP]
National Teacher Day: establish (see H. Res. 952), H557 [29JA]
Native Americans: require issuance of medals to recognize the dedication and valor of Native American Code Talkers (see H.R. 4544), H8019 [10SE]
New York, NY: extend and improve protections and services to individuals directly impacted by the terrorist attack (see H.R. 6594), H8050 [11SE] (see H.R. 7174), H10299 [27SE]
North Country National Scenic Trail: revise route to include trails along Lake Superior's north shore and in Superior National Forest and Chippewa National Forest (see H.R. 4291), H1004 [21FE]
Office of National Drug Control Policy: establish veteran's treatment courts (see H.R. 7149), H10131 [26SE]
Palestinians: condemn ongoing rocket attacks on Israeli civilians (see H. Res. 951), H1032 [25FE]
Postal Service: modify procedures for closure or consolidation of post offices (see H.R. 6217), H9974 [25SE]
———provide for the protection and integrity of mail (see H.R. 4236), H1446 [10MR]
Power resources: prevent excessive speculation in derivatives markets for certain energy commodities by limiting participation to those capable of producing or taking delivery of the commodities (see H.R. 6264), H5797 [20JN]
Public Service Recognition Week: observance (see H. Res. 1073), H2152 [9AP]
Roosevelt, Theodore: tribute (see H. Res. 1352), H8397 [17SE]
Social Security: authorize waivers of certain waiting periods for benefits based on disability in cases in which such waiting period would cause undue hardship to terminally ill beneficiaries (see H.R. 5510), H1539 [11MR]
Sudan: urge international community to provide the U.N.-African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur region with tactical and utility helicopters (see H. Res. 1245), H5798 [20JN]
Taxation: allow taxpayers to designate a portion of their income tax payment to provide assistance to homeless veterans (see H.R. 5823), H6343 [9JY]
———extend exclusion from gross income for employer-provided health coverage to certain employee designated beneficiaries (see H.R. 1820), H2760 [24AP]
———increase child care credit and credit for establishing workplace child care and provide incentives for students to earn child care-related degrees and to work in child care facilities (see H.R. 2021), H622 [6FE]
———modify rules relative to the treatment of individuals as independent contractors or employees (see H.R. 5804), H2355 [15AP]
———provide direct access to electronic tax return filing (see H.R. 5801), H2948 [30AP]
Tay-Sachs Awareness Month: support goals and ideals (see H. Res. 1333), H7956 [9SE]
Telephones: restrict any State or local jurisdiction from imposing a new discriminatory tax on cell phone services, providers, or property (see H.R. 5793), H5215 [10JN]
Tourist trade: establish a nonprofit corporation to communicate U.S. entry policies and otherwise promote tourist, business, and scholarly travel to the U.S. (see H.R. 3232), H2487 [17AP]
Transportation Security Administration: provide certain personnel management requirements (see H.R. 3212), H2760 [24AP]
Treaties and agreements: review existing trade agreements, renegotiate such agreements based on the reviews, set terms for future agreements, and strengthen congressional trade policymaking (see H.R. 6180), H6230 [8JY]
Tubman, Harriet: designate national day of remembrance (see H. Con. Res. 310), H1341 [5MR]
U.N.: ensure members meet obligations to women agreed to in resolution on women, peace, and security, and implement international law protecting rights of women and girls during and after conflicts (see H. Res. 146), H1184 [28FE]
Veterans: 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), H7058 [23JY]
Vietnam Veterans Day: support goals and ideals (see H. Res. 1231), H5798 [20JN]
Women: prohibit discrimination in insurance coverage to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking (see H.R. 4014), H5215 [10JN]
———provide job protection for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking (see H.R. 4015), H5215 [10JN]
