SIRES, ALBIO (a Representative from New Jersey)

Appointments

Donald M. Payne funeral attendees, H1828 [16AP]

Articles and editorials

Cuba’s Culture of Poverty Persists, Roland A. Alum, Hudson County (NJ) Jersey Journal, E59• [23JA]

Bills and resolutions cosponsored

Agriculture: provide for a uniform national standard for the housing and treatment of egg-laying hens (see H.R. 3798), H5712 [2AU]

AID: improve nutritional quality, quality control, and cost effectiveness of U.S. food assistance (see H.R. 4141), H1210 [6MR]

Animals: ensure that all dogs and cats used by research facilities are obtained legally (see H.R. 2256), H220 [31JA]

——— prohibit conducting of invasive research on great apes (see H.R. 1513), H187 [27JA]

Arab countries: call for protection of religious minority rights and freedoms (see H. Res. 732), H4907 [17JY]

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: preserve the Arctic coastal plain as wilderness (see H.R. 139), H4907 [17JY]

Aviation: ensure certain flight, duty, and rest requirements apply to all-cargo air operations (see H.R. 4350), H3267 [30MY]

Caribbean-American Heritage Month: support goals and ideals (see H. Res. 289), H3578 [6JN]

Children and youth: protect students from inappropriate seclusion and physical restraint in schools (see H.R. 1381), H903 [16FE]

Commission To Accelerate the End of Breast Cancer: establish (see H.R. 3067), H2569 [9MY]

Credit: require inclusion of credit scores with free annual credit reports provided to consumers (see H.R. 769), H726 [14FE]

——— require portion of closing costs to be paid by the enterprises with respect to certain refinanced mortgage loans (see H.R. 6467), H6231 [20SE]

Cuba: condemn for death of Wilman Villar Mendoza and repression of human and civil rights, commend pro-democracy activist organizations, and pledge solidarity with the people of Cuba (see H. Res. 536), H440 [2FE]

Cyprus: respect sovereignty and urge Turkey to end illegal colonization, occupation, and interference with energy resources (see H. Res. 676), H3808 [19JN]

Dept. of Agriculture: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funding (see H. Res. 760), H5923 [12SE]

Dept. of Defense: provide police officers, criminal investigators, and game law enforcement officers with authority to execute warrants, make arrests, and carry firearms (see H.R. 324), H1100 [29FE]

Dept. of Education: establish an awards program recognizing excellence exhibited by public school system employees providing services to students in pre-kindergarten through higher education (see H.R. 1704), H903 [16FE]

——— extend the reduced interest rate for Federal Direct Stafford Loans (see H.R. 3826), H1101 [29FE] (see H.R. 4816), H2212 [26AP]

——— make grants to State-based science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) networks to expand STEM education (see H.R. 6517), H6275 [21SE]

——— promote environmental education (see H.R. 2547), H4864 [12JY]

——— strengthen connections to early childhood education programs (see H.R. 2794), H3915 [20JN]

Dept. of HHS: assist low-income individuals in obtaining recommended dental care (see H.R. 4091), H3105 [17MY]

——— establish Office of the National Nurse (see H.R. 3679), H1847 [16AP]

——— reduce adolescent pregnancy, HIV rates, and other sexually transmitted diseases by expanding comprehensive, age-appropriate sex education in schools (see H.R. 3324), H79 [18JA]

Dept. of Homeland Security: accept additional documentation when considering application for veterans status of an individual who performed service in the merchant marines during World War II (see H.R. 1288), H571 [7FE]

Dept. of Justice: provide for evidence-based and promising practices related to juvenile delinquency and criminal street gang activity prevention and intervention (see H.R. 2721), H6298 [28SE]

Dept. of Labor: establish the National Full Employment Trust Fund (see H.R. 870), H1306 [8MR] (see H.R. 4277), H2072 [24AP]

Dept. of State: authorize payment of a reward to combat transnational organized crime and for information concerning foreign nationals wanted by international criminal tribunals (see H.R. 4077), H2212 [26AP]

——— remove People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) from list of foreign terrorist organizations (see H. Res. 60), H2040 [23AP]

Discrimination: condemn discrimination, hate crimes, racism, bigotry, bullying and brutal violence perpetrated against Sikh-Americans, and all acts of vandalism against Sikh Gurdwaras in the U.S. (see H. Res. 785), H6060 [14SE]

Diseases: bring an end to the spread of HIV/AIDS in the U.S. and around the world (see H.R. 6138), H5202 [24JY]

——— establish a comprehensive interagency response to reduce lung cancer mortality in a timely manner (see H.R. 1394), H6304 [9OC]

——— expand research and awareness activities relative to scleroderma (see H.R. 1672), H3700 [8JN]

Drunken driving: modify minimum penalties for repeat offenders for driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence (see H.R. 3810), H2134 [25AP]

Ecuador: condemn repression of democracy and human rights, express concern on lack of counternarcotics cooperation and relationship with Iran, and discourage renewal of trade preference systems (see H. Res. 745), H5525 [31JY]

Education: reauthorize 21st century community learning centers (see H.R. 3821), H6344 [13NO]

Egypt: honor rule of law and return Noor and Ramsay Bower to the U.S. (see H. Res. 193), H6702 [11DE]

Elementary and Secondary Education Act: provide grants to local educational agencies to encourage girls and minorities to pursue studies and careers in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology (see H.R. 1903), H1209 [6MR]

Employment: promote economic self-sufficiency of low-income women through increased participation in high-wage, high-demand occupations (see H.R. 2315), H3363 [31MY]

ERISA: provide protection for company-provided retiree health benefits (see H.R. 1322), H6469 [27NO]

Europe: designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organization and impose sanctions, provide information about Hezbollah to European allies, and support Bulgaria in investigating terrorist attack in Burgas (see H. Res. 834), H7264 [18DE]

Federal employees: provide certain benefits to domestic partners (see H.R. 3485), H5860 [11SE]

Financial institutions: improve examination of depository institutions (see H.R. 3461), H1498 [21MR]

Firearms: require face to face purchases of ammunition, licensing of ammunition dealers, and reporting regarding bulk purchases of ammunition (see H.R. 6241), H5766 [10SE]

Freedom of Information Act: provide that exemptions shall not apply to matters relating to certain transactions executed by the Federal Government operating in a commercial manner (see H.R. 4232), H1811 [30MR]

Georgia (country): support enhanced security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, U.S.-Georgia Charter on Strategic Partnership, NATO membership, democratic reforms, and peaceful resolution of conflict (see H. Res. 526), H1154 [5MR]

Havel, Vaclav: tribute (see H. Con. Res. 97), H187 [27JA]

Hurricanes: express condolences to, commend resiliency and courage of, and provide necessary resources for relief, recovery, and rebuilding efforts of victims of Hurricane Sandy (see H. Res. 820), H6505 [28NO]

Insurance: require health plans to cover treatment of a minor child’s congenital or developmental deformity or disorder due to trauma, infection, tumor, or disease (see H.R. 1955), H1428 [20MR]

International AIDS Conference: support and encourage global HIV/AIDS research, prevention, and treatment programs (see H. Res. 713), H4865 [12JY]

International Olympic Committee: recognize a moment of silence at future Olympic opening ceremonies to honor those who lost their lives at 1972 Munich Olympics (see H. Res. 663), H3482 [5JN]

Iran: condemn continued persecution, imprisonment, and sentencing of Youcef Nadarkhani on the charge of apostasy (see H. Res. 556), H1101 [29FE]

——— express importance of preventing acquisition of nuclear weapons capability and continue economic and diplomatic pressure to secure nonproliferation agreement (see H. Res. 568), H1210 [6MR]

Israel: authorize further assistance to Israel for the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system (see H.R. 4229), H1847 [16AP]

——— reaffirm strategic relationship with the U.S., direct the President to submit reports on U.S. actions to enhance this relationship, and assist in the defense of Israel (see H.R. 4133), H1363 [13MR]

Judge Shirley A. Tolentino Post Office Building, Jersey City, NJ: designate (see H.R. 2896), H966 [27FE]

Macedonia: work within U.N. framework process with Greece to find a mutually-acceptable composite name, with a geographical qualifier and for all international uses for the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (see H. Res. 627), H2031 [19AP] (see H. Res. 639), H2274 [27AP] (see H. Res. 650), H2645 [10MY]