———provide unemployment insurance to those who are separated from their employment as a result of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking (see H.R. 4016), H5215 [10JN]
World Glaucoma Day: observance (see H. Res. 981), H2071 [8AP]
Bills and resolutions introduced
Power resources: promote biogas production (see H.R. 7097), H9973 [25SE]
Russert, Timothy J., Jr.: tribute (see H. Res. 1275), H5481 [17JN]
SSA: require the President to transmit the annual budget without revisions to Congress (see H.R. 5110), H455 [23JA]
Stan Lundine Post Office Building, Jamestown, NY: designate (see H.R. 6226), H5214 [10JN]
Taxation: allow a deduction for income attributable to business activities conducted in high job-loss areas (see H.R. 7096), H9973 [25SE]
———increase tobacco products excise tax and dedicate revenues to the war on cancer (see H.R. 6791), H7806 [1AU]
Timothy J. Russert Highway, Orchard Park, NY: designate (see H.R. 6318), H5729 [19JN]
Remarks
Armed Forces: recognize service of members and support wounded warriors (H. Res. 1020), H2025 [8AP]
Buffalo, NY: anniversary of Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, H2425 [16AP]
Caribbean-American Heritage Month: observance (H. Con. Res. 364), H6777, H6778 [22JY]
Coast Guard: tribute to Coast Guard Sector Buffalo, E1001
Cropp, Michael: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society New York and Finger Lakes Chapter Service to Mankind award recipient, E241
Cummins Engine, Inc.: tribute, E573
Dept. of HUD: make loans to States to acquire foreclosed housing and grants to States for related costs (H.R. 5818), H3157 [7MY]
Earth Voyager (vessel): tribute to the Healthy Lakes, Healthy Lives tour, E1167
Gerald R. Ford Post Office Building, Rancho Mirage, CA: designate (H.R. 6085), H5438 [17JN]
Israel: recognize independence anniversary and reaffirm bonds of close friendship and cooperation with the U.S. (H. Con. Res. 322), E706
Juneteenth Independence Day: observance (H. Res. 1237), H5440, H5441 [17JN]
Korea, Republic of: improve defense cooperation with the U.S. (H.R. 5443), H8626, H8627 [23SE]
May, David: American Trucking Association National Truck Driver of the Year award recipient, E2163
Montante, Carl: Canisius College Distinguished Citizen Award recipient, E855
National Carriage Driving Month: support goals and ideals (H. Res. 1128), H6784 [22JY]
National GEAR UP Day: designate (H. Res. 1311), H6781, H6782 [22JY]
National Guard Youth Challenge Day: support goals and ideals (H. Res. 1202), H6783 [22JY]
National Safe Boating Week: observance, E1001
Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission: establish (H.R. 5235), H6786, H6787, H6788 [22JY]
Russert, Timothy J., Jr.: tribute (H. Res. 1275), H5441, H5442, H5444 [17JN]
Stan Lundine Post Office Building, Jamestown, NY: designate (H.R. 6226), H6785, H6786 [22JY]
Stuczynski, Jenn: tribute for participation in Olympic games, H7931 [9SE]
Timothy J. Russert Highway, Orchard Park, NY: designate (S. 3145), H6487, H6488 [15JY]
Votes: position on missed, E765
Remarks in House relative to
Leave of absence: granted, H2850 [29AP]
Special order: granted, H290 [16JA], H7953 [9SE]
Tributes
Bartus, Kathleen, E39
Berhaupt, Maclain, E1323
Bova, Sam, E1608
Catalino, Santine F., E575
Cavalcoli, Mark, E37
Coughlin, Margaret Ann, E1763
DeTitta, George T., E462
DiPietro, Carl A., E123
Edenhofer, Gary, E1629
Ferguson, Scott J., E1522
Finegan, Michael S., E1524
Foss, John, E183
Frawley, William J., E1525
Fuller, Carla, E28
Giambra, Joel A., E28
Gorski, Jerome C., E29
Granville, John M., H263 [16JA], E13
Hicks, Craig, E180
Hubert, Raymond, E12
Jacob, Helen G., E873
Jankowiak, James J., E186
Johnson, Thomas M., Jr., E47
Koessler, Paul J., E1525
LaFalce, Catherine M. (Kitty), E1470
Lanza, Stephen L., E1805
Mead, Dennis, E12
Niebel, Terry, E1572
Olivencia, Augustine, E1702
Osmanski, Christopher, E185
Peterson, Roger T., E1526
Pizarro, Evelyn, E571
Robinson, William F., E1467
Tokasz, Edward A., E15
Vukelic, Gene and Carole, E1240