March of Dimes Foundation: mint coins in recognition and celebration (see H.R. 3187), H2329 [7MY]

Medicaid: cover physician services delivered by podiatric physicians to ensure access by beneficiaries to appropriate quality foot and ankle care (see H.R. 3364), H1498 [21MR]

Medicare: ensure continued access of beneficiaries to diagnostic imaging services (see H.R. 3269), H696 [13FE]

——— ensure more timely access to home health services for beneficiaries (see H.R. 2267), H966 [27FE]

——— extended coverage of immunosuppressive drugs for kidney transplant patients and other renal dialysis provisions (see H.R. 2969), H6279 [21SE]

Middle East: limit U.S. assistance to the Palestinian Authority (see H.R. 5303), H2448 [8MY]

Minimum wage: provide for increases consistent with inflation (see H.R. 6211), H5860 [11SE]

National Principals Month: designate (see H. Res. 415), H6280 [21SE] (see H. Res. 781), H6302 [5OC]

National Women’s History Month: support goals and ideals (see H. Res. 573), H1209 [6MR]

New Jersey: exclude from prohibition on professional and amateur sports gambling to the extent approved by the State legislature (see H.R. 3809), H4605 [28JN]

New York Giants (football team): tribute (see H. Res. 544), H640 [8FE]

Nicklaus, Jack: award Congressional Gold Medal (see H.R. 4040), H945 [17FE]

North Korean Human Rights Act: reauthorize (see H.R. 4240), H1541 [22MR]

Office of the Director of National Intelligence: allow elements of the intelligence community to share cyber threat intelligence with private-sector cybersecurity entities (see H.R. 3523), H1391 [19MR]

Pharmaceuticals: clarify the orphan drug exception to the annual fee on branded prescription pharmaceutical manufacturers and importers (see H.R. 2672), H6001 [13SE]

——— preserve effectiveness of medically important antibiotics used in treatment of human and animal diseases (see H.R. 965), H115 [23JA]

Political campaigns: provide for additional disclosure requirements for corporations, labor organizations, and other entities (see H.R. 4010), H1135 [1MR]

——— reform the financing of congressional elections by encouraging grassroots participation in the funding of campaigns (see H.R. 6426), H6060 [14SE]

Ports: recognize importance to the U.S. economy and national security, strengthen seaport-related infrastructure, and express gratitude to port employees (see H. Res. 592), H1427 [20MR]

Postal Service: recalculate and restore retirement annuities, eliminate requirement to pre-fund health benefits fund, restrict facility closures, and create incentives to maintain levels of service (see H.R. 3591), H1741 [28MR]

Roads and highways: extend Federal-aid highway, highway safety, motor carrier safety, transit, and other Highway Trust Fund-funded programs (see H.R. 14), H1496 [21MR]

Russia: impose sanctions on persons responsible for detention, abuse, or death of Sergei Magnitsky, the conspiracy to defraud Russia of taxes on corporate profits, and other human rights violations (see H.R. 4405), H3578 [6JN]

Social Security: repeal Government pension offset and windfall elimination provisions (see H.R. 1332), H1428 [20MR]

Sports: permit States to grant exemptions from certain laws for lotteries, sweepstakes, and other betting, gambling, or wagering schemes involving professional and amateur sports (see H.R. 3797), H4605 [28JN]

Sri Lanka: commend U.N. efforts to implement human rights accountability, call for investigation of war crimes and other human rights violations, and allow greater freedom of movement (see H. Res. 177), H1154 [5MR]

Staff Sergeant Joseph D’Augustine Post Office Building, Waldwick, NJ: designate (see H.R. 6318), H5705 [2AU]

Sudan: develop strategy to end human rights violations, create incentives for governments and persons to end support, and reinvigorate peace efforts (see H.R. 4169), H2329 [7MY]

Taxation: extend exclusion from gross income for employer-provided health coverage to certain employee designated beneficiaries (see H.R. 2088), H5860 [11SE]

——— extend the qualifying therapeutic discovery project credit (see H.R. 1988), H182 [25JA]

——— increase and extend deduction for certain expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers (see H.R. 694), H3733 [18JN]

——— promote charitable donations of qualified vehicles (see H.R. 860), H2329 [7MY]

——— provide tax relief for damages relative to Hurricane Sandy (see H.R. 6683), H7359 [19DE]

——— reduce tax on beer (see H.R. 1675), H3363 [31MY]

Transportation Security Administration: allow transportation worker identification credentials (TWIC) applicants to remotely apply for issuance, renewal, or activation (see H.R. 3173), H3105 [17MY]

Turkey: urge reopening of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Theological School of Halki without condition or further delay (see H. Res. 506), H1135 [1MR]

Twain, Mark: mint commemorative coins (see H.R. 2453), H641 [8FE]

Veterans: issue a Victory for Veterans stamp (see H.R. 6121), H4863 [12JY]

Vietnam Veterans Day: establish (see H. Res. 684), H5079 [19JY]

Voting: modernize voter registration, promote access to voting for disabled individuals, and protect the right to vote (see H.R. 5799), H3102 [17MY]

Women: improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases in women (see H.R. 3526), H4864 [12JY]

World War II: award Congressional Gold Medal to members of the Civil Air Patrol (see H.R. 719), H1273 [7MR]

——— award Congressional Gold Medal to the First Special Service Force (see H.R. 3767), H1359 [9MR]

Yousafzai, Malala: award Congressional Gold Medal (see H.R. 6588), H6343 [13NO]

Bills and resolutions introduced

Children and youth: provide for universal intercountry adoption accreditation standards (see H.R. 6027), H4064 [26JN]

Disasters: establish Federal catastrophe fund with dedicated funding from insurance premiums allowing States to purchase reinsurance and provide for natural disaster mitigation and preparedness funding (see H.R. 6477), H6231 [20SE]

Constitutional authority statements

Children and youth: provide for universal intercountry adoption accreditation standards (H.R. 6027), H4064 [26JN]

Disasters: establish Federal catastrophe fund with dedicated funding from insurance premiums allowing States to purchase reinsurance and provide for natural disaster mitigation and preparedness funding (H.R. 6477), H6233 [20SE]

Remarks

Cyprus: tribute to outgoing Presidency of the Council of the European Union, E1969• [19DE]

Dept. of Education: extend the reduced interest rate for Federal Direct Stafford Loans, H3586 [7JN], H3811 [20JN]

Dept. of State: remove People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) from list of foreign terrorist organizations, H1923 [18AP], H6163 [20SE]

Holocaust Remembrance Day: observance, H2080 [25AP]

Hurricanes: making supplemental appropriations for recovery from damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, H7278 [19DE]

——— tribute to volunteers and assistance organizations for efforts in responding to Hurricane Sandy, H6348 [14NO]

Iran: provide for a comprehensive strategy to counter growing presence and hostile activity in the Western Hemisphere (H.R. 3783), Senate amendment, H6840 [18DE]

Iraq: ensure that humanitarian protections are upheld for the residents of Camp Ashraf and Camp Liberty, H6163 [20SE]

National Teacher Appreciation Week: observance, H2458 [9MY]

Newtown, CT: condemn shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School, express condolences for victims, and commend school personnel and first responders who responded to shootings, H6835 [18DE]

Roads and highways: extend Federal-aid highway, highway safety, motor carrier safety, transit, and other Highway Trust Fund-funded programs (H.R. 14), H1650 [28MR]

——— extend Federal-aid highway, highway safety, motor carrier safety, transit, and other Highway Trust Fund-funded programs pending enactment of a multiyear reauthorization (H.R. 4348), motion to instruct conferees, H3950 [21JN]

Taiwan: observance of National Day, E1595• [21SE]

——— tribute to donations toward Hurricane Sandy relief efforts, E1882• [5DE]

West New York, NJ: tribute to West New York, NJ, School District for nutrition and physical education programs under the Dept. of Education Healthy School Program, H43 [18JA]

Tributes

Costello, Representative, H5912• [12SE]

John Stevens Family, E1965• [19DE]

Ma Ying-jeou, E1595• [21SE]

Pope Shenouda III, H1584 [27MR]

Stabile, Jeffrey R., E57• [23JA]